Wingin’ator 3000 is the name I’ve given to my modification to the Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-less Turkey Fryer. I love using my Big Easy for whole chickens and turkeys, but when it comes to using it for chicken wings, it needs a little help. There’s just no real good way to load the fryer up with a lot of wings at once. So, I made the Wingin’ator 3000.
All you need is the standard basket that comes with the Big Easy and some round (large square ones also work) disposable grill toppers. You may luck out and find them in your local grocery store. They are made by OscarWare. I found these Oscarware 3-Pack Disposable Grill Toppers which are just large enough.
I turned the basket upside down and traced the outline of the circle it makes onto the toppers. I then cut the grill toppers slightly larger (by 1/8″-1/4″ than the circle using tin snips (wire cutters will work too). The metal in the topper is pretty thin so it cuts easily.
I then gently folded each circle like a hard taco so I could slide it into the Big Easy basket from the side. I unfolded it and then crimped down the edges to firmly attach the toppers to the basket frame. You want to make sure that the toppers are relatively taut so they don’t fold in the middle under the weight of the chicken. Also make sure you fold the edges in pretty well or you might drag your knuckles on them! I added 3 toppers, creating 3 shelves for wings, 4 if you count the bottom of the Big Easy basket.
For my first trial i put on only a family pack (about 4 pounds) of wings (drumettes and flats). I could’ve easily cooked a lot more, which made me very happy! Just make sure you spray the entire contraption with non-stick spray before loading it. (Note: I cooked two family packs, over 60+ wing flats and drumettes, on the Wingin’ator 3000 tonight, Dec 3, 2013!)
If you’re looking for a way of making fried-like wings on the Big Easy, check out my recent post on crispy chicken wings.
Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!
Oh and it’s all dishwasher safe making cleanup a breeze! Click here for some of the other awesome things I’ve made on my Big Easy.
If you have any questions about the Wingin’ator 3000 drop me a note. Just hop on over to the About/Contact Us page. I look forward to hearing from you.