You love your fried food, don’t you?
But air fryers don’t do it for you!
There is nothing like freshly fried chicken and chips straight from the deep-fat fryer, and that’s why I’ve done the groundwork for and reviewed 5 of the very best fryers available right now. Let’s take a look …
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Best Deep Fat Fryer At A Glance
- Best Overall – Swan
- Best Budget Deep Fat Fryer – Swan
- Best For Home – Swan
- Best For A Family – De’longhi
- Best For Cleaning – Tefal Easy Pro
- Best For No Smell – Russell Hobbs
- Best For Small Spaces – Tower
Best Deep Fat Fryer UK Our Top 5
1. Swan
Swan SD6040N Stainless Steel Deep Fat Fryer
- The Swan SD6040N takes home the title of best deep-fat fryer overall.
- You can cook up to 1 kg of food at a time, making it suitable for small families.
- The oil heats quickly, so it doesn't take long to whip up a second batch if needed.
- With seven temperature settings, cooking your food perfectly is easy.
- Food like chips, doughnuts, and tempura come out crispy on the outside and evenly cooked on the inside.
- Durable and simple to use, this Swan model is an excellent addition to any home.
- Multiple temperature settings
- Large capacity
- Easy to clean
- Compact design
- Heats quickly
- Non-slide feet
- Slow temperature return
- Basket handle may detach
<Click Here For A More In-Depth Swan Deep Fat Fryer Review>
Features
- Seven temperature settings
- Holds 3 litres of oil and 1 kg of food
- The fry basket has a cool-touch handle
- Safety cut out if the machine overheats
- 2-year warranty
Durable and simple to use, this Swan model is an excellent addition to any home.
2. Tefal
Tefal Easy Pro FR333040 Semi-Professional Deep Fryer
- The Tefal Easy Pro FR333040 model makes enjoying fish and chips, samosas, tempura, and other crunchy morsels at home is simple.
- The immersive heating system quickly brings the oil to the correct temperature.
- The innovative Cool Zone at the bottom of the machine keeps the oil cleaner, ensuring crumbs don't burn and eliminating foul odours.
- For this reason, Tefal got the award for the best deep-fat fryer features.
- This machine heats up quickly and cooks the food relatively evenly.
- It produces more steam than other models, but this isn't a deal-breaker.
- Overall, Tefal offers a good machine at a reasonable price.
- Filters oil for convenient reuse
- Excellent temperature control
- Viewport allows visibility
- It’s dishwasher safe and easy to use
- Produces lots of steam
- More expensive than competitors
<Click Here For A More In-Depth Tefal Deep Fat Fryer Review>
Features
- Clean stainless steel finish
- Holds up to 1.2 kg of food
- Cool Zone technology prevents burning and odours
- Removable parts are dishwasher-safe
- It comes with an adjustable thermostat
- Functional handles and a clear viewing window
3. Russell Hobbs
Russell Hobbs 24580 Digital Deep Fryer
- The digital timer makes the Russell Hobbs 24580 Digital Deep Fryer the best deep-fat fryer for forgetful cooks.
- If you've been too nervous to deep fry foods, this model should allay those fears.
- Set the timer, turn on the thermostat, and lower the frying basket into the oil.
- Russell Hobbs established a reputation for making quality appliances affordable.
- This model demonstrates their design skills.
- Easy to clean
- Filter to remove smells
- Durable and attractive
- Produces restaurant-like results
- Quickly heats oil
- Easy-to-clean components
- Variable temperature control function
- Produces condensation
- Small fry basket
<Click Here For A More In-Depth Russell Hobbs Deep Fat Fryer Review>
Features
- Holds 1.2 kg of food and 3 litres of oil
- Built-in digital timer makes it easy to cook your food to perfection
- The removable basket makes cleaning easier
- Filters out the smell of oil during the cooking process
- The lockable lid has a viewing portal
- Variable thermostat allows you to heat the oil to optimal temperatures
4. DeLonghi
DeLonghi FS6025 Traditional Deep Fat Fryer
- The DeLonghi FS6025 2.4L Traditional Deep Fat Fryer lands in the last place on this list, but only due to the quality of its competitors.
- Featuring a cutting-edge design, this appliance will fit right into a modern kitchen.
- The 1.5 kg capacity is the largest on this list, making it the best deep fat fryer for large families.
- If you have a large family or enjoy entertaining friends often, this DeLonghi model will be very handy.
- Large food capacity of 1.5 kg for food
- Anti-odour filter for keeping the kitchen smell free
- Non-stick bowl coating
- Easy Clean system
- Pricier than most
- Fixed bowl
- No cooking timer
<Click Here For A More In-Depth DeLonghi FS6025 Fat Fryer Review>
Features
- Holds up to 1.5 kg of food and 2.4 litres of oil
- Set the temperature between 150° and 190° centigrade
- Indicator light alerts you when the oil is at the correct temperature
- Removable and washable odour filter
- The walls stay cool to the touch due to innovative design
5. Tower
Tower T17001 Deep Fat Fryer
- If you're a fried food aficionado, you may want a device that can cook several portions simultaneously.
- Tower produces its two-litre, three-litre, and six-litre capacities, making them the best deep-fat fryers for families of all sizes.
- The Tower T17001 2L Small Deep Fat Fryer offers a compact design but doesn’t skimp on the features.
- While still reliable and durable, Tower's design for this machine is a little dated. Fortunately for them, performance outweighs aesthetics.
- Easy to use and clean
- Heats up relatively quickly
- Available in three sizes
- Large clear indicator light
- Design is boring
- Easy to overload basket
Features
- The handle release system makes it easy to remove the basket
- The filtration system in the lid reduces cooking smells.
- Auto-open feature allows you to open the cover without steam burns
- The cooking window makes it easy to check on your food
- The 2-litre model is compact and easy to store
- A non-stick enamel inner surface wipes clean easily
How To Choose A Deep Fat Fryer
How do you choose the best deep-fat fryer for your needs? Thanks to the relatively simple nature of these machines, there are no flashy features to blind you. Still, you need to know what points are important and which are not.
Capacity
Start by finding a machine with the correct capacity. How many people will you cook for at a time, and how often will you use the appliance?
The capacity for most standard fryers ranges from 1 kg to 1.5 kg. The average chip portion in the UK is between 180 g and 240 g. So, a machine with a capacity of one kilogram can easily cater to four people.
Consider how many people you usually cook for regularly. Do you often have guests over, or do you have a large family? If so, it might pay for you to choose a machine with a larger capacity.
If, however, you prepare fried foods for only two people in the house and seldom cook for visitors, a smaller machine makes more sense.
Features
Deep-fat fryers in this price range are generally straightforward devices. And these appliances don’t need to be complicated to get the job done.
Essential features include:
- Adjustable thermostat
- Safety features like an automatic cut-off switch
- An indicator light that shows that the oil is up to temperature
- A filter to diffuse any cooking odours
- A dishwasher-safe basket
- Cool-touch handles
A timer is also a helpful addition, though not entirely essential.
Price
The best things in life might be free, but kitchen appliances are not. Standard models range in price from thirty pounds to over a hundred pounds. When reviewing your options, consider a cost-per-use equation to help you decide.
If you use the machine once or twice a week, spending more on a quality model makes sense. If you only pull the deep-fat fryer out on high days and holidays, look for something more cost-effective.
Shape And Size
You won’t find much variation in the shape and size of deep-fat fryers. Consider the space that you’ll be storing it in when choosing the correct model for your needs. A square design like the DeLonghi is slightly more compact than a traditional one.
Safety
You must always remember that hot oil is dangerous. Several safety features should come as a given when making your selection.
These safety features are non-negotiable:
- Lockable lids prevent a pet or child from accidentally tipping the oil out
- Cool-touch handles make it easy to remove the food from the machine
- A viewing window makes it possible to check your food without opening the lid
- A durable and sturdy design
Some machines have useful additional safety features:
- Cool-touch walls so you don’t accidentally burn yourself when too near the appliance
- Auto switch off when the oil reaches the desired temperature
- Non-skid feet that keep the machine in place on the counter
<<Our Testing and Review Methodology>>
Best Deep Fat Fryer: FAQ
How To Use A Deep Fat Fryer—What Oil To Use?
Stick to oils with a smoking point of at least 205° C. Refined sunflower, safflower, canola, or avocado oil are your best choices. Avocado oil may be expensive, but canola oil is affordable.
Oils such as coconut and olive oil are not good options as their smoke points are too low.
How Do You Dispose Of Used Oil In The UK?
You should drop used oil off at your local oil bank. They will dispose of it safely. Check with Oil Bank Online or your local recycling officer to find the location of your nearest outlet.
You should never pour the oil down the sink as it could clog the pipes.
What Can You Cook In A Deep Fat Fryer?
The list seems almost endless. You can fry vegetables, fish, snack foods, egg rolls, spring rolls, chicken, turkey, samosas, chilli bites, and other battered foods. Generally speaking, if you can fry it in oil, you can also deep fry it.
How To Make And Cook Chips
This simple recipe, using a deep-fat fryer, will get you started.
You will need floury potatoes and the vegetable oil of your choice.
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into thick slices. If you prefer thinner chips, cut the slices in half lengthwise again.
- Place some in a bowl of cold water and set aside for half an hour. This step removes excess starch and improves the flavour.
- Drain off the water and place the chips on a tea towel or kitchen paper. Pat away as much moisture as possible. The dryer your chips are at this stage, the crisper they’ll be when you fry them.
- Heat the oil in the deep fat fryer to 160° C. Stay in the kitchen with the oil as it heats and while cooking. An oil fire can start very quickly, even with some of the modern safety features of fryers. Be safe, and do not leave these appliances unattended.
- Fill the frying basket to about one-quarter full. While tempting to add as many chips as possible, this will result in uneven cooking—and soggy chips! It will also drop the temperature of the oil. By filling the basket to only a quarter, you leave room to shake the chips during cooking.
- Cook each batch for about six to seven minutes, shaking the basket after three minutes.
- Remove the basket and allow as much oil to drain off as possible. Place the chips on a plate lined with a paper towel. Set that batch aside and start the next one.
- When you’ve cooked all the batches, increase the temperature to 190° C.
- Add all the chips you made before and cook again for three minutes.
- Remove them from the oil and put them on a plate lined with a paper towel. This mops up the excess oil.
- This double-frying technique allows you to crisp chips that everyone will want. Serve your chips immediately for a tasty treat.
- Also, check out our triple-cooked chips recipe. You will love it!
How To Clean & Maintain Deep Fat Fryer
Cleaning and maintenance are relatively simple. You should wash the basket after each use. Whether or not you should drain the oil depends on how often you use the fryer. If you use your deep-fat fryer daily or alternate days, wiping the outside should be sufficient.
However, you should thoroughly clean the machine at least once a week. You should also check the oil for rancidity before each use. Even if you only use the oil a few times, it will pick up the flavours of the food it contains. If the oil is cloudy or smells bad, replace it.
To clean the entire machine, unplug it and allow the oil to cool completely.
- Drain the oil into a suitable container for reuse or recycling
- Fill your sink with hot, soapy water and add two to three tablespoons of vinegar to cut through the grease
- Allow the basket to soak until you can touch the water without scalding yourself
- Clean the basket thoroughly, removing all traces of food, debris, and grease
- Wipe down the inside of the machine itself with paper towels and remove any food crumbs you can find
- Place cold water in the main chamber and add a little dish soap
- Start the fryer and bring the water to a boil
- Unplug and leave it to cool
- Drain the water completely
- Soak up any remaining grease with paper towels and wipe the interior
- As a final clean, wipe down the inside with a soft, soapy sponge
- Rinse the inside with clean water, dry thoroughly, and replace the frying basket
- Your appliance is now ready for storage
Try this deliciously crispy air fryer fried chicken!
Best Deep Fat Fryer: Summing Up
Choosing just one fryer on this list was a difficult task. All the models here performed admirably and would make an excellent addition to your kitchen. To choose the best deep-fat fryer, consider which features are most important to you.
Swan was the best overall for our needs because it provides speedy, reliable results. Perhaps you need a little more space. In that case, the DeLonghi model may suit you better. Now that you know what to look for, making a decision should be simpler.
OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
Swan SD6040N Stainless Steel Deep Fat Fryer
- Easy to clean
- Compact design
- Heats quickly
