Deep frying a turkey has become an increasingly popular cooking method for holidays and special occasions. When done properly, deep frying results in a turkey that is moist, tender and delicious with crispy, golden brown skin. However, there are important safety considerations when deep frying a turkey at high temperatures. One common question is whether or not you should cover the pot when deep frying a turkey.
Should You Cover the Pot When Deep Frying a Turkey?
The short answer is no, do not cover the pot when deep frying a turkey. Leaving the pot uncovered is crucial for safety and proper cooking.
Here are the main reasons why you should never cover the pot during deep frying:
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Covering the pot can trap steam and moisture. This builds up pressure and can cause hot oil to bubble up boil over the sides, and splatter. An uncovered pot allows steam to release freely.
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Splattering and bubbling oil can lead to dangerous oil spills burn injuries and potential fires. An uncovered pot avoids steam buildup that agitates the hot oil.
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If the oil ignites while cooking, an uncovered pot allows flames to be seen clearly. A covered pot can trap flames undetected.
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Leaving the pot open gives you full visual access to monitor the turkey as it fries for best results. A lid obstructs your view.
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The high heat of the oil cooks the turkey thoroughly without needing to trap heat or moisture under a lid.
So for safety and proper deep frying, it is essential to leave the pot uncovered to allow ventilation, visibility, and prevent splattering oil.
Dangers of Covering the Pot
Let’s explore in more detail the potential risks and dangers that can occur if you make the mistake of covering the pot while deep frying:
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Steam buildup – Moisture released from the turkey will turn to steam when met with 350°F+ oil. Trapped under a lid, pressurized steam can violently expel oil out of the pot.
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Hot oil spills – When steam causes hot oil to bubble, foam and overflow the sides of the pot, dangerous oil spills can occur. Oil can spill onto the burner causing flare ups.
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Painful oil splatter – Not only can spilled oil cause burns, but even small bubbles of steam can make oil splash out of uncovered sides of the pot onto your skin.
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Undetected fires – If a fire starts in a covered pot, you can’t see it as well to quickly respond. Flames will burn longer before being discovered.
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Boil overs – The fast bubbling action caused by trapped steam under a lid can lead to hot oil boiling over the rim and igniting.
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Uneven cooking – A lid traps heat and moisture unevenly, leading to inconsistencies in cooking between the top and bottom of the turkey.
Tips for Safe Deep Frying
Follow these tips for safely deep frying a turkey without any lid:
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Use a tall pot with at least 2-3 inches of headspace above the oil level after adding turkey. This prevents boil overs.
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Allow at least 10 inches between the oil level and the pot rim to accommodate bubbling and splatter.
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Use a high quality cooking thermometer to monitor oil temperature.
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Slowly lower the turkey into the oil to prevent splashing.
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Cook outside on a flat surface away from homes, trees and combustibles.
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Have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of flare ups.
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Wear long sleeves and closed toe shoes in case of splatters.
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Monitor the turkey and oil closely during the entire cooking time.
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Allow oil to cool completely before disposing to prevent fires.
What If You See Smoke or Flames?
If you notice your oil starting to smoke or see flames appear, follow these tips:
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Immediately turn off the propane burner if safe to reach. This will remove the fuel source.
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Carefully cover the pot with a metal lid to smother the flames if they are manageable.
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Douse minor flames with baking soda rather than water to extinguish them safely.
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Never throw water on an oil fire! This can cause splashing and spreads the flames.
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If the fire grows out of control, call emergency services for help. Do not take risks.
So in an emergency, shutting off the fuel source, covering the pot, using baking soda, and calling for help if the fire escalates are the safest responses.
Alternative Cooking Methods
If you are concerned about the dangers of uncovered deep frying, safer alternative cooking methods for turkey include:
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Oven roasting
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Smoking
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Grill roasting
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Oil-less infrared turkey frying
While these may not achieve quite the same crispy skin and moistness as deep frying, they avoid the risks of exposed hot oil splattering.
The Bottom Line
Deep frying turkey can produce amazing, juicy results, but also comes with safety hazards. Never cover the pot when deep frying! An uncovered pot is essential to allow steam to vent, visibility of what’s happening, and prevent messy boil overs. Use extreme caution, proper tools and focus when deep frying to avoid painful splatters, scorching oil spills and uncontrolled fires. Or consider safer alternatives like roasting or grilling your turkey instead. With the proper precautions in place, you can enjoy the delicious turkey your family craves. Just leave the lid off the pot!
Step 3: Prepare the Fryer
Step 4: Prepare the Turkey
How to Deep Fry a Whole Turkey – Step by Step Tutorial by @BigPaulOnTheGrill
FAQ
Do you put the lid on the pot when deep-frying a turkey?
Keeping the lid on will increase the chances of creating a grease fire exponentially, most will advise you not to fry a turkey because even with the proper knowledge, experience and preparation it is very dangerous.
Do you fry a turkey covered or uncovered?
When cooking a turkey, it is recommended to cover it for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out. However, towards the end of the cooking process, it is advised to remove the cover to allow the skin to crisp up (1). Covering the turkey with foil helps trap steam and moisture, resulting in a juicier bird.
Should you cover a pot when deep-frying?
Covering the pot keeps steam from escaping, which can trap delicious aromas and reduce cooking time by allowing foods to steam. However, it is important to leave the lid off the pan during frying, searing, and deep-frying, as moisture interferes with creating a caramelized, crispy surface on these foods.
Do you deep fry with the lid open or closed?
Keep Your Deep Fryer Lid Closed
First, it acts as a shield, preventing any accidental splashes or splatters of hot oil that could cause burns.
Is deep frying a Turkey dangerous?
One of the most dangerous parts of deep frying a turkey is lowering the turkey into the hot oil. Add too much oil, and it can overflow and cause a fire. Here’s how to safely measure the volume of oil. First, put the turkey in the pot and fill it with water to cover the turkey by about a half-inch.
What happens if you fry a Turkey in a pot?
Surely, if that pot holds a chicken, it can hold a turkey and five gallons of oil, you think. But when it comes time to fry, you either can’t get the oil hot enough or you try to cram the turkey into a too-small pot, causing an oil spill that catches fire. You’ve now become one of those YouTube horror stories.
How do you cook a Turkey in a frying pot?
Once you have bought your turkey, place it inside your frying pot and fill the pot up with water until the bird is covered. Use can use your outdoor yard hose or a bathtub to make this easier than trying to do it in your kitchen sink (unless you have a big and deep sink).
What happens if you fry a Turkey in a frying pan?
The icy bird creates a ton of steam that bubbles the oil over the sides of the pot and into the fire of the fryer burner below. From there the fire can spread and catch the propane tank on fire as well. Wet turkeys also cause oil to splatter, which can cause burns and fires.
How do you cook a Turkey in oil before frying?
Pat the turkey dry again just before frying. Turn off the burner and lower the turkey into the oil very slowly. On the big day, when your oil is hot enough for frying (and you’ve taken the chill off the turkey), you’ll want to be prepared to lower the turkey into the oil (wearing your heat-resistant gloves) with control.
Should you Thaw a deep fried turkey?
Proper thawing and dry brining makes for a more delicious turkey, to be sure, but it also ensures that you won’t have lots of steam and splatter when you lower the turkey into the hot oil. 4. Overfilling the pot with oil. When it comes to deep-fried turkey, more oil isn’t necessarily better.