Deep-fried turkey has a loyal following. When done right, the skin comes out crispy, the meat stays juicy, and a 14-pound bird can be done in less than an hour. Frying your main also frees up your oven for everything else on the Thanksgiving menu. But frying a turkey also means working with gallons of hot oil, and the wrong setup can turn a holiday tradition into a safety hazard.
The right fryer makes the job much easier, and most importantly, safer. Today’s options range from classic propane-powered outdoor kits to electric countertop models that use less oil, and even oil-free fryers. To help you choose, I rounded up highly rated models worth your consideration. This holiday season, consider one of these turkey fryers for the star of your Thanksgiving meal.
The best turkey fryers
Each option on this list has at least a four-star average rating from 250 or more shoppers at Amazon and are highly rated at other stores, like Home Depot and Walmart.
This 30-quart pot deep fries a whole turkey or, with the basket removed, boils seafood, soups and jambalaya. The set also comes with a 10-quart pot that can be used for fish, wings and fries. The included 50,000 BTU propane burner delivers steady, powerful heat and all the accessories you need to fry a bird come in the set — including a hook to help you lower the turkey into the oil and a thermometer to measure the internal temperature to ensure it’s cooked through.
Fry, boil or steam (more than just turkey) with this countertop fryer. It fits up to a 20-pound turkey and can handle seafood boils and crispy wings, too. Drain clips hold food above the liquid, an easy-access valve empties oil and a pre-heat light signals when it’s ready. The included basket is also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
You can skip the oil with this option. Infrared cooking delivers even heat from a 16,000 BTU propane burner, handling up to a 16-pound turkey, an 8-pound roast or a 6-pound pork shoulder, according to the brand. It turns on with a simple knob twist and a front-access grease tray catches flavorful drippings you can turn into gravy.
BETA
If you’ve got a big turkey, you want this fryer — it can handle up to a 25-pound bird. The pot is built from 20-gauge commercial stainless steel and it has a vented lid to safely release steam. It also comes with a 12-inch thermometer to monitor oil temperature, and the kit includes an aluminum perforated poultry rack, a grab hook and an insulated glove for safe lifting and handling.
How I chose the best turkey fryers
To find the best turkey fryers, I researched several options with an average rating of at least four stars from 250 or more shoppers. I also wanted to cover different budgets and cooking setups, so the list runs from an affordable propane kit to splurge-worthy picks. It includes traditional outdoor propane fryers, electric models you can use indoors and oil-free infrared fryers, along with sizes for small and large birds.
Frequently asked questions
You should always follow the instructions that come with whatever model fryer you have. Most fryers are intended for outdoor use, though there are countertop options that can be used inside. According to Butterball, you should always use a completely thawed turkey when frying and you should preheat the oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In terms of cooking time, three to four minutes per pound is standard when it comes to frying.
It can be. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), deep fryers cause an average of five deaths, 60 injuries and more than $15 million in property damage each year. Turkey fryers can be dangerous if the hot oil spills outside of the pot or if it tips over. Placing a frozen or wet turkey in a pot of hot oil can also cause oil to spill over.
The NFPA says you can mitigate your risk by thawing and drying the turkey fully, measuring your oil level ahead of time, frying outdoors on flat ground away from buildings, turning off the burner while you lower the turkey into the fryer, and they urge people to never leave the fryer unattended.
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I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers home and lifestyle, among other topics. I have recently written stories on the best meat thermometers, how to keep perishable foods good during a power outage and more. For this story, I researched highly rated turkey fryers across all price points and sizes.
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