Stretch Yer Bellyfest 2009 brain dump

Stretch-yer-bellyfest 2009 is freshly behind us. What a blast. 12 turkeys fried. Lots of happyguests. we celebrated at Chicken Paradise this year since Dee is pregnant and we thought that would be a good gambit from working too hard in her 33rd week of bellystretchitude.

Here is my brain dump on what worked and what I would like to see next year.
overall things went very smoothly. Next year Iwant even better so I can spend more time with guests. (I am playing hooky on Monday - I should be moving tables while the folks are at yoga trying to recenter).

Here's what we had on hand to make frying 12 turkeys easier:
Side table - 3x6 - with table cloth:
Laser thermometer;
Kitchen Shears;
Chill scrap bucket for stray giblets & pope's noses;
12 wash cloth rags;
flame gun;
long handled turkey hangar - recommend a longer wood handle with Stainless hook
Scale with disposable tin bin to weigh turkeys before removing for frying;
Spider strainer for frying turkey & potatoes;
4 (four) turkey fry racks to stage next round. Too long between turkeys means potential of overheating oil.
Fan / hairdryer / heater fan - to blow dry next turkeys prior to fry. Drier turkey = less oil burning Joe's foot. ouch.


Hand wash station:
hose with governor at faucet.
Hose should collect into bucket
Hand wash soap

tracking and posting:
Chalkboard
chalk
clock
we marked weight, temp at start, time in, target time & fryer i.d.

Tall 30"x48" table for carving with butcher block.
Butchering tools - 2 forks - 3 knives - to allow multiple carvers for rapid serving.
3 turkey servey platters - stackable.
roll tinfoil to cover turkey when resting
box 1 gallon ziploc bags to store carcasses and spare meat for stock. Larger bags are fine, but 1gallon bags fit in nooks of fridge and freezer. plus they are readily available.

Garbage can with bag
near handwash station for towels and used turkey bags

Fry station:
2 fryers with lids and propane regulators;
2.25 large boxes of peanut oil;
flame;
2 fire extinguishers;
no trees or wires overhead
Splash guard area
option - pulley turkey system

Spare fridge nearby:
12 turkeys individually packaged
processed 6 at a time, in wash sink with running water with packaging still on 2+ days prior;
Board across sink with cutting block;
after thaw, cut open, rinse, pat dry and store in ziploc with weight tag retained for each turkey;
1+ day prior, repackage turkeys after pattinrg dry;
Also in fridge: other items to fry including sweet potatos and yummy bits - pre-sliced or diced
We fried 3 minutes per pound at 375+ or 3.5 minute per pound at 350.

Assignments:
music person to switch music every 2 hours;
beverage dude to top off beer and wine from stash as needed;
carver dudes;
bring joe food food dood;
make dee drink water dood.