Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer Review

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Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer

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Product Overview
Overall
4
  • Design
  • Performance
  • Features
  • Value for money
  • Easy to use
  • Quality

Summary

The Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer is one of the easiest-to-use and control turkey fryers on the market. Not only that but you can use it to cook different meats of your choice. 

Although, the assembly of this product can be a little complex which can be frustrating and annoying. 

Pros

  • Easy to control and use
  • Versatile fryer for various meat types
  • Ideal for a medium-sized group of people
  • Comes with necessary accessories

Cons

  • Complex assembly process
  • Costlier than regular fryers

Frying turkey is for special occasions. And that’s usually to avoid the oil – and trouble. But what if we told you there’s a healthy and convenient way to cook turkey frequently? The Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer is the perfect solution. 

Frying turkeys traditionally takes time, effort, and lots of oil. But the problem can be solved with the Char-Broil Big Easy Turkey Fryer. This vessel offers a fast and healthy option to cook 14-16 lb turkeys using the TRU-Infrared technology – with no oil!  

What makes the Big Easy special? Is it possible to use this fryer to cook delicious poultry? Keep reading and find out!

Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer: The Features

Here’s everything we love about the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer –

TRU-Infrared Technology

This fryer is powered by advanced TRU-Infrared technology. It generates heat within the double wall and delivers it to the cooking chamber to cook different meat types. 

No Oil Cooking

Designed for all-round heating, this fryer needs just a few tablespoons of oil. Yet it provides the same crispiness of skin that can come from deep-frying in gallons of oil. 

Drip Tray

It’s engineered with a drip tray to collect all the juices and melted fat from the turkey. You can use the flavor-packed drippings while cooking gravy, stock, marinades, etc.

Should You Invest in the Char-Broil Big Easy Turkey Fryer?

It may take a while to achieve perfection while cooking turkeys in the Char-Broil Big Easy. If you’re a pro at cooking on a grill or in an oven, you shouldn’t expect the same results on the first try. But eventually, you’ll get juicy meat and crispy skin. 

The fryer also doesn’t dry out the turkey. The vessel is great for frying turkey frequently for a small group – and cooking other meats.

It’s costlier than most fryers. But it needs much less propane. Plus, you don’t have to buy basic accessories separately.

Besides, in standard fryers, you’ll need 4-5 gallons of oil to deep-fry a 12-14 lb turkey. That’s not just too much oil to buy or consume but also to dispose of.

But the Big Easy is convenient and fries turkey in negligible amounts of oil.

Frying turkey in Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer
Image source: Wayfair

If you want to find out the exact oil level when frying a turkey in this kitchen appliance then make sure to read our full guide. All in all, it’s a must-have.

Using Char-Broil Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-Less Turkey Fryer

If you want to know how to use the Char-Broil Big Easy, we have all the details below! We have some amazing turkey marinade and spice rub recipes, as well!

How to Fry Turkey in Char-Broil Big Easy

Using the Char-Broil Big Easy to fry a turkey is extremely easy. You already know how to season your vessel. Once seasoned, follow the steps below to fry your turkey.

Step 1

Put a 14 lb turkey in a deep pan and gently push your fingers under the skin to separate it from the flesh. 

Step 2

Using a spoon, put 3/4th of the spice rub mixture under the skin and spread it evenly. 

Step 3

Inject the marinade into the turkey, especially in the parts where the meat is thicker. Keep changing the needle angle. 

Step 4

Rub the remaining spice rub on top of the skin. 

Step 5

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. 

Step 6

Season the turkey fryer. Line the drip tray with an aluminum drip pan and push it into the slot.

Step 7

Put the turkey inside the cooking basket and place it inside the cooking chamber.

Step 8

Turn on the fryer and allow the turkey to cook. Your 14 lb bird will take between 1 hr 50 min and 2 hr 20 min to cook. 

Step 9

Keep checking the turkey’s temperature with a thermometer after 1 ¾ hr. The turkey is done when it’s 170 F in the breast and 180 F in the thighs. 

Step 10

Put the mesh lid on if it’s windy. Otherwise, keep the fryer open – or your turkey will burn.

Turkey Injection Marinade Recipe

This marinade is ideal for a 14 lb turkey. You can also double the ingredients for a larger turkey and reserve the unused marinade in the fridge to use later.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken/beef broth: 1 cup
  • Lemon juice: ½ cup 
  • Salted butter (melted): ½ cup 
  • English mustard powder: 1 tsp
  • Ginger (minced): 1 tsp
  • Garlic – 1 clove (minced)

Instructions:

Step 1

Put all the ingredients in a large bowl. 

Step 2

Stir everything to mix them and make the marinade. 

Step 3

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator. 

Step 4

Leave it for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop before injecting it into the turkey.

Turkey Spice Rub Recipe

To go with your marinade, here’s a spice rub. The ingredients are enough for a 12-16 lb turkey. 

Ingredients:

  • Thyme: 2 sprigs
  • Rosemary: 3 sprigs
  • Oregano (dry): 1 tbsp
  • Onion powder: 2 tbsp
  • Garlic powder: 1 tbsp
  • Paprika: 2 tbsp
  • Salted butter (softened) – 1 cup

Instructions:

Step 1

Strip the thyme and rosemary leaves from the sprigs and chop them finely. 

Step 2

In a bowl, put all the ingredients and mix well using a fork.

Seasoning the Char-Broil Big Easy Turkey Fryer

Seasoning the insides of the Char-Broil Big Easy allows the cooking chamber to function properly, prevents rusting, and makes cleaning easier. Here’s how to do it – 

Step 1

Coat the inside walls of the vessel with vegetable oil.

Step 2

Spread the oil all over it by rubbing it with a piece of cloth.

Step 3

Turn on the propane tank and the Big Easy. 

Step 4

Allow it to heat until the oil burns off and stops smoking. 

Step 5

Let the inside walls develop a red coating. You can do this after each wash or before every use.

Tips for Using Char-Broil Big Easy

  • Marinate the turkey for at least 12 hours for best results.
  • Always use sugar-free seasoning to prevent burning.
  • You can buy a pre-seasoned and pre-marinated turkey. 
  • Tying the legs and wings makes fitting a larger bird into the basket easy. 
  • You can wash the vessel and the basket easily using just water and dishwasher soap. 
  • Seasoning the vessel after every use will ensure you don’t have to plan before the next use.

Here’s a video that should help you understand how to use this turkey fryer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Char-Broil Big Easy run on electricity?

The Char-Broil Big Easy runs on propane. It needs 16,000 BTU to operate. You have to attach the Big Easy to a propane tank, which you will have to purchase separately. Turn on the fryer – and the heat is generated quite fast within the double-wall of the fryer.

How long does it take to cook turkeys in the Char-Broil Big Easy?

The Char-Broil Big Easy is ideal for a turkey of 14-16 lb. It cooks quickly, taking 8-10 min. to cook every pound of the turkey perfectly.

So, a 14 lb turkey will take between 1 hr 50 min and 2 hr 20 min. Its internal temperature will reach 170-180 F. 

How can you cook a turkey in the Big Easy if it rains?

The Char-Broil Big Easy comes with a mesh lid that you must use when the weather is windy. But if it starts to rain while you’re cooking a turkey in this fryer, the mesh lid won’t work. Place it on a covered porch if it’s cloudy – or buys a dome lid for when it rains. 

Final Words

The Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer gives you a quick and convenient way to fry a turkey. It doesn’t need gallons of oil and makes it easy to cook medium-sized turkeys for small groups of people. If you’re a turkey-lover, this fryer is an excellent choice.

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