Deep-fried turkey is actually a Cajun tradition, and it is an increasingly popular way to cook the main course.
It's not the safest way — in fact, a significant number of people have burned down their houses while attempting to do it. The number of burn victims from deep-frying reaches into the hundreds each year. The National Fire Protection Association and the American Burn Association discourage cooking a turkey in this manner, but because it produces a more flavorful bird with a crispy skin, people continue to deep-fry. Some advice from Underwriters Laboratories:
* Get a sturdy turkey fryer with four legs and a built-in thermostat so the oil maintains the proper temperature.
* Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dry or you could be spattered with oil and be severely burned.
* Fry outside and far away from your house.
* Follow instructions on the size of turkey to put into your fryer and how much oil to use. Splashing oil can ignite and turn your fryer into a flamethrower.
* Wear gloves designed for deep-frying.
* Never leave the fryer unattended.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
