Cleaning a Turkey Fryer

Though not particularly the healthiest method for cooking, turkey fryers definitely make some great tasting birds. As when we use anything to cook, there comes the time to clean it. There is a slight problem when it comes to cleaning a turkey fryer though. That problem is that if you don't properly clean your fryer, then you are running a dangerous risk of fire or some other mishap.

Cleaning a turkey fryer is not that difficult to do, as long as you know what you need and how to use it. Use this simple and efficient method for cleaning a turkey fryer and you are going to be ready in no time for your next feast.

Materials:

• Baking soda
• Old metal coffee can
• Plastic spatula
• Dish soap
• Water
• Paper towels
• Trash bag

Procedure:

1. Cool. Before you can begin actually cleaning a turkey fryer you need to let the oil or grease cool down. If you fail to do this, then you are going to run a really good chance of getting a nasty burn and ending up on a trip to the hospital. Don't let the oil or grease cool completely, or it might congeal into a semi solid mass that is next to impossible to clean.
2. Drain. Now that everything has cooled down a bit, it's time to drain. You should be aware that instead of throwing out the used cooking oil you can simply use it again. Unless you have cooked something that has an exceptionally strong taste, you can reuse the cooking oil the next time you cook with your fryer (which can save you some money). Drain the oil into an old metal coffee can that has been thoroughly cleaned. Now you can either dispose of the oil or set it aside for future use.
3. Scrape. Take a simple plastic spatula, like the kind used to spread frosting, and scrape anything that is stuck to the inside of the fryer. Put the residue inside a trash bag and then finish wiping down the inside of the fryer's kettle with a paper towel. This helps to remove as much of the oil or grease as possible prior to washing, which makes for a much easier cleaning job.
4. Boil. Fill your fryer with water up to the same level that you use when putting oil in it. As you are filling it with water, also put in some grease fighting dish soap (like Dawn for example). Not a whole lot though, just enough to help get rid of the remaining oil. Now bring it all to a boil, the bubbles are going to help remove all the remaining gunk.
5. Rinse. After boiling the water, go ahead and allow the water to cool. This should have removed all the remaining food or other gunk that was left on, but if not take a green scrubbie and gently scrub away the stuff that remains on the inside. If there are any splotches on the outside of the fryer, go ahead and remove those by using a 1 to 1 mixture of baking soda and water. Finally, after you have done this, simply dump out the water inside and rinse both the outside and inside completely. Congratulations—your fryer is clean!