Thanksgiving Preparation: The Searches Are On

Deep-fried turkey has its benefits: It cooks very quickly. Its non-greasy. And its deliciously moist.

But getting that deep-fried turkey on the Thanksgiving table today can be a dangerous task if the cook is negligent.

County firemen and safety experts are urging residents to oven-roast turkeys the traditional way and leave the deep-frying to Food Network pros..

Though the taste of a deep-fried turkey is sure to please the palate, officials at Underwriters Laboratories worry backyard chefs are sacrificing safety for a tasty dish. They say the growing up number of fires related to turkey fryers is a risk that outweighs the benefits of the appliance.

In fact, the produce safety testing service has rated deep-frying a turkey as so dangerous, it will not certify any turkey fryers with the UL mark, said Division Chief Michael Cox, a county Fire Department spokesman..

For those who went with frozen poultry, thawing the turkey may be top of mind. Check out foodsafety.gov for cooking and safety tips. But if the turkey is frozen, you can still pop it in the oven and cook. Just plan on 50% more cook time than you would for the unfrozen kind. For ‘turkey cooking time per pound,’ you can also check out the guide from Whole Foods Market. If you need extra hand-holding on the big day with the big turkey , Butterball is standing by for your cooking questions. . .