Charbroil Oiless Fryer: Perfect Turkey In No Time

The Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer is a popular choice for cooking a large, juicy, and crispy-skinned turkey without the need for oil. With a capacity of up to 16 pounds, it can feed a big gathering, and its outdoor use frees up oven space for sides and desserts. The cooking time varies based on weather conditions and turkey size, but it generally takes about 10 minutes per pound or around 2 to 3 hours for a 14-pound turkey. The fryer is powered by a propane tank, with circulating hot air cooking the turkey evenly, resulting in moist and juicy meat.

How to prepare the turkey before cooking

Preparing your turkey before cooking is an important step in the cooking process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your turkey before cooking it in the Charbroil Oilless Fryer:

Firstly, ensure your turkey is fully thawed on the inside. If it is still frozen, it will not cook properly. Remove any giblets and neck bones from the turkey cavity. These are often tucked under the skin by the neck.

Next, rinse the turkey thoroughly in cool water and pat it dry with paper towels. This will ensure that the seasonings adhere well to the skin.

Now, it's time to season the turkey. You can brush the skin with canola oil or another type of cooking oil using a basting brush. This will help to crisp the skin. Alternatively, you can lightly spray the turkey with oil. You can also try a dry rub: combine paprika, ancho chilli powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, garlic powder, pepper, salt, and bay leaves, and apply this mixture liberally to all sides of the turkey.

For extra flavour, you can place butter slices and garlic between the skin and the breasts. You could also try injecting the meat with a marinade: combine melted butter, chicken stock, and bourbon, and fill a marinade injector with this mixture. Inject both the breasts and legs with this delicious concoction.

Finally, place the turkey in the basket, legs down, and ensure that the wing tips and drumsticks are tucked in neatly. If you want to minimise sticking, you can coat the wireframe of the basket with oil. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, ensuring that the tip does not touch the bone. The dial should be easily readable when the basket is in the cooker.

How long to preheat the fryer for

Preheating your Charbroil oilless fryer is an important step to ensure your turkey cooks evenly and efficiently. The amount of time needed to preheat the fryer depends on a few factors, including the outdoor temperature and the size of your turkey.

Firstly, it is recommended that you preheat your fryer for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the burner to heat up sufficiently and prevents cold port lifting, which occurs when the meat is placed in the fryer before the flame has travelled around the burner, resulting in a longer cook time. During this time, you can prepare your turkey by coating it with a light layer of cooking oil, a dry rub, or a marinade. It is important to note that your rub or marinade should not contain sugar, as this can cause your turkey to burn.

In addition to the initial preheat time, it is important to consider the outdoor temperature. If you are cooking in a colder climate, it will take longer for your fryer to reach the desired temperature. For example, cooking a 13-pound turkey in a cold and windy location can take up to 20 minutes longer than in a warmer location. Therefore, if you are cooking in a cold environment, you may need to allow additional time for your fryer to preheat sufficiently.

The size of your turkey will also impact the preheat time. Larger turkeys will require a longer preheat time, as the fryer needs to reach a temperature that can cook the entire bird evenly. As a general rule, you can expect your turkey to cook at a rate of approximately 10 minutes per pound. For example, a 14-pound turkey will take approximately 140 minutes or 2 hours and 20 minutes to cook.

By considering the outdoor temperature, the size of your turkey, and allowing for sufficient preheat time, you can ensure that your Charbroil oilless fryer is properly preheated and ready to cook your turkey efficiently and effectively.

How long to cook the turkey for

The Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer is a popular choice for cooking a whole turkey. It is powered by a propane tank and uses infrared technology to cook the turkey with hot circulating air. This results in a juicy and delicious turkey with a crispy skin.

The cooking time for a turkey in the Char-Broil Oil-Less Fryer will depend on the size of the turkey and the outdoor temperature. It is recommended to cook a fully thawed turkey for about 10 minutes per pound. For example, a 14-pound turkey will take about 2.3 to 3 hours, while a 13-pound turkey will take about 90 minutes. It is important to ensure that the turkey is fully thawed before cooking, as it may not cook properly otherwise.

To cook a turkey in the Char-Broil Oil-Less Fryer, first coat the wire frame of the cooking basket with oil to prevent sticking. Then, remove the giblets and neck bones from the turkey cavity and pat the turkey dry. Season the turkey with your choice of seasonings, such as salt and pepper, or a mixture of spices. You can also inject the turkey with a simple injection sauce, such as a combination of melted butter, chicken stock, and bourbon.

Place the turkey in the basket, breast side up, and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. Lower the basket into the cooking chamber and turn on the fryer to medium-high heat. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which will take about 2.5 hours for a fully thawed 14-pound turkey. The cooking time may vary depending on weather conditions, so it is important to monitor the temperature of the turkey.

How to clean the Charbroil oilless fryer

The Charbroil Oilless Fryer is a great way to cook a turkey, but cleaning it can be a bit of a challenge due to its size and the fact that the basket and cooking pot need to be scrubbed by hand. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to clean your Charbroil Oilless Fryer:

First, it's important to note that the Charbroil Oilless Fryer should be cleaned outdoors, as it is too large to fit in a dishwasher. The best way to clean the wire basket is to scrub it immediately while it's still hot. You can use cooking oil on a paper towel to rub and prevent the turkey from sticking to the basket before cooking, but this will also make cleaning easier. Do not put the basket in the dishwasher.

For the inner cooking pot, you must also clean it by hand as it is large and awkward. Use warm, soapy water and a scrub pad to clean any residue or stains. Be sure to also clean the cylinder, as this can get dirty from the propane tank.

Additionally, it is recommended to season the fryer before each use. This will help to prevent any residue build-up and ensure that your food tastes great. Some people choose to never clean their fryer, simply seasoning it before each use, but this may not be the best option if you want to keep your fryer looking new.

Finally, always make sure to clean your Charbroil Oilless Fryer outdoors, as it is too bulky to move inside. The weather is also a factor, so try to find a spot that is not windy to avoid any dirt or debris from getting into your fryer.

How to get crispy skin

To get crispy skin on your turkey when using a Charbroil oilless fryer, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure your turkey is fully thawed on the inside. If it is still cold or slightly frozen, the turkey will not cook properly. Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your turkey, but a good rule of thumb is about 10 minutes per pound. For example, a 14-pound turkey will take approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes to cook.

Before cooking, oil the basket to prevent sticking. Place the turkey legs-side down in the basket, and insert a meat thermometer into the breast, ensuring the tip does not touch the bone. The dial should be easily readable when the basket is in the cooker.

Turn the cooker to medium-high heat and cook for about 10 minutes per pound. Occasionally spray the turkey with oil for crispier skin. For the final 20 minutes, keep an eye on the temperature to determine when the turkey is done. The recommended internal temperature is 165°-170°F.

To achieve the crispiest skin, cover the fryer with a wire mesh lid during the last 15 minutes of cooking. This will reflect infrared heat back into the cooking chamber, resulting in crispy skin. However, if used throughout the cooking time, this heat can burn the food before it is fully cooked.

Finally, remove the turkey from the basket and let it rest for about 15-30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to flow and ensure a juicy, tender bird with crispy skin.

With these steps, you can achieve delicious, crispy skin on your turkey using a Charbroil oilless fryer.

Frequently asked questions