How dangerous can turkey fryers be? Severe enough that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security diverted resources from sussing out terror threats to film a video on how easy it can be to set a wooden porch, or yourself, on fire.
In the video above, a firefighter in full gear drops a partially frozen turkey into an over-filled deep fryer, which quickly erupts into a large flame. The narrator explains how oil can overflow and quickly catch the fryer on fire.
DHS has also been Tweeting tips for using the hazardous contraptions, reminding people via the social network not to use fryers on wooden decks and to properly defrost their birds.
The department was not the only one highlighting a potential Thanksgiving day nightmare. William Shatner jumped on the PSA bandwagon with a hilarious and characteristically dramatic re-enactment of his bad experiences with a deep fryer — and the importance of the “dingle dangle.”
Deputy Food editor Bonnie S. Benwick tested some of these potentially hazardous contraptions in 2008, including a Masterbuilt electric, big-drum oil fryer specifically designed for kitchen use. A maximum-fill line halfway up the inner pot and a spout for releasing used oil or liquid make the fryer safer and non-intimidating, Benwick noted.
But to avoid the potential dangers entirely, check out some of our roasting and smoking recipes.
More Thanksgiving recipes:
Thanksgiving leftover ideas, by ingredient
Pecan and other pie recipes for Thanksgiving
Mashed potatoes: easy Thanksgiving recipes
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