The Best Deep Fryers to Make Restaurant-Quality Fried Food

Finding a Top Quality Deep Fryer: A Buyer’s Guide

If you enjoy the delicious crunch and flavor of fried meals, deep fryers are the perfect appliances for home cooking. There are many types of deep fryers available for use at home. Let’s inspect deep fryer types and the factors you should consider when buying one.

What To Consider When Buying a Deep Fryer

Power

All fryers typically have a power range between 1800 and 2200 watts. The more powerful types will quickly heat oil. Each includes a timer and thermostat to indicate when you can begin cooking. Digitally controlled models are available, but they often cost more. Every deep fryer has a filter, which may be permanent, washable, or disposable. Most fryers will provide a way to dispose of leftover oil, but you should confirm that this mechanism is straightforward before making a purchase. Unlike their propane-powered counterparts, electric deep fryers require more time to reach their desired cooking temperature before they can be used.

Capacity

Consider the quantities you want your deep fryer to accommodate. Do you intend to use it mostly for party snacks such as fried cheese or chicken wings, or do you need only enough to feed your family members, or do you need it for larger quantities that would satisfy guests at larger gatherings? If the latter is the case, you’ll need a large deep fryer to complete the job in the time frame you’re looking at. If you intend to fry larger goods, such as turkeys or whole chickens, you’ll need to buy a deep fryer that can accommodate the size of birds you’re likely to buy. Fries will fit easily into a compact countertop deep fryer, but a 15-pound turkey would not. There are also deep fryers with many baskets, allowing you to fry multiple dishes at once.

Safety

Safety is crucial when using deep fryers, especially when frying heavy products like whole turkeys. Generally‌, electric fryers are safer than other types, although oil can quickly boil over and catch fire. But electric deep fryers provide extra safeguards, like an instant stop if the oil gets too hot. A break-off cord that can be removed is another potential safety feature. It would be wise to ensure the exterior is cool to the touch so any accident could be prevented. Never overfill the basket, and control the temperature at all times. When using deep fryers, it’s also a smart idea to keep a fire extinguisher close by.

Frequency of use

A deep fryer with a compact design is ideal if you intend to deep fry frequently but don’t want to take up too much room on your counter.  Small deep fryers need less oil than their larger counterparts. You should also analyze its aesthetics and design. The digital control panels and stainless steel enclosure are a stylish addition to any countertop.

Ease of cleaning

If you want to clean your deep fryer quickly, look for one with baskets that can go in the dishwasher and are easy to take out. Also, search for deep fryers that have a process for filtering the oil that makes it easy to get the oil out of the bin. Putting a lid on top of the fryer will also reduce the amount of oil that gets on the outside of the appliance and your kitchen counters.

Heat up time

Compared to propane deep fryers, electric ones require noticeably more time to heat the oil to boiling and then again once the food has been added. While the extra time is frequently of little significance, for certain people, the ease of a quicker fry time may represent a significant value addition.

Cost

You should have a set budget in mind before you look. Compact electric deep fryers would be the most cost-effective option, but only provided they meet your needs. Larger electric models, air fryers,  and deep propane fryers cost between $100 and $200, and you may need to buy additional accessories.

Different Deep Fryers

Electric deep fryers

The vast majority of modern homes use electric deep fryers. Typically, indoor frying requires a smaller fryer, and these fryers fit the bill perfectly.

Propane deep fryers

These deep fryers are the original designs used for traditional frying and produce crispier results than electric fryers because the oil is heated more quickly. Propane deep fryers have the drawback of requiring careful handling. They can only be used in the open air. Also, you’ll need to remember to refill the propane tank whenever one of these types runs low.

Air fryers

Although an air fryer is strictly not a deep fryer, it is a viable alternative. Air fryers employ an oil-free technique that distributes heat evenly. Although they typically lack the same flavor as fried items, they provide a healthier option. Air fryers will reduce your oil and propane costs. Air fryers are far simpler to clean than alternative options.

Lockable lid fryers

Home fryers with lockable lids are highly popular since they are safer than regular pans for frying. Fryers with lids that may be locked are increasingly common in households as an alternative to using open pans. With a lid, you can cook without worrying about oil splattering everywhere. A filter is a common feature of these fryers, and it can be a permanent fixture or a removable one. You may adjust the height of the basket without opening the box. Most current designs have a transparent panel or window through which the user can monitor the action without risk. Also, these fryers feature a light that turns on when the oil has reached the proper temperature.

Deep fryers without lockable lids

Deep fryers without locked lids function identically to those with lockable lids, except that they remain open. Typically, they are constructed of stainless steel. The basic design creates fewer cleaning parts than their equivalents with locking lids.

Rotary fryers

Rotary fryers consume half as much oil as standard fryers. Since the food basket within the fryer moves through the hot oil instead of being completely submerged, less oil is used. With less oil to cook, the fries are crispier.