How To Clean Your Turkey Fryer Like A Pro

Deep frying a turkey is a delicious way to cook a decadent meal, but it can be a messy and dangerous process. It is important to clean your turkey fryer regularly to prevent appliance malfunction and ensure optimum performance. Here are some tips on how to clean your turkey fryer and get rid of that stubborn grease and oil.

How to clean a turkey fryer basket

To clean a turkey fryer basket, you must first allow the fryer to cool down completely. Then, remove the basket and place it in the kitchen sink.

Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the basket and leave it to soak in hot water for about 10 minutes. This will help loosen any food particles. After soaking, run the basket under warm water and scrub it with a soft scouring sponge, using a back-and-forth motion to help lift any remaining oil or food residue. Continue scrubbing until the basket is completely oil-free, adding more soap as needed.

Once you have finished scrubbing, place the basket on a dish drainer or towel to dry.

How to clean a turkey fryer

Preparing the Fryer for Cleaning:

Before you start cleaning your turkey fryer, it's important to unplug it and let it cool down completely. This is a crucial safety step to prevent burns and make the cleaning process easier.

Cleaning the Fryer Basket:

The basket is a crucial part of the fryer that requires proper cleaning. Once the fryer has cooled down, remove the basket and place it in the sink. Squeeze a few drops of liquid dish soap around the basket and let it soak in hot water for about 10 minutes. This will help loosen any food particles. After soaking, rinse the basket under warm water and scrub it with a soft scouring sponge using a back-and-forth motion to remove oil and food residue. Continue scrubbing until the basket is completely oil-free, adding more soap if needed. Finally, place the basket on a dish drainer or towel to dry.

Cleaning the Fryer Interior:

Start by removing any leftover oil from the fryer, even if you have an in-built oil collector. Pour the oil into a container with a lid for storage or disposal. Scrape the sides and bottom of the fryer with a plastic utensil or sponge to remove any stuck-on food. Be careful not to use metal utensils as they can scratch the surface. Add a few drops of dish soap to the bottom and sides of the fryer and scrub with a damp sponge, working from the bottom up in circular motions to create a soapy lather.

Once you've finished scrubbing, fill the fryer with hot water and let it soak for about 30 minutes to remove any remaining grease. Then, thoroughly rinse the fryer with clean water until the water runs clear. Dry the outside of the fryer with a towel, and leave the inside to air dry.

Cleaning an Outdoor Turkey Fryer:

For outdoor turkey fryers, start by shutting off the gas supply and letting the oil cool down completely. Once cool, open the oil valve and drain all the oil into a suitable container using a food-grade funnel to prevent spills. You can store the drained oil for future use or dispose of it according to local regulations.

After draining the oil, add some dish soap to your fryer and fill it with hot water. Let the soap and water sit for about 10 minutes to loosen any grease. If your fryer has a valve, open it to let some water flow through and help remove any debris. Empty the water and clean the inside of the drain valve using a small bottle brush. Finally, rinse the fryer thoroughly with a hose and let it air dry outdoors.

Removing Stubborn Grease:

If you're dealing with stubborn grease that won't come off with regular dish soap and water, you can create a homemade grease-busting solution. Mix one cup of vinegar with three cups of warm water and let your fryer basket soak in this solution to loosen the grease. You can also gently scrub the basket with a sponge to remove any remaining grease. Once you're done scrubbing, rinse the basket with clean water and let it air dry.

How to remove turkey fryer grease

To remove grease from a turkey fryer, you'll first need to let the oil cool completely. This can take a few hours. Once the oil is cool, open the oil valve and drain it into a suitable container. You can store the oil to reuse or recycle it, or dispose of it if it's cloudy, very dark, or has an unpleasant smell.

Next, you'll need to clean the fryer itself. Start by scraping the sides and bottom of the fryer with a plastic utensil or sponge to remove any stuck-on food. Be careful not to use metal utensils, as these could damage the fryer. Then, add a few drops of dish soap and fill the fryer with hot water, letting it soak for about 10 minutes to loosen any grease. If your fryer has a valve, open it to let some water flow through and help loosen any debris.

After soaking, scrub the inside of the fryer with a sponge or brush, using warm, soapy water until all the grease is removed. Rinse the fryer thoroughly and wipe it down with a towel. Leave the fryer to air dry completely before using it again.

If you're having trouble removing stubborn grease, you can create a homemade cleaning solution by mixing one cup of vinegar with three cups of warm water. Let your fryer basket soak in this solution, then use a sponge to gently scrub away any remaining grease. Rinse with clean water and let the basket air dry.

Supplies needed to clean a turkey fryer

• Degreaser or dish soap
• A clean cloth or sponge
• A scouring pad or scrub brush
• Hot water
• A container to collect the used oil, such as an empty metal coffee can or a clean, empty jug or pail
• Paper towels
• A plastic spatula
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• A soft brush
• A small-diameter bottle brush (for fryers with a drain valve)

It is important to note that the fryer should be unplugged and completely cooled down before attempting to clean it. Additionally, it is recommended to wear gloves and eye protection when handling the degreaser.

How to clean an outdoor turkey fryer

Outdoor turkey fryers can be intimidating to clean, but it's important to do so regularly to ensure optimum performance and extend the life of your fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your outdoor turkey fryer:

Step 1: Shut Off the Gas Supply and Let the Oil Cool

Before you begin cleaning, make sure to shut off the gas supply to your fryer. Then, let the oil cool down completely. This can take a few hours, so be patient! Trying to drain the oil while it's still hot is dangerous.

Step 2: Prepare a Container and Drain the Oil

Prepare a clean, empty container, such as a jug or pail, to collect the used oil. If your fryer has a drain valve, position the container under the valve and place a food-grade funnel into the neck. Open the valve and allow the oil to drain completely. Close the valve when you're done. If your fryer doesn't have a drain valve, simply tip the fryer toward the funnel to empty the oil.

Step 3: Store or Dispose of the Oil

You can store the drained oil in a suitable container for future use. It is recommended to replace the oil after three to five uses. Alternatively, you can dispose of the oil properly.

Step 4: Add Dish Soap and Water

Once the oil is drained, add a small amount of degreasing dish soap to your fryer. Fill the fryer with hot water, making sure the frying basket, if present, is fully submerged. If you don't have access to hot water, you can add cold water and heat it before adding the soap. Let the soap and water sit for about 5-10 minutes to dissolve the grease.

Step 5: Scrub with a Bristle Brush

Use a dish cleaning brush with firm plastic bristles to scrub away grease and food debris from the frying basket and the inside of the frying pot. Pay special attention to the holes, especially if it's a fine mesh design. You may need to do multiple scrubbing treatments to remove all the oil and food residue.

Step 6: Scrub with a Dish Sponge

Scrub the inside and outside of the frying pot and basket thoroughly with a heavy-duty dish sponge. If the surfaces still feel greasy, add some more dishwashing liquid to your sponge and scrub again.

Step 7: Rinse, Dry, and Store

If your fryer has a drain valve, open it and use a garden hose to rinse all the soap from your fryer. If there is no drain valve, simply dump out the soapy water. Do a final inspection to ensure all surfaces are free of grease and soap. Allow all parts to air-dry thoroughly, then store them for future use.

Frequently asked questions