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10 Best Deep Fat Fryers to Buy

BEST deep fat fryersA good deep fat fryer is one of the most useful and versatile pieces of equipment you could own. Able to handle quick and easy meals to full-blown feasts, they will definitely come in handy in any kitchen.

Here we show you some of the best deep fat fryers on the market, one of which could be the right one for you.


The Best Deep Fat Fryer – Where to start?

Presto FryDaddy
Presto FryDaddy

It was a close match, but when the smoke cleared, the Presto FryDaddy came out as our winner in the budget-friendly category. The other contenders were quite impressive as well, and we were pleasantly surprised at how excellent even budget-priced fryers are these days.

Nevertheless, the Presto FryDaddy wins out with its ability to maintain perfect frying temperatures throughout the cooking process. That, plus the ability to fry foods to perfection with less oil than the others make it a shoe-in for the best budget-priced deep fat fryer in this roundup.

See the rest of the budget friendly list of fryers

Secura 1700-Watt
Secura 1700-Watt

Coming up with our top mid-priced model was a bit easier. There really weren’t any major issues with the other models in this category, but the Secura 1700-Watt somehow seemed just a bit more special. Its stainless steel exterior matched with black trim makes it an absolute stunner, and you know how much we value looks as well as performance.

Speaking of which, the Secura is a solid performer all throughout– so much so that we would have probably chosen it even if its looks weren’t “all that”. It gets up to ideal frying temperature amazingly fast, which is one of the first things we look for in a deep fat fryer. Better still, it maintains that temperature remarkably well even when cold food is added to the boiling oil.

See the rest of the medium budget list of fryers

T-Fal FR8000
T-Fal FR8000

Deciding on the best premium fryer was again a bit challenging. As far as deep fryers go, they are all pretty much excellent across the board once you reach the upper price range. All the models reviewed in the premium category really do deserve praise for their power, capability, and performance.

And yet, the T-Fal FR8000 still beats them out by a healthy margin. Capable of frying as much as 2.6 pounds of food at one go, it also has the heft and feel of a truly high-quality unit. And as with the best fryers, ideal temperatures are reached within seconds, and maintained for the duration of the cooking session.

See the rest of the premium options list of fryers


Top 10 Best Deep Fat Fryers

Budget-friendly

Presto 05420 FryDaddy Electric Deep Fryer

See price @ reviews at Amazon

The Presto FryDaddy aims to make deep frying quick, easy, and enjoyable. Whatever type of food you want to fry, you will get excellent results every time with FryDaddy. For absolutely perfect French fries, onion rings, chicken, shrimp, and more, this could very well be the only deep fryer you will ever need.

Maintaining optimal temperature is the key to excellent results when frying. The FryDaddy does exactly that, ensuring that food is perfectly cooked inside and out. It is also remarkably efficient, enabling you to deep fry foods with much less oil than you would typically use. And like the best deep fat fryers, it has a non-stick cooking surface that ensures that your food looks as good as it tastes.

Features and Specs

The FryDaddy measures just seven inches in diameter, so it won’t take up too much space on your counter. Despite its compact dimensions, it is a remarkably capable and versatile fryer that makes it almost too easy to get consistent results. In fact, you only need to use the equivalent amount of oil as the food you are cooking. If you are cooking four servings for instance, you only need four cups of oil.

Key to the effectiveness of the unit is the automatic temperature control that maintains the optimal frying temperature all throughout the cooking process. With the FryDaddy, you spend less time keeping an eye on the food and have more time for other equally important tasks.

The FryDaddy is also quite economical, allowing you to reuse the oil for other dishes. The lid snaps on securely, so you can store the oil right in the pan.

Pros

  • Compact form allows for easy storage and handling
  • Uses surprisingly little oil for a deep fryer
  • Automatic temperature control effectively maintains optimum frying temperature
  • Magnetic plug locks on securely to the fryer

Cons

  • Plastic lid can’t be used during frying
  • Exterior tends to get oily during use
  • One-piece design makes it difficult to keep the plug socket dry during washing

Buyer impressions

The ability to maintain optimal frying temperature is what users appreciate the most about the FryDaddy. One user started out with a temperature of 325° F. After adding in the food, the temperature did drop to 300° F, but it stayed there for the duration of the cooking period. Even when frying larger portions, the FryDaddy generally did a good job at keeping the oil nice and hot.

Bottom-line

The FryDaddy is a very efficient and cost-effective fryer that can handle a surprisingly wide array of tasks. The automatic temperature control is a nice touch, allowing for consistent results every time.

Hamilton Beach (35021) Deep Fryer

See price @ reviews at Amazon

Hamilton Beach claims that this deep fryer cooks food in much less time than its closest competitor. It has a very generous eight-cup capacity, so you can fit in quite a few large portions and have them cook evenly.

The deep fryer heats up the oil very efficiently, so your food quickly forms a nice crust that locks in flavor and moisture. This is in fact the secret to getting excellent results from deep frying, and you will marvel at how juicy and flavorful your food will be with this particular unit.

The Hamilton Beach has a sleek and modernistic design that will look great in any kitchen. State-of-the-art features and durable construction make this a deep fryer you can rely on for a wide variety of tasks.

Features and Specs

The Hamilton Beach’s eight-cup capacity is large enough to accommodate large cuts of meat, fish, or anything else you might want to fry. You can toss in as much as six cups of fries or chicken pieces, and they will all come out fried evenly.

The fryer has cool-touch sides that won’t burn you even if you come in contact with them during use. There is no risk of the fryer tipping over either due to the breakaway cord that safely detaches from the unit when pulled accidently.

The lid has a handy view window that lets you monitor the frying process while preventing splatters. The Hamilton Beach even has a “ready” light that lets you know when the oil is at the right temperature for frying.

Pros

  • Compact unit that sits securely on the counter
  • Reaches ideal frying temperature quickly
  • “Ready” light lets you know when optimum frying temperature is reached
  • Detachable cord keeps the unit from tipping over

Cons

  • Might get a bit crowded when frying large cuts
  • Lid stays open a bit

Buyer impressions

Users of the Hamilton Beach generally like how compact the unit is, and how securely it sits on a countertop. The bottom stays fairly cool during operation as well, so it can be set on most any surface without any issues.

That being said, the unit does need to be placed in a spot with sufficient vertical clearance. The lid will have to be opened fully in order to remove the basket, so placing it under a cupboard doesn’t really work.

Bottom-line

The Hamilton Beach 35021 is a solid and durable unit that handles most deep frying tasks like a champ. It isn’t the best choice for frying huge batches of food at one go. But if you don’t mind doing a few batches at a time, this is a great choice.

Ovente Mini Deep Fryer with Removable Basket

See price @ reviews at Amazon

From Ovente comes a mini deep fryer that promises to bring your favorite foods to a crispy deep-fried goodness within minutes. One of the smallest deep fryers you will ever come across, it nevertheless packs surprising capability and functionality in its compact form.

With the Ovente, there is no need to guess how hot the oil is. You can set the temperature to a remarkably precise degree, within a broad range that handles most any type of food. This capability is essential for deep frying; it is what makes food juicy and delectable inside, and crispy and golden-brown on the outside.

Features and Specs

The adjustable temperature control is probably the most important feature of the Ovente Mini. This lets you set the temperature from 176° F to 374° F, so there is a pretty wide range to work with. The Ovente has an 840-watt heating system, which takes oil up to frying temperature within seconds. This creates a nice crust that stays crisp, while locking in the moisture that makes perfectly-fried foods so delectable.

You don’t have to worry about your food getting stuck to the fryer, as the Ovente has a very effective non-stick interior. Even foods that commonly stick to pans come off readily without charring. The cool-touch handles and splatter-preventing lid further ensures safe and convenient operation.

Pros

  • Precise control over temperature
  • Wide temperature range
  • Small and very portable

Cons

  • Too small for large batches
  • Emptying out the oil can be messy
  • Non-removable oil tank makes cleaning a bit of a hassle

Buyer impressions

Most users of the Ovente appreciated the precise degree of control provided over the temperature, as well as the wide range of temperatures possible. These features not only allowed users to fry a variety of foods, but also to get consistent results when cooking. The ease of use and easy cleanup also made it a welcome alternative to other fryers available on the market.

Some users did find the Ovente to be too small for anything other than small servings. It was also necessary to wait a few minutes between batches for the oil to heat up again. This makes the Ovente better suited for quick frying jobs for one or two people, as opposed to cook-ups for large groups and entire families.

Bottom-line

Despite its shortcomings, the Ovente Mini is a pretty capable deep fryer that handles quick frying jobs admirably. If you can live with its limitations, this is worth considering as a basic deep fryer.

Middle Budget

Secura 1700-Watt Stainless-Steel Triple Basket Electric Deep Fryer

See price @ reviews at Amazon

The Secura is a powerful and versatile deep fryer that is capable of frying a good amount of foods simultaneously. It comes with three fry baskets, two of which can be used side by side. The third is a larger basket that can accommodate even big chunks of chicken, a huge batch of potatoes, donuts, or anything else you might want to fry.

Considering its power and capabilities, the Secura is amazingly easy to use. You can literally get started frying right out of the box and get perfectly fried food within minutes. With the Secura, you can have the same the golden-brown fried delicacies you enjoy at your favorite restaurant right in your own home.

Features and Specs

The Secura has a wealth of features that make it so much more capable than your average home fryer. Oil temperature can be adjusted from 0° F to 375° F, so it is just as useful for warming as it is for deep frying. There is a built-in heat indicator light that lets you know when the oil is hot enough for specific purposes.

Splatters pretty much come with the territory when you are deep frying–but not with the Secura. The lid sturdy lid prevents oil from splattering out while still allowing you to monitor cooking progress. With the handy window, you can easily see how your food is doing without having to lift the lid.

The decision to include two baskets that fit side by side and a third jumbo basket is a stroke of genius. The single basket is perfect for cooking up large batches, while the two smaller baskets allow you to cook different types of food at the same time. This is especially useful for foods that require different frying times.

Pros

  • Huge 17-cup capacity
  • Gets up to frying temperature quickly
  • Three baskets for convenience and versatility
  • Splatter-prevention lid with viewing window

Cons

  • Timer needs to be on in order to use
  • Some types of batter may stick to the basket wire
  • Power cord could be longer

Buyer impressions

The Secura 1700-watt garnered quite a number of positive reviews. It is almost universally praised as a powerful and capable fryer that provides professional results quickly and easily. The few user complaints had to do with the tendency for some types of homemade batters to stick and the need to turn the timer on to use the fryer. Overall however, the Secura earns high marks all around.

Bottom-line

If you are looking for a pro-level fryer at a reasonable price, the Secura 1700-watt is probably the best option available. A few minor issues notwithstanding, the performance and functionality of this device is pretty impressive.

KRUPS KJ502D51 Deep Fryer, Electric Deep Fryer

See price @ reviews at Amazon

If you need to cook up a huge batch of fried food quickly and easily, the KRUPS KJ502D51 might just be the perfect piece of equipment for you. Capable of accommodating 2.6 pounds of food, it can fry up enough chicken, meat, or fish for a single big serving. Its generous five liter oil capacity ensures that your food is fully submerged during cooking, resulting in even crisping and perfect color.

Like the best deep fryers, the KRUPS comes with a single large basket and two smaller baskets that can be used side by side. This gives you the option to cook up a large batch of fried chicken or a humongous pile of fries, or to cook two different types of food at the same time. It is quite easy to use as well, due to the availability of both manual and preset temperature controls.

Features and Specs

The KRUPS Kj502 is designed specifically for households that frequently need to fry huge batches of food. Even so, its features and capabilities rival that of the best industrial deep fryers, so you could easily push it to the limit without any issues.

The ability to use a single large basket or two smaller baskets side by side adds a great deal of versatility to the unit. With this set-up, you could fry foods with different cooking times or cook a single large batch for special occasions.

Convenient control over temperature is provided by the handy preset feature. These settings enable you to fry chicken, potatoes, nuggets–and even donuts and onion rings–to perfection every time. You could also set the temperature manually for finer control over the cooking process.

The KRUPS Kj502 has an ingenious immersing heating element designed to the most stringent professional standards. The fryer can also be dismantled for safe and easy cleaning.

Pros

  • Holds up to 2.6 pounds of food
  • Four foolproof preset settings
  • Rugged build quality
  • Integrated odor filter

Cons

  • Magnetic power cord comes off too easily
  • Takes a while to get up to optimum frying temperature

Buyer impressions

Users that have been letdown by the shoddy build quality and poor performance of most home deep fryers absolutely love the durability and solid build of the KRUPS Kj502. It costs about the same as most home fryers, yet its features and capabilities place it at par with the most dependable industrial fryers.

Some users did notice a tendency for the magnetic power cord to come off too easily. Others felt that the fryer takes too long to get up to the appropriate frying temperature.

Bottom-line

The KRUPS Kj502 is an excellent performer that doesn’t cost much more than your typical home fryer. Nevertheless, it has what it takes to measure up against the best industrial models, so it could definitely handle most household frying tasks without breaking a sweat.

Hamilton Beach (35033) Deep Fryer

See price @ reviews at Amazon

The Hamilton Beach 35033 is a slim and compact deep fryer that should find a welcome spot in any modern kitchen. Its slick stainless steel exterior and professional design makes it seem more like an industrial-grade fryer than a home unit. But it is definitely designed for home use, combining user-friendly features with modern convenience and versatility.

The 35033 has a precise temperature control that lets you get to the perfect cooking temperature for a wide variety of foods. There is a “ready” light that lets you know when you have reached the ideal frying temperature and a timer that prevents burning and overcooking.

Features and Specs

One feature that indicates the 35033’s suitability for home use is the fry basket that can be lowered and lifted out of the oil even while the lid is closed. This ensures that food is perfectly fried and never overcooked, and it helps you avoid splatters as well.

The temperature control is a large part of what makes the 35033 such a versatile and capable unit. The temperature of the oil can be set to precisely where you want, and the fryer does a good job of maintaining that temperature for the duration of the cooking process. The heating element is immersible, so you can achieve optimum frying temperature very quickly.

Pros

  • Immersible heating element heats up oil quickly
  • Professional-grade construction
  • Slim and compact for home use

Cons

  • Might not be large enough for big batches of food
  • No “on-off” switch
  • Plug comes off easily

Buyer impressions

The Hamilton Beach 35033 has proven to be an excellent replacement unit for households that have used other home fryers for years. This seems to be a lot more efficient and consistent than other units in its price range, and it is able to cook a wide variety of foods flawlessly. With the 35033, users find it easy to get predictable results every time.

Some users did wish that the 35033 had an “on-off” switch. As it is, simply plugging in the unit gets it ready for use, with the temperature set via the temperature dial. This shouldn’t be a problem if not for the tendency of the plug to come off so easily.

Bottom-line

The Hamilton Beach 35033 is a very capable fryer that could easily handle most of your frying requirements at home. The plug does come off easily, which could be a problem. Nevertheless, the 35033 is worth a look if you want a professional-grade fryer at a consumer-friendly price.

Presto 05466 Stainless Steel Dual Basket Pro Fry Immersion Element Deep Fryer

See price @ reviews at Amazon

Going by looks alone, the Presto 05466 seemingly has what it takes to measure up against the best deep fryers on the market. Its slick stainless steel exterior and no-nonsense design gives it the look and feel of a pro-grade piece of equipment. In fact, the 05466 wouldn’t be out of place in your local fry shop or other purveyor of crispy-fried goodness.

But make no mistake: the Presto 05466 is designed specifically for home use. Its features and capabilities make it better suited for home-fry specialists than your average chip jockeys. Look deeper into its wealth of features, and you may well want to place an order for one sight unseen.

Features and Specs

Like the best commercially-available home fryers, the Presto is a dual-basket design that provides utmost flexibility for a wide variety of tasks.

Experienced fryers know that not all foods require the same amount of frying time, with some being cooked to perfection in just a little over a minute. Others will require longer immersion in order to produce the rich golden crust and moist interior that makes fried foods so inviting.

The Presto handles both requirements with ease, giving you the ability to cook two different types of food at the same time. When one basket is done, you can simply lift it out of the oil while the other goes on cooking. There is no loss of heat and you even save on oil.

Other features are pretty standard for most capable fryers. The adjustable thermostat and the “ready” light are fairly common with most deep fryers. But what sets the Presto apart are the generous 12-cup capacity, the 1800-watt immersible heating element, and the enamel pot. Along with the charcoal air filter, these make for a deep fryer that is as capable and versatile as they come.

Pros

  • Professional capability in a compact home-friendly package
  • 1800-watt immersible heating element
  • 12-cup capacity
  • Charcoal air filter

Cons

  • Not suitable for frying moist foods
  • Some spillage when pouring oil out
  • No “on-off” switch

Buyer impressions

Quick and efficient heating is one of the biggest selling points of the Presto 05466. Unlike many other fryers that can barely get to the proper frying temperature, this one gets up to 375° F within seconds. Users also like how the exterior remains comfortable enough to handle even when the temperature is at its highest.

Bottom-line

The Presto 05466 works well, looks great, and produces consistent results. It doesn’t handle moist foods particularly well, and some spills are to be expected when pouring the oil out. For the money though, this is a pretty impressive unit that delivers quality results.

Premium Options

T-Fal FR8000 Deep Fryer with Basket

See price @ reviews at Amazon

The T-Fal FR8000 deep fryer may not seem particularly impressive, especially if you are accustomed to deep fryers with more controls than a space shuttle cockpit. But despite its seemingly sparse features, this somewhat plain and bulky model delivers outstanding performance that places it at the top of its class. If consistent results and quality are more important to you than looks, read on…

Features and Specs

The FR8000 is has a stainless steel exterior, which makes it both durable and easy to clean. It looks like the type of fryer that you would expect to see in a dedicated fry shop, and it certainly has the features and capabilities to deliver professional results.

The interior of the unit can hold as much as 3.5 liters of oil and fries up to 2.65 pounds of food. Given this capacity, the FR8000 can easily handle even a fairly large whole chicken without you having to cut it up beforehand.

Heating power is provided by a 1700-watt heating element, which gets up to optimal frying temperature quickly by way of the adjustable thermostat control. This is ideally-suited for developing that nice golden-brown crust quickly, which is essential for locking in flavors and preventing food from drying out.

The FR8000 even has a quick-recovery heating system, which prevents the oil from cooling down when other ingredients are tossed in. Cooling oil is one of the main reasons why fried foods end up soggy and oily, so it’s nice to see this feature in a home fryer.

The FR8000 is also a cost-effective alternative to other fryers, given its ability to serve as a storage container for leftover oil. The lid stays tightly sealed and prevents contamination, so you can use the same oil for frying other foods even a few days afterwards.

Pros

  • Powerful 1700-watt heating element
  • Quick-recovery heating system prevents food from becoming soggy and oily
  • Dishwasher-safe (without the cord and heating element)
  • Interior serves as sealable oil container

Cons

  • Interior isn’t as deep as it seems
  • Cord comes off too easily

Buyer impressions

Going by user reviews, the T-Fal FR8000 is one of the easiest and most convenient deep frying solutions around. Getting the temperature up to the desired point is as easy as it gets, and the oil doesn’t cool down too much when more food is added in.

Some users were disappointed to find that the interior of the unit isn’t as deep as it seems. Cons the height of the unit from the outside, it seems that there could have been a couple more inches added to the frying depth.

Bottom-line

The T-Fal FR8000 delivers outstanding performance that should impress even the most discriminating chefs. We do wish that the interior was slightly deeper so that more food could be accommodated. Even so, the solid build quality and excellent performance make this a definite winner.

DeLonghi D44528DZ Livenza Easy Clean Deep Fryer

See price @ reviews at Amazon

The DeLonghi Livenza is an intriguing deep fryer that, at first glance, looks more like a futuristic trash compactor than a deep fryer. Comparisons with a space-age garbage bin also wouldn’t be out of place, but all those associations will fade away once you get a glimpse of what the Livenza is capable of.

Put into action, the Livenza is definitely a capable and handy device that makes easy work of even the most demanding frying jobs. Its polished stainless steel exterior conceals a very impressive one-gallon capacity tank, which pretty much takes on anything you care to toss into it.

Features and Specs

The huge one-gallon oil capacity is undoubtedly one of the most impressive features of the Livenza, but there are others besides. It also has a large cool zone where food particles are conveniently collected and contained. This keeps the oil clean and free of any crumbs, so you can use it for more than a single frying session. This cool zone also keeps the oil at a lower temperature than the rest of the fryer, which again reduces the need for frequent replacement.

When you do want to change out the oil, the easy draining system makes it a simple matter to do so. All the cooking components are dishwasher-safe (except for the heating element), so you don’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning up.

Pros

  • Holds more oil than most other home deep fryers
  • Good storage solution for leftover oil
  • Easy drain feature actually works and makes cleanup easy

Cons

  • Cleaning the heating element is a bit of a challenge
  • Operation is a bit confusing at first
  • A bit expensive

Buyer impressions

Buyers looking for a large capacity deep fryer are noticeably impressed with the DeLonghi Livenza. The one-gallon capacity interior is more than enough for even sizable portions, and many users found it sufficient for even large gatherings.

The easy drain system is also quite effective, which was a pleasant surprise for many users. There is a spigot at the front of the unit which makes draining easy and mess-free, which was an added bonus on top of the cooking components being dishwasher-safe.

One minor annoyance is that the heating element isn’t as easy to clean as the rest of the unit. The electronic components are connected to it, so it is bit of a challenge to not get it wet during cleaning.

Bottom-line

The DeLonghi Livenza is an excellent all-around fryer that would be pretty much unbeatable if the heating element wasn’t so difficult to clean. It does cost quite a bit more than the other fryers reviewed thus far. But if you value quality performance and great results, you should definitely put this one on your short list.

Butterball MB23010118 Electric Fryer, Large

See price @ reviews at Amazon

The aptly-named Butterball is truly the Big Daddy of all home deep fryers. With an extra-large basket that can hold three pounds of chicken or a good-sized turkey, this is exactly what you need to fill up a hungry crowd. It can even be used as a boiling kettle, so you can quickly boil up a huge pot of seafood after frying.

Surprisingly, the Butterball actually uses up 30% less oil than other deep fryers. So you don’t only get more frying capability for your money; you even reduce your oil consumption as well.

Features and Specs

The Butterball has a clean and elegant design that you will look great on your kitchen counter. Cooking temperature is adjustable via the single rotary dial on the front panel, which is pretty much it as far as control goes. Even with just this single control, the Butterball delivers an impressive amount of functionality, which is really all you need to whip up a wide array of delectable fried food.

The Butterball does have drain clips that make it suitable for steaming seafood, vegetables, and anything else that you don’t necessarily want to fry. As mentioned, you can also use it for seafood boils, so you get a lot of functionality out of a single unit.

Just how efficient is the Butterball? Let’s put it this way: a whole turkey can be deep fried to perfection in just a little over an hour. That is certainly an impressive feat for a home deep fryer, and it leaves your oven free for sides and other entrees.

All this functionality wouldn’t be worth much if the Butterball was a high-maintenance unit. Thankfully, it is also easy to clean, and the pot, lid, basket, and valve can all be placed in a dishwasher without any worries.

Pros

  • Can fry a whole turkey in a little over an hour
  • Handy oil-drain valve
  • Nearly all cooking components are dishwasher-safe

Cons

  • Oil tends to collect on the top of the unit

Buyer impressions

The Butterball is clearly built for size, and on that score, it doesn’t disappoint. Users in need of abundant frying capacity were absolutely taken with the unit’s ability to handle even a medium-sized turkey with ease.

Some users did find the regular model a bit too small for 12-pound turkeys, but Masterbuilt (the makers of the Butterball) do make an XL and even an XXL model for these purposes. In all other aspects, the Butterball is an excellent unit that more than lives up to expectations.

Bottom-line

As far as capacity goes, few deep fryers can compare to the Butterball. It really is designed for big frying jobs, and you could easily cook up a meal’s worth of food in record time. It even comes in XL and XXL variants, which you should definitely look into if you need even greater cooking capacity.


Buying Guide – How to Select the Best Deep Fat Fryers

With so many truly excellent deep fat fryers available on the market today, you might be feeling just a little lost as to which one to go for. While most deep fryers pretty much perform the same functions, there are some important characteristics to consider when making your selection.

Capacity

This is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when buying a deep fat fryer. You will want a unit that accommodates sizable chunks of food of course, with as many individual pieces as possible.

A deep fryer that is too small will result in overcrowding, and take longer to get the oil to the optimal frying temperature. This results in soggy and oily food, simply because there isn’t enough heat for the food to develop a moisture-locking crust.

That being said, a huge deep fryer isn’t always the best choice either. If you are cooking for only one or two people, you might have to use more oil than is necessary in a large deep fryer. In most cases, it would be best to get a fryer that is just slightly larger than what you actually need.

Size

The physical dimension of the unit is another factor. Oftentimes, large capacity fryers will have a larger footprint as well. Some models will take up a good bit of counter space, which can be a hassle in space-limited kitchens.

Some units get around this by being designed to be tall and narrow as opposed to wide and squat. These designs give you more frying capacity without taking up too much counter space.

Do keep in mind that tall and narrow units are more likely to get knocked over than shorter and wider models. This could result in messy and potentially dangerous spills. Apart from that, they will also require more vertical clearance, so placing them under a cupboard is pretty much out of the question.

Baskets

Most fryers come with a single fry basket, which is large enough to handle a good amount of food. This works well for most purposes, but it does limit you to cooking only a single type of food at once.

Keep in mind that different types of foods require different frying times. Place two different types of food into a single basket and some might be fried perfectly–or be overdone–while others are still raw and bloody on the inside.

You can get around this by using a deep fryer with two baskets that can be used side by side. This allows you to fry different types of food in each basket, and simply lift one out when it is done. The other basket can then be left to continue cooking for as long as necessary.

Some fryers come with three baskets: two smaller ones that can be used simultaneously and a single large basket that is used on its own. This gives you the ability to fry different types of food when needed, or a large portion of one type of food otherwise.

Extra features

Other features may add to the versatility and functionality of the unit. A removable oil reservoir is always nice to have, as it makes it easier to empty out and clean the unit. A timer could come in handy for reminding you when to check on your food.

Non-stick interiors are pretty much standard with most modern fryers, but not all of them will have this feature. You should also consider whether or not the cooking components are dishwasher-safe, and if safety features such as a splatter-protection lid and a detachable cord are included.

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