Hi,
Same Thanksgiving Turkey theme here with me. I have fried my turkeys in peanut oil for 8 to 10 years. Very satisfied with my results with oil frying and I was okay with the cleanup and disposal of used oil. It was the cost of the oil each year that compelled me to make a change to The Big Easy Cooker.
I got myself a TBE a few weeks ago and after reading another forum for a few weeks, I took the advice to practice on a chicken first. Purchased a 5.5 pound Fasters Farms Chicken, rubbed it with peanut oil, put on some Cajon Seasoning and dropped her in, feet first, resting on a beer can holder to support it sitting up right. I did a pre-heat burn-off and seasoning of the TBE the day before.
With no wind, and 75 degrees outside temperature, I cooked it for one hour and ten minutes, with top on the whole cook, until the thigh was 185 degrees and the breast was 175 degrees. I must have dumb luck because my first try was a perfect bird. I could not have wish for any better results.
Next try will be on Thanksgiving afternoon with a 15 pound butterball turkey. Wish me luck because it will not be good for me if I drop the ball this Thursday, lol….
I will make a post with a few pictures. I apologize in advance if the picture posting here is not correct in any manner in this post as it is my first try.
-Nick