Propane Fryer Safety in Michigan

Propane-fueled turkey fryers create a delicious, tender-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside bird. Like all “appliances,” following these guidelines will make your turkey fry a fun, safe experience.

Before You Use Your Fryer:

  1. Inspect Your Propane Tank and Hoses:
    • There’s no dents, bulges or cracks.
    • There’s no rust or pitted metal.
    • The tank’s foot ring, “collar” at the top or valve cover is not bent.
    • The Overfill Prevention Device (OPD) valve is intact.
    • The hose is not dried out or cracked.
    • The connection points between hose, regulator and cylinder are not loose.
  2. Do a Leak Test Outside – No Smoking
    • Add soapy water to a spray bottle
    • Grill burners – OFF position
    • Propane tank – OFF position (Turn Valve to RIGHT)
    • Connect the hose to both propane tank and grill
    • Turn the propane tank ON – quarter turn only TURN Valve LEFT)
    • Spray soapy solution on:
      • On-Off Valve
      • Regulator
      • And, hose grill connection area

If soap bubbles do not expand = no leak

If soap bubbles grow bigger and pop, and if you smell ‘rotten-egg” smell, TURN OFF

Propane Tank and Fryer Immediately = There’s a Leak

DO NOT USE leaking propane cylinder. Contact your local propane supplier.

20 lb. propane grill tanks are generally good for 12 years from the date of manufacture. After 12 years, the tank must be requalified or replaced before it can be refilled. Depending on the approved requalification method, the next requalification period may be 5, 10, or 12 years.

Is Your Cylinder Safe to Fill?

Follow These Steps Before Using a Turkey Fryer

insert-hook-in-turkey

Prepare the Bird

  • Pick the size of bird to fit the size of fryer pot, follow the fryer directions
  • Use dry rubs for the outside, cavity and under the skin of the bird
  • Use oil-based marinades, not water-based marinades and skip stuffing the bird
  • Turkey must be 100% thawed and completely dry before submerging in hot oil

Prepare the Fryer

  • Keep the fryer on flat, level surface, more than 10 feet away from your home 
  • Never use a fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage or enclosed space
  • When fuel is off, fill fryer pot with water, submerge your bird (within a plastic bag), mark the water line, remove the water and dry the pot thoroughly, then fill it with cooking oil to that same fill line
  • Keep kids and pets away and always stay with your fryer
Cooking Oil Types and Temps
fire-extinguisher

Keep On-hand

  • Fire extinguisher (multi-purpose or dry-power)
  • DO NOT USE WATER to Put Out a FRYER-GREASE FIRE
  • Heavy duty gloves and goggles
  • Thermometer
cook-turkey-in-covered-pot

Start Cooking

  • Heat the oil to 275F using thermometer probe that comes with your unit
  • Once 275F, turn off the burner and lower turkey into fryer with the hanger hook
  • Turn fryer back on and increases heat to 325F
  • Pick an oil that can withstand a 325F temperature to avoid a fire
  • Cook until bird’s internal temperature is 165F
cooked-turkey

When Turkey is Done

  • Turn off the propane valve and fryer unit
  • Remove bird from fryer and let set for 20-30 minutes before carving
  • Carefully remove the bot of oil from burner, place it on level, heat safe surface w/ cover to let oil cool
  • Take used cooking oil to location recycling locations near you

Completely Thaw Your Turkey Before Putting into a Turkey Fryer

turkey-thawing-times
turkey-portion-sizes

Pot Sizes:

  • 30 qt. – up to 18lb. turkeys
  • 40 qt. – 18 – 25lb. turkeys
  • 60 qt. – over 25lb. turkeys / bigger turkeys require more oil = bigger pot

*Check your fryer owner’s manual for the size limits on your turkey.

propane-turykey-fryer-safety-sheet

Follow Instructions Manual to your Fryer, Don't Overfill or Overheat Cooking Oil

cooking-oil-smoke-point

Use an oil that can handle the high temperatures that you’ll be using in your fryer. 

Smoke Point

  • The temperature at which an oil / cooking fat begin to to smoke. When you cook over the smoke point you may cause a burnt smell and flavor to the turkey.

  • Use cooking oils with a smoke point above 300 F

Flash Point

  • When cooking oil temperature is so high it’s vapors can ignite in the air when exposed to flame

Fire Point

  • When the cooking oil vapors continue to burn 
Typical Smoke, Flash & Fire Points Download PDF
oil-smoke-flash-and-fire-point-chart

Follow The Manufacturer's Instructions

Whether it's assembly, use, maintenance, cleaning, or storage, use the Fryer manufacturer's instruction manual.

Keep Fryer on level ground, 10 feet from your home/garage

Keep your Fryer outdoors and at least 10 feet from the house on a level surface that is clear of outdoor furniture, overhead trees or other potential fire hazards.

Check Propane Tank, Hoses for Leaks

Use a soapy water solution to check connections for leaks. Expanding bubbles indicate a leak. If there is a leak, make sure you have your tank serviced by a professional. Follow this procedure every time you replace a cylinder.

Follow Lighting and Re-Lighting Procedures - See Fryer Manual

If your flame goes out, turn off the gas and refer to your owner's manual. At a minimum, with all Fryer models, wait at least 15 minutes before relighting.

Be Present

Stay close and never leave your Fryer unattended. Keep children and pets away from Fryer.