When shopping for a deep fryer, you’ll find that they come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Choosing just one out of the dozens of different models of deep fryers for sale on the market is no easy task for shoppers. Most consumers simply don’t have the time nor the inclination to read hundreds of reviews written about the various deep fryers out there. So to make your buying decision easier, we did the research for you.
After painstakingly analyzing, reviewing and comparing over twenty five different deep fryers, we chose three units that we consider to be the cream of the crop. We based our selections on a number of different factors, including ease of use, fryer capacity, advanced features, build quality and price.
Best Overall: T-fal FR8000 Ultimate EZ Clean Deep Fryer
The T-fal FR8000 Ultimate is, in our opinion, the best deep fryer currently on the market. It is our top pick and we give it our highest recommendation. This large-capacity deep fryer can hold almost 2.7 pounds of food (the fryer basket measures 8.5″ x 12″), making it ideal for people with large families or when you need to serve a large number of guests at a party. Its 1700 watt immersed heating elements heat up quickly and, more importantly, it maintains a very even and consistent cooking temperature, which means the food gets cooked just right without being undercooked or burned.
By far its best feature, though, and what makes this deep fryer first in its class is its patented oil filtration system, which allows you to re-use your cooking oil, saving you a considerable amount of money in the long run by not having to buy a new bottle of oil every time you want to have fish and chips. The machine automatically cleans the oil by running it through its filters and then drains it into a plastic storage container. You can then pour this filtered oil back into the deep fryer the next time you want to use it.
The overall build quality of the T-fal F8000 is also top-notch – the main body is made out of a durable stainless steel, making the unit easy to clean from top to bottom. Moreover, the entire unit – minus the heating element – can go straight into your dishwasher after use.
Best Value: Waring Pro DF280 Professional Deep Fryer
If you’re looking to get the best “bang for your buck” then look no further than the Waring Pro DF280 Professional. This deep fryer has a powerful 1800 watt immersion heating element that heats up very rapidly – it can reach a temperature of 375 degrees in a little under fifteen minutes. Its 3 fryer baskets (1 large and 2 smaller ones) can hold up to a total of 2.3 pounds of food. Additionally, the Waring Pro has a built-in digital display and fully digital controls that will allow you to easilly set the fryer at your desired temperature. The deep fryer’s temperature control system and thermostat maintain an accurate and even temperature, although there will be a 2-3 degree fluctuation which is completely normal.
The exterior of the unit is comprised mostly of brushed stainless steel which is easy to clean, and most of the parts of this deep fryer are dishwasher safe as well. We also like that the lid has a nice, large viewing window, which allows you to easilly watch your food as its cooking without having to open the lid. Overall, this is a very well made and designed deep fryer that delivers terrific value for money spent considering that it can be had for under $120. However, do keep in mind that it does not have an oil filtration system like the T-fal FR8000 above, a feature which considerably cuts down on cleanup time and allows you to reuse your frying oil. The Waring Pro requires a lower initial investment, but if you want to save money over the long run, then you may want to shell out a few extra bucks and get the T-fal.
Best Budget Model: Cuisinart CDF-100 Compact Deep Fryer
If you’re looking for something cheap, but don’t want to sacrifice too much in the way of quality, then the Cuisinart CDF-100 is your best bet. It’s priced very affordably at just under $50, making it great for people with limited budgets. The Cuisinart CDF-100 was designed for people who just need a simple deep fryer that will get the job done without any frills or gimmicks.
Although the Cuisinart CDF-100 doesn’t have all the latest and greatest “bells and whistles” of some of the higher end models on the market, it’s still a fairly good deep fryer, especially when you take into consideration its low price. This compact deep fryer can only hold about 0.75 pounds of food, which is sufficient for people living and eating alone but we would not recommend it for couples or families. The fryer basket is fairly small, but it’s still large enough for you to fry most of your favorite foods like french fries, calamari, shrimp and zucchinis. The upside of this compact model, though, of course is that it has a small footprint and, therefore, takes up very little counter space. It’s also easy to use and clean, and for a lower-end model it’s quite solidly built – it is a Cuisinart brand product after all.
How To Select The Best Deep Fryer
Size & Capacity
The volume of food that can be prepared in the deep fryer is an important buying consideration. Deep fryers can vary quite a bit in size, with compact fryers only being able to hold about 1 liter or 0.75 lbs. of cooking oil, while larger fryers can hold up to 4 liters or 3 lbs. of oil. If you have a large family or you’re planning on serving a large number of people on a regular basis, then you’ll want to get a deep fryer with a large-capacity fryer basket. Some deep fryers even come with multiple baskets, allowing you to fry different types of foods at the same time.
Safety
Safety should be of paramount consideration, as most accidents in the home usually occur in the kitchen. Look for deep fryers that come with polarized plugs and magnetic trip power cables that will detach itself from the frying unit if it is ever accidentally pulled or yanked, significantly decreasing the likelihood of someone accidentally tipping the fryer over. Additionally, if the deep fryer is going to be used at home where there are children around, you’ll definitely want to get one with a child lock system to prevent possible injury.
Temperature Controls & Regulation
Another important factor you’ll want to consider when purchasing a deep fryer is how well it maintains an even cooking temperaure. Higher quality deep fryers maintain and regulate cooking temperatures much better than the cheaper, lower quality models. Additionally, the higher end models have more powerful heating elements, which not only allows the deep fryer to reach the desired temperature more rapidly, but gives it a higher maximum temperature as well.
Advanced Features
High-end deep fryers typically come with additional features such as an alarm or light that will indicate when the food is ready or when it is burning. Other advanced features include digital thermostats/displays, rotating fryer baskets, and built-in oil filtration and drainage systems that clean the oil of impurities after use, allowing you to re-use it at a later date.
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