Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer Review. Discover how this cooker fries a turkey and so much more—without oil. Thanksgiving traditions evolve, and modern options can be faster, safer, and just as delicious.
Twenty years ago, many families relied on a slow-roasted oven bird. In more recent years, deep frying became popular because it’s fast and yields a juicy interior with extra-crispy skin. However, traditional oil frying can be hazardous.
What’s the newest (and much safer) Thanksgiving tradition?
The Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer cooks without a vat of oil. It uses infrared heat to crisp skin and cook meat quickly and evenly.
Common questions about an oil-less fryer include:
- How can it fry without oil?
- Will the skin be crispy?
- Will the meat stay juicy?
- Is it faster than traditional methods?
I had the same questions, so I assembled the Big Easy and ran several real-world tests.
Assembly took about 15 minutes and the unit connects to a standard propane tank. The cooking chamber needs initial seasoning; you can wipe it with a little oil and run it briefly, or use flavorful items like bacon to build seasoning while adding aroma.
Oil-Less Fried Pork Belly
My first test was a pork belly slab to both season the chamber and evaluate performance. Pork belly typically cooks low and slow to render fat while crisping the exterior—this was a good stress test for the Big Easy.
I placed the pork belly in the cooking basket and cooked it for about an hour. The TRU-Infrared system radiated steady heat, producing tender meat with a nicely crisped fat cap. The result proved the unit delivers even heat and excellent texture.
Oil-Less Fried Fajitas
Next I tested everyday versatility by making fajitas. I value appliances that work year-round for multiple cuisines rather than being single-purpose.
I roasted peppers and onions in the basket, then added marinated flank steak. Using only the main basket took about 90 minutes total, but with the optional extra rack insert you can stack ingredients and finish a full fajita meal in just over 30 minutes. The test confirmed the Big Easy works well for vegetables and proteins alike.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving
I also tested vegetarian options to see if the fryer could produce a compelling turkey alternative. The results were impressive and effortless.
I cooked a whole butternut squash with a basket of lemon-garlic butter–tossed Brussels sprouts. After about an hour the squash was tender and sweet, and the sprouts were crisp on the outside and soft inside.
These roasted vegetables can form an attractive centerpiece in place of a turkey, offering an easy and satisfying vegetarian holiday main.
Oil-Less Fried Turkey
With the preliminaries complete, I cooked a 14-pound turkey rubbed inside and out with a favorite seasoning blend.
Starting the Big Easy is straightforward:
- Connect the propane tank
- Turn the control dial to the on position
- Engage the ignition
The unit lights reliably and heats quickly. I placed the turkey in the basket breast-side up after the chamber warmed. After an hour the skin developed a golden color; I used the removable topper briefly to encourage even browning, then finished until the internal temperature reached 165°F. Total cook time for the 14-pound bird was about 90 minutes.
The skin achieved a satisfying crispness, and after resting the carved turkey released plenty of juices—proof the method retains moisture while producing a crunchy exterior.
Because the Big Easy collects drippings in a dedicated tray, you can make gravy from real turkey juices rather than oil. The amount of drippings was ample for gravy, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Char-Broil Big Easy runs on a propane tank. When the gas is turned on and the control knob engaged, TRU-Infrared heat warms the stainless-steel cooking chamber with up to 16,000 BTUs, producing consistent, even heat throughout the chamber.
The Big Easy can handle a whole turkey up to about 16 pounds, as well as smaller chickens and roasts, making it suitable for most family meals.
Yes. The Big Easy is portable with two side handles and a weight just under 30 pounds, making it easy to transport for camping or tailgating.
The package includes the cooker, a cooking basket, a lifting hook, and a drip tray.
After cooking, remove food and let the unit burn for 10–15 minutes to clear residue, then turn it off and allow it to cool. Empty the grease tray and wash the basket with soap and water if needed.
Disclosure: Char-Broil provided this product to Girls Can Grill at no cost for testing and review.