Best Turkey Fryers 2023

Apr 30, 2024

Considering adding a fried Turkey to your Thanksgiving menu this year? You’ll first need one of the best turkey fryers in your arsenal. Over the past decade, deep frying a Thanksgiving turkey has gone from a favorite of hardcore backyard enthusiasts to a mainstream alternative to cooking the bird in a turkey roaster. From its speedy cooking times to the consistently juicy meat and abundant crackly skin it produces, there are plenty of benefits to frying your bird.

The Bayou Classic turkey fryer comes with a strong, perforated poultry rack to carefully lower and ... [+] lift your turkey into the hot oil, as well as sturdy handles for easy lifting.

“A lot of people get intimidated when cooking turkeys, particularly because the breast and thighs cook at different rates,” says chef Keith Sarasin, author of The Perfect Turkey Cookbook. “But with deep frying, you never get a dry or undercooked turkey. “Once you know the method, it is fail-safe.” And yet, not all turkey fryers are created equal. For its versatility, roomy capacity, and ease of use, we chose the Bayou Classic 32 Qt Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer as our top pick overall.

When choosing a turkey fryer, chef Sarasin recommends not skimping on quality. “You want to spring for something thick and sturdy, that you can use again and again,” he says. Based on research, customer reviews and input from our expert, we assembled this list of the best turkey fryers (both indoors and outdoors) on the market right now.

Amazon

Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor

There is a reason that Bayou Classic turkey fryers top multiple “best of” lists—they deliver fast, high-quality results at a reasonable price. The 32-quart pot comes with a strong, perforated poultry rack to carefully lower and lift your turkey into the hot oil, as well as sturdy handles for easy lifting. A separate basket insert can be used for steaming, boiling and large-batch cooking, which makes this fryer versatile for home cooks. (Canners and beer brewers will put the pot to especially good use year-round.)

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Amazon

Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Aluminum | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor

With a 12-inch diameter burner and two heavy duty aluminum pots (a 29-quart pot for your turkey and an 11-quart fry pan for wings, fish and other smaller cooking jobs), the King Kooker fryer includes everything you need for a perfect Thanksgiving except the oil, turkey and propane tank. It cooks quickly and efficiently, with straightforward assembly. One thing to note, however, is that the safety timer automatically shuts off the propane after 15 minutes, so for longer cooking needs, make sure to stay close by.

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The Home Depot

Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Aluminum and metal | Indoor/Outdoor: Both

Whether the temperatures dip too low, or you simply prefer to cook inside, the Masterbuilt XL lets you fry a turkey without leaving the comfort of your kitchen. The roomy capacity means you can fry up to a 20 pound turkey and an included cooking basket and lifting hook keep the cooking process safe and controlled. A built-in drain valve simplifies the process of collecting and disposing your used cooking oil. And with multiple dishwasher safe components (the pot, basket, lid and drain valve), clean up is surprisingly streamlined.

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Amazon

Capacity: 25 pounds | Material: Commercial-grade aluminum | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor

Invite everyone over for Thanksgiving this year—the Grand Gobbler has you covered. The 42-quart pot (the biggest fryer the company makes) easily accommodates a 25 pound turkey, which makes it simple to serve a delicious Thanksgiving dinner to a crowd. The commercial grade aluminum pot and 14-inch diameter steel frame burner are sturdy and safe, and promote efficient and consistent cooking. The Grand Gobbler comes with several accessories—including a deep fry thermometer, a seasoning injector, a perforated poultry rack and lift hook—that will bring your fry game to the next level.

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Amazon

Capacity: 16 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor

Fans of the air fryer will love Char-Broil’s oil-free turkey fryer. The fryer uses patented infrared heat technology to achieve an ultra juicy bird and crisp skin without the gallons of oil. There is no waiting time for the oil to come up to the correct frying temperature, and no hot and cold spots, which means turkeys cook evenly, inside and out. The Char-Broil also eliminates the risk of splashing or spilling hot oil during the cooking process, as well as the hassle of disposing of used oil. Beyond your Thanksgiving turkey, the Char-Broil can be used to cook chicken, beef or lamb roasts and pork tenderloin.

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WebstaurantStore

Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor

Backyard Pro’s heavy duty stand and thick stainless steel pot yield restaurant-quality results in your backyard. The 30-quart pot comfortably holds up to a 20-pound turkey, and an included perforated rack and grab hook make it easy to lower and lift with confidence. Use the seasoning injector to add layers of flavor to your bird, and after Thanksgiving, swap in the perforated steam and boil basket to cook seafood and vegetables.

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Amazon

Capacity: 20 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor

With more than 1,000 5-star customer ratings, this fryer consistently ranks as an Amazon best seller. The set includes two pots (30-quart and 10-quart), a perforated steamer basket and a turkey rack with lifting hook, a thermometer, marinade injector and a sturdy burner stand—so everything from your Thanksgiving turkey to weeknight French fries are easily within reach. Another pro? Reviewers praise CreoleFeast for being both easy to use and clean.

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Here are the main factors to keep in mind while shopping for your perfect model.

Turkey fryers come in a range of sizes to fit birds small and large. That said, though exceptions do exist, most major models can accommodate up to 20-pound turkeys. Take a moment to consider the size of your crowd and appetite of your guests, and shop accordingly.

When cooking with burning oil, safety is paramount. “A turkey has to be completely thawed and dried out before you attempt to fry it,” says Sarasin. He also suggests going slow and steady when lowering the bird into the pot, wearing protective heat-safe gloves and working with an oil that has a high smoke point, like peanut oil. Making sure your burner is sturdy and set on flat, stable ground also helps prevent accidents.

Many turkey fryers come with accessories and features designed to make the experience simple and streamlined. Look for a model that includes things like lifting hooks, poultry racks, seasoning injectors and thermometers. Fryers that include steamer baskets or smaller second pots also make the fryer more versatile, since you can use it for steaming vegetables, boiling fish, or frying smaller cuts of meat the rest of the year.

The best fryer for your home depends on how often you plan to use it. Will you fry your Thanksgiving turkey and then store the appliance in the garage for the rest of the year, or will you bring it out all summer for seafood boils and other family gatherings? While we trust all of the fryers on this list, we’re especially partial to the Bayou Classic Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer for its versatility and quality.

There are three primary types of turkey fryers. The most common are propane fryers, which run on propane gas. The second type is an oil-less fryer that uses infrared heat technology rather than oil to cook, but also runs on propane gas. The third type of fryer is electric and can be used indoors as well as outdoors.

The largest turkey fryers can accommodate birds that are 25 pounds, or more. For big birds, we like the Bayou Classic 42 Qt Grand Gobbler Turkey Deep Fryer, which effortlessly frys for a crowd.

Frying a turkey takes an average of 4 pounds per minute, which means you can cook a 20-pound bird in 1 hour and 20 minutes. For planning purposes, you should also factor in the time it takes for the oil to come up to proper frying temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

“There are huge flavor benefits to frying a turkey,” says Sarasin. “You get tons of crispy skin, and juicy, flavorful meat.” Of course, roasting a Thanksgiving turkey also yields a delicious bird, but because breasts and thighs cook at different rates, it’s easier to accidentally undercook or dry out the bird when roasting.