What causes deep fried turkey to explode?

So, when the ice from a frozen turkey meets a vat of hot oil, it instantly changes to steam and expands to 1,700 times its original volume. This can cause the oil to bubble over and if an oil particle makes contact with a flame — boom — you’re in trouble.

How many houses burned down from deep frying turkeys?

900 homes
Per Fox News, every year, deep-fryer fires are responsible for five deaths, 60 injuries, and the destruction of 900 homes. However, if you choose to deep fry your turkey this Thanksgiving, there are a few precautions you can take to protect yourself: Plan ahead.

How many people get injured from deep frying a turkey?

60 injuries
Every year deep-fryer fires are responsible for 5 deaths, 60 injuries, the destruction of 900 homes, and more than $15-million in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. So before you stick your turkey in the fryer, check out these safety tips first: Safety starts days before.

How many turkey accidents a year are caused by frying?

U.S. fire departments respond to more than 1,000 fires involving deep fryers each year, resulting in an average of five deaths, 60 injuries, the destruction of 900 homes and more than $15 million in property damage, according to the NFPA.

What happens when you put a frozen turkey in oil?

So when the ice in a frozen turkey comes in contact with the hot oil, the surface ice quickly turns to steam. This quick transition is not a problem when it happens at the very surface of the oil. The steam escapes harmlessly into the air.

How do you put out a fried turkey fire?

Place the turkey in the oil slowly; this may take up to a minute depending on size. Keep a multipurpose (ABC) fire extinguisher nearby in case of fire. Never use water to extinguish a turkey fryer fire; oil and water do not mix. If a fire occurs, clear the area and call 911.

What if it rains while frying a turkey?

Because fryers are designed for the outdoors (don’t even think about deep-frying a turkey inside), it’s exposed to the elements—rain or snow falling into the oil can create splatter and excruciatingly hot steam.

How many houses burn down on Thanksgiving?

Data Snapshot: Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings (2017‑2019) For each year from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of 2,300 residential building fires were reported to fire departments in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day.

When should you inject a turkey before deep-frying?

Traditionally, a fried turkey is injected with a marinade before it’s cooked; how long before cooking is a subject of debate. You can inject the turkey anywhere from 24 hours to 5 minutes before frying. We had good results injecting two hours before frying.

How long does a 20 pound turkey take to deep fry?

When the oil reaches the target temperature, slowly lower the turkey and basket into the fryer. Set the timer for 3 to 4 minutes per pound. For example, if you’re trying to decide how long to deep fry a 20 pound turkey, 3 x 20 = 60 minutes minimum. Turkey fry time for a 10 pound bird should be 30 to 40 minutes.

Why You Should Never deep fry a frozen turkey?

For deep-frying, cooking oil is heated to around 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 C). This is much hotter than the boiling point of water, which is 212 F (100 C). So when the ice in a frozen turkey comes in contact with the hot oil, the surface ice quickly turns to steam.

Will a frozen turkey explode in a deep fryer?

The vast majority of these accidents happen because people put frozen turkeys into boiling oil. If you are considering deep-frying this year, do not forget to thaw and dry your turkey before placing it in the pot. Failure to do so may lead to an explosive disaster.

How do deep fryer fires start?

Thermostat malfunction is a primary cause for deep fryer fires in restaurants. If a thermostat malfunctions, cooking temperatures can rise. At 218ºC (424ºF) oil starts to smoke. Smoke production will increase as the temperature rises.

Why do turkeys start on fire?

Overfilled or a partially frozen turkey will cause overflow when the turkey is inserted. A small amount of cooking oil coming into contact with the burner can cause a large fire. Most fryers don’t have thermostat controls.

Can you deep fry a turkey on a windy day?

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.

Can you overcook a fried turkey?

Do not overcook the turkey. If the oil maintains the proper temperature, 3 minutes per pound plus 5 minutes should be sufficient. If the turkey is cooked too long, the meat will be quite dry.

What holiday has most house fires?

Holiday cooking Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Cooking equipment was involved in one of every five (19%) of home decoration fires. This can happen when a decoration is left on or too close to a stove or other cooking equipment.

How do turkey fires start?

To avoid this, it’s important to account for the volume of the turkey before dropping it in the pot, to avoid starting a conflagration. The second major cause of turkey fires is from attempting to deep fry a frozen turkey. The ice on the frozen turkey quickly turns to steam when it comes into contact with the hot oil.

Is 3 gallons of oil enough to fry a turkey?

The turkey fryer pot included in most turkey fryer kits will have a max fill line, so you can use the line to determine how much oil to add. You’ll need enough oil to cover your entire turkey, but not so much that it spills over. A general guideline is to use 3 gallons of oil for a 30 qt.

Is it better to brine or inject a deep fried turkey?

Advantages of injecting turkey: Injecting works faster than brining. You can inject the bird immediately before cooking. Fats like melted butter, duck fat, or olive oil can be delivered deep into the breast meat, increasing its succulence.

When should you inject a turkey before deep frying?

What is the best oil to use to deep-fry a turkey?

Peanut oil
Which Oil Should You Use to Fry Turkey? Peanut oil is the best oil for deep frying turkey because its high flash point makes it less likely to catch on fire. The best oil for fried turkey should also be low in saturated fat because the turkey will absorb a small amount of oil as it cooks.

What happen if u put ice in Grease?

When you add ice to a deep fryer, it reacts with the oil because the temperature levels are so different. The ice quickly changes from frozen to liquid to gas, causing a powerful reaction. Additionally, oil and water do not mix, so the oil rapidly expels the water molecules.

What is the largest turkey you can deep fry?

How Big of a Turkey Can You Deep Fry? You can fry a turkey as big as 22 pounds, but you may have to portion it into pieces. Stick with a turkey that’s between 9 and 14 pounds so you can keep the turkey intact.