Outdoor vs Indoor Turkey Fryer: How to Choose the Right Deep Fryer

If you want to get yourself a turkey deep fryer, you’ll probably want to know whether to opt for an indoor electric fryer or an outdoor propane turkey fryer. We’ll give you the rundown on the pros and cons of each of these options to help you decide on the right choice for your next holiday feast.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Turkey Fryers

Every year major insurance companies run ads featuring slightly comic/tragic turkey fryer incidents. They’re trying to convince you to buy insurance. They don’t really care whether you screw up on your turkey dinner.

But you don’t have to listen to the insurance companies. While traditionally people do fry their turkeys outside, it’s absolutely possible to fry your turkey indoors.

How?

With an indoor turkey fryer of course. But is it the right choice?

That depends on various factors. So let’s settle this controversy once and for all. Which should you choose: an electric turkey fryer or a propane fryer? An outdoor or an indoor turkey fryer? Scroll onward to find out.

Electric Turkey Fryer vs. Propane: Quick Summary

Electric turkey fryers use only 2/3 of the oil of traditional propane fryers. Electric fryers are mainly for indoor use only while propane turkey fryers are used exclusively outdoors. Outdoor fryers heat the oil up more quickly and maintain higher temperatures more easily while electric fryers are slower to heat and more difficult to maintain high temps.

1. The Case for the Indoor Turkey Fryer

The weather outside is frightful and the kitchen warmth is so delightful. And since we’ve got so much snow…maybe we should try out an indoor turkey fryer from Butterball?

Depending on where you live, the end of November might actually be a tough time to fry a turkey outside. And really, even if there isn’t snow on the ground, a late November outdoor cookout isn’t pleasant.

This is the obvious reason to use an indoor fryer. But it’s not the only reason.

An indoor fryer uses no gas. It’s all electric. This means you’re only paying for the power coming through your plug.

But Wait…There are More Uses for an Indoor Deep Fryer!

And frying isn’t the only thing you can do with an indoor turkey fryer. You can boil it or steam it too.

If you’re afraid of using a fryer inside, don’t fret. The safety features included keep you from having to call the Allstate guy.

An included temperature gauge will keep you from burning the oil and subsequently the turkey. An automatic safety shut-off will ease your mind if you forgot about the turkey in the fryer.

And you won’t accidentally drop oil all over yourself; the drain valve makes for easy draining and cleaning. And you can’t have a fryer without a proper fitting lid.

The temperature gauge is typically accurate which keeps you from having to get your hands near extremely hot oil.

Butterball Turkey Fryer: The Most Popular Choice for Indoor Fryers

Indoor Fryers: Come in a Complete Package

Everything is packed neatly inside the fryer. You can keep the indoor fryer on your kitchen counter and it won’t look like an evil science experiment.

And since it’s all packed-in and looks like any appliance, your children won’t think about checking out the cool new science experiment in your kitchen. The modern look will completely disinterest them.

And lastly, an indoor turkey fryer uses less oil than your conventional outdoor fryer. This means it’s less expensive to fry a turkey with an indoor fryer.

A Small Case Against the Indoor Turkey Fryer

The disadvantages of an indoor turkey fryer are few.

If you’re short on time, don’t use an indoor fryer. It takes longer to heat up the oil than a conventional fryer.

Don’t want your house smelling like fried oil for several days? Don’t fry your turkey inside.

And unless you have a generator, you’re not going to take your fryer to a tailgate party. And if you do take it outside to use, don’t leave it out there overnight. The dew will damage the electrical components of your fryer.

What’s the Top-Rated Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer?

If you’re convinced that an indoor turkey deep fryer is the one for you, then you’ll need to check out these top-quality ones from Masterbuilt Butterball. They offer some serious quality at a very reasonable price. And there’s actually no other brand that we’d personally ever consider. The ones from Masterbuilt Butterball are just that good!

Where Can I get this Indoor Turkey Cooker? 

Check out this XL indoor turkey fryer for yourself today on Amazon. Click the button below to check for the best prices and also to see if this product is eligible for free shipping with a Prime membership:

Is there a Butterball Outdoor Turkey Fryer?

Do you want the same top name, but just the outdoor version of this turkey fryer? Unfortunately, Butterball does not make an outdoor deep fryer.

However, if the weather is nice, consider taking your Butterball fryer outside. Just be sure to keep it away from the elements and carefully consider the surface that you’re placing it on.

2. What about Outdoor Turkey Deep Fryers?

The outdoor turkey fryer is the default in most places. And if you’re from the South, you probably look forward to hanging out in the driveway frying that turkey in peanut oil.

Related: What Kind of Oil to Deep Fry your Turkey In

And an outdoor turkey fryer does have some advantages over an indoor turkey fryer.

It’s readily more mobile than your indoor unit. You can take it tailgating, camping, or over to a friend’s house. You just need a propane tank and you’re off into the woods with your fryer.

Unlike your house, the outdoors can stand a little bit more fried turkey smell. And you might make a few friends as your neighbors come out wondering where all the good smells are coming from.

And if you don’t want to spend all day monitoring your fryer, an outdoor fryer might just be the ticket. It heats oil much faster than an indoor fryer. You’ll be serving your guests quicker.

How to Deep Fry a Turkey Outdoors

If you want to know the ins and outs of deep frying a turkey on a propane fryer outdoors, then you’ll need to check out this short video below:

Outdoor Deep Frying Has Some Drawbacks

While an outdoor turkey fryer is a fun traditional way to cook your turkey, it does come with some drawbacks.

Propane fuel is an added cost. And if you don’t want to lug a large tank around, you might want to consider an indoor fryer.

It’s a bit dangerous, especially around children and pets. Both could knock into the fryer if you’re not careful. Avoid an emergency trip to the vet or ER by keeping kids and pets away from your outdoor fryer.

It takes a lot of oil to fry a turkey outside. More than an indoor fryer. In fact, it takes up to five gallons of oil to fry a 14 lb turkey.

Safety is a concern, not just for the children and pets, but for you also. The biggest reason turkey fryer fires happen? A lack of temperature monitoring.

Your outdoor turkey fryer does not come with an automatic temperature gauge. This means you have to gauge the temperature yourself.

To ensure your turkey does not overcook, you will also need a way to monitor the turkey’s inside temperature. This is dangerous in two ways. If your oil overheats, you could get burned from the bubbling and splashing. If the turkey overheats, you’ll have a burned or dry turkey.

And if you don’t monitor your turkey and your fryer, you’ll have wasted both a turkey and a whole bunch of oil.

The weather is the biggest downside. Unless you live in a temperate climate where it hardly rains or snows, your ability to cook outside will be determined by the weather.

Unless you enjoy bundling up like an Eskimo, you probably want to consider an indoor fryer in November instead.

What’s the Top-Rated Outdoor Turkey Fryer?

There are most certainly some very cheap outdoor turkey frying kits. Just about the only thing they have going for them is the price! If you’re looking for an outdoor deep fryer that’ll last you for years, and work without a hassle, then you’ll need this top-quality one from Eastman Outdoors.

It’s a seriously powerful outdoor fryer with a ton of features that you’ll love, including 65,000 BTU’s of power, an automatic safety shut-off feature, and a professional grade stainless steel pot.

Check out this outdoor turkey frying kit on Amazon today:

Are there Indoor/Outdoor Turkey Fryers? 

That’s a great question and we’re happy that you asked. Basically, there are no indoor outdoor turkey fryers. You certainly wouldn’t want to use any of the propane deep fryers indoors. That’s a recipe for disaster, and you might even want to call the fire department over to your house before you even turn it on!

That said, you can certainly use an indoor electric fryer outdoors. You might want to consider this if you’re worried about counter space, or want to keep the heat outside.

Of course, you should take some precautions. Make sure your fryer is not exposed the elements. You will ruin your fryer if it gets wet for example, and it may also be a huge safety hazard. If it’s raining or snowing, do the right thing and keep that indoor fryer inside, okay?

Also, consider the surface that you’re frying on. It shouldn’t be on a plastic table for example. Cement or brick will likely be the best choice. And it should be level of course, just like your kitchen countertop.

FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about indoor vs outdoor turkey fryers. Here are the answers to some of the most common ones.

Can I use an outdoor turkey deep fryer indoors?

No, it is not safe to use an outdoor turkey deep fryer indoors due to the risk of fire hazards and carbon monoxide buildup.

Are there any advantages to using an indoor turkey deep fryer?

Indoor turkey deep fryers are convenient for those who prefer to fry their turkeys in the comfort of their kitchen. They are generally smaller in size and do not require as much oil.

Are outdoor turkey deep fryers more powerful than indoor ones?

Outdoor turkey deep fryers often have more powerful burners and larger capacities to handle larger turkeys, while indoor fryers are typically smaller and have lower heat outputs.

Can I use the same type of oil in both indoor and outdoor turkey deep fryers?

Yes, you can use the same type of oil in both indoor and outdoor turkey deep fryers. Popular choices include peanut oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil.

Are indoor turkey deep fryers safer than outdoor ones?

Indoor turkey deep fryers are generally considered safer because they are designed for use in controlled environments and are less prone to accidents caused by outdoor elements or improper setups.

Do outdoor turkey deep fryers require more maintenance?

Outdoor turkey deep fryers may require more maintenance due to exposure to outdoor elements like dirt, debris, and weather conditions. They may need regular cleaning and occasional maintenance checks.

Can I achieve the same taste and texture with both indoor and outdoor turkey deep fryers?

Yes, you can achieve similar taste and texture with both types of fryers. The cooking process and temperature control are the key factors in achieving a delicious deep-fried turkey.

Can I use an outdoor turkey deep fryer on a countertop or indoors with proper ventilation?

While proper ventilation is important, it is not recommended to use an outdoor turkey deep fryer on a countertop or indoors, even with ventilation. It is best to use outdoor fryers in well-ventilated areas away from structures.

Are there any safety precautions I should take when using a turkey deep fryer?

Yes, regardless of whether it is an indoor or outdoor fryer, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, use the fryer on a stable surface, keep children and pets away, and never leave it unattended while in use.

Have Your Say about Electric vs. Propane Turkey Deep Fryers

Which method of turkey frying do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other deep frying enthusiasts, like yourself find this useful resource.

 

 

Last update on 2021-08-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API