Creative Uses For Your Turkey Fryer: Beyond The Bird

Turkey fryers are a serious investment, and it would be a waste to use them only once a year. Fortunately, they can be used for a variety of purposes, such as boiling, steaming, or frying large batches of food. They are particularly useful for outdoor parties, as they can cook large quantities of food quickly, and any odours dissipate quickly. Turkey fryers can be used to make large batches of soup or stew, and they can also be used for frying other foods such as chicken, fish, and shellfish. With a little creativity, a turkey fryer can be a versatile tool for cooking a wide range of dishes.

Boiling seafood

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Gather your chosen seafood, as well as any vegetables and seasonings you wish to include. Common vegetables used in seafood boils are potatoes, corn, onions, and garlic. For seasonings, you can use store-bought seafood boil bags, Old Bay seasoning, or create your own blend of spices. Don't forget to also prepare any additional sides or sauces you want to serve with the seafood boil.

Step 2: Fill the Turkey Fryer Pot

Fill the turkey fryer pot with water to the desired level, usually about two-thirds full or just over half full. If using a strainer basket, ensure it is inserted into the pot before adding water. You can also add seasonings directly to the water at this stage to infuse more flavour into the boil.

Step 3: Heat the Water

Place the pot on the burner system and attach the propane tank. Turn on the heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. This may take around 15 minutes, depending on the weather conditions and the amount of water in the pot. It's important to ensure a consistent high heat to maintain the boil throughout the cooking process.

Step 4: Add the Ingredients

Start by adding the ingredients that take the longest to cook. This usually includes potatoes, followed by corn, sausage, and any other seafood besides shrimp. Add each ingredient in stages, allowing sufficient cooking time for each before proceeding to the next. Boil times may vary depending on the size and quantity of ingredients, so it's important to monitor the progress and adjust timing accordingly.

Step 5: Add the Shrimp

Finally, add the shrimp to the pot and boil for a few minutes until they turn white or pink. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they will continue to cook even after being removed from the pot. Cooking times can range from about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the size and quantity of shrimp.

Step 6: Drain and Serve

Once the shrimp are cooked, carefully turn off the heat and remove the strainer basket from the pot, allowing it to drain. Spread the seafood boil out on a large tray or table covered with freezer paper or craft paper. You can also line trays with paper to absorb excess moisture. Serve with crusty bread or baguette, butter, salt, mustard, cocktail sauce, or any other condiments of your choice. Enjoy your delicious seafood feast!

Making large batches of soup

Turkey fryers are large, making them perfect for cooking up big batches of soup. Here are some tips for using your turkey fryer for soup-making:

Space and Safety

Turkey fryers need to be set up outdoors, in a well-ventilated area, away from any flammable materials. Choose a flat, level, hard surface, at least 10 feet from your home in any direction. Keep children and pets away from the area at all times.

Clean and Prepare

Before using your fryer, give it a good scrub to ensure there is no leftover residue. Wash and dry the pot before cooking.

Oil

If you are making a fried soup, you will need to fill the fryer with oil. Consult your fryer's manual for the recommended oil level and type. Peanut oil is a popular choice, but can be expensive. Alternatives include canola oil, vegetable oil, and safflower oil.

Temperature

Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Cook

Slowly and carefully lower your soup ingredients into the oil. Be careful not to drop them, as this could cause the oil to splatter. Cook for 3-4 minutes per pound.

Remove and Rest

Carefully lift your soup out of the oil and let it drain. Leave it to rest for 15-20 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavoursome dish.

Clean Up

Allow the oil to cool completely before cleaning your fryer.

Frying other foods

Turkey fryers are a great investment, not only for cooking turkeys but also for frying other foods. Here are some ideas for using your turkey fryer to prepare delicious dishes:

Large-format feasts

Turkey fryers are perfect for large-format feasts and parties. They can boil, steam, or fry large quantities of food quickly. You can use your fryer to prepare heaps of food for a big gathering, such as a community event or a Friday-night fish fry. Just remember to set up your fryer in a safe, outdoor space, away from anything flammable.

Seafood boils

Seafood boils are a fantastic use for your turkey fryer. You can easily boil crawfish, crab, or shrimp, along with all the fixings, in the large pot. A steamer basket is a handy accessory to have for this purpose. A seafood boil is a great way to feed a crowd and create a fun, social dining experience.

Steaming

Turkey fryers can also be used for steaming. Get your friends and family together for a tamale-making party and use your fryer to steam enough tamales for everyone to enjoy and take home. Steaming is a gentle cooking method that preserves the nutrients and flavours of the food, making it a healthy and tasty option.

Soups and stews

The large pot of a turkey fryer is essentially a supersized stockpot, making it perfect for preparing large batches of soup or stew. You can easily cook and hold multiple batches of your favourite chilli, soup, or stew. It's a great way to feed a crowd or meal prep for the week ahead.

Of course, you can also use your turkey fryer for frying other foods besides turkey. If you're already frying a turkey, why not throw in some other tasty treats? You can make large quantities of fried chicken, mozzarella sticks, beignets, onion rings, or pretty much anything else that can be fried. Just remember to follow safety precautions when using your turkey fryer and always cook outdoors in a well-ventilated area.

Boiling water for laundry

Firstly, it is important to note that a turkey fryer can be a great tool for boiling water and doing laundry by hand. This method can help extend the lifetime of your clothes by reducing wear and tear compared to machine washing.

To get started, simply fill your turkey fryer pot with water and place it on the propane burner. You can then light the burner and adjust the flame to control the water temperature as needed. It is recommended to use a thermometer to monitor the water temperature and ensure it reaches the desired level for effective laundry cleaning.

When boiling water for laundry, it is important to take safety precautions. Always wear protective gear, such as oven mitts and safety glasses, when handling the turkey fryer and hot water. Ensure that children and pets are not within the vicinity of the fryer to prevent any accidents.

Additionally, it is crucial to allow the water to cool completely before handling or disposing of it. The water can remain hot long after boiling, so exercise caution. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and warnings for your specific turkey fryer model to ensure safe operation.

In summary, a turkey fryer can be a useful tool for boiling water and doing laundry by hand. By following the above guidelines and safety precautions, you can effectively utilize your turkey fryer for this alternative purpose and potentially extend the lifespan of your clothing.

Making maple syrup

Turkey fryers can be used for more than just frying turkeys. They can be used to make maple syrup, for example. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make maple syrup using a turkey fryer:

Step One:

First, you will need to boil down your sap to around 5 gallons, which is the amount that fits nicely into a turkey fryer pot. Place the pot on top of the fryer and fill it with sap. Cover the pot initially to bring the sap to a boil, then remove the cover and let it continue to simmer. As the water boils off, the sap will reduce and the sugar content will become more concentrated.

Step Two:

Continue simmering until the sap reaches 219 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, and as you continue to simmer the sap, the water will be boiled off through steam. As the sap reduces, the sugar content becomes higher, and the boiling point of the sap increases. Therefore, by checking the temperature of the sap with a digital thermometer, you will know when it has reached the right concentration.

Step Three:

At this point, you can filter the sap if you want, or you can wait until the end. There is no wrong way to do this, and you can use filters or cheesecloth.

Step Four:

Pour the sap into a saucepan on the stove. Bring it back to a simmer, but keep a careful eye on the temperature to ensure it does not boil over. Once the temperature reaches 220 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it from the heat.

Step Five:

If you are using a hydrometer to test the sugar content, now is the time to do so. Place a sample of the maple syrup into the container and slowly lower the hydrometer into it. The syrup density should read around 62 Brix. If the reading is higher than 62 Brix, add a little more sap, and if it is too low, keep boiling.

Step Six:

Let the syrup cool, then pour it into sterilized mason jars for storage. You can sanitize the jars by placing them in boiling water for 30 minutes or by running them through the sanitize cycle in your dishwasher.

Tips:

• It is important to set up your turkey fryer on a flat surface and to block the wind if it is windy.
• Wide pots work best for boiling sap as they allow you to boil off more sap faster due to their larger surface area.
• Be very careful when handling the hot sap and open flame. Keep children and pets away from the area.
• It is recommended to finish the boil on the stove in the kitchen, as it is easier to control the temperature and prevent the syrup from boiling over.
• Straining the syrup through cloth or cheesecloth will help remove any cloudiness.
• It is more efficient to continuously add sap to the turkey fryer as the level reduces, rather than boiling and finishing 5 gallons at a time. This minimizes the time that the sap is not boiling and only requires one cleanup instead of multiple.

Frequently asked questions