Deep Fryers: Reviews

Deep fryers come up short in both professional tests and user reviews. The biggest problem we saw cited was oil not reaching sufficiently high temperatures to fry foods. After synthesizing professional analysis and user feedback, we were able to make a few best reviewed selections.

DeLonghi D895UX Roto

Best small deep fryer

*Est. $100

Estimated Price

With its rotating basket, which makes for less greasy food, and its clever system for filtering and storing used oil, the DeLonghi D895UX Roto is the best small deep fryer, according to reviews. Owners like the É Roto's lid, which cuts down on splatter by remaining in place while the basket is raised and lowered. This fryer has five temperature settings -- one of which is high enough to make perfect french fries. The DeLonghi also includes two filters and has a capacity for more than 2 pounds of food. Reviewers say that the Roto is easy to clean, but wet batters can stick to the fry basket, complicating cleanup. The Delonghi Roto deep fryer is covered by a one-year warranty.

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Presto Digital ProFry

Best large deep fryer

*Est. $60

Estimated Price

The Presto Digital ProFry is a simple deep fryer; it has a single reservoir for oil, plus a removable basket, four temperature settings and an anti-splatter lid. What it doesn't have is the type of rotating basket seen on the DeLonghi D895UX Roto, which spins off extra oil. Still, reviewers give the larger Presto ProFry good ratings for its ability to reach and maintain a high temperature, resulting in evenly cooked, crispy food. Safety features include a 30-minute timer and a breakaway cord, which disconnects quickly if the fryer is bumped or tipped over. The ProFry also features an LED screen and an audible alert to signal when preheating is complete. Some owners do complain about its lack of an oil drain. The Presto Digital ProFry comes with a one-year warranty.

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Presto FryDaddy

Budget deep fryer

*Est. $25

Estimated Price

The Presto FryDaddy is an inexpensive, no-frills deep fryer. There are no temperature settings or timers -- just on or off. But this 4-cup capacity deep fryer earns the best reviews overall of any model under $30. It comes equipped with a 1,200-watt heating element and requires only 4 cups of oil to cook four servings of food. Although it's not dishwasher-safe, all of its surfaces are non-stick, which owners say makes for easier cleaning. While it doesn't have the flashier features of other models (aside from a snap-on lid and scoop) the FryDaddy still garners very good reviews. For instance, numerous owners at Walmart.com praise this appliance's convenient compact design, ability to heat up and recover quickly, and solid capacity to turn out perfectly fried food. The Presto FryDaddy comes with a one-year warranty.

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Masterbuilt Butterball Professional Series Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer

Turkey fryer

*Est. $150

Estimated Price

The Masterbuilt Butterball Professional Series Indoor Electric is the best turkey fryer according to reviews. The Butterball is distinct from most other turkey fryers in that it's made for use indoors; most other turkey fryers use propane, while the Butterball just plugs in. Several reviewers say this alone is enough to recommend it, as weather and wind are removed from the equation. The Butterball, which can accommodate a 14-pound turkey, also features a digital timer, lights that indicate when the oil has heated up sufficiently, and an adjustable thermostat. This deep fryer also has an oil drain and fold-away lid with viewing window. Another plus: the Butterball turkey fryer will fry a 14-pound bird with roughly 2 gallons of oil (compared with the 3 gallons needed in most propane-powered fryers). Most owners applaud its ability to produce moist, deliciously fried poultry, and they enjoy the unit's easy cleaning. However, Masterbuilt's warranty coverage for the Butterball is only 90 days, which is considerably shorter than what other manufacturers offer.

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