Char-Broil Big Easy Turkey Fryer Review: Worth It? (November 2026)
The Char-Broil Big Easy suits outdoor cooks who want turkey without a vat of frying oil. Choose it for birds up to 16 lb; choose an oil fryer if deep-fried food or boiling is central to your plans.
On this page (9 sections)
- What does the Char-Broil Big Easy do?
- What can you cook, and how much will fit?
- Is oil-less cooking worth choosing over deep frying?
- Which alternatives suit a different cooking routine?
- What should you check before ordering the Big Easy?
- How should you set up and use the Big Easy?
- What mistakes cause avoidable trouble?
- How much cleaning and care does it need?
- Should you choose the Char-Broil Big Easy?
The Char-Broil Big Easy suits outdoor cooks who want whole turkey without a vat of frying oil. Its propane-powered infrared system makes it a practical choice when avoiding oil handling matters more than getting traditional deep-fried food.
Buy it for whole birds and large cuts, rather than as a replacement for every kind of fryer. Your decision should start with what you cook, where you'll cook it and how much cleanup you're willing to manage.
What does the Char-Broil Big Easy do?
The Big Easy uses infrared heat powered by liquid propane to cook meat without immersing it in oil. It has a 16,000 BTU burner, piezo ignition and a front-access grease tray.
Char-Broil The Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer: Best for oil-averse outdoor cooks
- 16 lb turkey capacity
- 16,000 BTU propane power
- Infrared cooking technology
- Front-access grease tray
Choose this outdoor propane cooker for whole birds and large cuts without heating or storing frying oil. Skip it if your main goal is deep-fried food or boiling.
Pros
- No vat of frying oil required
- Included basket, lifter and meat thermometer
- Front-access tray collects drippings
- Handles help with moving the cooled cooker
Cons
- Requires propane and suitable outdoor space
- Smaller turkey limit than the alternatives here
- Not a substitute for a frying or boiling pot
The package includes a cooking basket, basket lifter, lid and meat thermometer. Those parts cover the basic loading and temperature-checking tasks, though you'll still need suitable heat-resistant gloves and a safe place to set cooked food.
Char-Broil says its infrared system provides even heat and prevents flare-ups. Keep supervising the cooker and follow its clearance instructions, since an oil-less design still involves flame, hot metal and hot drippings.
Who should buy the Char-Broil Big Easy?
Choose it if your regular menu includes turkey, whole chicken or roasts, and you have a suitable outdoor propane setup. It makes particular sense if buying, cooling, storing and disposing of frying oil would discourage you from using a conventional fryer.
Skip it if your main goal is battered fish, fries or a seafood boil. Those meals call for a cooking vessel that holds oil or water, which is why the alternatives below serve different buyers.
What can you cook, and how much will fit?
The Big Easy handles a turkey or chicken up to 16 lb, an 8 lb roast or a 6 lb pork shoulder. Use the limit for the cut you're cooking, rather than treating the turkey limit as a general meat allowance.
Start with the bird you normally buy. If your holiday plans depend on a larger turkey, choose another cooker before planning the rest of the meal.
Weight is only the first fit check. Follow the basket-loading directions so food sits securely and leaves the space around it that Char-Broil requires.
Don't plan to squeeze in extra food simply because the basket has an empty corner. Crowding can restrict heat reaching the food and make lifting awkward.
For larger gatherings, decide whether you'd rather cook one large bird or prepare smaller cuts in separate batches. Separate batches also require a plan to keep finished food safely hot while the next batch cooks.
Is oil-less cooking worth choosing over deep frying?
Choose oil-less cooking to simplify oil handling, not to turn the Big Easy into a conventional deep fryer. Infrared cooking heats the meat without the oil bath that defines deep frying.
That distinction matters most for your menu. A whole turkey can suit either approach, but wet batter and loose pieces meant for immersion frying need a different setup.
Without a vat of oil, there's no large oil charge to measure, cool, filter or store. You still need to handle raw poultry carefully, monitor doneness and clean away grease afterward.
Neither method removes the need for attention during cooking. Propane equipment needs a safe outdoor location, and hot surfaces remain a burn risk after the burner is off.
Our guide to how an oil-less turkey fryer works explains the cooking method. Use the oil-less versus oil turkey fryer comparison if the finish and meal options matter more to you than cleanup.
Which alternatives suit a different cooking routine?
Masterbuilt suits electric cooking, King Kooker suits turkey-and-fish meals, and Pipopa suits varied backyard batches. Their extra functions are useful only if you'll use them often enough to justify the oil handling and storage.
| Model | Cooking method | Turkey capacity | Main reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Char-Broil The Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer | Propane infrared, without an oil bath | Up to 16 lb | Whole birds without frying oil |
| Masterbuilt 10 L XL Electric Turkey Fryer | Electric frying, boiling and steaming | Up to 20 lb | Several cooking modes in one appliance |
| King Kooker Fry Boil Package With 2 Pots | Outdoor propane frying and boiling | Up to 20 lb | Separate turkey pot and fry pan |
| Pipopa 30 Qt and 10 Qt Turkey Fryer Set | Outdoor propane frying and boiling | Up to 20 lb | Large and small pots for group meals |
Masterbuilt: choose it for electric frying, boiling and steaming
The Masterbuilt combines 3 cooking modes in a 1650-watt appliance. It fits cooks who want to move between turkey frying, boiled seafood and steamed food without keeping separate appliances for each task.
Its drain valve helps empty cooled liquid, while basket drain clips and a lifting hook help manage food removal. A magnetic breakaway cord is included, but the cord route still needs to stay clear of feet and hands.
Choose it if electrical power and a suitable cooking location are easier to arrange than propane. Skip it if avoiding frying oil is your main reason for considering the Big Easy.
The dishwasher-safe components can help with cleanup, but that doesn't mean the electrical appliance can be submerged. Our Masterbuilt 10 L XL Electric Turkey Fryer review covers its setup and drain features in more detail.
King Kooker: choose it for turkey and smaller fried meals
The King Kooker package pairs a 29 qt turkey pot with an 11 qt fry pan. That combination suits cooks who want a tall vessel for turkey or boiling, plus a smaller pan for fish.
Its 33,000 BTU cast burner runs on propane. The package also includes baskets, a turkey rack, a lifting hook and a deep-fry thermometer.
Choose it if both vessels match meals you already make. Skip it if you'll use only the turkey pot once a year and dislike storing the rest of the kit.
Treat the two vessels as options for separate cooking tasks. Don't plan simultaneous batches on the single included cooker, and allow time for safe cooling and changes between tasks.
Pipopa: choose it for backyard boils and smaller batches
The Pipopa set combines a 30 qt pot and 20 qt basket with a 10 qt fish pot and matching basket. It suits hosts who want a larger boil vessel without using it for every small frying job.
The kit has a 50,000 BTU propane burner and a welded steel stand. Its cover, skimmer, thermometer, turkey rack and rack lifter add useful tools for outdoor meal prep.
Choose it if seafood gatherings and smaller fried batches both belong in your routine. Skip it if storage is tight or your main aim is simply to cook a bird without oil.
A higher burner rating isn't a reason to run at full flame throughout cooking. Match the heat to the liquid and food, and use the thermometer rather than judging oil temperature by appearance.
What should you check before ordering the Big Easy?
Check your cooking location, storage route and usual meal size first. These practical limits matter more than a feature you might use once.
Measure storage and access
The Big Easy measures 20.75 in deep, 16.3 in wide and 23.5 in high, and weighs 28.9 lb. Measure the shelf or floor space where it will live, plus any narrow doorway on the route outside.
Its handles help with lifting a cooled cooker. Consider the full trip from storage to cooking spot, including steps, uneven ground and the separate propane cylinder.
Plan the full propane setup
Confirm what propane cylinder and connection the manual requires before cooking day. Inspect the hose and regulator as directed, and check connections for leaks using the manufacturer's procedure.
The piezo ignition starts the burner with a turn of the knob. If ignition fails, follow the manual's shutoff and waiting steps rather than repeatedly trying to light accumulated gas.
Choose by cooking tasks
Pick a pot-based cooker if boiling and immersion frying are central to your menu. Pick the Big Easy if whole meat cuts are the priority and a vat of oil is the chore you want to avoid.
Our guide to choosing a turkey fryer helps sort fuel, size and safety requirements. For the broader range of meals these appliances suit, see deep fryers and turkey fryers.
How should you set up and use the Big Easy?
Prepare the cooker and the food before lighting the burner. Have the manual, thermometer, lifter, gloves and a clean serving tray ready so you don't need to leave hot equipment unattended.
- Choose the location. Use a stable, level outdoor surface with the clearances Char-Broil requires, away from foot traffic and combustible materials.
- Inspect and assemble. Check that the basket, grease tray and propane connections are ready according to the manual.
- Prepare the bird. Thaw poultry fully, remove packaging and giblets, and pat it dry rather than rinsing raw poultry around the sink.
- Load as directed. Keep the food secure in the basket and follow Char-Broil's instructions for lighting, preheating and lid use.
- Check doneness. Measure internal temperature in the thickest meat, avoiding bone; poultry should reach 165°F.
- Plan the lift. Keep people clear, use the basket lifter as directed and place food on a stable, heat-safe surface.
Don't use skin color or elapsed time alone to decide that a turkey is done. Different starting temperatures and shapes affect cooking, so a thermometer should guide the final decision.
Clean the thermometer probe after contact with undercooked meat before checking again. Keep raw-food utensils separate from the tray and tools used for the finished bird.
Use our turkey fryer safety checklist before your first cook. It gives you a practical way to review placement, fuel handling and supervision.
What mistakes cause avoidable trouble?
The main mistakes are choosing the wrong cooking method, overloading the basket and treating oil-less cooking as risk-free. Avoid them during planning, rather than trying to correct them once food is hot.
Don't buy the Big Easy expecting a countertop air fryer's routine. It's an outdoor propane cooker, so weather, fuel and a safe cooking area are part of every use.
Don't force a tight-fitting bird into the basket or assume a larger cut is acceptable because it fits through the opening. Use both the weight limits and loading directions.
Avoid opening, moving or adjusting parts without checking the instructions for that task. Hot drippings and metal need the same care even when there's no frying oil.
Don't schedule dinner around a promised cooking time from another recipe or cooker. Leave room for temperature checks, safe removal and resting before carving.
How much cleaning and care does it need?
Expect grease cleanup after every cook, even though there's no frying oil to drain. Shut down the propane supply as directed and let the cooker cool before cleaning or moving it.
Empty the front-access tray before storing the unit. Remove food residue from the basket and other washable parts using the methods Char-Broil permits.
Avoid assuming every removable piece belongs in a dishwasher. Follow the care directions for each part, and keep water away from components that shouldn't be washed or submerged.
Dry cleaned parts before storage and keep the burner area free of debris. Before the next use, check for blocked openings, damaged connections or anything that could interfere with safe operation.
Char-Broil backs the cooker with a 1-year limited warranty. Keep your receipt and follow the care instructions so you have the records needed if service becomes necessary.
Should you choose the Char-Broil Big Easy?
Choose the Char-Broil Big Easy when whole birds and roasts are your main meals, outdoor propane cooking fits your home, and you want to avoid managing frying oil. Check the basket fit and plan the cooking location before committing to it.
Choose Masterbuilt for electric frying, boiling and steaming, King Kooker for turkey plus a separate fry pan, or Pipopa for backyard boils and varied batch sizes. Compare the best turkey fryers to narrow those choices, or browse our turkey fryer guide for related setup help.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Char-Broil Big Easy a turkey fryer?
Yes, but the Char-Broil Big Easy cooks with propane-powered infrared heat rather than immersing food in hot oil. Choose it for whole birds and large cuts when you want to avoid a vat of oil; choose a conventional fryer for foods that need deep frying.
How big of a turkey fits in the Big Easy?
The Big Easy handles a turkey or chicken up to 16 lb, an 8 lb roast or a 6 lb pork shoulder; those are separate limits for different cuts. Check the bird's weight before buying, then follow Char-Broil's basket placement instructions rather than forcing a tight fit.
Can you use the Char-Broil Big Easy indoors?
No, the Big Easy is an outdoor propane cooker and belongs outside, with the clearances required by Char-Broil. A garage or enclosed porch is not a substitute; for an electric alternative, compare the Masterbuilt 10 L XL Electric Turkey Fryer and confirm its permitted location in the manual.
Does the Big Easy need cooking oil?
The Big Easy doesn't need a vat of frying oil, so you won't have a batch of used oil to filter or discard; meat still releases fat and juices during cooking. Let the cooker cool, then empty and clean the grease tray and other removable parts as directed.
