Good Turkey Fryers Reviewed: The Best Picks for First-Timers and Fry Masters

Woman slicing into a turkey made in a turkey fryer

Key Takeaways

  • The 30 qt powered bundle is a complete rig that’s perfect for smaller families and gatherings.
  • The 60 qt powered bundle is a complete kit that’s great for fry masters, larger families, commercial operations, and events.
  • The 30 qt stock pot with rack and basket is a reliable, no-frills setup that requires a burner.

Frying a whole turkey is so much more than a popular Thanksgiving trend. This decadent cooking technique results in exceptionally juicy, succulent meat and crispy skin you just can’t achieve with an oven. One bite and you’ll be a believer!

Whether you’re gearing up for a holiday feast or looking to add a new recipe to your repertoire, a good turkey fryer kit is the heart of your setup. Frying a whole bird is a lot of fun, but it can be dangerous and difficult, too. The right gear lets you enjoy a stress-free fry and treat your guests to a truly mouthwatering feast.

High-quality fryers aren’t only for turkeys, so don’t worry about your rig collecting dust during the off-season. Our versatile outdoor deep fryers can handle everything from wings and fish to fries and onion rings.

While you can’t go wrong with any High Performance Cookers (HPC) fryers, it’s important to check the specs. After all, a good turkey fryer for a small family may not be right for a large-scale event. Let’s dive in!

FAQs

What is the best turkey fryer for home use?

We recommend the 30 Quart Turkey Fryer Pot With Drain Valve, Basket, Lid & Turkey Rack if you require a complete package that includes a propane burner.

How big of a fryer for a 20 lb turkey?

30 quarts is a good turkey fryer size for turkeys that weigh 20 lbs or less. We recommend a 60 qt turkey fryer for larger birds or frying 2-3 at the same time.

Can you steam in a turkey fryer?

Not all turkey fryers on the market can steam, but our multi-use fryers can! If you plan on steaming, we recommend adding a steamer basket insert (included with some bundles).

What else can you make in a turkey fryer?

A good turkey fryer can be used for deep frying anything under the sun, such as frying fish, chicken wings, vegetables, and more. You can also use it for slow cooking, boiling, and steaming!

What Makes High Performance Cookers Different?

a close up of a burner flame

All HPC fryers are equipped with patented Tunnel Tube Technology. What’s the difference?

HPC fryers:

  • Have nearly 3x the surface area of a traditional fryer
  • Are twice as thick (4mm) as other fryers
  • Heat up 3x faster and retains the heat
  • Reach your frying temperature in ⅓ of the time
  • Eliminate hot spots 
  • Use less fuel
  • Save time and money
  • Produce better food

Science-Backed Solutions

A good turkey fryer must be an excellent heat conductor. To improve conductivity, we weld special-sized pieces of an aluminum channel to the bottom of our pots in a very specific way that’s exclusive to HPC.

This patented design boosts the heat absorbed by the burner to 65%+ and distributes the heat evenly throughout the fryer. The result is that our fryers cook more consistently, efficiently, and faster.

Turkey Fryer Reviews

Now that you understand why HPC turkey fryers are game-changers, let’s explore your options. 

1. 30 Qt Powered Bundle

30 Qt Turkey Fryer Pot With Drain Valve, Basket, Lid & Turkey Rack

The 30 Qt Turkey Fryer Pot With Drain Valve, Basket, Lid & Turkey Rack is our most popular rig. It’s a good turkey fryer setup that comes with everything you need.

What you get:

  • 30 qt heavy-duty 4mm aluminum frying pot with large handles
  • Full fitting lid
  • 3/4-inch drain port and gate valve
  • Turkey rack
  • Basket
  • Steamer rack insert
  • 6-inch 55K BTU banjo burner
  • 10 psi regulator with hose

Recommended for:

The 30 qt size can fit turkeys up to 20 lbs. We recommend this complete kit for individuals and families who need a reliable setup for Thanksgiving festivities and smaller backyard get-togethers. 

Most importantly, this rig comes with a propane burner that provides enough power to fry the turkey properly. It’s the ideal package for those who need a good turkey fryer and don’t want to deal with buying a separate heat source. Everything in this set is optimized to work together seamlessly and deliver simple, straightforward frying right out of the box.

2. 60 Qt Powered Bundle

60 Qt Dual Turkey Fryer Pot With Drain Valve / Lid & Turkey Rack

The 60 Qt Dual Propane Turkey Fryer Pot With Drain Valve / Lid & Turkey Rack is our largest setup. It comes with essential accessories, and you can add extras, like a basket and steamer insert if needed.

What you get:

  • 60 qt heavy-duty 4mm aluminum frying pot with large handles
  • Full fitting lid
  • 1/2-inch drain port and gate valve (3/4-inch and 1-inch options available)
  • Dual turkey rack
  • 6-inch 55K BTU banjo burner

Recommended for: 

This is a good turkey fryer setup for experienced fry masters, larger families, and smaller commercial operations. With the ability to cook two 20 lb turkeys simultaneously, this is the ideal rig for a big Thanksgiving celebration. And even if you don’t need the extra space now, it’s nice to have the option available.

3. 30 Qt Non-Powered Pot & Accessories

30 QT Performance Seafood/Stock Pot and Accessories

The 30 QT Performance Seafood/Stock Pot is an excellent option for those who prefer to use non-powered stock pots with their own heat source. Although it doesn’t come with all of the bells and whistles, this is a very good turkey fryer for anyone who just needs the core essentials.

What you get:

  • 30 qt heavy-duty 4mm aluminum frying pot with large handles
  • Full fitting lid
  • 3/4-inch drain port and gate valve
  • Turkey rack
  • Basket

Recommended for:

A great choice for first-timers and casual users, this set is a solid foundation for a reliable starter rig. Because it doesn’t include a burner, you’ll need your own heat source. We carry a variety of top-quality outdoor burners, including the incredibly popular Triple Jet Propane Burner from Boil Boss.

Contact Us for a Personalized Recommendation

Still need help picking out a good turkey fryer? Get in touch. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you choose a setup.

We hope these turkey fryer reviews are helpful as you gear up to enjoy great food with great people this holiday season and beyond. For help with the feast, check our step-by-step instructions for safely frying a turkey outdoors. Order your turkey fryer today!

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Jay Meral

Jay Meral is a businessman, writer, and cook. He has been married to his wife, Rhonda, for over 27 years and is a proud father to his three kids. A lifelong entrepreneur, Jay discovered his passion for outdoor cooking through entertaining family and friends. That passion led him to the Tunnel Tube Cooker, where he saw the potential to transform the industry. Investing in the technology, he launched High Performance Cookers and has since grown the brand to new levels and expanded to different markets. Always striving to improve, Jay’s ultimate goal is to produce the highest quality products that every customer will be proud to own.