The classic deep fryer lets us fry foods faster and healthier than a simple pan. In deep fryers, oil quickly reaches ideal temperatures, and food immersion in boiling oil ensures that cooking is uniform and crisp.
We can also fry more food simultaneously, and the oil does not risk overheating and burning. Another advantage of using the fryer is the reduction or absence of fumes and bad odors.
We find different brands and models on the market, from professional deep fryers for cooking large quantities to compact domestic fryers equipped with pre-set programs and ideal for home use. Here are the differences and how to choose the right one.
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How to choose a deep fryer: types and characteristics
To choose the deep fryer correctly, we must evaluate these most important characteristics.
Professional fryer
Professional fryers are those made with a square structure and basket. They are the most similar to the fryers used in restaurants, only smaller. The baskets are static, rectangular, and equipped with handles outside the fryer. Sometimes the baskets are doubled to fry more foods at the same time.
These models reach high temperatures and are among the most powerful and capacious for this are suitable for large families. On the other hand, there are no special functions, and the controls are almost always analogous to knobs and buttons.
Fryer for domestic use
The fryers designed for domestic use have a rounded shape with a closed lid and cannot be opened during cooking. They have several preset functions and programs that set the temperature and cooking times according to the fryer’s food.
They have a slightly lower capacity than professional fryers, but they can save oil thanks to precautions such as rotating and inclined baskets.
Rotating and inclined basket
The rotating basket is one of the easiest methods to avoid opening the fryer during cooking. The rotation allows you to fry the food evenly without having to turn. If the basket is inclined, we can use a smaller oil to fill the fryer.
Capacity
can indicate the deep fryer’s capacity both with the weight of the food that can be introduced into the basket, expressed in kg, and with the maximum amount of oil that this may contain.
Fryers with up to 1.5 liters of oil are recommended for families of up to 4 people, while fryers of up to 3 liters are suitable for six people. A capacity of 6 liters is perfect for eight people and so on.
Thermostat and timer
The oil fryers are equipped with a digital or analog thermostat to set the desired temperature. The timer instead sets the cooking time. In the more advanced models, we find some pre-set programs to start the fryer and heat the oil to the right temperature—for example, fish fry at lower temperatures and much faster than chips.
Cool Touch technology
The cool touch technology concerns the structure of the fryer. In this case, the walls are made of special heat-insulating materials capable of not conducting heat. The result is cold walls and a lid to avoid burns to the touch during cooking.
Oil drain
The drainage of the oil used in the fryer can occur in two ways. First, a tap or a tube may be opened to empty the oil directly outside in another container. Or there may be an internal tray that serves as a tank to be removed at the end of cooking. In any case, you must always drain the oil with the fryer off and with the oil completely cold.
Cleaning the deep fryer
One of the most important aspects of buying a fryer is its cleanliness. If cooking is quick and easy, cleaning its parts must be simple. For this basket, trays, sometimes lids, are almost always removable and dishwasher-safe.
Anti-odor filters
Even if the fryer is closed by the lid, and the odors are more controlled than cooking in the pan, the anti-odor filter is the best solution to avoid inconvenience.
When you choose a fryer, check that the filters are already included and are also removable and replaceable. The best ones can be washed in the dishwasher and reused before replacing new ones.
The Best Perfect Frying Crisp Deep Fryers
Below is the complete list of selected deep fryers with their characteristics, functions, and prices.
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