CLEVELAND, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ - During Thanksgiving alone, more than 46 million* turkeys are served in the U.S. and increasingly, the southern tradition of deep frying turkeys using outdoor cookers is gaining in popularity. Before attempting to master this culinary cooking method, users should be aware that the use of outdoor gas cooking appliances to deep fry their bird could also pose certain dangers and may result in fire or injury.

CSA International, North America's leading certification and testing provider for gas-fired products, offers users of turkey fryers the following tips to help ensure their Fall season and Thanksgiving is a happy, hearty and healthy one:

    Setting Up
    ----------
    -  Read and follow carefully the manufacturer's instructions and be aware
       of all warnings.
    -  When purchasing a turkey fryer, always ensure it has been certified by
       an accredited certification organization by looking for a
       certification mark such as the CSA International certification star.
    -  To avoid overheating of the liquid propane cylinder, ensure it is
       located as far away as practical (depending on the length of hose
       provided) from the fryer burner. Situate the fuel tank and fryer so
       that any wind will blow the heat from the fryer away from the tank.
    -  Turkey fryers should only be used outdoors and at least 10 feet from
       structures - including garages, carports and overhangs - vehicles, and
       combustible materials.
    -  Always use a turkey fryer on a level, stable, non-combustible surface,
       and never on a wooden deck or any structure that can catch fire. Be
       sure to use only the pot that came with the outdoor cooker and that it
       is centered directly over the burner.


    Cooking the Turkey
    ------------------
    -  Never cook a partially or fully frozen turkey! A frozen turkey can
       cause the oil to splatter and boil over, posing a potential risk of
       fire and burn injuries. Prior to cooking, turkeys should be thawed in
       a refrigerator at least 24 hours for every five pounds of bird.
    -  Dry the turkey before putting it in the oil. Pay special attention to
       drying the cavity of the bird as it has the greatest potential for
       water or ice to accumulate.
    -  When filling the pot with oil, be sure to follow the manufacturer's
       instructions and never over-fill the turkey fryer. This can cause the
       oil to overflow posing a potential risk of ignition from the burner
       flame.
    -  Never heat the oil above 400 degrees F and always use the thermometer
       supplied with the turkey fryer to measure the oil temperature. Check
       oil temperature frequently. If the oil begins to smoke, turn gas to
       'off'.
    -  Use well-insulated oven mitts when touching a pot lid, handles or when
       adding or removing food to prevent the risk of burn injuries.
    -  Slowly lower the turkey into hot oil with caution, being careful to
       avoid any overflow.
    -  Never leave a turkey fryer unattended.
    -  Young children and pets should be kept away from the area where turkey
       fryers are being used, even after use.

    In Case of Fire
    ---------------
    -  If any portion of the turkey fryer catches fire, do not attempt to
       extinguish or fight the fire. Immediately remove all people from the
       vicinity of the turkey fryer, and contact the fire department or
       9-1-1. Do not attempt to extinguish fire with water!

    Packing Up
    ----------
    -  Never move the pot or drain the oil from the pot until the oil has
       cooled to a temperature of 115 degrees F or less.

    To view the CSA International certification marks visit:
    http://www.csa-international.org/certification_marks/marks_for_us/

    * Source: National Turkey Federation

About CSA International

CSA International is a provider of product testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products. Recognized in the U.S., Canada and around the world, CSA International certification marks appear on billions of products worldwide. CSA International is a division of CSA Group, which also includes CSA, a leading solutions based standards organization, providing standards development, application products, training and advisory services; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more information, visit www.csa-international.org

SOURCE CSA International