Are you looking to try frying your thanksgiving bird this year? Figure out why frying turkeys has been growing in popularity the last few years with the best rated turkey fryers.
There are some out of the box ways to cook turkey rather than just the traditional oven roast. Smoking a bird in an electric smoker or use kamado style smoker grill and create that wonderful hickory flavor.
Of course, if you watch the food network you’ll find plenty of ways to brine and roast a turkey in a more traditional way but for a crispy and juicy alternative consider frying the turkey this year.
Advantages To Frying
Since frying turkeys is at an all time high in popularity here are a few advantages that have folks giving it a try.
- Frying creates tremendously juicy meat as the juices remain inside the crispy skin
- Frying a turkey takes a couple hours or less depending on how big the turkey is.
- By cooking the bird outdoors, you free up oven space for the rest of the goodies on your holiday menu.
- For about the same price as a nice roasting pan, you can purchase all of the necessary culinary gadgets (fryer pot, propane burner) and they’re fairly inexpensive.
So to create a juicy and flavorful fried turkey the best rated turkey fryer is the Bayou Classic 3025 30-Quart Aluminum Turkey Fryer Pot coupled with the Bayou Classic Single Burner Patio Stove.
#1 Bayou Classic 3025 30-Quart Aluminum Turkey Fryer Pot with Accessories
For the money, it’s hard to find a better-constructed aluminum fryer pot that comes with all of the accessories needed to fry a 20lb turkey. Unlike other fryer pots, the Bayou Classic is specifically designed for frying whole turkeys.
Because of its tall and narrow design this pot requires less oil than a traditional stockpot. Bayou Classic’s included poultry rack allows oil to circulate evenly which helps prevent the bottom of the pot from scorching which is one of the best features of this fryer pot.
Clean up is one of the deterrents to frying a turkey, but the Bayou Classic is easier to clean than other fryer pots.
One 5 Star Amazon Customer Reviewer Writes:
“Great Fry Kit. Used it over Thanksgiving. Works great. Easy clean up, burnt on debris just wiped off with a scrubbing sponge. Don’t really know if that is the pot or just luck, but pots I’ve cleaned in the past have been a nightmare.”
What’s Included
- 30-quart stockpot made from commercial-grade aluminum
- 12-inch stainless-steel thermometer
- Perforated poultry rack
- Grab hook
Made to be used with the Bayou Classic 3025 30-Quart Aluminum Turkey Fryer Pot the Bayou Classic SP10 High-Pressure Outdoor Gas Cooker is the burner of choice.
Bayou Classic SP10 High-Pressure Outdoor Gas Cooker
Solidly welded 1 piece steel design make this a safe and effective burner for backyard, patio, or camping use. One of the best features of the SP10 is its adjustable flame settings. Unlike burners intended for frying OR boiling the SP10 allows for both making it multi-purpose.
In considering an outdoor gas burner safety is the most important factor when making a purchase decision. After all there is an open flame in your yard.
The Bayou Classic SP10 High-Pressure Outdoor Gas Cooker’s one piece construction and tripod design allow for very good stability while the 360-degree wind protector shield keeps the flame where you want it. Lastly, the heavy duty brass control valve connected to the 48-inch stainless braided hose gives customers piece of mind when operating.
There is virtually no assembly and lighting the flame with an extended bbq lighter is extremely easy.
NOTE: There is a taller burner. The Bayou Classic SP50 Tall High-Pressure Outdoor Gas Cooker is 21″ tall for even easier lighting and less bending when moving the turkey, but it does cost a bit more.
Learn More About Deep Frying and Turkey Recipes From Epicurious
What’s Good….
Both the Bayou Classic 3025 30-Quart Aluminum Turkey Fryer Pot and the Bayou Classic Single Burner Patio Stove are very well priced among the competition offering very good value. For under $100 you can get everything needed to fry a juicy turkey.
The construction of both the lightweight aluminum frying pot and steel burner is top of the line meaning you won’t be replacing them anytime soon. Both units provide a sturdy and stable frying which adds to the level of safety while cooking.
What’s Not So Good…
While the Turkey Fryer pot comes with everything needed to fry a turkey it does not include a perforated basket for steaming and frying things like french fries and chicken wings. Bayou Classic does offer a fryer pot that does include the basket, but it is nearly twice the price.
At 13-inches tall the SP10 Burner sits pretty low to the ground meaning you’ll be bending a lot but at that height its low center of gravity provides greater stability and works well with taller pots.
Bottom Line…
The Bayou Classic 3025 30-Quart Aluminum Turkey Fryer Pot & Bayou Classic Single Burner Patio Stove make are the best rated turkey fryer based on value, construction, and customer reviews. For under $100 you’ll be frying in no time with the piece of mind knowing the tools are well constructed, easy to clean, and safe.
I used this very turkey fryer last year. It was an exceptional turkey…. Definitely not going back. We fried ours in peanut oil and it seems this is the the best choice for turkey.
Do you have any other suggestions for types of oils to use when frying turkey?
-Aaron
I’ve had good success with canola oil but I think I’ll try peanut oil next time I fry a turkey.
Ryan,
Do you have any safety tips for frying your Turkey. My friend Alan melted all of the siding on his house by putting the turkey in when it was still real wet.
My friend Jim always cooks a Turkey in his fryer for all of the special church events. They are the best tasting. I do not know what he does to prep his bird, what are your prepping tips.
John
Hi John
I would say the less prep the better. As your friend experienced adding any liquid or brine to a turkey you intend to fry is not a good idea!