Review of Bayou Classic 30-Quart Outdoor Turkey Fryer Kit, Model 3016 (price, deal)

[reviewer]

This turkey fryer sits sturdily on its legs, which is a desirable characteristic when you're dealing with hot oil. It's a complete kit that includes the 30 quart stockpot; an outdoor gas stove; a poultry rack that has a grab hook - so that you can safely remove the turkey; a vented lid; a 12-inch stainless steel thermometer; and a seasoning injector. It also includes an accessory basket that allows you to use the fry pot for other uses, like seafood boils. The only things that aren't included are the gas canister and the cooking oil.

The unit is easy to assemble. The first time you use it, the factory applied paint will burn off the burners, creating a bad odor. It may therefore be wise to fire it up beforehand. Do this without putting the pot on the burner, or the flames will reach up and blacken the pot.

It's wise to set it up so that it's sheltered from wind. This is so that you will get maximum efficiency from the gas flame. It's also to prevent the wind from blowing the unit over when it contains hot oil. It takes about 25 minutes for the oil to reach the recommended temperature.

Dry the turkey well before lowering it into the oil. That's to prevent the splattering that occurs when water and hot oil meet. The turkey should be at room temperature so that the suggested cooking time is accurate. Clean up of this unit is very easy.

Using this outdoor cooker is a great way to extend your kitchen space onto your backyard patio. It's also excellent for tailgate parties, camping and recreational vehicles.

Although turkeys are usually a seasonal food, there are year-round uses for this fryer. The basket can be used to boil a variety of foods, including vegetables. A common use for the fryer is as a homemade beer brewery. For the ambitious, used cooking oil can be saved and remade into bio-diesel.

This fryer has a retail price of $135.50, but it can be found for much less online. It's a great value for the price and works as well as stainless steel models, which are a bit more expensive. Fried turkeys are very tasty and can be a wonderful addition to a holiday gathering. They also cook quickly compared to oven-baked turkeys. Once the oil has been brought up to the required temperature, it only takes about 45 minutes to cook an averaged size turkey.