The electrical deep fryer can strike worry into the guts of a house prepare dinner: a big container stuffed with a gallon of scalding sizzling oil, unfold throughout the countertop, to not point out the prospect of getting to scrub up and get rid of that enormous quantity of oil if you’re carried out. However oh, the scrumptious issues that come out of it.
Sure, frying is indulgent, nevertheless it makes issues style so good that corporations have mainly tried to rebrand countertop convection ovens as “air fryers” to persuade you, the patron, that they make tastier meals. However nothing that comes out of an air fryer can compete with the batch of deep fried jalapeño poppers I prepped earlier than my morning run.
I examined various countertop deep fryers to search out out which was best to make use of, best to scrub, and would greatest fulfill my gluttonous cravings. Learn on for high picks and to study extra about what I regarded for in the perfect deep fryer.
Desk of contents
Greatest deep fryer general
Greatest deep fryer for small kitchens
What I regarded for
How I examined
Different deep fryers I examined
The takeaway
Greatest deep fryer general: Cuisinart CDF-200P1
Of all of the fryers I examined, Cuisinart’s 4-quart CDF-200P1 checked probably the most packing containers. It was straightforward to assemble and dismantle, comes with a dishwasher-safe fry bowl, fryer basket, and lid (vitally vital with one thing this oily and messy), and incorporates a easy, easy-to-use management panel with a timer that runs as much as half-hour. The fryer weighs lower than 13 kilos, making it straightforward to maneuver when unfilled and affordable to retailer within the locations in your kitchen you attain for least, like excessive cupboards over the fridge or range. The adjustable thermostat ranges from 175˚F to 400˚F and options thermostat overload safety to close it down if it will get overheated. That vary on the thermostat is wider than most fryers, making this one a bit extra versatile. You possibly can confit in it in the event you wished to.
The precise cooking course of was pretty too. I opted to make fried pickles. Cuisinart’s giant capability—a whopping 2.3 kilos of meals—was sufficiently big for a number of batches of pickle spears and chips, but in addition for a whole bundle of chicken wings or a complete mess of french fries. That is the fryer when you’ve got a big household or severe entertaining to do. I poured exactly one gallon of canola oil into the bowl, turned it on, and set the temperature to 350˚F. As soon as the “Oil Prepared” indicator gentle turned inexperienced, I fastidiously submerged the fry basket stuffed with pickles and positioned the lid on high to dam splatter. The ensuing chips, as I hoped, got here out crispy and cooked by.
When it got here to grease disposal the Cuinsart lacked a elaborate filtration system that among the different machines I examined had, however the fry tank got here equipped with a pouring spout. The instruction handbook prompt straining used oil by a sieve lined with cheesecloth, however I discovered that espresso filters do a fantastic job. As soon as empty, cleansing was straightforward with the basket, oil container, and lid nestling in my dishwasher properly.
Cuisinart CDF-200P1 4-Quart Deep Fryer
$99.95.00, Amazon
The perfect deep fryer for small kitchens: Cuisinart CDF-100 Compact Deep Fryer
With dimensions of 11.22″ x 8.07″ x 7.68”, the Cuisinart Compact Deep Fryer is nice for metropolis dwellers like myself who would possibly contemplate a deep fryer a luxurious for which they haven’t any room of their lives or on their countertop. I used to be delighted to see that it hardly took up any counter house and there was loads of room to retailer it in my kitchen cabinet. Utilizing just one.1 liters of oil and designed to fry batches of ¾ of a pound of meals, this electrical fryer is best suited to appetizers or single servings than a complete fried rooster although. (The accompanying recipes in each the instruction booklet and on the Cuisinart web site are appetizer-specific as effectively.)
After placing it collectively and wiping it down, I poured a liter of canola oil to the max fill line and turned the temperature management to 350˚F. After practically 10 minutes, a prepared gentle alerted me that the oil was at temperature and it was fry time for these aforementioned jalapeño poppers. To keep away from overcrowding the fryer I labored in batches of three to 4 poppers. The necessity to work in smaller batches might be a consideration for anybody with a whole lot of frying to do. The lid is outfitted with each a steam vent and a viewing window although it fogged up because of the warmth. After a couple of minutes, my poppers have been prepared for retrieval; I used to be fortunately stunned not solely with the peerlessly golden poppers, but in addition that the basket deal with remained cool to the touch.
With an simply removable lid, collapsible fry basket deal with, and nonstick bowl, cleanup within the dishwasher was a snap. It additionally makes use of much less oil, so the method is a little bit quicker and cleaner. I’d advocate this small however mighty equipment to anybody dwelling in an condo and those that like to throw cocktail parties.
Cuisinart CDF-100 Compact Deep Fryer
$49.99.00, Amazon
What I regarded for
Ease of meeting
There are a number of items to the countertop deep fryer puzzle that want to suit collectively simply so—sometimes a heating aspect, fry basket, bowl, a brief energy twine, and lid. Although pretty easy on every, I took notice of the meeting and went by every instruction handbook to see if the instructions have been clear. I additionally made notice of any security options just like the thermostat overload safety.
Ease of use
Utilizing a countertop deep fryer in your house might be an ordeal. No matter dimension, heating up the oil goes to take a while, however how a lot time? Does the oil reset to the specified temperature when you drop in your meals or do it’s a must to make an adjustment? After cooking, how lengthy does it take for the oil to chill down? Bonus factors went to any fryer with a number of dishwasher protected parts, as a result of getting a clear deep fryer after cooking is usually robust and having the ability to stick a lot of the items in a dishwasher eases the method fairly a bit.
Storage
Few persons are going to make use of their deep fryers often sufficient to maintain as common countertop fixtures. As deep fryers are available in quite a lot of sizes, we advocate looking at your storage state of affairs and deciding in the event you can have an ordinary giant fryer or in the event you want a small deep fryer (just like the Cuisinart Compact) earlier than making the acquisition.
Price
Countertop deep fryers can carry a price ticket between $50 to $200, with the costlier fashions that includes a built-in oil filtration system. I thought of whether or not the pricier fashions may justify their increased costs.
How I examined
I selected to prep meals that have been virtually absolutely cooked so I may reuse the oil and take a look at the built-in filtration programs. I additionally selected meals that each one cooked at 350˚F, being attentive to how lengthy it took for the oil to warmth up. As soon as I used to be carried out frying, I unplugged the gear and took notice of how lengthy it took for it to fully settle down and/or dispense the oil by the filtration system.
Different deep fryers I examined
All-Clad Easy Clean Pro: All-Clad is well-known for producing some beautiful products, and the Straightforward Clear Professional—a stainless-steel stunner outfitted with a digital timer and an oil filtration system—is one other one. However weighing 50 p.c greater than the Cuisinart (the All-Clad is sort of 17 kilos), it’s a bit extra of a trouble to cart from cupboard to counter. The fry basket on the All-Clad comes with a retractable deal with, a fry bowl that may maintain as much as 3.5 liters of oil (smaller than the Cuisinart winner), and a plastic oil field for filtration.
Because it’s a bigger fryer, it’s not stunning that it took a while for the oil to warmth up—on this case a full 20 minutes. I dropped a batch of poppers in, closed the lid, and set the timer for 4 minutes.
After the poppers emerged, I unplugged the machine to let the oil settle down and moved the lever from “Fry” to “Computerized Oil Filtration.” The machine is designed to routinely drain as soon as the oil temperature is cool sufficient. It did take a number of hours, however I returned to a fryer with well-filtered oil in its rightful house, leaving the fry bowl inside encrusted with remnants of popper batter. That mentioned, the fry basket, bowl, and oil storage container are all dishwasher protected, so I may enlist some mechanical assist in cleansing.
All-Clad merchandise typically carry a hefty price ticket, and the Straightforward Clear Professional is not any exception. At practically $200 it’s practically double the price of the profitable Cuisinart. Although the filtration system and easy-to-use options are nice, they simply aren’t double-the-cost nice.
T-Fal Ultimate EZ Clean Fryer: Just like the All-Clad, the T-Fal deep fryer additionally has a 3.5-liter oil capability, fryer basket with retractable deal with, and an oil filtration system. Other than the management panel, it’s virtually equivalent to the All-Clad, however at a cheaper price level. I really discovered the T-Fal to chill down quicker than the All-Clad, dashing up the cleanup course of considerably, although nonetheless longer than Cuisinart.
The takeaway
A deep fryer isn’t an on a regular basis kitchen equipment, however it’s a enjoyable gadget. And in the event you like fried meals it makes cooking them a lot simpler. Must you go for one, I’d look no additional than the Cuisinart CDF-200P1 4-Quart Deep Fryer. It’s ease of use, fast heat-up and funky down, maximally adjustable temperature, straightforward cleanup, and good price ticket can’t be beat.
Initially Appeared on Epicurious
