Cody Casey
The Big Easy Turkey Fryer is a popular choice for cooking turkeys, especially during the holiday season. It is an oil-less fryer that uses infrared heat to seal in flavours and moisture, resulting in a juicy and tender bird. The fryer can accommodate turkeys up to 16 pounds and cooks them evenly, with the breast meat remaining juicy and not drying out. In addition to turkeys, users have also cooked chickens, pork, and beef in the Big Easy, although some prefer smoking and grilling for the latter two. Cleanup is relatively easy, and the oil-less design makes it a healthier and more cost-effective option.
Characteristics and Values of the Big Easy Turkey Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Oil-less fryer |
| Heat Source | Propane tank |
| Heat Type | Infrared |
| Capacity | 14-16 lb turkey |
| Cleanliness | Easy to clean |
| Food | Turkey, chicken, beef, pork |
| Time | 10-15 mins per lb |
| Temperature | 350°F |
| Features | Innovative design, mesh lid, drip tray, charcoal basket |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times and temperatures
The Big Easy Turkey Fryer is a propane-powered, oil-less fryer that uses infrared heat to seal in the flavours of your food. It is suitable for outdoor use and can cook a variety of meats, including whole turkeys, chickens, beef, and pork.
The Big Easy Turkey Fryer is unique in that it cooks food based on temperature rather than time. The cooking time will depend on the weight of the bird, at a rate of approximately 10 minutes per pound. For example, a 16-pound turkey will take around 160 minutes (2 hours and 40 minutes) to cook. It is important to note that the cooking time can be affected by outdoor temperature and wind speed.
To ensure even cooking, the turkey should be placed breast side up in the cooking pot, with the legs positioned towards the bottom and the breast towards the top. This is because the heat is more intense by the legs, ensuring that the leg meat is cooked perfectly while preventing the breast meat from drying out.
The desired internal temperature of the turkey is 165°F (74°C). However, some sources recommend cooking to temperatures between 150°F and 170°F. It is important to use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in multiple places, especially between the thigh and breast, as this area tends to be undercooked.
Once the desired temperature is reached, the turkey should be removed from the fryer and allowed to rest for 15 to 20 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavourful bird.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the infrared reflecting lid should not be left on for an extended period, as it can cause the skin of the turkey to become too dark.
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Clean-up tips
Firstly, it is important to start with a clean slate. Make sure to give your Big Easy a good scrub before cooking, ensuring there is no leftover residue from previous cooking adventures. This will ensure your Big Easy stays in optimal condition and will also help to prevent any unwanted flavours or smells from transferring to your food.
To keep your Big Easy looking new and make clean-up easier, you can try the following: remove the large internal can/bucket from the cooker and place it upside down on a sheet of aluminium foil. Trace the outline of the can/bucket onto the foil and cut it to size. Place the foil inside the can/bucket, poking a hole in the centre to allow the juices and fats to exit as intended. This will catch the drippings and prevent them from hardening onto the internal floor of the fryer, making clean-up a faster and simpler process.
After cooking, remove the basket from the cooker and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before removing the turkey. The drippings at the base of the fryer can be used to make delicious gravy. To speed up clean-up, ensure that clean cooking oil is burned into the crevices of the metal, rather than organic drippings, as this will be easier to wash off.
Remember to exercise caution when handling the fryer, as certain components, such as the lid, can get extremely hot. Always allow sufficient time for the fryer to cool down before handling and cleaning.
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Turkey prep and seasoning
To start, make sure your Big Easy fryer is clean and placed on a flat, stable surface with the drip tray securely in place. You can then season the fryer by rubbing the inside with a high-temperature cooking oil such as peanut, canola, or avocado oil. Heat the fryer until the oil begins to smoke, then let it cool before adding another layer of oil. Repeat this process until the inside of the fryer turns brown or bronze.
Next, prepare your turkey. The meat should be at least 40°F before adding it to the fryer, so let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes after thawing. You can then season the turkey by coating it with a light layer of oil and/or a dry rub or marinade. Avoid using any seasonings or rubs containing sugar, as this will burn in the fryer. You can also brine the turkey or inject it with a marinade to add extra flavor and moisture.
Once you have seasoned the turkey, place it in the roaster basket with the breast side up. For even cooking, make sure the bird is as close to the center of the basket as possible. Lower the basket into the cooking chamber, then close the lid and let the fryer do its job. Depending on the size of your turkey, the cooking time will vary, but you can expect it to take approximately 10 to 15 minutes per pound.
While the turkey cooks, avoid opening the lid as this will cause the temperature to drop and prolong the cooking time. When the turkey reaches the desired temperature, carefully remove it from the fryer and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
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Cooking other meats
The Big Easy Turkey Fryer is a great option for cooking meats other than turkey. Its innovative design uses natural infrared heat to seal in the flavours of your food, and it cooks without the need for oil, making it a healthier and less expensive option.
Beef and pork can be cooked in the Big Easy, but some users have found that smoking and grilling deliver better results for these meats. One user recommends the Big Easy for cooking chicken, suggesting that spatchcocking the bird and placing it on a tray close to the top of the fryer will yield a quicker and crispier result.
Another user has successfully cooked pork butt in the Big Easy, injecting it with seasoning and leaving it to rest overnight before cooking. This user also notes that the lid of the fryer should be left on throughout the cooking process, as this helps to keep the meat juicy.
When cooking chicken or other poultry in the Big Easy, it is important to ensure that the bird is centred in the basket, with one user recommending the purchase of a small basket that hooks onto the sides of the main basket, allowing for easy adjustment. This user also notes that the higher up the bird is placed in the basket, the hotter it will get, due to the infrared heat rising.
Overall, the Big Easy Turkey Fryer is a versatile appliance that can be used to cook a variety of meats, including turkey, chicken, beef, and pork. By experimenting with different techniques and seasonings, users can create juicy and flavourful meals.
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Using accessories
The Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer is a popular choice for cooking juicy and flavourful turkeys without the mess and expense of traditional deep frying. The large capacity of the fryer means it can cook a turkey of up to 16 pounds, and it can also be used for other meats.
Accessories
The Big Easy comes with a range of accessories to enhance your cooking experience. These include:
- A poultry stand, which can be used to support a bone-on breast when cooking a turkey. The stand helps to ensure even cooking, as the heat zones in the cooker are thicker at the top.
- A small basket that hooks onto each side of the main basket, allowing you to adjust the bird to the centre of the cooker. This accessory is sold separately on the Charbroil website.
- A 9" springform pan, which can be used to raise the basket and eliminate any cold spots at the bottom of the cooker, near the grease drain hole.
- A drip tray, which collects all the turkey juices and drippings. These can be used to make delicious homemade gravy.
- A wire cooking basket, which can be sprayed with cooking spray to prevent the bird from sticking.
- A mesh lid, which can be seasoned with oil to reduce oil spatter and prevent foreign objects from getting into the cooker.
- A propane tank, which powers the fryer and allows it to be used outdoors, freeing up oven space.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Easy Turkey Fryer is an oil-less fryer that uses infrared heat to seal in the flavours of your food. It is powered by a propane tank and can be used outdoors.
You can cook a whole turkey in the Big Easy Fryer. Some people have also cooked chicken, pork, and beef in the fryer, but they recommend smoking and grilling these meats instead.
Place the fryer on a flat surface, insert the charcoal basket and fill it with charcoal. Light the charcoal, then place the cooking pot on top of the fryer. Put the turkey in the cooking pot, breast-side up, and close the lid.
The cooking time depends on the size of the turkey. A 10-pound turkey will take about 2 hours to cook, while a 16-pound turkey will take longer. A good rule of thumb is 10-15 minutes per pound.
Some people recommend injecting the turkey with seasoning or peanut oil before cooking to add flavour and moisture. Brining the turkey before cooking can also add moisture. To get crispy skin, brush the turkey with melted butter or olive oil before putting it in the fryer.
