deep frying a turkey........ any tips?

[GTXDAN]

How long does it take to smoke a bird. I have been thinking about doing one in my smoker.

 

[SlinktRR]

Its roughly the same time as roasting, smaller turkeys take maybe 4 hours but plan on more time as needed. Go by temperature in the thigh not time, 165-175F. Make sure to salt the outside and under the skin with some hours in the refrigerator to get a nice smoke ring.

 

[eldubb440]

bird smokers

just kidding............ thanks for all the tips guys........first time for anything is usually a disaster, but hopefully not this time

 

[MarPar]

 

[Cranky]

other than don't blow myself up

oven took a dump, so I bought a fryer on amazon

Don't know if anyone has mentioned temps to cook at but after going with the recommended temp and about burned the bird, I reduced the temp to 300-325 for many years after. No one said anything bad about it but just scarfed it up. Only downside is the dang oil is just over 15 bucks per gallon!!! But you can strain it and put it back in the jug and freeze it. Another good reason not to cook too hot.....don't over heat the oil!! You won't like the bird's taste. Once you overheat the oil, you won't want to use it again either. My last jug of oil was reused 5 times! The bird was good on the 5th time but not quite as good as the previous times. Also, don't cook inside your shop or garage. I cook under my carport that's behind the shop and it's a good idea to have something handy in case of any fires. One more thing, I put the bird in the oil at around 275 and make sure you don't fill the pot too full and overflow it when the bird goes in.

 

[Cranky]

Enter the oil very slow. I do mine at 3 1/2 minutes per pound at 350.

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I usually let the bird set on the counter for a few hours before sticking it in the pot....room temp bird and oil that's 275-300 won't cool down much and comes back up to temp faster plus I don't have to go so slow when putting in the bird.

Cooking for Morons lol

The thing about dropping a whole turkey into a boiling pot of oil wreaks of danger to me.

Most people don't have a pot big enough to take the amount of oil required PLUS the volume of the turkey when immersed PLUS the volume in the pot required for the expanse of bubbles created when the turkey hits the hot oil.

That is where most people fall down and get burnt or worse ....set fire to their house/garage.

What a wimp lol A cold bird and 375 oil temp can be a problem. Read above on what I do. I found out the first time not to have the oil at cooking temp and to have a room temp bird going in. Besides, I cook at around 325.

Turkey is a healthy choice of food to eat. Why deep fry it?

You've never had a fried turkey?? Oh man...talk about good!

The only benefit of the fried turkey for me is the speed. If you have time, an offset smoker with cherry or apple wood makes a tasty bird. I use the Oklahoma Joe and can smoke 2 turkeys or 6 whole chickens at a time and they come out really nice. I do a brine injection for the turkeys. Brisket with oak and mesquite is my favorite on this setup.

A fried bird sure is good.....at least to me it is. I also like to use mesquite and oak too and pecan when I can get it. Pecan doesn't last too long on the rack before the worms find it though

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

 

[kiwigtx]

How long does it take to smoke a bird. I have been thinking about doing one in my smoker.

Not as long as it does to roll the meat up into those little papers.

 

[MarPar]

Not as long as it does to roll the meat up into those little papers.

 

[GTXDAN]

Its roughly the same time as roasting, smaller turkeys take maybe 4 hours but plan on more time as needed. Go by temperature in the thigh not time, 165-175F. Make sure to salt the outside and under the skin with some hours in the refrigerator to get a nice smoke ring.

I always use a thermometer to check temp. I learned the hard way working in Mexico. Got food poisoning several times there from under cooked food (chicken). Wasn't just me as a couple of the local girls that worked with us got sick at one place we ate too. One time it was 4 days to recover just laid up in the hotel.

 

[Cranky]

I always use a thermometer to check temp. I learned the hard way working in Mexico. Got food poisoning several times there from under cooked food (chicken). Wasn't just me as a couple of the local girls that worked with us got sick at one place we ate too. One time it was 4 days to recover just laid up in the hotel.

I've gotten sick on chicken before too.....and knew it wasn't cooked all the way when I bit into it but ate it anyways. Never again! That was back in the mid 70's and lost a couple of days of work and worked at a place where ya didn't get paid sick time.

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

I switched to using Rice Bran oil several years ago. Higher flash point and a much cleaner taste than Peanut oil.

Also I like to have my oil about 375-400 degrees when you first drop the turkey in, as the temperature will drop 50 degrees pretty fast. Then you can readjust the flame.

Love eating deep fried turkey, but the price of any oil to do one has gone crazy.

Tom

Rice bran oil - Wikipedia​

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Turkey is a healthy choice of food to eat. Why deep fry it?

A guy from Georgia is asking this?. You must not be originally from the south.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Most people don't have a pot big enough to take the amount of oil required PLUS the volume of the turkey

 

[QuickBpBp]

I always wanted to try deep frying one. I have the fryer except I do our crabs with it as a steamer. We do ours in the oven covered in bacon. The gravy my wife makes from it is incredible and the meat is tender and juicy. Good luck and report back. You may have to take a second job to do it in peanut oil as I have seen it up to $30 a gallon!!!

 

[eldubb440]

I always wanted to try deep frying one. I have the fryer except I do our crabs with it as a steamer. We do ours in the oven covered in bacon. The gravy my wife makes from it is incredible and the meat is tender and juicy. Good luck and report back. You may have to take a second job to do it in peanut oil as I have seen it up to $30 a gallon!!!

30 bucks? I'll just put that in the gas tank and head your way........... Rebel loves a road trip!

 

[eldubb440]

I need almost 4 gallons of oil to cover the turkey........... they sell 3 gallon buckets, does the oil "grow" when its hot? or does the "rolling" boiling oil cover the turkey anyway? can I add a little vegetable oil to make the difference if necessary?

 

[Cranky]

I need almost 4 gallons of oil to cover the turkey........... they sell 3 gallon buckets, does the oil "grow" when its hot? or does the "rolling" boiling oil cover the turkey anyway? can I add a little vegetable oil to make the difference if necessary?

How much of the turkey is out of the oil?

 

[Cranky]

I always wanted to try deep frying one. I have the fryer except I do our crabs with it as a steamer. We do ours in the oven covered in bacon. The gravy my wife makes from it is incredible and the meat is tender and juicy. Good luck and report back. You may have to take a second job to do it in peanut oil as I have seen it up to $30 a gallon!!!

Just under 50 bucks for 3 gallons here....

 

[Charles Cook]

I need almost 4 gallons of oil to cover the turkey........... they sell 3 gallon buckets, does the oil "grow" when its hot? or does the "rolling" boiling oil cover the turkey anyway? can I add a little vegetable oil to make the difference if necessary?

Yes, but you can buy small containers of Lou-Ann peanut oil in the grocery store.