Whether you want to indulge in crispy goodness from time to time or you just want to save some money on takeout, you will enjoy owning a deep fat fryer.
And it’s not just for chicken and fries!
Deep fat fryers can be used to cook all sorts of delicious foods while avoiding the oil messiness that happens while using traditional methods.
Even more, modern deep fat fryers employ advanced frying methods that don’t allow the food to get soaked in oil.
Whatever you fry, will turn golden-brown in a few moments, with a beautiful and crispy crust, while the inside will stay delicious and tender.
As a result, the home fried food is fresher and a bit healthier than the one you get via takeout.
Speaking of healthy frying, some people will recommend an air fryer over a deep fat fryer. While this may be a bit healthier, the results can’t compare. The taste, texture, and color are different between the two frying methods.
So, if you want to have a proper cheat day or to simply enjoy some delicious crispy temptations once in a while, you have to check our reviews and buying guide below!
See Our Top Deep Fat Fryer Reviews
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1
Best For Higher Budgets
1Tefal Oleoclean Pro Deep Fat Fryer
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2
Best Overall
2Swan SD6040N Deep Fat Fryer
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3
Best For Low Budgets
3Breville Easy Clean Deep Fryer
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4 |
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5 | Buy On Amazon | ||
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6 |
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1. Tefal Oleoclean Pro Deep Fat Fryer
- Safe to use in a regular kitchen
- Large capacity (1.4Kg)
- Built-in odor filter
- Designed to deliver delicious and healthier fried foods
As a large capacity deep fat fryer (3.5l), this model is best suited for families. However, you can always use it at a lower capacity and cook fewer portions.
Still, it’s important to keep in mind that it will take quite a bit of space on your kitchen counter.
From an aesthetic point of view, the fryer is not spectacular, but it can be easily dismantled for cleaning (all the parts are dishwasher safe).
In addition, it is designed with a lid with a window (to see inside during the frying) and a storage box (at the bottom) to store the oil.
In addition, there is a permanent odor filter that keeps the smell in check (most of the time) and a patented thermostatic oil filtration system that only filters the oil when it has reached a safe temperature.
Lastly, the advanced oil temperature heating system is designed to create crispy deliciousness without letting too much oil get inside the food.
This way, even though fried, the food is healthier.
Specifications
Pros
- Patented thermostatic oil filtration system
- Oil can be reused up to 8 times
- Advanced oil temperature heating system
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- It is rather big
- Not all the frying smell can be contained
2. Swan SD6040N Deep Fat Fryer
- Adjustable thermostat for fine-tuning the frying process
- Ideal for large portions
- Designed with user’s safety in mind
- Versatile and easy to use
Ideal in size for cooking for a family (3l capacity), this deep fat fryer is also quite versatile. It is compact enough to be used in regular kitchens, caravans, or student accommodations.
Also, it’s not just for chicken and fries – it also cooks delicious battered fish, onion rings, spring rolls, tempura, samosas, and croquettes!
The built-in odor filter is quite good and doesn’t allow the smell to spread through the house.
Also, the oil heats up quickly and it has several safety elements (detachable basket, cool-touch handles, overheat protection, and safety shutdown) for easy handling.
In addition, the fryer has an adjustable thermostat with 7 settings, so you can set the right oil temperature for the food you are cooking.
Lastly, the device is easy to clean, due to the non-stick coating on the fryer pan and stainless steel build.
So, you don’t have to do any thorough cleaning – it’s enough to wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
Specifications
Pros
- Large capacity
- 7 temperature settings
- Easy to integrate with almost any cooking setting
- Lots of safety elements
Cons
- The instructions manual is low-quality
- It takes a bit of trial and error
3. Breville Easy Clean Deep Fryer
- Ideal for smaller kitchens
- Time & temperature controls
- Audio and visual indicators
- Safe to use
Cute and compact, the Breville deep fat fryer is perfect in any kitchen. In addition, it has a digital timer with audio notification and a dial for variable temperature control.
This way, you have full control over the temperature and frying time, which means you can experiment with all sorts of foods.
Furthermore, the rise and fall basket allows oil to drain easily from food and the removable enamel bowl is very easy to clean.
Also, you can watch the food cooking due to the window in the lid. The cool touch body and handle help users stay safe and the safety locking lid keeps away any unfortunate mishaps.
Overall, the fryer heats up quickly and is ideal for two people.
It also has built-in cord storage space, so you don’t have to worry too much about it. It also works well, without producing much smoke or smell, which is the main reason to get a deep fryer in the first place.
Specifications
Pros
- Compact design
- Removable lid with built-in odor filter
- Removable enamel bowl for easy cleaning
- Cool-touch body and handle
Cons
- No dial marking to indicate the selected temperature
- The markings on the body rub off easily
4. De'Longhi FS6055 Deep Fat Fryer
- Ideal for singles and couples
- Easy to use and clean
- Efficient oil draining system
- Dishwasher safe parts
This is a compact, modern-looking device that can fry up to 1.5 Kg of food at once.
The body is quite stylish, and the lid has a viewing window that lets you take a look inside while the fryer is working.
In addition, there is a dial that allows you to select the temperature for each round, and the lid pops open with the press of a button (to keep your hands away from steam).
We also like the basket lowering mechanism and the oil draining system that allow users to keep safe and reduce the messiness of frying to a minimum.
And, once the deep fryer is done, you can toss the removable elements (the lid and basket) in the dishwasher.
While you definitely should not try to move the fryer while it’s working, the cool to touch walls (due to air moving between the internal bowl and external walls) means you can touch it without burning your skin.
Specifications
Pros
- Modern & compact design
- Easy to use for a quick bite
- Easy to clean and store
- Practical viewing window
Cons
- Non-removable tank
- It heats up a bit slowly
5. Tower T17002 Deep Fat Fryer
- Ideal deep fryer for couples
- Temperature and timer settings
- Multi-function handle
- Release button to open the lid
Besides being a good-looking deep fryer, the Tower T17002 Is also designed with the user’s safety in mind.
As such, it has a lock & release system, a 30 minutes safety timer (eliminates the risk of overheating), and a multi-function handle and lid.
The handle allows you to remove the cooking basket without any exposure to hot oil and the lid is integrated with an efficient carbon odor filter that keeps the smells in check.
The lid is also activated by a button, so you don’t have to put your hand near the opening.
While it’s not very big, it still can cook two to four portions, depending on the food.
And, it’s quite versatile since it does more than just deep fry chips and chicken – you can even make fancier recipes such as Halloumi or Calamari & Veggie Samosas.
In addition, the device is easy to clean and, even though the tank is not removable, it is non-stick, so it only needs to be wiped down.
Specifications
Pros
- Stylish & compact design
- Large oil capacity (up to 3l)
- Non-stick container
- Advanced safety features
Cons
- Requires a lot of oil
- The cable could be a bit longe
6. Russell Hobbs 24580 Digital Deep Fryer
- Digital timer and temperature control
- Designed with safety in mind
- Rise & fall basket for easy control
- Large window on the lid
Perfect for lunch or dinner, this deep fat fryer can cook up to 1.2kg of food in one go (3.3l oil capacity).
It also has a pretty efficient odor filter, a digital timer, and temperature controls.
This means you can take each recipe and make it your own using these settings.
In addition, the smart basket low/rise system and solid handle help reduce the messiness that’s characteristic of frying with oil in general.
For instance, you can fill up the basket at its highest height, close the lid, and only then lower the basket in oil.
Lastly, the lid has a large observation window and is easy to open using the assigned button.
Specifications
Pros
- Compact & stylish design
- Easy to use and clean
- The odor filter is efficient
- No oil messiness
Cons
- Basket capacity is a bit small
- It can produce a lot of steam and oil vapors
Deep Fat Fryer Buying Guide
Materials
Most deep fat fryers will be made using a combination of stainless steel, aluminum elements, and durable plastic. These materials are easy to maintain and (in most cases) dishwasher safe.
Usually, most compact deep fryers will have a plastic body, with cool to touch walls and handles while the ones with larger capacity have stainless steel walls and frames to provide a sturdy build.
Size
Since the idea of deep frying at home became popular, the market is filled with a wide range of products. And, while they all offer the same main feature, there is a clear difference in size and capacity.
As such, you can buy anything from a large to a mini deep fat fryer (usually designed for one or two portions).
The size of this type of device is expressed in the quantity of food it can cook in one go (usually expressed in Kg or pounds). The capacity on the other hand is about the amount of oil it needs (expressed in liters).
Naturally, a large deep fryer will require a larger quantity of oil, but even a mini deep fat fryer can gobble up quite a bit of oil.
After all, the food needs to be submerged in oil and the frying process happens in a deep container.
Features
As we already mentioned, the market is filled with all sorts of deep frying products. This can make it difficult for buyers, which is why we decided to highlight the most important features when making such a purchase:
Dishwasher Safe
Oil and heat can be messy when combined together. However, a deep fat fryer solves this problem by containing everything in a closed environment.
Still, this does leave you with the fryer itself to clean, which is why it’s important to consider this aspect first.
For instance, it’s best to get a device that’s easy to dismantle and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. But, not all deep fryers have a removable tank.
In this case, it’s important to select a product with a non-stick tank that allows easy access with a washcloth. Also, the outer walls should be easy to clean as well.
Food Capacity
The food capacity of a deep fat fryer is directly related to its size and basket capacity. In general, if you have a big family to feed, you should get a bigger deep fat fryer with a large basket that can accommodate up to 4+ portions.
On the other hand, if you live alone or with a partner, it’s best to get a more compact one that can cook 2 portions in one go.
In short, the food capacity speaks of the maximum food quantity a fryer can cook in one round.
Oil Filtration
A deep fryer uses a lot of oil, so to avoid waste, modern devices implement an oil filtration system (some more advanced than others).
This way, you can reuse the oil several times before it becomes unusable and you save money and reduce waste.
As you can see from our reviews, some devices will filter the used oil in a compartment at the bottom, while others have a leaking system that allows you to drain the oil in an external container.
In this case, it’s best to choose the system that’s more convenient for your style.
If you want to avoid using any oil, then air fryers are a better pick for you.
Odor Filter
The smell of crispy goodness is amazing when everything is fresh and hot, but no one likes it to linger in the house for days!
Luckily, modern deep fat fryers are equipped with efficient odor filters that keep the smell of fried food in check.
Still, there are situations (usually when the fryer is at capacity) when a larger amount of steam and oil vapors will be released.
So, it’s best to place the fryer under an extractor – this way, you’ll completely get rid of the annoying smell of oil.
Temperature Control
If you’re looking to cook more than just chicken and fries, you should get a device that has temperature control (a dial that lets you set the temperature).
This way, each food will be cooked at the optimal temperature.
Cleaning
An easy clean deep fat fryer is one that allows you to remove the basket and the lid (for washing) and has a non-stick tank.
It should also be safe-guarded against oil spill inside the walls or underneath the tank (where the heating element is).
Pricing Range
Depending on features, food capacity, size, and materials, the price can range between $50 and $150+.
Overall, deep fat fryers are quite affordable and don’t require much maintenance.
Our Verdict
Fried food may not be the healthiest but it is delicious and can be an amazing occasional treat. Still, if you want to enjoy it fresh and properly cooked, it’s best to have your own deep fat fryer that accommodates your needs.
As you can see from our reviews, deep fat fryers are affordable and can be easily integrated into any kitchen. Furthermore, these devices are easy to clean, don’t favor oil waste, and you can hide them in a cupboard until needed.