Considerations for frying a Turkey in Arctic Weather
How does extreme cold (think wind chill of -40°F (-40°C) to maybe -80°F (-62°C) affect deep frying a turkey? Can it be done, and if so what do I need to keep in mind?
Best Answer
I'm assuming you are using a turkey deep fryer and your question is what are the considerations in doing so in extreme cold. You can fry a turkey in extreme cold temperatures, you just need to crank up the burner to make up for the heat loss. Your oil temperature is going to be 350°F, if you were cooking it in +40°F you'd be adding heat to raise the temperature 310°F, in -40°F you need to raise the temperature 390°F instead, 390 is 125% of 310, so a rough approximation would be you need to add 25% more heat from the flame. It's the same principle in barbecuing, I've barbecued in -30°F and you just need more heat, and to get the food inside asap when you're done!
It would make sense to build in extra time if your equipment is going to be outside temperature as you will be handling things with gloves, and you have to heat up the pot more. If you can, keep the oil inside, or at least keep it above -10 so it doesn't gel.
Also, you need to be sheltered from the wind when you deep fry outside in any temperature as wind will blow the burner heat away and disrupt the flame, it's even more important when it's that cold as wind will make the heat gap even higher, possibly to the point your burner can't make it up.
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Can you fry a turkey in cold weather?
You can fry a turkey in extreme cold temperatures, you just need to crank up the burner to make up for the heat loss.Can you deep-fry a turkey in the snow?
The lid and handles can get extremely hot and cause severe burns. Because fryers are designed for the outdoors (don't even think about deep-frying a turkey inside), it's exposed to the elements\u2014rain or snow falling into the oil can create splatter and excruciatingly hot steam.What are the safety precautions to consider when frying a turkey?
Stay Away from The House \u2013 Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from your home and keep children and pets away. Never leave it unattended. Find Flat Ground \u2013 The oil must be even and steady at all times to ensure safety. Place the fryer on a flat, level surface and carefully gauge the amount of oil needed.Why should you never deep-fry a frozen turkey?
The reason frozen turkeys explode, at its core, has to do with differences in density. There is a difference in density between oil and water and differences in the density of water between its solid, liquid and gas states. When these density differences interact in just the right way, you get an explosion.Alton's Deep Fried Turkey | Food Network
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