Countertop turkey fryer: Use as directed

That? Why, that's a turkey fryer.

(Credit: Bed Bath & Beyond)

It's almost that time of year again. With Halloween right around the corner, thoughts across the country will soon turn to the most important food holiday of the year: Thanksgiving. Before the apple pie, before the mashed potatoes, before all the traditional appetizers, side dishes and desserts, comes the turkey. As a centerpiece of the meal, turkey preparation takes center stage for good reason, and it all starts with how you decide to cook the turkey.

Every year, Black Friday not only features news stories about mall attendance, but also unfortunate stories of fires caused by deep frying turkey. If you are choosing fried turkey this year, leave the shoddy preparation in the past and get yourself a dedicated appliance. As far as unitaskers go, the Masterbuilt Butterball Professional Series Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer probably isn't too bad of a choice. (And to be fair, a cooking basket and drain clip are included to fry other foods.)

The kitchen appliance is small enough for countertop use, but is large enough to accommodate a 14-pound turkey. Complete with breakaway power cord and automatic safety shutdown, the indoor fryer makes it easy to cook delicious turkey for your big meal. Other features include a filtered lid with viewing window for when you just have to (safely) sneak a peek.