How Much Propane Do You Need to Fry a Whole Turkey?

Frying a turkey is a unique way to prepare the holiday bird When done correctly, deep-fried turkey is juicy, flavorful and cooks much faster than roasting However, frying turkey does require special equipment and safety steps. It’s important to understand how much propane is needed to safely deep fry your bird.

Overview of Frying a Turkey with Propane

Here’s a quick overview of the deep frying process

• Use an outdoor propane burner with a large stock pot – Typically 30 quarts or bigger to fit a whole bird.

• Fill pot with peanut oil or other high smoke point oil. The amount needed depends on turkey size.

• Heat oil to 350-375°F monitoring temperature continuously. Use a deep fry thermometer.

• Prepare and thoroughly dry turkey. Do not stuff. Lower slowly into hot oil using a stand.

• Maintain oil temperature. Cook for approximately 3-5 minutes per pound.

• Check internal temperature to ensure doneness of 165°F. Carefully remove turkey when finished cooking.

• Allow oil to fully cool before disposing properly. Oil can be reused if strained and filtered.

How Much Propane is Required?

The amount of propane required depends on:

• Turkey size – A typical whole turkey is 12-20 pounds. Larger turkeys require more propane.

• Cook time – Figure approximately 3-5 minutes per pound. A 15 lb turkey = 45-75 min cook time.

• Burner BTU rating – Home turkey fryer kits often have 35,000-40,000 BTU burner. Higher BTUs use more propane.

On average, deep frying a turkey uses around 1.5-2 pounds of propane per bird cooked.

A standard 20 lb propane tank contains around 17-18 lbs of usable propane. This means one full tank should be sufficient to fry a normal 12-20 lb whole turkey.

Here’s a guide based on turkey size:

• 10 lb turkey = 0.75 – 1 lb propane
• 15 lb turkey = 1 – 1.5 lbs propane
• 20 lb turkey = 1.5 – 2 lbs propane

To estimate more precisely, calculate exact cook time x burner BTU rating.

Propane Usage Examples

Let’s look at typical propane amounts needed:

15 lb Turkey

• 45 min cook time
• 40,000 BTU burner uses 0.8 lbs propane per hour
• 45 min = 0.75 hours
• 0.75 hours x 0.8 lbs/hr = 0.6 lbs propane

20 lb Turkey

• 60 min cook time
• 40,000 BTU burner uses 0.8 lbs propane per hour
• 60 min = 1 hour
• 1 hour x 0.8 lbs/hr = 0.8 lbs propane

As shown, a standard 20 lb propane tank will have sufficient capacity for frying most whole turkeys.

Tips for Frying Turkey with Propane

Here are some key tips when frying turkey with propane:

• Have an extra full propane tank on standby for larger birds or multiple turkeys. You don’t want to run out of fuel mid-cook.

• Check propane level before and periodically during cooking.

• Set propane tank as far from burner as hose allows for safety.

• Use a propane hose rated for high heat. Ensure tight, leak-free connections.

• Keep children, pets and combustibles away from fryer.ParameterSet propane tank valve to low flow.

• Monitor oil temperature continuously. Allow to reheat gradually if too cool.

• Adjust burner flame to maintain target oil temp of 350-375°F.

• Never overfill pot with oil to prevent spillover.

Following these tips will ensure you safely fry up the perfect turkey with the right amount of propane.

Frying Multiple Turkeys or Bigger Birds

For larger gatherings, you may want to fry multiple smaller birds rather than one giant turkey. Here’s how much propane you’ll need:

• Two 12-15 lb turkeys – Plan on a full 20 lb tank plus an extra 10 lb backup tank.

• One 20-25 lb turkey – Best to have two standard 20 lb propane tanks full.

• Large birds over 25 lbs – Have at least two 20 lb tanks full. A 30 lb propane tank is also an option for very large turkeys.

No matter the turkey size, always have extra propane on hand in case of longer cook times. It’s better to have too much fuel than not enough.

Alternatives If Propane Isn’t an Option

If propane isn’t available, there are alternatives:

• Electric turkey fryers – Use a 120V electric burner with the same pot setup. Safer for indoor use.

• Oven “fried” turkey – Spatchcock turkey and cook at high heat in oven. Won’t be as crispy.

• Grilled turkey – Butterfly turkey for more even cooking on a grill. Add smoke flavor.

While these won’t match the crispy juiciness of deep fried, they can still deliver delicious turkey if propane frying isn’t practical.

Delicious Fried Turkey is Worth the Prep

While deep frying turkey requires more safety steps compared to other cooking methods, the end result is worth it. With the right amount of propane, equipment and prep, you can safely enjoy all the crispy, juicy flavor. Use around 1.5-2 pounds of propane per average 12-20 pound turkey. Monitor temperature and propane levels, and take necessary precautions. Your holiday table will be graced with the best fried turkey ever.