Deep Fryer Review

Debating the merit of deep fryers

We found surprisingly few reviews of electric deep fryers, perhaps because consumer publications are reluctant to endorse devices that turn out high-calorie, high-fat food. Apart from a turkey fryer, Consumer Reports has never reviewed fryers. Cook's Illustrated -- perhaps the most trusted cookware-review source -- tested seven deep fryers back in 2005, but, unfortunately, many of the fryers tested have gone out of production. Fine Cooking tests a single deep fryer, as does CNet.com, a publication that usually covers tech gadgets. We found much more of the information we sought at Amazon.com, Cooking.com and Epinions.com, which all publish owner-written deep-fryer reviews. Owners comment on fryer durability and perceived safety over time, while others provide helpful frying tips.

Every electric deep fryer has a container for oil, as well as a heating element. While you can fry food in a deep, heavy pot on the stove, electric fryers can make the process simpler, safer and less messy. Most electric fryers have thermostats, which allow you to set a maximum frying temperature. In contrast, when you fry food on the stovetop, a minute or two of inattention can lead to burned oil and a kitchen full of smoke. If you have a gas stove, stovetop frying means placing a large amount of oil above an open flame, a kitchen-fire risk. Some deep fryers have lids that remain closed to prevent splashing while the frying basket is lifted and lowered.

Many deep fryers allow you to drain, filter and store oil for re-use in an included receptacle. In some cases, the process requires very little supervision: cooled oil runs through a rubber tube, through a mesh filter and into a clip-on plastic container. Once all the oil has drained away, the container can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for re-use.

You can use a deep fryer to prepare french fries, egg rolls, fried chicken, potato chips, donuts, fish filets, tofu, shrimp or fruit-filled turnovers. Or you can make your own versions of gooey state-fair staples, such as deep-fried Twinkies, Oreos or candy bars.

In the majority of deep-fryer reviews, models perform reliably, but some earn uneven ratings in candid owner reviews. The Rival Cool Touch/Cool Zone CZF530 Deep Fryer (*Est. $70) is prone to breakdowns, say owners posting to Amazon.com. Several reviewers report that their fryers stopped working altogether after just a few months. Two owners say that the product manual instructed them to reset their fryers, but there was no such button for doing so .