Turkey Fryer Safety Tips

If you want your turkey fried by Medium Rare this Thanksgiving, take it to 515 8th St. SE in the Capital Hill/Barracks Row area Nov. 26 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and it will be cooked using a deep fryer.

The turkey frying is free (donations to DC Central Kitchen are welcome), but you have to supply the turkey and a container to transport it. Make sure the 8-10 pound bird is completely thawed.

Medium Rare will get to everybody on a first-come, first-fried basis.

Medium Rare is also accepting donations for the organization SOCKS, which collects, sorts and distributes new clothing for children ages 8 and younger.

Turkey Safety Tips

If you are cooking your turkey yourself, follow these safety tips from Dr. Jeffrey Shupp, director of the Burn Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Turkey Fryer Safety Tips

  • Keep fryer at least 6 feet from any structure
  • Do not place the fryer on a wooden deck
  • Never place the turkey in the fryer partially thawed – this can cause the oil to splatter
  • Use oven mitts that protect the forearm
  • Protect eyes related to the potential grease splatter

Turkey in the Oven Safety Tips

  • If using a foil pan to cook the turkey, place the foil pan on a cookie sheet in order to prevent pan from bending and spilling grease
  • Use oven mitts that protect your forearm
  • Keep children out of the kitchen when removing the turkey from the oven
  • When removing the turkey do not it on the oven door, transfer pan from oven directly to the top of the stove

U.S. Fire Administration's Five Dangers of Deep Frying a Turkey

  1. Turkey fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area.
  2. An overfilled cooking pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in, and a partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter when put in the pot.
  3. Even a small amount of cooking oil spilling on a hot burner can cause a large fire.
  4. Without thermostat controls, deep fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire.
  5. The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot
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