How to deep fry a turkey (cigar optional)

Instead of simply pre-heating your oven to 190°C and roasting the turkey this Christmas, why not take your life into your hands by deep frying your Dinner?

Alcohol, children running about – general chaos. The perfect time to get out into the garden and heat a vat of oil over an open flame, before dumping a whole turkey into it. (We recommend extinguishing the flame before putting the turkey into the pan).

Poultry World can’t recommend that you try this one at home, but if you insist, the US Fire Administration has tips on its website that include:

• Fry your turkey on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.

• Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.

• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix; water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.

• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.

Here’s a shot of it going wrong in a controlled experiment: