Turkey Fryer Oil
In the past few years, deep frying turkeys with turkey fryer oil has become more and more popular. Today it is easy to find the items necessary to deep fry a turkey, or just about anything, in any number of stores. Most places that carry grills or other barbecue items will usually also carry the deep pots used to hold the oil and turkey, butane heaters for cooking the turkey and even the turkey frying oil itself. You can even find these products at most, if not all, the Home Depot stores around the country!
Turkey Fryer Oil Pump
One question that is usually asked about deep frying a turkey is what kind of turkey fryer oil you should use. Although you can use cotton seed oil, vegetable oil, peanut oil or just about any high flash point cooking oil, the most common oil used is peanut oil because of its flash point is higher than the others and is therefore safer to use, and it also maintains its clarity better than the other oils. Additionally, it’s also a healthier alternative than virtually all the others. You can also find other oils that are a combination of two or more of the basic oils such as a 90%/10% mixture of soybean and peanut oil. Some products also contain anti-foaming agents.
You can save and reuse the turkey fryer oil that you use to cook your turkey provided you don’t let the oil rise above 375 degrees when you’re cooking as the oil will begin to break down at approximately the 400 degree point (450 for peanut oil.) If you do decide to reuse your oil, make sure that you filter the oil before storing it. Filtering will remove any herbs or turkey parts that might be in the oil.
Turkey Fryer Oil Reuse
Stored properly, the turkey fryer oil should remain good for up to six months. Be aware, however, that there will be some residual herb or spice flavors that may remain in the oil from use to use and that these will affect the taste of turkeys cooked in subsequent sessions. This will probably not be a problem if you use the same herbs and spices each time you cook. As a check, deep fry something like some French fries before you put your turkey into the oil and taste the fries to check that they’re edible an taste okay to you. If they’re good to go, then your turkey should be safe. If there is any question, use fresh oil so you don’t waste a turkey or disappoint those who will be dining with you.
Turkey Fryer Oil Disposal
The last thing to consider is what to do with the turkey fryer oil when you’re finished with it. Pouring it down the drain is not recommended at all and the best way to get rid of it is to contact a local restaurant or recycling company to see if they will take it. Many will take it free of charge although some may charge you a small fee. You might even be able to find someone or someplace in your local area that produces turkey fryer oil and would be glad to take it off your hands for free.
