have done it twice with no issues either time. To make sure i have enough oil in the fryer, I put in the bird, fill it with water just high enough to cover the bird, mark it with a sharpie. The i pull out the bird, dump the water, dry the fryer, dry the bird, pour in oil, get it to 360 and SLOWLY lower the bird. Then i sit back with some Maker's Mark and watch the thermometer and make sure things are as they should be.