By Admin, BuyLocalBG.com, BuyLocalBg@gmail.com/
Tuesday, November 19th, 2013 10:00 AM CST
We know many of you will be deep frying a turkey and we want to make sure we go over this one more time. To demonstrate how dangerous deep frying turkeys can be we turn to Underwriters Laboratories who describes it as so:
UL considers turkey fryers to be dangerous to use presenting numerous safety hazards to consumers. “We’re worried by the increasing reports of fires related with turkey fryer use,” says John Drengenberg, consumer affairs manager of UL. “Based on our test findings, the fryers used to produce those great-tasting birds are not worth the risks. And, as a result of these tests, UL has decided not to certify any turkey fryers with our trusted UL Mark.”
Booth Fire and Safety knows many of you will still try to deep fry a turkey and we want you to be safe as possible. So, it’s best to be armed with information that can help keep you safe and ready for anything that could go wrong.
Turkey fryer hazards:
- Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil from the cooking pot.
- If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner or flames, causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.
- Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect. This too may result in an extensive fire.
- With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
- The lid and handles on the sides of the cooking pot get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.
If done safely, it is a tasty way to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
Important safety information:
If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, please use the following tips.
- Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
- Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
- Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
- Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
- Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
- To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
- The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.
If you need items to be safe this Thanksgiving, come by 538 State Street Bowling Green to Booth Fire and Safety. Call them at 270.781.3330 or check their website out and fan them on facebook. Remember, be safe and enjoy your holiday!