Reply #2: It depends... [View All]

[rsdsharp]

There are several factors affecting the time it will take for the oil to reach temperature. First is the amount of oil you use. More oil means a longer time frame to heat. You won't need as much to do a breast, as you will to do a whole turkey, and therefore it won't take as long to heat if you use a reduced amount. Second is how hot a fire you have. This will depend on the design of the burner and how high you turn the heat. Last is the outside temperature. You MUST do this outside, and away from the house. If its cold and/or windy it will take longer to heat the oil than if it's nice out. I'd figure at least an hour to heat the oil. Remember that the temp will fall when you put the cold(er) turkey in, so it's best to heat the oil to about 350 up front.

Four minutes a pound is about right for a whole turkey. It should take less for a breast. I'd plan on about 3 minutes per pound, and try to make arrangements for pulling the breast and using a meat thermometer to check the temp as you get close to the time. Going over a few minutes isn't likely to ruin it, and deep frying will make it more juicy than normal, but there's not a huge margin of error. I'd take it out when the temp is between 160 and 165. Then cover it with foil and let it rest before carving.

It's quick and easy, but be careful. If the burner tips when the oil is on it, you're in deep trouble. Keep kids and pets away, and lower the breast in slowly. The moisture in the meat will cause the hot oil to bubble and rise, so slow is the only way to go. Don't put the fryer on any surface you're not willing to get (hot) oil on. No matter how careful you are, there will be drips at the least. These will stain what they hit, at a minimum, and can be dangerous if they hit exposed flesh, or something flammable. I usually use the concrete driveway.

Most cookers come with a device that look like a coathanger to lift the whole bird into and out of the oil. I'm not sure what to do with a breast but you'll have to come up with some way to pull it out. Don't assume you can just stick a fork in it and pull it out of the oil. That won't work. Putting it into a metal mesh basket with a handle might work. Lower that in (wearing heavy gloves) with the breast inside. You'd proably have to fish for the handle with a long fork, and then pull it out the same way. Remember that the oil is going to drip, so have a cookie sheet or something handy to put the breast on.

Good luck, and Happy Thanksgiving