How Long to Cook a Turkey in the Char-Broil Big Easy

The Big Easy® Outdoor Air Fryer is the stress-free way to fry your turkey without having to purchase or dispose of cooking oil. That means you dont have to worry about splattering, spilling and burns. It’s a delicious, safe and simple alternative to oil-fried turkey for a bird thats moist on the inside and crispy on the outside without the risk, hassle or added fat and calories of oil.

Did you know that The Big Easy cooks so much more than turkeys and chickens? You can cook large cuts of meat like roasts and ribs as well as smaller items like wings, kabobs, potatoes and vegetables too.

Even though The Big Easy is well, easy, there are a couple things you need to know. In this article, we’ll cover the basics and accessories, answer your most frequently asked questions and wrap it up with some links to The Big Easy recipes.

Unlike deep fryers that use large vats of oil, The Big Easy uses patented infrared cooking technology to crisp up your bird and seal in juices. A propane burner heats the air between a double-wall cylindrical cooking chamber and the outer wall of The Big Easy®. The cooking chamber absorbs the heat and radiates it to the center of the chamber as TRU‐Infrared™ heat. Meat is cooked evenly, for juicy, crisp and flavorful results every time.

Coat all interior surfaces of the cooking chamber with vegetable oil. If you use a cooking spray, wipe down the chamber after spraying to ensure an even coat.2

Power Up Your Big Easy® Outdoor Air Fryer. Press and turn the burner control knob to the flame symbol. Then quickly turn the rotary ignitor knob. If ignition does not occur within 5 seconds, turn the burner control knob OFF. Wait 5 minutes and repeat lighting procedure.3

Keep it at full power until the vegetable oil burns off and stops smoking. The shiny finish of the stainless-steel cooking chamber should have a brown or bronze color finish after seasoning it.

To avoid cold port lifting, preheat your Big Easy for 5 to 10 minutes while you prep your food. Cold port lifting occurs when the burner is cold and meat is loaded before the flame has had sufficient time to travel around the entire burner, resulting in longer cook time.1

Set the roaster basket on a platter or in a pan large enough to fit the basket securely for transport to and from the fryer.2

Prepare the meat you plan to cook by covering it with a light coating of high-temp cooking oil and/or a dry rub or marinade. Your rub and/or marinade should contain NO sugar. Sugar will cause your food to burn. High-temp cooking oil, such as peanut, canola and avocado oil, is oil that smokes at a higher temperature or smoke point, producing less smoke at lower temps.3

Place the meat inside the roaster basket and lower the basket into the cooking chamber. When cooking turkey or chicken, position the bird with the breast up and the legs down.4

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat so that the tip does not touch bone and the dial is easy to read when the basket is in the cooker.

Accessories custom-made for The Big Easy (sold separately) give you lots of options. Our 22-piece accessory kit includes a kabob holder, rib hooks, leg racks and meat hooks.1

When you’re cooking kabobs, you don’t need the roaster basket. Simply skewer your meat and/or vegetables. Pop the skewers into the slots on the inner ring of the standing rack. Lower the kabob holder into the bottom of the cooking chamber. If you prefer, you can use our hanging kabob holder. Place the rack on top of the cooking chamber and hang your kabobs from the rack.2

If you’re looking for an easier way to cook ribs, go vertical. Punch our rib hooks through the meat under the first rib bone. Hang the hooks over the top rung of the roaster basket to cook rib racks up to 11-inches long.3

CHICKEN LEGS AND WINGS

Designed for cooking chicken legs & wings, leg racks hook onto the rungs of the roaster basket and can be placed at different levels. With the leg racks in place, slide the bone end of the drumstick between the wires to hang them to cook vertically and set your wings on top of the racks.4

WHEN DO I USE THE WIRE MESH LID?

The wire mesh lid is usually only used for the first or last 15 minutes of your cook. The lid reflects infrared heat back into the cooking chamber for extra browning. If used for the entire time, it can burn your food on the outside before it is fully cooked on the inside. The only time you would use the wire mesh lid for the entire cook time is on extremely windy days and when you’re cooking in colder outdoor temperatures.5

How to Cook Turkey in the Big Easy Fryer

FAQ

How many minutes per pound turkey in big easy?

Additionally, if the turkey isn’t thawed completely it will have a huge effect on cook time. It’s best for the meat to be at room temperature when placed in the cooker. Generally, you can expect it to take approximately 10 minutes per pound. Cook times are included as a general guideline.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

• 350 degrees:

  This is the most common recommended temperature for roasting a turkey, offering a good balance between cooking time and achieving a crispy skin while keeping the meat moist. 

• 325 degrees:

  While considered a “slow and steady” method, cooking at 325 degrees may take longer and might result in less crispy skin. 

• High-heat start:

  Some recipes suggest starting at a higher temperature (like 425 degrees) for the first part of cooking to brown the skin quickly, then lowering to 350 degrees to finish cooking the turkey evenly. 

How long do you cook a Turkey in a Big Easy?

Season the turkey liberally inside and out. Place the turkey into the Big Easy basket and lower into the cooker. Cook for 10 minutes per pound. Check for doneness, 180°F in the thighs and legs, and 170°F in the breast. Always check in multiple locations. Remove the basket from the Big Easy and let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.

How long does it take to cook a 16 pound turkey?

No fancy rubs. Just a 16 pound turkey, a little oil, and some seasoning and 10 minutes per pound. The Char-Broil Big Easy is a game-changing outdoor cooker that makes preparing moist flavorful turkey incredibly simple. With its infrared cooking technology, the Big Easy evenly cooks turkey without the hassles of deep frying or constant monitoring.

How long do you cook a Turkey at 325?

As a rough guideline, cook the turkey for about 10-12 minutes per pound at 325°F (163°C). For a more precise cooking time, refer to the instructions that come with The Big Easy Cooker. While your turkey is cooking, it’s important to keep an eye on it.

How long do you cook a turkey breast in a Big Easy cooker?

Place seasoned turkey breast-side up in cooking basket. Insert oven-safe meat thermometer into thickest part of breast, without touching bone. 3. Cook Turkey Carefully lower basket into preheated Big Easy cooker. Cook turkey for approximately 10-12 minutes per pound, adjusting time based on size. 4. Monitor Temperature

How to cook a Turkey in a Big Easy cooker?

1. Set Up the Big Easy Cooker Assemble cooker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure propane tank is full. Preheat cooker on high for 10-15 minutes. 2. Prepare Turkey for Cooking Place seasoned turkey breast-side up in cooking basket. Insert oven-safe meat thermometer into thickest part of breast, without touching bone.

How long do you cook a Turkey in a Big Easy Fryer?

Preheat the Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer on high for 15 minutes. Place the turkey in the Big Easy Oil-Less fryer until it reaches 165 degrees F. For this turkey the cook time was 1 hour 45 minutes. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes. Should I brine the turkey for Big Easy? Brining your Big Easy-bound bird ensures it will be as moist as it is delicious.