I’ve seen people use water as a substitute for the oil during the oil level check. You can dry the turkey with paper towels afterwards and let it air dry while the oil goes from ambient temperature to 250 degrees. A little excess water won’t matter at 250 degrees and it will burn off as the oil rises to 350 degrees without problem as long as there’s not a ridiculous amount to it. You won’t waste oil and you won’t have oil all over your patio / deck. Make sure that your turkey is as dry as reasonably possible. Alternatively. you can dunk the turkey in the pot filled with water while it’s still in the plastic to gauge the necessary oil level and this is probably the best option.
I’ve seen people use water as a substitute for the oil during the oil level check. You can dry the turkey with paper towels afterwards and let it air dry while the oil goes from ambient temperature to 250 degrees. A little excess water won’t matter at 250 degrees and it will burn off as the oil rises to 350 degrees without problem as long as there’s not a ridiculous amount to it. You won’t waste oil and you won’t have oil all over your patio / deck. Make sure that your turkey is as dry as reasonably possible. Alternatively. you can dunk the turkey in the pot filled with water while it’s still in the plastic to gauge the necessary oil level and this is probably the best option.
Yum!