Thanksgiving 101: What to do and what NOT to do when deep frying a turkey

The Palm Coast Fire Department demonstrated the best and worst practices outside Fire Station 25 on Monday, Nov. 20.

By Paige Wilson
| 12:11 p.m. November 20, 2017

The Palm Coast Fire Department demonstrates what not to do when deep frying a turkey. While the turkey didn't catch fire, the oil overflowed, which can easily happen at home if there's too much oil in the pot. Photo by Paige Wilson

Fire Chief Mike Beadle tells media the correct way to deep fry a turkey for the holidays. Photo by Paige Wilson

Firefighters regroup after the first attempt to have the turkey engulfed in flames failed. Photo by Paige Wilson

The second attempt to set the turkey on fire failed, as the wind kept knocking the flame out, preventing the oil from getting hot enough. But it still overflowed, showing the danger of overfilling the pot. Photo by Paige Wilson

Palm Coast Observer
News

Even though the two attempts by the Palm Coast Fire Department to light a turkey on fire from a hot pot of oil failed due to wind stopping the pilot flame, the message was still a success: Safety is key.

To help the community have a safe Thanksgiving, the fire department demonstrated how to correctly deep fry a turkey, along with what not to do, on Monday, Nov. 20, at Fire Station 25.

Fire Chief Mike Beadle said the biggest mistake people make when trying this holiday trend is filling the pot with too much oil, which then causes the boiling liquid to overflow when the turkey gets dunked.

Tips from the Fire Department

The National Fire Protection Association discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that cook turkey in hot oil.
Hot oil may splash or spill during cooking. Contact on skin could result in serious injury.
In deep frying, oil is heated to a temperature of 325-350 degrees F or more. Cooking oil is combustible. If it's heated above its cooking temperature, its vapors can ignite.
Propane-fired turkey fryers must be used outdoors. Don't use under awnings or tents or in enclosed places. Do not use in garages, sheds or gazebos. Use on a clean, flat level surface. Wooden decks are not a good place.
Inclement weather, such as rain, could cause the oil to splash and ignite surfaces on fire.
Windy days can cause the pilot flame to be extinguished.
If you see smoke coming off the pot or the oil, shut off the gas and walk away. Let it cool down.
Turkeys must be completely thawed before being placed in the fryer. Partially thawed turkeys will cause the oil to splatter, causing serious burns.
Considering the size and weight of the turkey, pot and oil, extreme caution must be taken when placing and removing the turkey from the fryer, ensuring it's not dropped back in.

"The best practice is to put the bird in the container, fill it up with water just to cover it, make a mark, take it out, dry it all out before you go to actually do the frying, then you go and do it on Thanksgiving day," Chief Beadle said.

The number of residential fires more than doubles on Thanksgiving Day, with most fires being caused by cooking and occurring between noon and 3 p.m., according to a Palm Coast press release.

For more information, contact the Palm Coast Fire Department at 986-2300.