Atlanta Christmas Guide: Avoiding a deep fried turkey disaster

Things to Do

Avoiding a deep fried turkey disaster

Gwinnett County firefighters demonstrate safe turkey deep frying techniques for the holiday season, Nov. 2010.

As more and more people enjoy deep fried turkey during the holidays, it's important to keep safety in mind while preparing your masterpiece. Metro Atlanta's Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services showed how a turkey deep-fry can turn dangerous.

Gwinnett County firefighter Jerrod Barrett backs up after putting a frozen turkey into a deep fryer during a special Holiday Safety Fair at the Home Depot in Suwanee, Ga. This was part of the department's "What Not To Do" demonstration.

The "What Not To Do" demonstration was done with too much oil, the wrong oil and done with a frozen turkey. Here, flames ignite as oil overflows the deep fryer.

Flames grow after a frozen turkey was put into the deep fryer. Cooking is the leading cause of residential fires during the Thanksgiving holiday and throughout the year.

Barrett and other Gwinnett County firefighters watch as the turkey deep fryer is engulfed in flames during their "What Not To Do" holiday cooking demonstration.

Now here's how it IS done: Barrett carries a thawed turkey before demonstrating the right way to deep fry the bird.

Barrett slowly puts the thawed turkey into a deep fryer as participants watch. Oil for turkey deep frying is heated to 325-350 degrees on average -- one of the reasons for a safety demonstration such as that offered by Gwinnett County Fire.

1/7

As more and more people enjoy deep fried turkey during the holidays, it's important to keep safety in mind while preparing your masterpiece. Metro Atlanta's Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services showed how a turkey deep-fry can turn dangerous.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

More Galleries

the weeknd

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans arrive for 4-night Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

College Park Juneteenth Parade standalone photo

PHOTOS: Juneteenth Parade held in College Park

4th Annual Rick Ross Car Show

PHOTOS: Rapper Rick Ross holds 4th annual car show in Fayetteville