If you have a deep fryer in your kitchen, you’re going to make some great-tasting homemade fries and some delicious fried chicken. After all, the best way to make fried chicken is to use a deep fryer. You can even make some great desserts with a deep fryer. Plus, we answer:
- Which are the best deep-fried foods?
- How much oil should be used in a deep fryer?
- Can a deep fryer be made safe?
- Air fryers vs. deep fryers.
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Presto 05420
- Easy to operate.
- Large capacity fryer perfect for a family.
- Easy to clean.
Presto’s deep fryer cooks food evenly and quickly. The bucket-shaped fryer with aluminum construction has an oil filter. Using this dryer, you can deep fry food without any hassle. In addition, there are no switches or controls on it.
Just plug it in, pour oil into the bucket, and fry the food. You don’t have to set a time for cooking as it automatically maintains the temperature.
What we like
Size: Can hold four cups of oil and do four servings enough for a complete family.
Ease of use: Great for beginners as it comes with a simple feature. Plug it in, pour the required oil and fry the food, and it will automatically cook by itself.
Features: The interior and exterior of the deep fryer are non-stick, making it easier to clean, and it has a built-in lid allowing it to store oil for subsequent use.
Pros
- Easy to operate.
- Large capacity fryer perfect for a family.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a splatter shield.
What are the best deep-fried foods?
There is no limit to creativity when cooking food, and everyone can infuse their style. Whether panko-crusted tempura or churros, a deep fryer covers it all up. And if you are a beginner, you can start with cooking:
- Deep-fried chicken
- Tempura
- Deep-fried dumplings
- Deep-fried tofu
- Thai spring rolls
- Churros
Some foods taste delicious when they’re deep-fried, and if you’re new, you can try to make one of these foods.
Can you deep fry a ribeye?
Yes, you can deep fry a rib eye but be wary of the temperature. You need to wait for the oil to heat up to 350 F and then put the steak. It usually takes three to four minutes to cook, but it depends on the size. Use an insulated handle for taking out the meat to avoid heat.
What should you not fry?
You cannot fry certain foods as it’s not suitable or may not come out well. For instance, you can make fried rice or eggs in a deep fryer, and you can already imagine the outcome.
Although you can make deep-fried boiled eggs, you cannot make an omelet. Additionally, green leafy vegetables alone wouldn’t be recommended for deep frying. However, it’s exceptional if it’s coated with batter.
What is the best oil to use in a deep fryer?
Before purchasing oil for deep fryers, you should consider two factors: smoke point and natural flavor. A smoke point is a process in which oil’s temperature breaks down and loses nutrition due to heat.
These two factors will help you determine the best cooking oil for your deep fryer.
Olive oil is known for its intense flavor, and it overpowers food’s natural essence while frying. This oil is better suited for salad or stir fry. For deep frying, oils devoid of flavor or marginal flavor would be an excellent choice.
Some of the cooking oils that are suitable for deep frying are:
- Peanut oil
- Canola oil
- Coconut oil
- Corn oil
- Soybean oil
- Vegetable oil
How long can you keep oil in a deep fryer?
You can keep oil in a deep fryer for three months, but it’s only applicable if the oil is kept in a cool place and filtered. It’s a recommended time, and you shouldn’t exceed more than the given time frame.
How do you dispose of deep fryer oil?
You can dispose of deep fryer oil by putting it in a recyclable container or cardboard-based cartons. Before pouring the oil into the container, make sure that it’s cooled down. Put the oil in the freezer till it turns solid and comes out of the container in a piece and then put in the garbage bag.
Is there a deep fryer that doesn’t smell?
Note that deep fryers smell; it may not be strong, perhaps a lingering smell. If a deep fryer has a filter to rid the odor, it won’t smell. You can also prevent your fryer from extreme odor by cleaning it after every use and using no flavor oil. Plus, it would help get rid of the oil once it has reached its limit.
What is the safest deep fryer?
The safest deep fryer should have excellent safety features, including:
- Indicator light
- Cool-touch exterior
- Automatic shut off
- Breakaway chord
- Secured lid
These are some of the essential features that a safe deep fryer should have, and today most deep fryer manufacturers have added these features to their products. Therefore, before purchasing a deep fryer, you should look into these safety aspects. That way, you can buy a safe deep fryer for yourself.
How big should a deep fryer be?
There is no absolute answer to the correct deep fryer size you need to get. Every individual has different preferences, and the same goes for the deep fryer size. A small family may need a medium-sized deep fryer, while a single person may need a small capacity fryer.
A one-quart deep fryer would be great for a single person or a couple. A family of three can buy a deep fryer with a capacity of 1.5 quarts. If you have a large family of six or more, you can opt for four quarts or more.
What are the differences between air fryers and deep fryers?
Some of the significant differences between an air fryer and a deep fryer are as follows:
Versatility: Both these fryers make excellent fried and crisp food; however, you can also perform other functions in an air fryer, including roast, bake, and grill. This function is not applicable in a deep fryer as it’s restricted only to deep frying.
Cleaning: The cleaning process is simple and easy in an air fryer as most are non-stick and dishwasher safe. It gets harder to clean deep fryers because of excessive use of oil, plus you have to clean the countertop due to oil spillage.
What is the normal temperature range for deep frying?
Deep frying involves high temperatures, and it usually ranges between 350F-375F. Furthermore, it depends on the cooking oil that you’re using. You can opt for cooking oils like sunflower oil, rice bran oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. It’s advisable to opt for oil compatible with deep frying as some cooking oils have a high smoke point.
Cuisinart CDF-100 is a small capacity deep fryer that is great for an individual living alone but not so good for a family. However, you can opt for a large capacity fryer available in different sizes, but they are more costly. Regardless, it’s a practical kitchen appliance that comes with good functionality features.
What we like
Features: Built-in charcoal filter to eliminate odor after frying. Additionally, it has an adjustable thermostat to control temperature.
Easy to clean: The stainless-steel basket and non-stick interior make it easy to clean or wash without any hassle.
Temperature settings: You can increase or decrease the temperature with the adjustable temperature control.
Pros
- Built-in lid that prevents oil splatter or spill.
- Lightweight and doesn’t take much space for storage.
Cons
- The cooking capacity is small.
This compact size deep fryer from Elite Gourmet is an efficient fryer that quickly cooks food. It’s a 1.5-quart fryer perfect for a small family. The fryer comes with a lid, a window for food viewing, and a detachable filter to absorb odor.
What we like
Adjustable temperature: It comes with a temperature setting where you can adjust the heat and allow you to fry any foods, including onion rings, fries, and more.
Features: It’s a well-built product that can hold six cups of oil and comes with essential features, including a heating element, cool-touch handles, and more.
Compact size: It’s a compact deep fryer that doesn’t require much space for storage, and you can place it anywhere.
Pros
- Easy to clean the basket and lid and dishwasher safe.
- Superb safety features, including anti-slip feet and cool-touch handles.
Cons
- Your kitchen may get pretty hot without proper air ventilation while cooking in this deep fryer.
Both Presto 05420 and 05411 are large-capacity deep fryers, but the only difference is Presto Granpappy comes with a big cooking pot. It can hold six cups of oil and is aluminum with a non-stick coating both interior and exterior.
What we like
Large capacity: It’s a large capacity deep fryer where you can fry a big batch of foods as it comes with a big cooking pot.
Fast cooking: It doesn’t come with a basket that makes it closer to the heat source and leads to quicker cooking.
Simple features: Easy to operate even for a beginner, as all you have to do is connect the plug to the nearest socket and switch it on. The food will cook automatically, devoid of heat settings.
Pros
- It’s easy to maintain and clean.
- It’s a large capacity deep fryer perfect for family gatherings.
Cons
- The deep fryer doesn’t come with an adjustable thermostat.
This deep fryer comes with three temperature settings for cooking three different food types. It’s a small kitchen appliance but offers versatility.
What we like
Functionality: This fryer has excellent functional aspects, including temperature settings for three food types. Additionally, it comes with a removable lid to prevent oil splatter and includes a filter to remove odor.
Compact size: It’s a small-sized deep fryer yet powerful, and you can place it at any kitchen countertop.
Easy to clean: The components of the deep fryer, including frying basket, lid, and more, are easy to remove and clean.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact kitchen appliance allowing easy storage.
- Adjustable thermostat.
Cons
- The deep fryer may not be suitable for heavy use.
Conclusion
Perhaps investing in a deep fryer would be a wise choice if you are an avid cook who loves deep-fried foods. See our list above for some of the best deep fryers on the market.
All in all, we recommend Presto 05420 as it is quite effective and delivers excellent results. Additionally, it’s easy to operate and perfect for a family.