Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I selected the Masterbuilt/Butterball Oil-Free Electric Turkey Fryer for three primary reasons. First, since my granddaughter is allergic to peanuts, I could not fry a turkey in peanut oil. Second, I wanted a way to capture drippings to make traditional-style turkey gravy, and third, I liked the idea of being able to roast a turkey at the rate of 10 minutes per pound. I started with a 10-lb. Butterball test turkey and vacillated as to whether to inject it with a butter-flavored marinade or leave it unflavored. I did not want Creole flavoring, and I'd read that if the turkey isn't injected with the proper quantities of marinade in the proper places, the marinade can pool and cause intense flavor in some areas of the meat. I decided to try roasting it without any seasoning at all and see what happened. I did nothing to the turkey except dry it thoroughly with paper towels and bind the wings next to the breast with a silicone band. We were very pleased with the outcome. The turkey cooked in exactly 100 minutes, and it was moist, juicy and delicious. On Thanksgiving, I roasted a 12-lb. Butterball turkey and everyone raved. Once again, it cooked in exactly 120 minutes. This time I oiled the turkey inside and out with corn oil mixed with minced fresh rosemary. I also applied a small amount of poultry rub to the skin. For others who buy this product--which really isn't a fryer but a roaster--I can offer a couple of pointers. The instructions call for preheating the fryer, but it doesn't mention that preheating to the "high" setting takes a long time. On Thanksgiving, I preheated the unit for a full hour before putting in the turkey. Also, the turkey "basket" that fits into the unit is a cone shape with hole in the bottom for the drippings to drain into the cup. The instructions don't mention that when the user transports the cooked turkey in the basket from outdoors to indoors, it will leave a trail of drippings. On Thanksgiving, we solved the problem by placing the turkey basket into a cardboard box. Afterward we removed the turkey from the basket with silicone oven mitts. Today I intend to order two Masterbuilt/Butterball Oil-Free Electric Turkey Fryers as gifts for dear friends, one who can never seem to get her turkey done and another who has only one oven. For both of them, preparation of Christmas dinner will be much easier and stress-free.