When I was growing up, one of my favorite treats was to stop off at the local fish and chip corner store and buy a few deep-fried spring rolls or calamari rings. However, that was years ago, and now, in our MasterChef orientated society that elevates the home-based amateur chef, the delights of deep-fried food are not just confined to the corner store or restaurant.
We have at our disposal a large array of technologically advanced appliances that empower us to create our own crisp and tasty fried food in the comfort of our own kitchen.
The 7 Best Deep Fryers
- Hamilton Beach Cool-Touch Deep Fryer
- Presto 05442 CoolDaddy Cool-Touch Deep Fryer
- T-fal Deep Fryer (Our Top Pick)
- Cuisinart CDF-100 Compact Deep Fryer
- De’Longhi D28313UXBK Roto Deep Fryer
- Masterbuilt 23011114 Electric Turkey Fryer
- Char-Broil Turkey Fryer
Our Pick for the Best Deep Fryer
Our top pick for the best deep fryer is the T-fal Deep Fryer. This solid fryer is simple to use and delivers excellent restaurant-style quality fried food, and the large serving capacity means it is ideal for a large family. T-fal has constructed the fryer from high-quality brushed stainless steel and the basket is made from stainless steel mesh.
Although the fryer does not come with a timer, it has a host of other innovative cooking features that will make it one of your favorite kitchen appliances.
The smart heating system heats the oil fast and guarantees an overall even cooking temperature. There is no need to worry about lingering oil smells as T-Fal’s clever oil filtration system takes care of that. And just like its name, the fryer is easy to clean with removable parts that can go in the dishwasher.
Check the price on AmazonIntroducing the Wonders of the Deep Fryer
So if you are a lover of deep-fried food and would like to start cooking your own recipes that you and your family will love, a deep fryer will do most of the hard work for you. With this innovative appliance, you can cook almost anything such as fish and chips, a Thanksgiving Turkey, and even deep-fried Mars bars.
As there are so many different types of deep fryers available for home use, large and small fryers with an array of cooking features, there are a few things to consider before you buy one that will best fit your needs.
Two Types of Deep Fryers
There are two main types of deep fryers: electric, and turkey deep fryers. The most common is the electric deep fryer, although some turkey fryers operate on propane gas. And some turkey fryers are oil-free.
Electric Deep Fryers
As opposed to deep-frying food in a pot or a pan that is filled with hot oil that can be dangerous and can cause a fire, an electric deep fryer is a safer and more efficient, and cleaner way of cooking your favorite fried food.
Besides being made from an insulating material, and giving you loads of cooking power, electric deep fryers also come with a host of handy operating features that will make the cooking process so much easier.
Turkey Deep Fryers
Turkey deep fryers are ideal for those who would like to combine their love of turkey with that much desired fried food taste. You can choose to cook an entire turkey or two smaller-sized birds of around 10–12lbs, depending on the capacity of the fryer.
How to Choose the Best Deep Fryer
Before you decide to begin your quest for your new, bright, and shiny kitchen appliance, here are 9 features to look for when buying a deep fryer.
1. Read the Instruction Manual
This may seem to be an obvious thing to do when first buying a new appliance, but many people do not read the instructions before using a deep fryer, which can ultimately result in a poor product experience.
As well as reading this buying guide, it is a good idea to read the instructions before switching the fryer on. The product has been tested by the manufacturer, so they know the best way to use the fryer to get the best cooking results.
2. Food Capacity
If you are only cooking for 1 or 2 people then an air fryer with 1000 or 1500-watts of power should be sufficient. However, if you have a large family who enjoys a lot of fried food, then look for a deep fryer that allows for a larger food capacity from 1750-watts of power or a 3.5-liter capacity. Also, look at the size of the cooking basket. Some fryers have a higher wattage, but the basket is small.
3. Adjustable Temperature Settings
Many deep fryers come with an adjustable thermostat that you can control or a digital control selector that monitors the temperature of the oil and adjusts the cooking temperatures accordingly.
An adjustable temperature function is also handy if you are cooking different kinds of food. Not all types of food require the same temperature. Many temperature gauges run-up to 375°F, which is ideal for cooking large quantities of food or a whole turkey.
4. Timer
A timer is a handy feature, especially if you are cooking a large turkey or a roast. The timer allows you to set the recommended cooking time, so you can just sit back and relax while the machine does all the cooking, and then alerts you when the food is ready to be served. A timer can also make sure that your food is not overcooked and is cooked to perfection.
5. Oil Filter
One of the downsides of cooking fried food is the nasty lingering smell of oil and grease. However, there are many models that come with an oil filter that not only filters away any excess oil into a separate container at the bottom of the fryer, but it can absorb the smell of the oil and grease. In particular, charcoal filters are very good at absorbing the smell.
Many deep fryers use an “Easy Clean Oil Drain System”, where the oil is drained from the machine through a hose in the front of the unit.
Be careful with how much oil you use. Some models may leak if you overfill the fryer receptacle with oil. Also, if you use too much oil, your food may not have that authentic crispy skin.
6. Food Basket
To avoid any burns or being splashed by oil or grease, especially when you are cooking a lot of food, look for a deep fryer that has a basket with a cool grip handle.
Some models have a basket that can be lowered into the oil while the lid is closed, while others have a rotating basket that provides a more even cooking result, which is especially important for cooking a larger piece of meat such as a turkey.
A rotating basket uses less oil, is more energy-efficient, but you have to make sure that the food does not get overcooked or burned.
7. Easy to Wash
One thing is for sure when it comes to cooking with oil, is the mess of having to wash up. Fortunately, most deep fryers are made with removable parts that are easy to wash, with non-stick surfaces, and some are dishwasher safe.
8. Safety and Extra Features
Just like any electrical appliance, safety features are important. Look for a model that has a securely locking lid, an indicator light that shows you or alerts you when the food is ready.
Some models have skid-free feet that keep the unit secure on your table or countertop, and others have cool-touch surfaces that protect you from the super-hot oil inside the fryer.
Breakaway cords are a good safety feature, where the cord is attached to the unit by a magnet and comes away if the cord is tripped over. You can also safely disengage the cord if there is liquid spilled on it.
9. Warranty
The deep fryer’s warranty is a good feature to look out for as well. Some companies offer you a 90-day return or a 1-year warranty, while others offer a more generous, but limited 3-year warranty.
7 Best Deep Fryers – Reviews
1. Hamilton Beach Cool-Touch Deep Fryer
If you are new to home-cooked fried food, then the Hamilton Beach Cool-Touch Deep Fryer is the ideal frying machine for you. It can cook up to 6 cups of chips or chicken pieces, and the 1500-watt heating element is designed to quickly heat the cooking oil, which results in a quicker cooking time.
The “cool-touch” sides protect you, and you can immerse the food in the basket while the lid is closed.
Although it does not come with a timer or any oil filtration system, it has a ready alert light, you can adjust the temperature up to 375°F, and the fryer can produce deliciously crispy chicken and French fries.
Pros
- Ideal for 2 people
- Cooks great-tasting fried food
- Cool-touch exterior
- Food can be immersed with the lid closed
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not ideal for a large family
- No timer
- No oil filtration system
2. Presto 05442 CoolDaddy Cool-Touch Deep Fryer
The Presto 05442 CoolDaddy Cool-Touch Deep Fryer has a generous serving capacity for up to 6 people, and it can cook up to 2 servings at a time, from chicken, seafood, or French fries.
The fryer has a “cool touch” exterior, and a basket that can be safely lowered into the oil with a handle so that you don’t have to touch the hot surface, and there is a viewing window for you to keep an eye on the progress of your culinary delights.
You can control the temperature with an adjustable thermostat and an indicator light switches on when the food is ready, The cover also has an inbuilt charcoal filter that absorbs the smell of oil and grease that can build up in your kitchen. There is no need to worry about oil or food splatter as the cover locks securely with just a touch of a button.
This smart shiny black deep fryer is compact enough to fit on your kitchen countertop and it looks good too. The pot has a non-stick coating and you can pull it out for easy cleaning. As the deep fry only comes with one pack of charcoal filters, you can order some more from the CoolDaddy website.
Pros
- Ideal for a small family of up to 6 people
- Large drainable basket
- Locking lid and lowering handle
- “Cool touch” exterior
- Excellent fryer
Cons
- Not suitable for large servings
- No timer
- Not dishwasher safe
3. T-fal Deep Fryer
This powerful T-fal Deep Fryer with 1700-watts and a 3.5-liter capacity can easily cater to a large family, and it has so many handy features that make it one of the best fryers on the market. It is a tough cooking machine as the pot is made from non-stick brushed stainless steel and the basket is made from stainless steel mesh.
One of the highlights of this high-quality deep fryer is the immersion-type heating element that heats the oil fast and keeps the food cooking at an even temperature.
The Patented EZ Clean Oil-filtration System will get rid of those nasty oil smells that are associated with deep-fried foods so that you can serve your food without any worries about any lingering oil or grease smell.
The deep fryer has an automatic “one-step” oil drainage system that drains and stores the excess oil away from your food in a pull-out container.
You can control the temperature with the adjustable thermostat, and the fryer has a viewing window on the lid. The large “stay cool” touch handle is easy to hold and protects you while you lift out the fried food. There is no mess or fuss with this fryer as the unit’s parts are removable and can be washed in the dishwasher.
Pros
- Ideal for large servings
- Fast
- Cooks high-quality restaurant-style fried food
- Great design
- Adjustable temperature
- Smart oil filtration system
- Easy to clean dishwasher safe
Cons
- Basket could be deeper
- Oil container can leak when overfilled
4. Cuisinart CDF-100 Compact Deep Fryer
Although it may be small in stature and may only hold a small quantity of food up to 1.1-liter capacity and 1000-watts of power, the Cuisinart CDF-100 Compact Deep Fryer is a fast worker that will give you great-tasting fried food. It uses a lot less oil than some of its competitors, and the Non-stick die-cast bowl with an attached heating element can cook your food to perfection.
The fryer especially excels at cooking French fries and chicken.
The deep fryer alerts you when the oil reaches the temperature that you have selected, and the securely locking lid prevents any spillage of oil.
If there is an emergency with the machine or a problem with the electrical cord, the magnetic breakaway cord comes away easily from the unit, and the skid-resistant feet will keep the unit securely positioned on your countertop.
Pros
- Ideal for 2 people
- Compact
- Fast
- Cooks authentic fried food
- Easy to clean
- Three year limited warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for large servings
- Food is not always very crispy
5. De’Longhi D28313UXBK Roto Deep Fryer
The De’Longhi D28313UXBK Roto Deep Fryer with 1500-watts of power uses a small amount of oil while still excelling at producing great-tasting crispy fried food. De’Longhi has designed this funky black unit with so many great features that will make deep-frying a breeze.
The rotating basket is designed to give you an overall high quality and healthier cooking results, and due to the innovative Patented Easy Clean Oil Drain System, the oil can be drained from the machine through a hose in the front of the unit.
There is an adjustable thermostat and a digital timer that is displayed on the control panel, so all you have to do is set the required temperature and time, sit back and relax while the fryer cooks away, and the timer alerts you when the food is ready.
You do not have to worry about any lingering oil smell as the unit has Dual Filtration Replacement Filters, and the condensation shield stops any dripping oil from falling onto the power cord. The pot is made of non-stick material and it is easy to wash.
Pros
- Ideal for small servings
- Uses less oil
- Even cooking due to the rotating basket
- Heats up quickly
- Adjustable thermostat
- Digital control
- Ideal for chip, fish, and chicken
- Good frying results
Cons
- Not ideal for large servings
6. Masterbuilt 23011114 Electric Turkey Fryer
If you love the taste of fried turkey and you need to feed a large family for Thanksgiving or Christmas, then the Masterbuilt 23011114 Electric Turkey Fryer has got you covered. It especially excels at cooking 16lbs turkeys. You can even use it as a boiler or a steamer.
The fryer has a lot of cooking power at 1650-watts, and it uses up to 2.75-gallons of oil. It is a sturdy fryer that is made from solid steel construction, a porcelain coated pot, and an aluminum cooking basket that has a clip so you can lift the basket out.
The dual thermostat controls the temperature up to a maximum of 375°F, which also prevents any overheating, and the digital timer alerts you when the food has finished cooking. The unit is easy to clean and it has a drain valve for the oil.
Pros
- Solid construction
- Ideal for turkeys up to 16lbs
- Cooks perfectly crispy, moist and tasty turkey
- Fast
- Distributes heat evenly
Cons
- Bulky
- Hard to clean in a small sink
- Electrical cord is too short
7. Char-Broil Turkey Fryer
The Char-Broil Turkey Fryer not only cooks a whole turkey up to 16lbs, but you can also use it to cook a large range of food such as chicken, beef roasts, a leg of lamb, pork, and potatoes, so it is the ideal choice for feeding a large family.
Char-Broil has designed this fryer with so many innovative cooking and safety features, you will want to use it all year round.
Char-Broil’s TRU®–Infrared™ radiant heat technology means that the cooking process ensures that your food is evenly cooked with the juices sealed on the inside and crispy skin on the outside, while still maintaining that deep-fried taste. This smart cooking technique also means you can enjoy oil-free food that is good for your health.
The Char-Broil turkey fryer is easy to clean with a stainless steel double walled cooking chamber and a front access grease tray. User-friendly features include cool-touch handles, a cooking basket with a lifter, full enclosed 16,000 BTU propane burners, rotary ignition for quick and easy starts at the turn of a knob, a meat thermometer, and a quick start cooking guide.
Pros
- Ideal for a large family
- Oil-free cooking
- Cooks great tasting crispy and moist turkey
- Cooks a wide range of food
- Excellent cooking results
Cons
- Does not maintain heat as well in extreme weather
- Aligning the screws during assembly can be difficult
Our Pick for the Best Deep Fryer
Our top pick for the best deep fryer is the T-fal Deep Fryer. This solid fryer is simple to use and delivers excellent restaurant-style quality fried food, and the large serving capacity means it is ideal for a large family. T-fal has constructed the fryer from high-quality brushed stainless steel and the basket is made from stainless steel mesh.
Although the fryer does not come with a timer, it has a host of other innovative cooking features that will make it one of your favorite kitchen appliances.
The smart heating system heats the oil fast and guarantees an overall even cooking temperature. There is no need to worry about lingering oil smells as T-Fal’s clever oil filtration system takes care of that. And just like its name, the fryer is easy to clean with removable parts that can go in the dishwasher.
Check the price on Amazon
