A Butterball electric turkey fryer typically costs $100-$220 new, with an average price near $150-$170 for a standard indoor model. Capacity, model availability, accessories, shipping, and whether the unit is new or used have the biggest effect on the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Butterball electric fryer | $100 | $160 | $220 | Price varies by capacity, retailer, and stock |
| Used fryer | $35 | $75 | $130 | Condition and included parts matter |
| Fryer oil | $20 | $35 | $60 | Usually sold in multi-gallon containers |
| Optional accessories | $10 | $25 | $50 | Thermometer, gloves, or replacement basket |
| Estimated first-use total | $130 | $200 | $330 | Before sales tax; includes oil and possible accessories |
Assumptions: U.S. retail pricing, a household-size electric fryer, ordinary shipping, and no unusual local tax or delivery charge.
What a Butterball electric fryer costs by model
Butterball-branded electric turkey fryers are commonly associated with indoor models sold under the Masterbuilt name. Retail stock changes over time, so buyers may find a current model, an older new-in-box unit, or only resale listings. A typical standard-capacity model is about $100-$180 when available new. Larger or bundled versions can reach $180-$220.
For most shoppers, budgeting about $160 for the fryer alone is a reasonable starting point. This estimate assumes a household model with a cooking pot, basket, lid, and basic controls. It does not include cooking oil, a cover, replacement parts, sales tax, or shipping.
Older models can be priced above newer alternatives when retailer inventory is limited. A high listing price does not necessarily mean the unit has extra capacity or better performance. Check the model number, stated turkey capacity, included components, seller return policy, and whether the product is new or refurbished before comparing prices.
Used prices often fall around $35-$130. A clean fryer with its basket, drain valve, power cord, and lid may justify the upper end. Missing parts, corrosion, residue, a damaged cord, or an untested heating element can make a low asking price a poor value. A used unit should be examined for safe electrical operation and intact food-contact surfaces.
How the fryer, oil, and accessories shape the checkout total
The purchase price is only one part of the first-use budget. The table separates the appliance from common supplies and charges; amounts vary by retailer and by the amount of oil needed for a particular model and turkey.
| Cost item | Typical price | Pricing basis | What changes the amount | Usually required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butterball electric fryer | $100-$220 | $100-$220 per unit | Model, capacity, stock, and included parts | Yes |
| Cooking oil | $20-$60 | About $4-$8 per gallon | Oil type, package size, and fill requirement | For oil frying |
| Thermometer | $10-$30 | $10-$30 per tool | Instant-read versus probe style | Strongly recommended |
| Heat-resistant gloves | $10-$25 | $10-$25 per pair | Length, lining, and material | Optional |
| Replacement basket or valve | $15-$50 | $15-$50 per part | Model compatibility and availability | Only if missing or damaged |
| Shipping and tax | $0-$35 shipping | Varies by order and location | Retailer, delivery speed, and state tax | Sometimes |
Oil and small safety accessories can add $30-$100 to a new fryer purchase. Buying a fryer bundled with a basket or thermometer may lower the combined total, but the bundle should be compared against the itemized cost of equivalent products.
Many electric fryers have a drain feature, but users still need a suitable container for cooled, used oil. A separate storage jug may cost about $8-$20. It is not part of the fryer, and it should be compatible with the oil and stored safely. Do not pour hot oil into a container or down a household drain.
Capacity, wattage, and condition that move the price
Capacity is a useful first comparison, but model descriptions do not always use the same measure. Check both the advertised turkey weight and the pot volume. Household Butterball-style electric units are often described for turkeys around 14-20 pounds, while larger advertised limits can be associated with different models or accessories. A turkey that exceeds the manufacturer’s limit is not a suitable way to get more value from the appliance.
Compare the model’s stated turkey limit and electrical requirements, not just its advertised discount. Electric turkey fryers commonly draw around 1,650 watts, but buyers should verify the specific unit’s label and manual. Wattage affects how quickly the appliance heats and whether its electrical requirements fit the intended location. It does not, by itself, determine the fryer’s retail price.
Model condition can shift resale value by $40-$80 or more. An unused unit in original packaging may sell near the price of a discounted new fryer, while a used unit with no proof that it heats evenly should be priced lower. Accessories and model-specific replacement parts also matter: a missing basket can cost $15-$40 to replace if a compatible part is available.
Retailer stock is another price driver. A common in-stock unit may sell near $100-$160, while a discontinued model listed by a marketplace seller can exceed $200. Compare the full delivered price and confirm that the seller accepts returns. A high price for an older product is not evidence of a superior warranty or current manufacturer support.
Cut the purchase price by choosing scope and timing carefully
The most practical savings come from deciding what is actually needed before shopping. For occasional holiday use, a standard-size model with the required basket and temperature controls is usually more economical than paying extra for a larger package or accessories that duplicate kitchen tools already on hand.
Set a target of $120-$170 for a new standard unit and compare the complete checkout total. A listing at $110 plus $25 shipping may cost more than a $130 local purchase. Include sales tax, delivery, oil, and any missing parts in the comparison rather than judging by the product-page price alone.
Retail promotions can appear ahead of Thanksgiving and other major cooking holidays, but demand can also reduce selection or push marketplace prices upward. Shopping several weeks before planned use provides more time to compare retailers and return terms. Buying at the last minute can force a buyer to accept limited stock or pay expedited shipping, often $15-$35.
Used equipment can reduce the upfront cost, but only when the parts are complete and the heating system can be checked safely. A $50 unit that needs a $35 basket and has no clear return option may be a worse deal than a discounted new fryer. Avoid modifications to electrical components or using incompatible parts to save money.
Regional delivery and retailer pricing across the U.S.
Butterball electric fryer prices are influenced more by retailer inventory and shipping than by a fixed regional price schedule. In large metropolitan areas, buyers may have more stores and pickup options, while shoppers in rural areas may face fewer local listings and higher delivery charges. A practical delivered-price difference is often $10-$35, rather than a dependable regional percentage.
Use the delivered total as the regional comparison point. A local pickup price can avoid shipping, but sales tax still applies in most retail transactions. Online purchases may include shipping in the listed price or add it at checkout; compare the final total for the same model and seller terms.
State and local sales tax can add roughly 0%-10% depending on the location and applicable rules. On a $160 fryer, that is approximately $0-$16. Some retailers offer free shipping above a minimum order, but adding unneeded items to qualify can cost more than paying the shipping charge. Check whether the item is sold and shipped by the retailer or a third-party marketplace seller.
Prices can also differ between general retailers and specialty kitchen or outdoor-cooking shops. A specialty seller may include more responsive product support, while a marketplace listing may have a lower headline price but less predictable returns. A regional price difference should be evaluated alongside delivery time, warranty handling, and product condition.
Oil, electricity, and cleanup add to the cost of frying
Oil is usually the largest recurring expense. Depending on the pot, turkey size, and fill instructions, a cooking session may use several gallons. At about $4-$8 per gallon, the amount needed can put oil expense around $20-$60 per cook. The exact amount should be determined using the fryer’s instructions and fill markings; buying more oil than required adds cost without improving the result.
For a single holiday cook, oil generally costs more than the electricity used to heat the fryer. A 1,650-watt unit running for 2-3 hours uses about 3.3-5 kilowatt-hours if it draws full power throughout. At a U.S. residential electricity price of roughly $0.15-$0.25 per kilowatt-hour, that is about $0.50-$1.25. Actual use may be lower or vary as the heating element cycles.
Cleanup supplies may add $5-$15 per cook if paper towels, detergent, or a disposal container must be purchased. Oil should be allowed to cool fully before draining or storing. Reuse is possible only when the oil remains in suitable condition and is stored and handled properly; repeated use should not be assumed to make every subsequent cook free of oil expense.
These operating costs make the estimated first cook roughly $25-$75 beyond the fryer price when the buyer needs oil and basic cleanup supplies. A household that already owns a thermometer, gloves, and a safe storage container may spend less. Do not count the full cost of reusable accessories as a per-use expense unless they are being purchased specifically for this fryer.
Electric frying versus propane and oven roasting
A Butterball electric fryer can be compared with a propane turkey fryer and a conventional oven, but the upfront prices do not cover the same setup. Electric models commonly cost about $100-$220. A basic propane fryer kit may run approximately $60-$150, while a burner, pot, regulator, and accessories bought separately can total $100-$250. A home oven has no comparable appliance purchase when it is already owned.
The electric model costs more than some basic propane kits but avoids buying a propane burner and tank setup. Propane frying can require a separate tank, regulator, outdoor work area, and more equipment. Those items may add $25-$80 if not already available. Electric frying still needs oil and a suitable electrical connection, and it must be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Oven roasting has a lower incremental equipment cost for households with a working oven and roasting pan. A pan or rack may cost about $20-$60 if needed, and cooking electricity or gas varies by appliance and local utility rate. Oven roasting does not require several gallons of frying oil, so it may have a lower food-preparation cost, although it does not produce the same cooking method or result.
Replacement decisions also change the comparison. If a fryer needs a $20-$50 replacement part, compare the repair quote with the cost of a new $100-$220 unit. Repair is more attractive when the appliance is otherwise complete and the part is confirmed compatible. For an older unit with electrical damage or unavailable components, replacement may be more practical than repeated parts purchases.
Holiday timing and used listings change availability
Demand for turkey-frying equipment rises before major holiday meals. Prices do not increase uniformly, but popular models can sell out, leaving fewer options and more third-party listings. Buyers who need a particular capacity should compare prices before the seasonal rush and check whether a retailer’s advertised stock is actually available for delivery or pickup.
Buying early can preserve choice even when it does not guarantee a lower sticker price. A retailer discount of $10-$30 is useful only if the model is appropriate and the return window covers inspection. Keep the product documentation and packaging until the fryer has been checked for all listed parts and safe operation.
Used listings often become more plentiful after the holiday season, when owners sell equipment used once. Prices of about $35-$100 may be possible, but buyers should inspect the unit in person when practical. Confirm that the cord, heating element, controls, pot, basket, and drain are present and undamaged. Ask whether the unit has been tested; do not rely solely on a seller’s claim that it worked previously.
Rush delivery can add about $15-$35, and local pickup may avoid that expense. If the fryer is needed within a few days, compare nearby retailer inventory before paying an expedited-shipping premium. A slightly higher local price can be cheaper overall if it avoids delivery fees and provides a simpler return process.
Three realistic Butterball fryer budget examples
These examples show how different shopping situations affect the total. They are estimates, not fixed retail offers, and exclude sales tax unless noted. The fryer price should be checked against the exact model number because capacity and included accessories vary.
| Buying scenario | Fryer price | Other costs | Estimated total | What the estimate assumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discounted new standard model | $120 | $25 oil, $12 thermometer | $157 | Local pickup and no extra accessories |
| New unit delivered before a holiday | $165 | $40 oil, $20 shipping, $18 gloves | $243 | Online purchase with basic safety supplies |
| Complete used fryer | $65 | $30 oil, $15 replacement probe | $110 | Working unit, inspected parts, local pickup |
A complete used fryer can be the lowest-cost option, but condition and missing parts determine whether the savings hold. The new-unit examples include oil because a first-time buyer may need to purchase it separately. A buyer who already has a thermometer or gloves can subtract those optional expenses.
For a standard new purchase with ordinary supplies, a sensible total budget is about $150-$280 before tax. Buyers who choose a premium listing, add shipping, or need several accessories may reach $300 or more. A secondhand unit in good condition can keep the initial total near $100-$160, but it carries more uncertainty about component wear and support.
When reviewing a quote or online cart, verify the fryer model, turkey capacity, included basket and lid, oil requirement, seller return policy, shipping, and tax. Budget formula: fryer price + oil + required accessories + shipping + sales tax. Comparing those line items gives a more dependable estimate than relying on a low advertised price alone.