How NOT to fry a turkey with the Davenport Fire Department

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It was an explosive day at the B100 studios! The Davenport Fire Department conducted a demonstration on how NOT to fry a turkey to show just how dangerous it could be if you don't fry a turkey properly.

There are a few ways to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. Some people bake their turkey, smoke it, or fry it. While all three ways can give you a delicious tasting bird, frying a turkey is the most dangerous way to cook it, especially if you fry your turkey the wrong way.

On Tuesday, the Davenport Fire Department provided the community with tips on how to safely cook a turkey using a fryer, and show the hazards associated if not done properly.

Jim Morris, Fire Marshal for the Davenport Fire Department, and several firefighters were on hand to oversee and provide an eye-opening reminder of fire safety when frying a turkey. The Davenport Fire Department conducted the demonstration outside in the B100 parking lot.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), deep fryer fires cause an average of five deaths, 60 injuries and more than $15 million in property damage every year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will most likely be a lot of first time turkey chefs this year. While it's exciting to try different turkey recipes and cooking turkey a different way, if you are not experienced at deep frying a turkey, then do not try it. The NFPA highly discourages people from using turkey fryers.

If you plan on frying your turkey this year, remember these few tips to avoid a grease fire, and what to do in case things do go wrong.

Never fill your pot to high. Before filling your pot with oil, fill it with water and put the turkey in to show how much displacement there will be.
Do not make your oil too hot. You want to keep your oil at about 350*. The hotter the oil, the more it will combust if it catches fire. If your oil becomes too hot, turn down the propane to let it cool.
Make sure your turkey is completely thawed out. If your turkey is frozen, the ice and frozen water crystals will agitate the oil causing splattering which could lead to injury and/or a fire.
Never leave your fire unattended, and keep animals and small children at least 3 feet away from the fryer.
Never use a turkey fryer indoors. Also, avoid deep frying a turkey on a deck or any other flammable surface.
If you have never fried a turkey before, do not attempt to fry one.
In you have grease spill and it does catch fire, immediately call 9-1-1 to have your local fire department put it out.
NEVER attempt to put a grease fire out with water. Water will make the grease fire combust even more.

We want to thank the Jim Morris and all of the Davenport firefighters who conducted this demonstration with us. We hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and holiday season. Please be careful when cooking your Thanksgiving and holiday meals. I'm sure firefighters throughout the Quad Cities area would appreciate not having to come to your home to put out a fire.

Check out the turkey drop below!