Fire officials are issuing a clear warning ahead of Thanksgiving: never deep fry a frozen turkey. The popular cooking method may deliver crisp, flavorful results, but it is also one of the most dangerous ways to prepare a holiday meal when the bird is not fully thawed.
When a frozen or partially frozen turkey is placed into hot oil, the water inside rapidly turns to steam. That reaction causes the oil to bubble over, spill and ignite. Firefighters say the flash fires that result can become explosive within seconds, leading to severe burns and extensive property damage.
The National Fire Protection Association reports that deep fryer incidents cause hundreds of injuries and tens of millions of dollars in damage each year. Investigators frequently cite one common factor: the turkey was not thawed.
