Whenever French fries, deep fried chicken drum sticks or breasts and other delicacies are mentioned, a higher percentage of foodies end up salivating. However, how well, crispy, delicious and flavor food these meals come out depends on the kind of kitchen appliance used. Speaking of kitchen appliances and deep fried foods, the deep fryer is quite a handy piece of equipment in both home and commercial food preparation environments. Well, there are numerous types, brands and models available in the market and picking the ideal one for your needs may at times prove to be a daunting task. Then how do you identify the ideal deep frying machine for you? Well, here are pointers on How to Choose a Deep Fryer and precisely the things to consider before picking that deep fryer from the shelves if at all you are going to enjoy the best of your kitchen experience with it.
7 Things to Choose a Best Deep Fryer
1. Deep Fryer Capacity vs. Amount of Food You Intend To Prepare
Different households or food preparation settings have a different number of people to serve. This in turn has an effect on the amount of food that is required in one cooking or deep fryer use. This is to say that the amount of food that you as the owner intend to prepare and serve should determine the kind of deep fryer you need in terms of size and performance capacity. Choosing a product that is too small when your needs are rather higher will lead to overcrowding of food and overlapping of pieces within the frying oil. Apart from determining the amount of food that can be placed on the frying basket, the capacity of a fryer’s tank will also dictate on the oil recovery time and how fast the cooking oil heats up. Before picking up a particular product, remember to confirm that it will suit your serving needs.
2. Available Space vs. Fryer Size
Some types of deep fryers may be too large to fit in kitchens where space is limited. For instance, countertop deep fryers may be better suited for small kitchen establishments, whereas for a corporate sized café, a tabletop deep fryer can be more ideal. To avoid inconveniences, it is highly crucial to ensure you determine the model that will perfectly fit the space it is intended for by probably taking measurements first if need be.
3. Appliance Maintenance
Oil draining and replacement are some of the major appliance maintenance concerns for deep fryers. Frequent oil filtration and replacement is mostly required when dealing with freshly battered food products. The lifetime of the appliance is often affected by how well you maintain it. For instance, clearing particulate using skimmers during frying cycles, or leaving the fryer covered overnight to avoid the effect of rusting are some of the measures required to keep some fryer models in check. Some types of fryers are equipped with an in-built oil filtration system, whereas some require manual filtration.
4. Appliance Safety
Even though most deep fryers in the market claim to be safety standard approved and certified, you can never overlook your safety when choosing an electric or gas powered kitchen appliance. Another factor to look at to make on How to Choose a Deep Fryer is appliance safety. There is always the possibility of fire or injury during cooking. It is important to conduct research first about the safety approval status of a product before picking it from the market. You can also look at reviews from previous users and expert reviewers insights on the safest fryers in the market. Also, choose an appliance that comes with a clear product manual with safety procedures and policies. The safest deep fryers often have safety features such as a viewing window, which minimizes the opening and closing of the lid during cooking. Safer appliances are also constructed from material that restricts the outer body of the product from becoming too hot when cooking. When the oil becomes hotter above a certain point, an auto switch is a safety feature that turns off the heating element of the device. Before picking a deep fryer, be keen on studying the safety features it is equipped with.
5. Energy Consumption
Utility bills have been and continue to be of key concern as far as electric appliances are concerned. An energy efficient deep fryer allows faster and more consistent cooking while consuming minimal amount of energy, at the same time losing a minimal amount of heat to the external environment. For this reason, always go for a deep fryer that is Energy Star Rated for the best experience and savings on your energy bill.
6. Ease of Cleaning
Just like any other cooking utensil or machine, your deep fryer has to consistently be kept clean and fresh. Especially those models that come with a number of detachable parts, some fryers are easier to clean than others. Others are equipped with dishwasher safe parts, making it easy to keep the device clean. Some foods tend to leave their aromas and strong smells within the device, which sometimes can mess up the taste and flavor of subsequent meals if not cleaned properly after use. Frying appliances that are easy to keep clean are also healthier and more convenient in the long run.
7. Product Price and Warranty
Last but not least, you definitely have to be within your budget when picking the ideal deep frying machine. Depending on the brand, model, size, and features, different deep fryers are differently priced. However, it also depends on the store from which you purchase the device. It is important to choose a product that gives you ultimate value instead of shopping entirely based on price though. Product warranty is also an important consideration when it comes to how to choose a deep fryer. This depends on the specific brand and model, and may range from as low as 3 months to years. If your product came with a warranty, the benefits is that you can return your deep fryer for servicing or replacement, just it case it happens to possess an issue during such a period of use. However, warranty terms and conditions will also differ.
Now that you know how to choose a deep fryer and some of the crucial things to consider, look at deep fryer reviews for more insights to understand some of the best deep fryers in the market today better.
Top 5 Deep Fryers Compare & Reviews
If you do not own a deep fryer yet or if you are looking to upgrade, there is a wide variety in the market for you to choose from. They all have different specifications to meet different user’s needs. It may be impossible to sample all deep fryers in the market and that’s where a good product review of multiple fryers comes in handy.
Dimensions
Weight
Material
Power
Food capacity
Oil capacity
Warranty
Presto 05420
9.7 x 9 x 8.5 inches
4 pounds
Aluminum
1200 watts
4 chicken strips
4 cup oil
two-year
T-fal FR8000
18.3 x 13.7 x 14.8 inches
12.4 pounds
Stainless Steel
1700 watts
2.65 pounds
3.5 Liter
1-year
Waring Pro DF280
12.8 x 12.8 x 18.5 inches
12.2 pounds
Stainless Steel
1800 watts
2.3 pounds
3.7 Liter
1-year
Cuisinart CDF-100
11 x 8 x 7.5 inches
5.8 pounds
Stainless Steel
1000 watts
0.75 pounds
1.1 Liter
3-year
Hamilton Beach 35021
13.1 x 11.4 x 8.6 inches
8.8 pounds
Stainless Steel
1500 watts
3 pounds
8 cup oil
1-year
1. Presto 05420 FryDaddy Electric Deep Fryer
This is an ideal choice for domestic frying. The Presto electric deep fryer is designed to save on energy and oil. Unlike the old fashioned deep fryers, this one only uses four cups of oil to cook four large servings of food. This means that you get to use less energy to heat up the oil and the food gets cooked fast.
It also features easy to operate controls that facilitate precision cooking by maintaining the correct temperature. These eliminate the need to fumble with the controls hence focussing on the food as it cooks.
This appliance is non-stick both on the inside and the outside which makes it easy to clean. This also means that your crispy fries, chicken, shrimp, onion rings will cook perfectly as they will not stick to the pan. The exterior remains cool even during cooking hence preventing burns.
After cooking, you can store oil in the fryer as the Presto 05420 electric deep fryer also features a snap-on lid. It also has a handle that makes moving the appliance easy for the user. It is powered by 1200 watts hence making it a powerful deep fryer.
CONS
Does not have a lid hence the hot oil will splatter. The outside of the fryer is hot hence poses risk of accidental burns.
2. T-fal FR8000 Ultimate EZ Clean Electric Deep Fryer
Just as the name implies, the T-fal FR8000 electric deep fryer is designed to clean easy to. It also features a one of a kind oil filtration system which enables it to drain and filter oil after cooking for future use. This oil is stored in a separate plastic container to prevent contamination.
The T-fal ultimate electric deep fryer is ideal for healthy fried foods. This is because it is designed with an advanced oil heating temperature system responsible for providing the ideal temperature for frying. This way, the food’s exterior remains sealed hence minimal oil absorption which equates to healthier fried food.
With 1700 watts, this electric deep fryer is guaranteed to heat the oil quickly. The adjustable thermostat sees to it that you end up with crispy fried food. Its oil capacity is 3.5 litres and a food capacity of 2.65 lbs hence sufficient for a large family.
3. Waring Pro DF280 Professional Deep Fryer
This is a one of a kind deep fryer favorable for a commercial setting or large family gatherings. It is a one gallon, three baskets deep fryer which enables you to cook up to three meals at a go. The three baskets; one big and two small ones all have collapsible handles. This goes along way in saving you time and resources.
The Waring Professional Deep Fryer also features a 60-minute digital timer and temperature control. The lid on this deep fryer has a window that enables you to visually monitor food while cooking.
The removable one-gallon stainless steel oil container is designed with a pouring spout hence less messy.
The Waring Deep Fryer features a removable 1800 watt immersion-style heating element. Its 2.3 lbs food capacity makes it ideal for bulk dishes.
It has no oil drainage hence forcing you to manually take the vessel out and pour the oil. The stainless steel housing is thin giving a cheap impression.
4. Cuisinart CDF 100 Deep Fryer
If you are looking for a deep fryer that won’t take up much of your counter space, the Cuisinart SDF electric deep fryer is it. In just 1.1 litres of oil, you can fry 3/4 pounds of food. Its compact design allows you to fry quick side dishes such as calamari, egg rolls, jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks for kids. It’s an ideal appliance for quick snacks.
It heats to temperatures of 375F. Heat up time is 3-4 minutes hence time-saving. The cooking time varies but most food items take about 3-4 minutes to cook. It has a die-cast frying bowl that maintains selected oil temperatures. This guarantees restaurant quality dishes.
The best thing about the CUISINART CDF-100 electric deep fryer is that it is easy to clean, easy to use and simple to store.
It has a cover that shuts tight around the top hence no oil splashes. However, it is advisable that the removable carbon filter in the lid is cleaned after every use of the fryer. The filter guards against the whole house smelling of the hot oil.
The heating element of this appliance is well hidden away from the surface. This means that you can directly place the food in the frying bowl without putting it in the basket first.
CONS
The dial is sometimes difficult to set until you get used to it.
5. Hamilton Beach 35021 Deep Fryer
This is a generously sized electric deep fryer designed to enable versatility. It has a 8 cup (1.9l) oil capacity which means that you can cook family sized quantities of food in it. It can cook up to 6 cups of french fries or chicken tenders at one go.
With the removable immersed heating element, this appliance guarantees fast frying and heating of oil. This makes the frying process fast.
This appliance features a lid that is supposed to be shut during cooking. This guards against oil splattering. The lid is designed with a window that allows you to visually monitor your food. Unlike other deep fryers, the Hamilton Beach 35021 deep fryer, you can lift the food basket to get the food out of the oil with the lid still closed.
It also has cool sides which prevent accidental burns. The temperature is adjustable hence facilitating flexibility. It has a light that lets you know when the oil is ready for cooking.
CONS
It does not have a drain spout for the oil hence requiring you to do it manually.