There are many modern inventions that have made hosting the holidays easier. When it’s time for you to invite everyone into your home, aren’t you glad you have:
a dishwasher?
paper plates and plastic flatware?
pre-made desserts?
While these things might make our grandmothers roll their eyes, few of us have time for a 100% from-scratch holiday dinner or hours of washing dishes afterward. What’s more, we already spend overwhelming amounts of money on electric bills each month thanks to our year-round need for AC here in Central Florida, so who wants to heat the kitchen up by running the stove and the oven all day? It’s easy to find shortcuts for your dessert, for your bread, and even for your salad (bagged lettuce mix in your own holiday bowl is a great hack!) but when it comes to the turkey, things get a little trickier.
Enter: the turkey fryer.
Deep frying turkeys isn’t a new concept. Turkey fryers became popular years ago, and while the trendiness has worn off, many people fell in love with the crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat that come along with deep frying their bird. Unfortunately, deep frying turkeys comes with a long list of risks as well, including:
- house fires
- severe burns
- grease splatter into eyes
- damage to the surrounding area
Obviously, frying a turkey isn’t something to take lightly. However, there are ways to do it safely as long as you follow science and abide by a few basic rules. If you choose to deep fry your turkey this Thanksgiving season, remember to:
- Thaw it first! Fully thaw your bird in the fridge several days before you plan to fry it. As it thaws, absorb all excess liquid with paper towels and discard.
- Dry it out. Whether your brine and rinse your bird, or simply pour off the water that accumulates during the thawing process, it will be damp. Pat it dry with paper towels and attempt to dry the interior cavity as much as possible. Why? Because water (and ice, if your bird is still frozen) have a higher density than oil. Water will sink below the oil in the fryer, and as it heats up rapidly, will turn into steam which then expands and blows the hot oil over the top of the cooking pot. This can catch fire, burn anyone nearby, and even catch your home on fire. Don’t forget to dry that bird!
- Use a quality fryer. While buying second hand or opting for a discount store is great for some things, when it comes to a turkey fryer, your best to go with a trusted brand. Local hardware stores, and even big box retailers, offer competitive pricing on quality turkey fryers. You know they will work as they should, have customer support available when needed, and are more likely to hold up long-term.
- Keep kids and pets away from the frying area. This is self explanatory. Hot oil and curious children/pets don’t mix. Keep little ones and furry friends inside, or in an area far away from the frying zone.
The team at Brooks Law Group believes in celebrating safely with the ones you love. We don’t want to see any local Winter Haven families have those special memories ruined by an accident that can be prevented. If you’ll be spending the day with neighbors or friends, remind them of these tips if you see them pull out the turkey fryer. If you or someone you love is injured by the negligence of another this holiday season, our team is committed to getting the justice and compensation you deserve. Learn more about our legal services here on our site or contact us for your free, no-obligation consultation. When accidents happen, Look to Brooks!
