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Deep fried turkey? Electric Fryer?

5 years ago

Every year for many years, I've deep fried a turkey at the home of friends who host a large group for Thanksgiving. It supplements the oven baked turkey they provide. The deep fried is very popular and never a bite left. But I'm getting tired of hauling all the gear, the propane, etc. and the close monitoring outside. And my stainless steel pot has sprung a leak from the gasket at the spigot (probably fixable; I did send for some gasket sealer, food safe for high temps, but haven't tackled the job yet). So, then I thought I'd just buy a new set-up because I worry about the gasket leaking oil, and it will cause me quite a bit of stress until I know the seal is working. But I can't find the exact brand/size/set up that I have and I keep reading about electric fryers. Sounds so much easier. And they get really good reviews. Any experience with them here?

This is the one I'm considering

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Comments (4)

User
5 years ago
You are a REALLY good person!. I haven't fried a turkey and don't intend to.
Olychick thanked User
lindac92
5 years ago
My son has done fried turkeys for lots and lots of years, with the propane burner and a big stainless pot....not sure what all the talk of gaskets is about. they are always fabulous! One year he did 4 turkeys for friends as well as the one for family ( in addition to the one in the oven...because fried turkey has no dressing nor gravy!).
My son in law is a bit propane shy and has an electric one.....works well. I guess it's whatever you want. But I have had all sorts of other fabulous things cooked over that propane burner in that big pot....from fried chicken to fish to a boat load of corn ( not in oil!) potatoes....and I am going to suggest onion rings the next time the oil is ready to be discarded!
Olychick thanked lindac92
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Olychick
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
linda the pot has a spigot and it's threaded into the stainless steel pot. There was some kind of gasket or caulking stuff securing the spigot from leaking. It kind of twisted out when I was cleaning it after probably 10 - 12 years of frying in it. The spigot makes draining the oil so much easier. I can get a new pot with a spigot, but the SS pot is very expensive with a spigot and I thought if I was going to spend that kind of $$ I might look at the electric fryer. It's tempting because it says it's even safe for inside cooking, but I would guess we'd continue to cook in the open garage (with all the appropriate precautions). If it's house safe, I wouldn't feel like we had to babysit it continually. Just wondering about the results of the electric set up.
plllog
5 years ago
I don't know about the babysitting. You might not have to keep as watchful an eye, but I wouldn't leave it unattended. If you do want some relief from tending, try to find the one with the best quality temperature regulator. But I wouldn't do it. Leave it alone, that is. The indoor safe part is that you don't have the combustion and residues, and explosive potential. The electric probably won't explode, if it's made right. But it could still catch fire, get knocked over and spread fire, etc. Hot oil is no joke. A huge box of baking soda, with the seal broken and ready to pour is always a good idea...
Olychick thanked plllog

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