| Fried turkey tastes delicious, so it's understandable | | | | concerned about starting a fire. Moving a hot |
| that in recent years propane turkey fryers have | | | | turkey fryer often results in tragedy. Dozens and |
| become increasingly popular. But at what price? | | | | dozens of people have been seriously burned |
| Every Thanksgiving dozens of families endure | | | | while trying to move a hot propane turkey fryer. |
| Thanksgiving tragedy due to defective turkey | | | | The oil splashes or they lose a grip on the handle. |
| fryers. Propane turkey fryers are so dangerous | | | | Or worse, they slip and fall into the hot oil. This |
| that the National Fire Protection Association | | | | happened to a Fire Department veteran in |
| (NFPA) has recommended against their use. | | | | California. While trying to move a turkey fryer out |
| According to the NFPA; the hot oil can cause | | | | of the rain, the fryer tipped over. He slipped and |
| devastating burns and destruction of property. | | | | fell in the oil, burning his arms, ankles, back and |
| The New York Fire Department (NYFD) - and | | | | face. |
| dozens of fire departments across the country - | | | | The process of cooking the turkey poses |
| recommend against using propane fryers. | | | | additional hazards. Even under the best of |
| Consumer group after consumer group have | | | | circumstances and intentions hot oil may splash or |
| weighed in against propane fryers. Underwriters | | | | spill at any point during the cooking process. Oil |
| Laboratories (UL) studied propane fryer hazards. | | | | easily spills over the side of the pot and will ignite |
| Mr. John Drengenberg, an engineer and the UL | | | | from the flames. Serious burns are often received |
| Consumer Affairs Manager strongly recommends | | | | when people try and remove the turkey out of |
| against the use of propane turkey fryers. Mr. | | | | the fryer. |
| Drengenber explains, UL found propane turkey | | | | Partially frozen turkeys also pose a significant risk. |
| fryers, "... not to be worth the risks. And, as a | | | | At best, partially frozen turkeys placed into the |
| result of these observations, UL has decided not | | | | fryer can cause a spillover effect. At worst, the |
| to certify any turkey fryers with our trusted UL | | | | frozen turkey will cause the boiling oil to explode. |
| Mark." Some manufacturers countered by putting | | | | In addition, many propane turkey fryers have an |
| phony "consumer listing mark of approvals" on | | | | unstable three leg base. Allowing the fryer to |
| their dangerous propane fryers. | | | | easily topple over, causing burns. |
| The Consumer Product Safety Commission | | | | Finally, when fire does occur, users often try and |
| (CPSC) has also issued alerts on propane turkey | | | | extinguish the flames with water. This is a huge |
| fryers. Every Thanksgiving the CPSC receives | | | | mistake. When water contacts the hot oil, the |
| reports of turkey fryer burns. The CPSC has | | | | water and oil cause a splatter effect, causing |
| reported over one hundred incidents of propane | | | | burns to anyone in the vicinity. |
| turkey fryers causing burns. In addition, Consumer | | | | In most states, product liability laws use a |
| Reports issued a safety alert on propane turkey | | | | risk-benefit test to determine whether a product |
| fryers. A video on their website graphically | | | | is defectively designed. The work done by NFPA, |
| demonstrates just how quickly propane turkey | | | | NYFD, UL, Consumer Reports, and the CPSC |
| fryers violently erupt. | | | | make a strong case that the risks posed by a |
| These horrible burns happen to ordinary people. | | | | turkey fryer's design outweigh the benefits of the |
| Take Richard, for instance. Richard was trying | | | | design. The potential harm resulting from the use |
| hard to be extra careful. However, in spite of his | | | | of turkey fryers is serious and there is substantial |
| best efforts, Richard suffered severe burns while | | | | likelihood that burns will occur. |
| using a turkey fryer. Richard's description is similar | | | | There is a safer and feasible alternate design. |
| to so many others, "The turkey fryer erupted | | | | Consumer Reports recommends electric turkey |
| like a volcano". | | | | fryers as being much safer than propane models. |
| Most turkey fryers don't have any temperature | | | | These electric fryers have automatic |
| control, allowing the oil to overheat and burst into | | | | temperature controls that will shut off the heat |
| flame, similar to a volcano erupting. The propane | | | | before the oil gets too hot. They are also |
| fryers that do have temperature controls, have | | | | designed to use much less oil than the propane |
| temperature controls that are shoddy and | | | | models. This minimizes the spill over or splash |
| unreliable. Which gives consumers a false sense of | | | | hazard posed by propane models. Consumer |
| security. John Drengenberg, from UL, describes | | | | Reports tests revealed the electric fryer turkey |
| propane fryers as a "vertical flame thrower". | | | | tasted just as delicious as turkey cooked with |
| CPSC's findings reveal the majority of reported | | | | propane. |
| incidents occur while the oil is being heated, prior | | | | So it is not surprising, propane turkey fryer |
| to adding the turkey. The oil starts to overheat | | | | manufacturers have faced multiple product liability |
| and smoke and then instantly turns into a "vertical | | | | lawsuits across the country, paying millions in |
| flame thrower." | | | | order to settle turkey fryer product liability |
| Remember, propane turkey fryers are meant to | | | | lawsuits. There is a reason why propane turkey |
| be used outdoors only, usually on Thanksgiving | | | | fryer manufacturers pay millions to settle. It's |
| and Christmas. Almost everywhere in America | | | | because propane turkey fryers are defectively |
| can expect to receive either rain or snow on any | | | | designed. Ask Richard. Richard has endured |
| given Thanksgiving or Christmas. With turkey | | | | surgery after surgery. Skin graft after skin graft. |
| fryers, rain or snow create a huge hazard. When | | | | Now Richard faces a lifetime of tragedy. Richard |
| the rain or snow hits the hot oil, the oil splashes | | | | will be the first to tell you - the risk isn't worth it. |
| or turns to steam, which can cause burns. | | | | The money is never worth the lifetime of agony, |
| When it rains or snows, people will predictably try | | | | pain, scarring and disfigurement. Take it from |
| to move the turkey fryer to a place that doesn't | | | | Richard - listen to the NFPA, NYFD, UL, Consumer |
| directly expose the turkey fryer to the moisture. | | | | Reports and the CPSC - the risks inherent with |
| Or, just as often, folks move the turkey fryer | | | | propane turkey fryers aren't worth it. |
| away from a house or garage because they are | | | | |
