Air fryers don’t need oil to cook, roast, or fry a variety of dishes. It’s a healthy way to prepare your French fries and fry your favorite chicken parts. But if you prefer the taste of deep frying in oil — especially your turkeys for Thanksgiving — then an air fryer is not the one for you. For that, you’ll need either an electric or propane turkey fryer.
Here, we’re going to review the Butterball 23011615, an electric turkey fryer, which is a product of Masterbuilt. Should you get one? What do previous buyers have to say about their unit? What are its pros and cons? We strive to answer all these questions (and more) in this Butterball 23011615 XL electric fryer review.
Contents
Key Features of the Masterbuilt 23011615
First, let’s talk about the key features of the Masterbuilt 23011615. Here’s a list of what you can expect.
Capacity
There is a large version of this model – the Butterball 23010115 — but that one can handle turkeys that weigh up to 14 lbs. only. If you need a bigger capacity, wish no more because the Butterball 23011615 can handle one whole turkey that weighs 20 lbs.
Analog Controls
Don’t expect a fancy, modern-looking, touchscreen control panel. In fact, the Masterbuilt 23011615 comes with analog controls. With these controls, you can adjust the timer and temperature. There are also two indicator lights on the panel — the red light is for power, and the green light indicates when the chosen temperature is reached.
Note that to get the best results, there’s a bit of maths involved, which is taught in the user manual.
Parts and Accessories Included
There are 10 main parts to expect when unboxing a brand-new Butterball 23011615. These are the following: outer shell, lid, turkey basket, inner pot with valve, 5 inner pot supports, double lifting hook, control panel with element, safety cap and seal, valve spout, and break-away cord.
Also read: Best Cuisinart Roasting Pan, Top Picks
Pros and Cons of the Butterball 23011615
In this section of our Butterball 23011615 XL Electric Fryer Review, we answer this important question: What do previous buyers have to say about their Butterball 23011615? In summarized form, here’s what we found out based on our trip the a popular online retailer.
Frying Performance
How much oil does this cooking machine hold? 2 gallons.
Some people are concerned about splatters on their kitchen countertop. Does this electric fryer spread oil all over the place? The general consensus is no, although if there’s any splatter at all, it should be very minimal.
Aside from turkey, yes, you can also fry other food items such as fish, pork chops, fries, and anything that can be deep-fried in oil. One person said that the fish fried with his unit turned out to have “crispy skin and a tender and moist insides.”
How long does it take for a 14- or 18-pound turkey to cook completely? The responses vary, but on the average, it should be 3 to 4 minutes per pound. This is assuming that the temperature and timer are calculated and set right.
How’s the resulting deep-fried turkey? Previous buyers have only positive things to say about the Butterball 23011615 as far as results are concerned. When cooked properly, the turkey comes out “juicy,” “crisp,” and “moist.” One person even said that they “won’t go back to the oven this year.”
One very important concern is the smell that this fryer leaves after the cooking is done. This is especially true for fish. Will it cause the whole house to smell like fried food? The realistic answer is it may. But to reduce the smell, don’t forget to open the windows, or cook near a well-ventilated place.
Limitations, Concerns, Complaints
Some people are concerned about the cord falling “short” of their preference. Should this be the case, you can always use an extension cord.
The Butterball 23011615’s product dimensions are advertised to be 18.3 x 16.1 x 14.8 inches. You might find that it can take up a good amount of space on your kitchen countertop.
Other Feedback
Here are other comments given by previous buyers.
- You don’t have to use gloves.
- You can definitely re-use the oil. This machine has a drain that you can rely on to easily suck up the used oil for future use.
- It’s very easy to use.
- Cleanup is pretty easy.
Also read: What is the Best Air Fryer on the Market? Top Picks
Final Word: Butterball 23011615 XL Electric Fryer Review
To end this Butterball 23011615 XL Electric Fryer Review, here’s our recommendation. Should you get one for yourself? Here’s what we have to say.
Considering the positive feedback and comments given by previous buyers, this electric fryer is a keeper. Get the Butterball 23011615 here.
Alternatives to the Butterball XL Electric Fryer
If you’re looking for other options, know that Masterbuilt is not the only brand out there. Here are three other models to consider and choose from.
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