There are some appliances out there that you just can’t live without, and for the average American household, one of those would have to be a deep fryer. With access to your own deep fryer, you not only save money on take-out but you can alter recipes to make them taste better and be even healthier, so it’s a smarter alternative for sure.
Depending on the types of meals you usually eat, your deep fryer could be one of the most used appliances at home. For others, it might be something that you pull out on special occasions when you’re frying a turkey or wanting to indulge in a naughty treat. Whatever sounds like your household, you need a quality deep fryer to get the job done right.
Shopping for the best deep fryer isn’t so straightforward though, as there are many variables you’ll have to consider. The best deep fryer for you will depend on the size, materials, what you like to cook, and the price range you’re working with, so we’ve compiled some of the best that cover all different categories and features.
With this handy guide, you’ll be able to see what the top sellers are for the best home deep fryer, best electric deep fryer, and the best rated deep fryer overall. We also show you what features to look for when finding a deep fryer so that it will be the right fit for your kitchen and the ticket to some amazing meals.
Product Name | Our Rating |
|---|---|
Best Deep Fryer | |
Best Turkey Deep Fryer | |
Best Multi Basket Fryer | |
Our Picks
Deep fryers are pretty simple devices, but although many of them work the same, they actually come in all shapes and sizes. These are our top picks for the best deep fryer that can do it all, so if you’re looking for a general appliance that can make most things then these are for you.
Winner: Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer
No matter what new kitchen appliance you’re looking for, Hamilton Beach is a popular name that most people put their trust in.
Their whole range is designed to be affordable for the average user but with all of the cool features that you’re looking for, and this perfectly describes their Deep Fryer With Basket.
This appliance looks like one of the best commercial deep fryers you’d find at a restaurant, but it’s compact enough to use at home.
The dimensions are 10.2” height and 8.9” wide, with a depth of about 16.3” so there’s ample space for frying all kinds of foods like snacks, meats, and even desserts.
With an eight cup food capacity, this is a great size for families or people who entertain often. If you’re a single eater or don’t really like to cook a lot, you might prefer something more compact so this probably wouldn’t be for you.
Not only is it easy to cook with this deep fryer from Hamilton Beach, but a lot of the happy reviews said how easy it was to clean as well.
When you’re done eating you really don’t feel like doing too much work getting the kitchen clean, so you can easily disassemble this, remove the breakaway cord, and it’ll be cleaned and ready to go for next time in just a few minutes.
One downfall that the reviews mentioned was the lack of high temperatures that this deep fryer offers. A lot of deep frying recipes ask for temperatures of 350 F at least and this one doesn’t reach that level, so you’ll have to hope that having it on the highest setting is enough to cook the foods you’re trying to.
Although the high temperatures are lacking, there are other little features that make up for it. You’ll get a ready light to show you when the oil is at the perfect level, as well as a handy little digital timer that makes a tone to let you know when your food is ready. This means you can immerse the ingredients and let the deep fryer do the rest of the work.
Not only is this large fryer reasonably priced but it’s got one of the best warranty periods ever found on a kitchen appliance. Hamilton Beach offers a five-year limited warranty on this deep fryer so it’s an investment you’ll be happy to make, and will enjoy many deep fried creations in the years to come.
OUR RATING
Runner-Up: T-fal Family Pro Deep Fryer
If you’re looking for the best deep fryer for home use but want something that resembles a commercial cooker, you may want to consider the T-fal Family Pro Deep Fryer.
Just as the name suggests, it’s serious in size so there’s more than enough space to cook all of your favorites and feed a large group, whether it’s the family or guests at a party.
T-fal is known for making nonstick cookware but their range extends beyond just pots and pans.
This deep fryer has all of the features you’d expect in the best deep fryer for home use but it also looks like a commercial appliance as well.
With 1600 watts of power it’s pretty impressive for a home fryer, but priced very reasonably. It’s been made with a viewing window built into the lid so you can see everything you’re making, and the stainless steel frying basket makes retrieving the food easy and safe.
There are even cool touch handles so you’ll never risk burning yourself and if kids are around you don’t have to worry about them getting burnt either. Considering this was made by T-fal and most of their range is about nonstick cookware, customers were pretty upset to find that this didn’t have the same features.
There were complaints about food getting stuck to the baskets and lengthy cleanup times trying to remove the food that wouldn’t come off, so keep this in mind if you’re shopping around. You can put some parts in the dishwasher so that makes it easier, but you might have to clean them first.
One great point that this deep fryer does have is that it’s capable of reaching higher temperatures. With a maximum reading of 375 F on the temperature dial, you’ll have no problems creating just about any recipe you can think of, meaning there are no limitations on what you can cook.
Overall, this is a quality deep fryer if you want something capable of making large quantities. Aside from having to spend some extra time in the cleanup process, there are plenty of great features that T-fal has packing into this fryer and it’s one of closest you’ll get to a commercial appliance so it’s definitely worth considering.
OUR RATING
Alternative: Presto FryDaddy Deep Fryer
When you’re looking for a deep fryer but don’t need something huge and commercial to suit your kitchen, a compact appliance like the FryDaddy Deep Fryer is the way to go.
This device is better suited for smaller families of three people or less or the solo chef who only needs to make meals for themselves.
The Presto FryDaddy Deep Fryer uses four cups of oil to make four servings of food so it’s great for smaller meals, snacks, and desserts.
It uses a handy scoop instead of a basket which actually makes it a lot cleaner to operate and you’ll probably find yourself spending less time cleaning up after you finish cooking.
There are some design flaws that could do with an upgrade in the next model, and one major thing missing is no viewing window. Deep fried foods usually work best when you can see them cooking so they reach their ideal crispiness, so you’ll need to open the basket every now and then to check.
One feature that this deep fryer has that others don’t is the ability to snap shut the lid when you’re done. This means you can save on ingredients and will then have enough money to invest in the best deep fryer oil which will ultimately make all of your food taste better. Just be sure that there’s no food left in the oil when you decide to seal it up and put it away.
There’s no control for the temperature on this which could be considered both a good and bad thing. It uses an automatic sensor to cook your food just right, but if you prefer to have control over the temperatures and like to make adjustments, this could be a major turn off for you.
Presto has coated the entire device with a nonstick surface so you’ll find it pretty easy to clean up. Couple that with the ability to store oil and use later, and you’re saving a lot of time with the cleaning part. As long as you’re someone who uses your deep fryer regularly, you’ll be able to eat a lot more food with a lot less work, so it’s certainly appealing.
The Presto HeyDaddy Deep Fryer is one of the cheaper options on the market so if you’re happy with the smaller size then it’s worth consideration. They offer just a 12-month limited warranty on this appliance which seems to correlate with the cheap price, but it’s a great investment for any smaller families who like to indulge in deep fried food every now and then.
OUR RATING
Best Turkey Deep Fryer
Masterbuilt Butterball Electric Fryer
Deep fried turkey is an American delicacy and if you’ve ever tried to make one before you know just how important the tools you use are.
If you’re looking for the best turkey deep fryer to create this southern treat, you’ll want to use the Masterbuilt Butterball Electric Fryer.
Made from a stainless steel construction, the Masterbuilt Butterball Electric Fryer is seriously durable and it’s got enough space to cook a 14lb turkey.
It’s not only good for frying turkey and other foods though, as you can boil seafood inside or even steam vegetables. Compared to other deep fryers, this is a seriously versatile appliance that will get a lot of use at home.
You get full control over the cooking temperature and can easily read where things are at with the thermostat. This means if you have specific instructions you can adjust it as you need, rather than relying on an automatic sensor that can sometimes get things wrong, especially when you’re cooking something as large as a turkey.
Be careful when cooking a larger bird though, as some people found that with a 17lb turkey it was just enough space. Masterbuilt does have an extra-large size in the Butterball Electric Fryer so if you think you’re going to be cooking larger birds then it’s probably worth the upgrade.
Although they’ve installed a drain valve which helps remove the oil, this is a pretty tough device to clean. You can expect to spend quite a bit of time getting it cleaned up and put away for the next cooking session, so you may as well get as much use out of while you can.
Many of the reviewers mentioned that they swapped from the propane cooking method to this electric fryer and were thrilled with the results. There’s no babysitting during the cooking process and you can preheat and set it to the temperature you need, and the alarm will let you know when your deep fried turkey is cooked to perfection.
One great thing about this deep fryer is that it comes with a bunch of recipes you can try out, and they’ve all been created by chef John McLemore. If you’re sick of standing outside in the cold to deep fry your turkey and want to try the modern approach, the Masterbuilt Butterball Electric Fryer is one of the best on the market.
OUR RATING
Best Multi Basket Fryer
T-fal Triple Basket Fryer
Let’s face it, most of us can’t get enough of our beloved deep fried food. When using regular home deep fryers you probably think there’s just not enough space to make everything you’ve been dreaming of, so you need to invest in a multi basket device like the T-fal Triple Basket Fryer.
Having a triple basket fryer like this means there’s no end to what you can create and if you always like to have a selection of foods for everyone to eat, there’ll be no comparison.
This appliance comes with two smaller stainless steel baskets and one larger one so you can mix and match whatever you’re cooking without having to do it all in separate batches.
The T-fal Triple Basket Deep Fryer is for serious fried food lovers, and probably not ideal for people who just eat little bits now and then. This is the perfect accessory for people with large families or those who entertain guests often and it’s the only appliance you’ll ever need to keep everyone fed and happy.
When people think of deep fried food they usually think of unhealthy eating, and while that can be true, this T-fal fryer has tried to make things better for you. It uses a special kind of heating element immersed in the device so your food absorbs less oil. This also means it cooks faster compared to other designs, so there are two benefits in one.
The thermostat can be fully adjusted from 175 to 375 degrees F which is pretty versatile and should allow you to create just about anything you desire. It comes with a stainless steel removable bowl and heat resistant parts including lid and handles, so there’s no need to fear a burn when you’re deep frying the food.
There’s one problem with this fryer that quite a few customers pointed out, and that has to do with the shallow depth. You won’t be able to submerge the baskets as deep as you’d like so prepare to put less food in each one so that it can be adequately covered by oil.
You’ll need to adjust cooking a little to make it work, but it’s definitely not a deal breaker and doesn’t affect the overall quality of the appliance.
T-fal is known for making great deep fryers and this one is the perfect choice for people who like versatility in their cooking. With a triple basket fryer, you’ll be able to create anything you dream up and get the feel of having a commercial kitchen right within your own home.
OUR RATING
What To Consider When Buying a Deep Fryer
Buying any new appliance for the kitchen deserves some serious thought as there are so many great products out there. If you’re looking for a deep fryer specifically, the best way to find the right fit is to think about what features you need and what would suit the household that you’re cooking for.
Volume And Size
The size of your deep fryer matters for two reasons. Firstly, you need to have adequate bench space to make it fit so that you’re cooking safely and with enough room to assemble ingredients and cook safely. Secondly, the volume of the fryer will determine how much food you can actually make at once and how many servings it can create.
Material
Material matters in a deep fryer because it impacts the ease of cleaning, how much the food sticks, its durability, and whether it’s going to be hot to the touch.
The most commonly used material for deep fryers is stainless steel, but you may also consider a nonstick surface for the inside of the oil vat. Whatever material you choose, ensure you follow the cleaning instructions so that it prolongs the life of the appliance.
Temperature Adjustment
Some deep fryers come with an automatic thermostat and it will adjust the temperature for you based on its own recommendations. For people who prefer to control this themselves, you’ll want one with a thermostat and control so you can get it just right.
You also need to see what the minimum and maximum temperatures are and whether they suit the recipes you’ll be creating.
Oil Capacity
The oil capacity is how much oil is required to deep fryer your food. Some require less oil than others and may even have an option for storing the oil when you’re done so that you can use it for the next frying session.
Timers
Timers can be helpful with deep frying as it allows for a more automated cooking process. They can let you know when it’s preheated or finished frying so you don’t have to babysit the entire time.
Warranty
Warranty is always important when buying any type of appliance for the home. A warranty gives you an indication of the quality of an appliance and should correlate well with the price. A standard warranty for deep fryers is a minimum of 12 months but there are some that go up to five years.
The Ideal Appliance For Your Favorite Cuisine
There aren’t many people in the world who don’t enjoy some deep fried foods every now and then, and having your very own deep fryer for home means you can enjoy it even more. Not only will this appliance save you money from eating out but you’ll be able to make healthier alternatives of your favorite foods and reduce some of the guilt factor.
There are some great deep fryers out there that can deliver restaurant quality food so all you have to do is find the perfect fit for your kitchen. You’ll be able to treat your family or wow guests with your amazing creations, and they couldn’t be easier to perfect.
With the right deep fryer, you could be creating snacks, mains, and desserts and getting some serious use out of your new favorite appliance, so finding the best one is well worth the effort.
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