Although the cooking method can be both daunting and extremely dangerous, deep-frying is essential for a great number of delicious dishes.
While deep fat fryers have fallen out of fashion in recent years, largely thanks to the rise of the air fryer, the humble deep fryer hasn’t been deemed entirely useless. Air fryers are great, after all, but even with the best models available, it’s impossible to achieve the same results as a good old fashioned deep fryer.
Why buy a pressure cooker?
Air fryers are far more popular that deep fryers today, but air fryers can’t produce the same results with anything cloaked in wet batter. Elsewhere, chips, chicken wings and plantain are fine, but nothing beats the taste of their deep fried versions. Some people also choose to use a saucepan in place of a deep fryer. Sure, these take up less space and have a dual purpose, but they’re also less than ideal. Deep fryers are much safer, easier to use and also have built-in temperature controls to prevent the oil from becoming too hot. Cooking times are also far lower when using a deep fryer compared to a frying pan, while turning food over won’t be necessary.
Deep fryers are also suitable for a wide range of delectable foods, including the likes of chips or fries (yes, there is a difference), fried chicken, battered fish, scotch eggs, onion rings, bhajis, samosas, doughnuts, churros and much more.
What to look for when buying a deep fryer
In addition to investing in a deep fryer with temperature regulation, you’ll also want to consider factors such as ease of use, cleaning, capacity and safety. Cleaning deep fryers can be a nightmare, especially when the grease has dried, while disposing of leftover oil can be both dangerous and arduous. Many modern deep fryers come with removable oil containers or easy-pour spouts, with some parts even dishwasher safe.
They may also be equipped with odour filters, which will prevent your entire home from smelling like hot oil for days on end.
Which size deep fryer should you buy?
When considering capacity, it’s important to keep in mind which quantities of food you’re likely to be cooking. Larger propane fryers are available, but a readily available electric model will likely be most suitable for home use. Smaller electric deep fryers are fine for the odd occasion and for just a few people, but if you plan on cooking for bigger groups, a larger electric deep fryer may be worth investing in.
How we tested the best deep fryers
All of the featured deep fryers were tested in a home kitchen, with various criteria kept in mind. The key focuses were quality of the food produced, ease of use and cleaning, size, storage, functionality, instructions, safety and value for money.
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Tefal Uno M Compact Deep Fryer
A compact deep fryer with capacity for 1kg of food and 1.8L of oil, the Tefal Uno quickly heats to required cooking temperatures (between 150-190oC) with a precise slide-along bar, which ultimately helps food cook quickly.
Although the fryer is fairly small, this makes it ideal for quickly cooking batches of food. Moreover, as well as being compact and easy to store thanks to its size and folding handle, the fryer is also equipped with Cool Wall technology, which makes it safe to touch even while in use.
A large viewing window allows you to keep an eye on the food cooking with the lid down, to avoid any hot oil spillages.
Buy now £43.85, Wayfair
Lakeland 3 Litre Electric Deep Fat Fryer
A simple-to-use deep fryer from Lakeland, this model is slightly bulkier than most modern versions at the same price point, but it’s still lightweight and easy to store, with a folding handle.
It’s also worth noting that the temperature can be set from 130-190oC, while most direct competitors range from only 150oC and upwards. Sure, the most common deep-fried foods will need to be cooked at around 180oC, but it’s worth keeping in mind that this unit can operate at lower temperatures.
The fryer is also equipped with a handy timer, a closing lid with a filter and an auto shut-off function for extra peace of mind when frying.
Buy now £41.24, Lakeland
VonShef 2.5-litre deep-fat fryer
VonShef’s compact deep fryer is neatly proportioned and easy to store without taking up too much space. As for its cooking capability, the fryer is highly efficient where only a couple of litres of oil are needed to fry decent portions.
All of the main components are detachable, including the frying bowl and lid, which is a huge help when it comes to cleaning. There’s also a large viewing panel, foldable handle and non-stick oil container, while pre-set cooking options are also included for dishes such as chicken, fish, French fries, onion rings and prawns.
Buy now £34.99, Wayfair
Swan 2.5L Square Fryer
With a shape that’s similar to most modern, budget-friendly deep fryers, the Swan square fryer holds up to 2.5L of oil, which heats up quickly and makes cooking far quicker than larger fryers. Elsewhere, the fryer has a fully adjustable thermostat and lockable lid with a viewing window to prevent hazards such as spills or splashes.
The non-stick inner pan is relatively spacious and easy enough to clean with kitchen roll and a wet cloth, but it’s not removable and doesn’t contain a draining spout, which would make life much easier. Nonetheless, it’s a stable budget-friendly option.
Buy now £34.97, OnBuy
Quest 35239 2.5L Deep Fryer
Holding up to 2.5 litres of oil, this Quest deep fryer is ideal for cooking small batches of food, for up to three people. The deep fryer is also easy to store, given its compact size, though it’s not the easiest to clean.
The fryer does have an ergonomic cool touch handle, however, and also features a removable lid with a large observation window, so you can watch the food cook. The window does steam-up, however, so it’s advisable to rub with a little oil before cooking to help prevent condensation.
Buy now £29.75, Amazon
LIVIVO Deep Fat Fryer - Black
Almost identical to the Swan and Quest fryers, this LIVIVO model is ever so slightly larger but still lightweight. So lightweight, in fact, that it seems unsteady until it’s filled with oil. Another difference is that the insulated housing seems far more reliable, making it cool to touch even while in use (although do exercise caution and only touch if absolutely necessary).
The brand also suggests the oil can be used regularly for several weeks without changing, although regular straining is advisable, and if you’re cooking food with breadcrumbs or delicate batter we’d recommend changing the oil far more frequently.
Buy now £29.99, OnBuy
Verdict
A good range of handy deep-fryers are available, and while the more budget options do have their pros, the Tefal Uno M Compact Deep Fryer has some of the best features, including effective Cool Wall technology. While it’s not the easiest to clean, the small fryer is simple to use and cooks food both quickly and precisely. Moreover, the Tefal fryer isn’t only easy to store, it’s also fairly sleek so won’t look unattractive if left out on your countertop.
