The best deep fryer & home deep fryer review guide 2023

The best home deep fryer guide

Are you looking to cook the perfect deep fried chicken or perfectly crispy french fries?

Just thinking about it makes you a little hungry right?

I am sure that you will agree with me that doing this on your stove is no easy feat.

In this article, we review 8 of the best deep fryers for 2020 so that you can find a home deep fryer that will fit your needs.

While you are reading this take some time to think about the things that you will want to cook with a deep fryer, this will help choose the best deep fryer for your kitchen.

Best Deep Fryer for Home Use Comparison

What type of home deep fryers are there?

Electric deep fryer

These are the most popular options and most of the ones that we have looked at here are Electric:

  • They are safer
  • Can be used in the kitchen
  • Well priced

Propane deep fryer

Some people prefer these as they can give a crisper finish. We don’t really look at these as they are big, they require gas and to be honest if you were looking for one of those , you would already know your stuff on deep fryers and would not be reading this.

Air Fryer

Air fryers are not actually deep fryers and they will produce results that are very different to normal deep fryers. They are, however, a lot more healthy and way easier to clean. It should be noted that not all popular foods that are fried can be done in an air fryer.

The best home deep fryer buying guide

  • Thermostat for the oil temp – Different foods will cook better at different temperatures and also burn at different temperatures. Having control of how hot the oil actually is will be important in producing something delicious and perfectly cooked.
  • Variable temperature control – This ties in with the point above, you need control of the oil temp to get the best results.
  • Safety features – Deep friers heat oil to very high temperatures, there is a very real risk of burning yourself or worse young ones around the house. Like anything in the kitchen the safety features will help minimise that. Below are some of the features that you should be looking for
  • Magnetic plug – this is a clever feature that stops oil from spilling if you accidently get tangled or trip etc on the lead … it just separates from the frier, there is not jolting and no spilling of oil and the fryer is turned off.
  • Cool exterior walls – to make sure you are anyone else does not get burnt. This one should be a given on any model you are looking at. Metal burns when it is hot and so you want peace of mind that this is not going to happen.
  • Stay cool handles – If you need to be moving your frier around you should wait until it is cold, this is not always practical in the real world, having cool handles will allow you to do this safely.
  • A hinged lid for ease of use and protection – This will help stop the oil spitting out of the frier if there is moisture in the food that you are frying and will stop you putting fingers etc in there and deep frying those when the oil is hot (you will be amazed at the capacity for human to make stupid mistakes, we have all been there !!)
  • Reaching a temperature of at least 375deg F – You will want a machine that has a good range of temperatures to cook in. A wide range of temperatures will mean greater versatility.
  • Fryer capacity – YOu should think about how many people you are going to be feeding on an average day. Bigger families will require a larger capacity frier – All common sense but I just thought that I would add this one in here. You want something that will be big enough to fry what you want in there. You know what I mean I am just prompting you to give it a little thought. Experience in the kitchen has taught me that it is easier to cook in something that is too big than too small.
  • Grease or odor filters – this is not something that is vital but thought should be given to the fact that frying things in the kitchen can leave unpleasant smells .. having filters for this is something that you may what to consider.
  • Built-in drain valve for easy cleanup – this makes changing and storing your oil easy. You can actually use the oil more than once and some of the machines will have a filter when you are draining it so that you can remove some of the food that has been burn or left behind.
  • Removable basket so that it is easy to clean – This will also help make getting food out a little easier. We have also added in some accessories after the reviews that will help you with some of the challenges that you may have with a deep fryer
  • Strong enough power-wise to do the job – Not all deep fryers are created equal, some are less powerful than others,  some will take longer to heat up and may not get to the temperature required to cook what you want. Remember too that the oil temperature will drop a little too when you add food into it so you want to be able to bring that back up again as soon as possible.
  • How easy it the deep fryer to clean? – Most of the modern one will have some sort of drainage making this easy, we cover this in the reviews in more depth. Some of the inner surfaces have a nonstick coating that will make this a lot easier.
  • Cost & value for money – This point is really subjective as it will depend on what you perceive as valuable. For us, at TKJ we have to think about things like how long will the item last and will it have an impact on my health. We think that you should always be looking for the best one that you can afford. IF you are going to invest in something, get a good one.
  • Rotating baskets – this is a new technology that is more efficient in terms of the number of oils used as well as the electricity needed to bring the oil to the right temperature.
  • The basket of food rotates at an angle so that only a portion of the food is cooked at any time, but all of the food is deep-fried in turn.
  • The amount of oil that you need is dramatically reduced and because the food is not entirely submerged in oil all of the time it comes out a little less greasy for those that are looking for something a little more healthy.
  • The best deep fryer oil –  make sure you have the right oil for the job. There are good and bad oils when it comes to cooking with a deep fryer
  • Counter space – While this is not technically to do with the machine, having counter space to place the deep fryer and to use it safely and easily will make a big difference.  
  • Cooking Process –  Another one not directly to do with the machine but very important is the cooking process. Plan what you are going to and how before you start frying. Deep fryers take time to heat the oil the right temp and you because of the heat involved, you  need to be paying attention. Having a cooking process in place before you start will mean more time focused on getting great results.  

Remember.. you may not always get what you paid for… but you will always get what you don’t pay for.

Some quick tips on how to use your home deep fryer

While this section is not a guide, we thought it might be nice to help you with a few pointers on what you should be doing to use your deep fryer effectively and safely if you are a first-time buyer.

  • Filling the deep fryers with oil – Always make sure that you have filled the fryer with the correct amount of oil and the right type of oil for the deep fryer. We have an article on the best oils to use for a deep fryer as well as a guide on healthy oil to help you with that.
  • Make sure your deep fryer gets to the right temperature – One of the things that can make or break what you are trying to fry is putting it in at the wrong temp
  • Too hot and the food will burn or the oil will burn( in both cases you will need to replace the oils as it will become rancid.
  • Tool cold and you get something that is not crispy and very oily …yuk !!
  • There will be a manual that will tell you the right temp or at the least some indicator on the machine that will tell you the oil is at the right temp…
  • Cooking with dry food – It is a good idea to make sure that the food that you are going to deep fry is dry. Deep fryers with hot oil in it and water is a bad combination and the water turning explosively into steam will make the oil spit madly and potentially burn you or anyone else that is around when you add the food in. For example, drying chips that have been parboiled by putting them on a clean tea towel will soak up all the excess moisture…
  • Deep fryers are hot! Make sure you add the food in carefully – Most models will have a basket and so this is easy, but remember what I have said above doing this slowly will greatly reduce the risk of splashback of extremely hot oil…
  • Time how long the food needs to be in the oil – Some models will have a timer, with others you will have to do this yourself. Just remember that at these temperatures even a minute too long to too short could spell disaster for your food…
  • Taking the food out of the oil – Once the food is cooked, make sure that you take it out carefully so that you don’t burn yourself. This will help most of the excess oil come off the food and remain in the deep fryer.
  • This has two benefits, it helps reduce the oil on your food and reduces the loss of oil in the cooker. Just a little bit, but it all counts over time..
  • Draining the oil – this is good for your health and will make the food taste better and in some cases helps with it the food becoming crispier. You can use something like kitchen towels to do this. It is also a good idea to let something that you have just deep-fried to sit for a bit to cool down.
  • Using Deep fryers is an art – if you are new to deep-frying you may find you don’t get it right the first few times, even when you follow a recipe or guidelines. Don’t stress, a little bit of experimenting and trail and error will help you get the best out of the machine that you buy.

It is now ready to eat !!

Our choices of best deep fryer For 2020

T-fal Deep fryer FR8000 Oil Filtration Ultimate EZ Clean 3.5-Liter fryer (best deep fryer for home use)

t-fal ultimate immersion deep fryer

This is a powerful 1700 watt deep fryer that can cook up to just over 2.5 pounds of food at a time. It has dishwasher parts and stay-cool handles for safe handling. It comes with an adjustable thermostat for great control over what you are cooking and a two-position basket for deep frying and draining food.

Amazon product

Features T-fal Deep fryer FR8000

  • Patented EZ clean automatic oil-filtration system
  • Precise thermostat control
  • Immersed heating element
  • Power(watts)- 1700
  • Oil Capacity(liters) 3.5
  • Food Capacity(pounds)2.65
  • Size 13.7 x 18.3 x 14.8 in
  • Weight – 12.4 lbs
  • Heating Element – Immersion heater
  • Stainless steel Finish
  • Some parts may be  dishwasher safe

What we like

  • This a machine that just makes deep-frying easy. it is smart enough to make your life easier and will do things like filter the oil once it is cool enough so that it is just ready for the next time.
  • We think that importantly it comes with a brushed stainless steel finish that makes it robust and easy to clean. For those that love their dishwasher, the removable parts are just as happy in the dishwasher as they are in the sink making life easy for the person cleaning this.
  • It comes with a decent thermostat so that you can get the temperature spot-on for what you are cooking. We would advise first time user to maybe do a quick search on frying times and temperatures of the foods they want to cook until they know what they are doing.
  • It has a cool to the touch exterior to help you avoid getting burnt or worse curious little hands that occasionally appear in the kitchen.
  • There is a glass top so that you can see what you are doing great for fine-tuning the timing of your cooking efforts.
  • Big enough to do the business for almost any occasion
  • It has an odor filtration system that will help keep the smells to a minimum – sometimes they can be overpowering.

What we don’t like

There is nothing really not to like about this.

It should be noted that there is no time so you will have to keep an eye on that and also be aware that this is not a light or small piece of kitchen equipment and you should have space in the kitchen for it. You may not want to move this around too much.

Is this the right one for you?

This is perfect for people that are looking for something that will cater to more people and is just easy to use. If you are l; looking for something that is a bit more commercial then this may be a little small for you.

If you have a small or crowded kitchen then you may want to consider other options.

T-fal FR7008 Ultimate EZ Clean 3.3-Liter Stainless Steel Immersion Deep Fryer

This is the slightly smaller (oil capacity) cousin to the FR8000 deep fryer and comes with many of the same features.

It has dishwasher parts and stay-cool handles for safe handling. It comes with an adjustable thermostat for great control over what you are cooking and a two-position basket for deep frying and draining food.

Amazon product

Features of the T-fal FR7008

  • Patented EZ clean automatic oil-filtration system
  • Precise thermostat control
  • Immersed heating element
  • Power(watts)- 1700
  • Oil Capacity(liters) 3.3
  • Food Capacity(pounds)2.65
  • Size 19 x 13 x 16 inches
  • Weight – 12.6 lbs
  • Heating Element  – Immersion heater
  • Stainless steel Finish
  • Some parts may be dishwasher safe

What we like

  • This a machine that just makes deep-frying easy. it is smart enough to make your life easier and will do things like filter the oil once it is cool enough so that it is just ready for the next time.
  • We think that importantly it comes with a brushed stainless steel finish that makes it robust and easy to clean. For those that love their dishwasher, the removable parts are just as happy in the dishwasher as they are in the sink making life easy for the person cleaning this.
  • It comes with a decent thermostat so that you can get the temperature spot-on for what you are cooking. We would advise first time user to maybe do a quick search on frying times and temperatures of the foods they want to cook until they know what they are doing.
  • It has a cool to the touch exterior to help you avoid getting burnt or worse curious little hands that occasionally appear in the kitchen.
  • There is a glass top so that you can see what you are doing great for fine-tuning the timing of your cooking efforts.
  • Big enough to do the business for almost any occasion
  • It has an odor filtration system that will help keep the smells to a minimum – sometimes they can be overpowering.

What we don’t like

As with the FR8000 that there is no timer so you will have to keep an eye on that and also be aware that this is not a light or small piece of kitchen equipment and you should have space in the kitchen for it. You may not want to moving this around too much.

Is this the right one for you?

This is perfect for people that are looking for something that will cater to more people and is just easy to use. If you are looking for something that is a bit more commercial then this might not be the right one for you.

If you have a small or crowded kitchen then you may want to consider other options.

Please, do your self a favor, read the manual before you start to use it and adhere to what they say as you are cooking with hot oils.Heal

T-fal FR1014 Easy Pro Enamel Immersion Deep Fryer 3-Liters

This is another one by t-fal, it has an en enamel nonstick interior making it easy to clean. This one does not have the automatic oil filtering system the others have but is obviously a lot less money then its bigger brothers.

Features of the T-fal FR1014

Amazon product
  • Precise thermostat control
  • Immersed heating element
  • Power(watts)- 1500
  • Oil Capacity(liters) 3.3
  • Food Capacity(pounds)2.65
  • Size 11.2 x 16.8 x 12.8 in
  • Weight – 11.12 lbs
  • Heating Element – Immersion heater
  • Stainless steel Finish
  • Some parts may be dishwasher safe

What we like

  • While this is not as easy as the other two models it still comes with a lot of decent features such as a glass window to see what is happening with the food and T-fal’s precise thermostat system that allows you more control when you are deep frying.
  • It comes with a basket so getting the food out once it is cooked is easy.
  • The interior is easy to remove and is dishwasher safe.

What we don,t like

One of the issues we have is that when you buy a fryer that is cheaper is not likely to be as strong as the more expensive models. We have always been of the feeling that you should always buy the best that you can afford. I know that there are a lot of people that will tell you to save every penny and they are right, except when it comes to investing in cookware. This is nothing to do with the price but rather if the product will do the job that you want it to do.

We feel that this might be a little underpowered for some of you so it is advisable to make further investigations if you’re worried that this might be the case.

Is this the right one for you?

If you are an occasional deep fryer then this is something that you might want to look at .. there is no oil filtration system inbuilt, which is not a problem as there are other solutions (see below) but if you were going to be using something quite often then you might want to look at something that is a little easier to use.

Best small deep fryer

Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer with Cool Touch, 2-Liter Oil Capacity

This is a good price piece of machinery that is stylish and comes with some practical features that make it easy to use. This is a smaller model than the previous ones we have been looking at making it more suitable for smaller kitchens.

Features of the Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer

  • Power – 1500(watts)
  • Top temperature –350 degrees F
  • Oil Capacity – 2 litres
  • Food Capacity – will cook 6 cups of fries
  • Heating Element –  immersion element 
  • Size – 33.4 x 28.9 x 21.8 cm
  • Weight – 4 Kg

Safety magnetic quick-release cord

What we like

This is a good option for small families, we really like that this comes with safety features that would compliment these families.

  • They are kid friendly
  • Featuring cool to the touch surface
  • Lid to stop oil spitting out
  • lets you lift the lid out of the oils while the lid is closed
  • Quick release magnetic electric cord so that there is no chance of pulling the appliance off the table while using it
  • Small enough that can be stored away after use
  • Has adjustable temperature
  • Very stylish and will look good in the kitchen – if this is something that you need to take into consideration

What we don’t like

While there is nothing that we don’t like directly there are a few things that we have come to mind with this machine. This is a budget machine and is small, that means that you will grow out of this pretty quickly if you get into frying food. We believe that you should always get the absolute best that you can afford and also the biggest practical size, it is easier to cook something small in a big appliance, then the other way round. – Just saying.

Is this the right one for you?

This is an inexpensive unit that is good for small families, couples or singles. This is a machine for casual fryer. This unit is not for you if you are someone who would use something like this a lot, you would need one of the bigger models we have been talking about.

Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer, 3-Liter Oil Capacity (35036)

This is a great deep fryer that has been well designed with versatility in mind. It comes with three baskets, 2 smaller half baskets, and 1 large whole basket.

Feature of the Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer

  • Adjustable timer
  • Adjustable thermostat
  • Power & ready lights
  • Power – 1800W
  • Oil Capacity – 3 liters
  • Food Capacity – 12 cups
  • Size 10.92 x 15.77 x 14.71 in
  • Heating Element– immersion heater
  • Easy to clean
  • Breakaway cord for extra safety
  • Lid with viewing window

What we like

There is a lot to like about this unit here are some of the more important ones:

  • We love the versatility you will get from the 3 baskets and its large size
  • Safety features such as magnetic cord and timer that switch off the fryer
  • There is a Lid to stop splatter and glass panel to see what is going on
  • Easy to take apart and clean
  • Very powerful

What we don’t like

There are a few little niggles with this machine that we think would have made this truly great had they been included. This unit will use a lot of oil and because of this, there should be some filtration system just to make it a little easier to use. Not a deal-breaker but just a thought.

Is this the right one for you?

This is perfect for bigger families or if you are thinking about entertaining. If you are someone that will be doing a lot of frying then you might want to look at getting a deep fryer that has some sort of oil filtration system. For casual fryer, this is a good investment.

Emeril deep fryer by T-fal FR702D 1.8-Litre Deep Fryer with Integrated Oil Filtration.

This is a great middle ranger deep fryer that comes with a filtration system and a cool touch exterior. It is made by our friends at T-fal and comes with all the features that they are known for.
Amazon product

Features of the Emeril deep fryer

  • Precision Thermostat
  • Power – 1200W
  • Oil Capacity – 1.8 litres
  • Food Capacity – 1.1 Pounds
  • Size – 8.8 x 14 x 12 inches
  • Weight – 8 pounds
  • Heating Element – Immersion heater
  • Brushed stainless steel pot, lid, and exterior
  • Some parts may be dishwasher safe

What we like

This should be the standard for deep fryers in that it comes with a filtration system. Not having something like this to help you can be messy and tedious work. There are a number of features such as temp control that make this unit something that you should be considering. It has a well thought out design that makes it look like something that you would want in the kitchen.

  • Easy use
  • Easy cleaning – dishwasher safe
  • Tons of practical features for its size

What we don’t like

There is nothing that we don’t really like about this unit, it might be a bit pricey for some.

Is this the right one for you?

if you are generally cooking for smaller/medium groups of people and you are going to be using a deep fryer quite often, this is a good contender.

Cuisinart deep fryer CDF-200 4 quart, Stainless Steel exterior

This is another good option as it comes with features like temperature control and timer. While it does not come with an oil filtration system the unit does make it easy to drain the oil. The powerful heating system makes heating the oil fast.

Cuisinart Deep Fryer, 4 Quart
$99.95
  • SUPERIOR FUNCTION: The 1800-watt immersion style heating element for fast heat-up and recovery time
  • ENDLESS OPTIONS: Fries potatoes, onion rings, seafood, chicken, vegetables, donuts and much more
  • CAPACITY: Large 4-quart capacity, cooks up to 2.3-pounds of food
  • INCLUDED: 1 heavy stainless steel basket with cool-touch handle, 1-gallon removable enamel-coated oil container with pouring spout
  • LIMITED 3-YEAR WARRANTY: Refer to user manual for troubleshooting steps and questions surrounding warranty policies – this product is BPA free
02/11/2024 05:21 am GMT

Features of the Cuisinart deep fryer

  • Timer and adjustable thermostat
  • Comes with a large stainless steel
  • Power – 1800W
  • Oil Capacity – 3.5 liters
  • Food Capacity – 2.3(pounds)
  • Size – 18.25 x 12.75 x 12.5 in
  • Weight – 11.5 pounds
  • Heating Element – Immersion heater
  • Some parts may  be dishwasher safe

What we like

This is a good choice and here are some of the things that we like that we think are worth a mention:

  • Easy viewing of what you are frying with the glass panel
  • Better control of temperature with thermostat and timer
  • Cool to the touch exterior
  • Nice big handles for ease of use
  • Stainless steel interior for robust use and easy cleaning
  • For safety, if the heating unit is not installed exactly then it won’t work

What we don’t like

The only thing that we would like to see different with this is some sort of oil filtration system. You will have to manually empty out the oil from this fryer into some sort of container. Not a big issue, but something that you should be aware of.

Is this the right one for you?

If you are looking for something that is middle of the range and in terms of size and you are not a frequent deep fryer then this might be a good option for you to consider.

Best small deep fryer – Presto 05420 cool daddy deep fryer

We have added in this unit as it is perfect for those who just need something small and compact. You are not going to get a lot of food out of this but this is great for cooking french fries or onion rings


Features of the Presto 05420 cool daddy deep fryer

  • Uses 4 cups of oil
  • Size – 9 x 9.7 x 8.5 in
  • Weight – 3.75 lbs
  • Electric heating
  • Nonstick surface inside and out

What we like

  • This is not going to take a lot to run and you are going to be able to cook up some fries with relative ease compared to the other bigger units
  • It is small and can be easily stored
  • Very simple no-frills deep fryer

What we don’t like

  • This is not a unit for families, this needs to be used with caution as the outside can get hot and my burn small inquisitive hands
  • You might also want to use it on something that is heat resistant as the bottom get very hot and may do damage to some countertops
  • There is also no cover so you will get some splatter of hot oil

Is this the right one for you?

if there is just you or two of you and you like cooking up your own french fries or frying chicken wings then this might be a good fit for you. This is also a decent choice if you have a small kitchen.

Things to think about – Deep fring accessories

Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen 5-inch Spider Strainer

How will this help you?

This is a nifty strainer that will help you remove food from the deep fryer should you need to. It is also something that can be used with your other pots and pans.

The handle has been made from bamboo and is fairly heat resistant

This spider strainer is very popular and very cheap, a great combination

Culina French Fry Potato Cutter with Round Bottom for Easy Slicing

How will this help you?

If you are looking for a deep fryer or have one and are wanting to upgrade then I am sure that you have cooked french fries.

This little nifty gadget spits them out easy peasy for you so all you have to do is cook them, add a bit of salt and vinegar and boom you have the perfect food.

You can also use this to cut up other veggies for other everyday cooking.

Cook N Home 1-1/2-Quart Stainless Oil Storage

How will this help you?

It is not a great idea to leave the oil in the fryer, you will need somewhere to store it once you have filtered all the bits out.

This also comes with an easy to use oil filter for extra filtering.

 

Safety Tips for Deep Fryers

We like to cook safely and so with something like a deep fryer there are a few things that you can do that will help you cook great tasting food safely for you and your family.

  • Read the manual before you start – a no brainer really, get to know your machine and what is designed to do and not do.
  • If your fryer comes with a lid then you should be using it.
  • Make sure the cord is safely placed and you know where it is as you don’t want this baby to be knocked about with hot oil in it. This is more for kids if you know what I mean. Oil burns and burns badly so be careful.
  • The food you are about to fry should not be covered with water, make sure you have removed any excess water before you add the food. Hot oil splatters when water is added as the water literally explodes into steam. This splatter is hot and can burn (we have mentioned this before but it is important!)
  • Once you have used the fryer please make sure that you leave it to cool to room temperature again before you try to clean it. Just common sense on this one really.
  • Always make sure you stick to the recommendations of the manufacturer in terms of how much oil and food you are adding in the fryer. In other words, never overfill, it will result in tears.
  • We advise to never leave the deep fryer unattended when cooking. While the machines have been built to be safe, we are human and can make mistakes, be there to make sure you catch them before they become an issue.
  • When you are using a deep fryer make sure it is in a clear space and that you are able to access it easily. You should always be looking to minimize the risk of fire whatever you are cooking.

Final thoughts

While there is a lot to process here it should all be a lot easier to work out if you know what you are most likely going to be cooking. There are a lot of choices, some will be better than others for your needs.

While we have been trying to show you the strong and weak points of the various deep fryers we have also tried to get you thinking about how you will use it as this will help you better pick the right one

Understanding the science behind cooking helps me to understand what are the best tools for a particular job. I like to help people better understand exactly what it is that they need when it comes to buying for the kitchen. Making the right choice is a lot easier when you know what you need to get. Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest Find out more about Me

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