The very best way to prepare a tender, juicy turkey in a fraction of the time it takes to roast one is to use a turkey fryer. In fact, once most people try it, they are reluctant to go back to the old-fashioned way of cooking turkey for a holiday meal, or anytime. With a turkey fryer, you can cook two turkeys or a whole bird plus a turkey breast in less time than it takes to cook one in the oven, and they are seared to golden perfection.
If you are considering purchasing a turkey fryer, find out which size and style best accommodates your needs. First, make sure you choose a fryer that has manual temperature controls. Some designs do not, and oil can reach extremely high temperatures quickly. Oil retains heat, and it takes a long time to get overheated oil back down to a manageable temperature. In addition, when oil is overheated it can lead to dangerous outcomes.
The average size cooking pot for a turkey fryer is between twenty-eight and thirty-two quarts (26.6 to 30.4 liters). These sound quite large, but remember, they have to be big enough to hold a turkey! Also, you may be thinking that such a large pot is going to be expensive to fill with oil, but you need far less oil than you might think. You will not have to fill the pot completely, since the turkey will take up most of the space.
The turkey fryer cooking pot may be made from aluminum or stainless steel, and smaller cooking pots can accommodate a turkey that weighs between twelve and eighteen pounds (5.4 to just over 8 kilograms). A large turkey fryer can cook turkeys up to twenty-five pounds (11.3 kilograms). For best results, do not attempt to cook a bird larger than the turkey fryer guidelines indicate is appropriate. Cook two if necessary, or cook an extra turkey breast.
The most popular turkey fryer is the gas model that uses a small propane tank to heat the oil, but there are also electric turkey fryers. These look similar to a fry basket typically used in home kitchens, but they are of course much larger. With this type of turkey fryer, be sure to choose one with a breakaway electric cord, and handles and lids that stay cool during cooking. This style usually provides adjustable temperature controls and may even have a light that appears when the oil has reached the desired temperature. They are generally not as large as outdoor models, so consider this fact before making your decision.