Oil Less Turkey Fryer

Lowcountrygamecock

I know its sacrilege around here to not cook a turkey at thanksgiving on the kamado but my crowd LOVES fried turkey.  This year we decided to try out one of the oil less fryers to get away from messing with the oil.  I'm cooking the turkey for my in laws thanksgiving meal this year out of town so I plan on a test run this saturday.  Anybody have any suggestions?  Do you brine the bird with oil less fryers?  I'm also torn between seasoning with mad max or my traditional fried turkey rub.

jtcBoynton

Fry means to cook food in hot fat.  No such thing as oil-less frying. Those "oil-less fryers" may do a good job, but they aren't frying.  Marketing nonsense.

Dollinger

Threw mine away. Junk!

thetrim

Mad max turkey on the egg > Fried turkey

Webass

I bought this Char-Broil cooker 3 years ago and use it every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I caught mine at Home Depot for $59. Though "oil-less fryer" leaves something to interpretation, it's more accurately a propane powered infra red cooker.  I wet brine the turkey overnight and it's as good as any cooked in the oven, plus it frees up oven space for other stuff.  I usually will smoke a turkey also on my Large, but not everyone likes the smoke, so this is an easy use, easy cleanup option.  I recommend it. 

  https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/char-broil-big-easy-oil-less-turkey-fryer-with-collapsible-roaster-basket?campid=71700000050598219&adgroupid=58700004941711381&device=c&keyword=92700043783753341&Channel=pla&msclkid=4bde5949b30c1542c2f40485af526bf7&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Non-Brand%20%7C%20Shopping%20%7C%20High%20Intent%20%7C%20Sports%20%26%20Rec&utm_term=4583863982670383&utm_content=Sports%20%26%20Rec%20%7C%20Backyard&gclid=CLHF7_m75-UCFdcAgQodkXYK1g&gclsrc=ds#repChildCatid=5678017

HeavyG

I've had/used one of the Char Broil Big Easy "fryers" for many years. I have never cooked a turkey in it as I'm not a fan of that bird but I have cooked many a whole chicken.

There is no easier way to get a nice, juicy, crispy skin chicken than in one of those things. I would assume a turkey would be just as good/easy.

cookingdude555

Love mine, cooks great birds.  I prepare it cajun style with a cajun injection, and rub.  No brine.

Legume

jtcBoynton said:

Fry means to cook food in hot fat.  No such thing as oil-less frying. Those "oil-less fryers" may do a good job, but they aren't frying.  Marketing nonsense.

This is helpful information.

Lowcountrygamecock said:

I know its sacrilege around here to not cook a turkey at thanksgiving on the kamado but my crowd LOVES fried turkey.  This year we decided to try out one of the oil less fryers to get away from messing with the oil.  I'm cooking the turkey for my in laws thanksgiving meal this year out of town so I plan on a test run this saturday.  Anybody have any suggestions?  Do you brine the bird with oil less fryers?  I'm also torn between seasoning with mad max or my traditional fried turkey rub.

I’ve heard from friends they like turkey in these, not the same as a vat of peanut oil, but good.  I haven’t tried this myself or had turkey from one, but wouldn’t hesitate.  I bet it lands somewhere between oven and frying.  I think only the outside faces the infrared vs hot peanut oil that gets all up in there.

craigsotheregg

I have been using the Big Easy the past 3 years and it's worked out well. we have Thanksgiving at my outlaws. I throw it the back of the truck and cook it over there. a dry brine 16 pound bird is usually 3 hours-ish.

Photo Egg

I had to give it a try. Found this on Craigslist late yesterday afternoon. Picked it up on my way home. It's not the newest model but it's almost brand new with all the parts and paperwork. I did read a couple reviews saying the older model was better built but they never stated what was better. Will give it a test run Friday.
 

caliking

The basket is nifty, although it looks a bit flimsy. The convenient pullout drippings tray is genius. 

Photo Egg

Dollinger said:

Threw mine away. Junk!

Thanks, very helpful review.

TigerTony

I cook two turkeys every Thanksgiving Day. I always cook one turkey on my Lg BGE and the other in my Big Easy oil less fryer. 
I stopped brining turkeys years ago and they come out wonderful.
As far as what turkey comes out better the BGE or the Big Easy. It's a toss up. Both are excellent.
I love my BGE so naturally I was skeptical about the oil less fryer. I assure you that The Big Easy oil less fryer is a great way to cook a turkey.

Photo Egg

Did a turkey today.
This was a cheap, 39 cents a pound, froze bird. Just seasoned with dry rub and tossed in cooker. 15 pounds took 2 1/2 hours. And I could have pulled it a little sooner.
Nice crisp skin and juicy inside.
Missed the great charcoal taste but besides that it was excellent.

Lowcountrygamecock

Mine turned out good too. Not quite as juicy as I wanted but it was still good. 20 lb bird cooked around 3.5 hours. 

Photo Egg

Lowcountrygamecock said:

Mine turned out good too. Not quite as juicy as I wanted but it was still good. 20 lb bird cooked around 3.5 hours. 

Wow, you got a 20 pound bird in that cooker?
Nice!

cookingdude555

CigarCityEgger

My dad uses the charbroil brand, and they come out delicious every time. 

Webass

I use a thermometer and pull the turkey at 160.  Let it rest a good 30 minutes. Nice and juicy!

zahulio

I got one the big easy oil-less fryer from Target on clearance fro $20. I'm gonna try it out tomorrow on a test run. 

Anyone every tried smoking the turkey in the egg and just before it's done,  transferring to the oil-less fryer? Would that achieve the holy grail of smokey flavor and crispy skin?

Photo Egg

zahulio said:

I got one the big easy oil-less fryer from Target on clearance fro $20. I'm gonna try it out tomorrow on a test run. 

Anyone every tried smoking the turkey in the egg and just before it's done,  transferring to the oil-less fryer? Would that achieve the holy grail of smokey flavor and crispy skin?

The Big Easy does not get blazing hot so you would need to give it some time after the smoke on the Egg to get a crispy skin.
I have only used the Big Easy one time, but my preference would be to spatchcock the bird on the Egg for the entire cook.
But the Big Easy is...easy and damn good for the money.

SandyHookEgger

I fry mine in oil and the guests always love it. My son does his in an air fryer and the guests love it. I see no real difference between these 2, but I tell him mine is better.. Clean up sucks in different ways on both. Sometimes I smoke a turkey and fry one. The fried always goes faster, which is ok with me because I like smoked turkey salad.