DeLonghi F18316S Deep Fat Fryer

If the idea of throwing away large quantities of cooking oil every few frying sessions doesn't appeal to you, then consider the DeLonghi F18316S Roto Fryer.

DeLonghi F18316S Deep Fat Fryer
Unlike its more conventional counterparts, the F18316S Roto Fryer has a unique tilted frying basket that slowly rotates food in and out of the hot oil.

The has two benefits. First, the machine uses about half the volume of oil normally required for deep frying. This alone can result in some big savings over time. And secondly, the constant motion of the food into and out of the oil reduces 'cold' spots and keeps foods from absorbing excess oil, thus making for a more even fry.

This technique works well and the results are comparable to standard deep fat fryers where the food is fully immersed. The only downside is you have to be careful in placing the food items in the basket initially, so as everything cooks evenly.

The frugal use of oil is usually enough to convince most people of this fryer's credentials, but the F18316S has another trick up its sleeve that might impress you further.

Ask anyone who has a deep fat fryer and they'll tell you the number one issue is changing and filtering the oil. It's a chore most could do without.

To address this problem the F18316S comes with DeLonghi's 'Easy-Clean' system. Position the fryer on the edge of the sink and slide out the storage frame directly below the basket handle. Drop the supplied oil storage container into the frame and then place the filter securely on top. Behind the basket handle is a small access door that holds a drain tube. Remove the basket and open the door then flip out the tube. Pinch the drain tube between two fingers and carefully remove the cap. Position the drain tube above the filter and release. Keep and eye on things to make sure the filter does not become clogged while the oil drains.

When all the oil has drained replace the cap, return the drain tube to its original position and close the access door. Attach the lid on the oil storage container and store in a cool dry place away from sunlight.

For safety, the fry basket can be raised and lowered with the lid closed and the lid can be removed for easy cleaning.

Continued...



DeLonghi F24512CZ Deep Fat Fryer

The DeLonghi F24512CZ is a semi-professional stainless steel deep fat fryer that can produce quality fried foods at home with minimum effort.
DeLonghi F24512CZ Stainless Steel Deep Fat Fryer
Throw in DeLonghi's 'Easy Clean' oil drainage system and you have a practical yet stylish fryer that will greatly expand any home chef's culinary repertoire.

To consistently produce high quality results it is essential to maintain an even cooking temperature throughout the frying process. When a large amount of food meets a relatively small amount of oil the temperature drops quickly and the oil is absorbed into the food. You invariably end up with greasy and oil soaked chips.

The F24512CZ's 3 litre oil capacity provides enough volume to maintain a steady cooking temperature and should be more than adequate for a family of four to six people. With a little practice you can easily turn out fried foods that are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside that can hold their own with anything from a professional restaurant.

Operation consists of a simple thermostat dial plus power and temperature ready indicator lights. The lid has a permanent mesh filter and there are cool-touch handles for easy mobility.

The F24512CZ has an oil temperature range of 140°C to 190°C but the reading on the dial is not always the temperature of the oil. To avoid a lot of trial and error we recommend an inexpensive clip-on thermometer until you are familiar enough to make the adjustment instinctively.

Ask any deep fat fryer owner and they will tell you that changing the oil is their biggest headache. DeLonghi have attempted to solve this by equipping the F24512CZ with their 'Easy Clean' system. Behind a small access panel on the front of the fryer is a drain tap. To change the oil position a suitably sized container directly below the tap and open to drain. It works well most of the time, although you may need to tip the fryer forward slightly to collect all the oil. Be aware that positioning the container directly below the drain tap can be a hit or miss affair. It is a good idea to use a funnel with filter such as the Kitchen Craft Stainless Steel Funnel & Removable Filter.

If you fry a lot you might decide it is easier to leave the used oil in the fryer between sessions. Unfortunately the basket handle folds forward into the basket when not in use. In this situation make sure you have enough room to leave the basket handle extended or that you can store the basket separately.

The CZ in the model name stands for 'Cool Zone'. DeLonghi claim this technology reduces odor, keeps the oil clean, and prevents food from burning. It basically consists of a area below the heating element that remains at a lower temperature than the oil above. During frying food particles fall harmlessly into this area where they remain until you change the oil.

For clean-up the unit disassembles easily and everything except the heating element assembly can be placed in the dishwasher.


Continued...



Moulinex Minuto AF100316 Deep Fat Fryers

Moulinex Minuto AF100316 Mini Deep Fat Fryer
The Moulinex Minuto is about as small as deep fat fryers get. It can operate happily on less than 1L of oil, and knock out a single serving of chips in no time flat.

Don't bother looking for any bells and whistles. The Moulinex engineers have taken a minimalist approach. You get a basket, lid and temperature dial with indicator light.

Plug it in, select the temperature and wait a few minutes. When the light goes out lower the basket. In less times than it takes to check your e-mail and you're ready to eat.

For busy professionals who crave deep fried foods, it's a lifesaver.

Continued...



Morphy Richards 45470 Deep Fat Fryer

Morphy Richards 45470 Stainless Steel Deep Fat Fryer
If another plastic kitchen appliance on your counter top is not what you had in mind for a deep fat fryer, take a look at the Morphy Richards 45470 Stainless Steel Fryer.

Right out of the box it has that sleek 'professional' chefs look, with brushed stainless steel case and only the cool-touch handles and heating element exposing any plastic tendencies. If you already have stainless steel appliances the Morphy Richards 45470 will be right at home.

Controls are simple and straightforward with an on/off switch, temperature dial and indicator light. Unlike many of its competitors the temperature setting labels are behind a small window, so they're unlikely to rub off anytime soon. Another nice touch is the cord tucks away in the back for easy storage.

A well ventilated kitchen or an extractor is a must for this model as it does not have a filter.

Continued...



Tefal Actifry Deep Fat Fryer

Tefal Actifry FZ7000 Deep Fat Fryer
The Tefal ActiFry is not technically a deep fat fryer as you don't immerse the food in hot oil. In fact it only requires a single spoonful of oil to cook a 1kg bag of chips.

It performs this cooking miracle by a combination of hot air circulation and a little automatic stirring from a small rotating paddle located in the middle of the pan. Think food mixer meets hair dryer and you'll have an idea on how it works.

The Actifry's approach has some obvious advantages. Firstly, since the volume of cooking oil involved is so small it is very economical. All the oil is absorbed into the food during each fry, so you are cooking with fresh oil each time. You don't have to worry about cooking with previously used oil.

This also eliminates the problem of disposing of the used oil. In fact, when compared to a conventional deep fat fryer, the Actifry should be able to pay for itself outright in reduced cooking oil costs over time.

With no large chamber of oil to heat up you can start cooking immediately. There is no pre-heat stage required. (This advantage is somewhat lessened by the longer cooking times, as we will see later)

Of course no fryer is perfect and the Actifry is no exception. Deep fry purists will argue that since the food is not immersed in hot oil the Actify is not a deep fat fryer. The end results can be very good, but they do not have exactly the same taste and texture as true deep fried foods. If you're a deep fry connoisseur the Actifry might fall short of your expectations.

The food and oil are combined by means of a slowly rotating paddle. A sort of horizontal version of a tumble dryer. For this to work smoothly the food needs to be cut up into reasonably small pieces and must be able to withstand the constant churning. This is fine for things like potatoes but fragile items, such as flaky fish, quickly disintegrate. Also, anything dipped in batter is not really a option either.

If you want the economy and health benefits of reduced oil use, but also need to fry large or fragile items a good compromise might be the DeLonghi F18316S Roto Fryer.

Cooking times are much longer than a conventional deep fat fryer. For example, basic chips can take 30-40 minutes. If you're used to frying things quickly, the Actify will require some adjusting. The good news is you can set it running with the timer and continue with other things. We don't recommend leaving it unattended, but you don't have to stand and watch over it continuously. Be aware that the timer does not shut off the fryer automatically. You have to switch it off manually.

Overall the Tefal Actifry's clever design and frugal use of cooking oil will appeal to many home cooks, especially those that like to eat fried foods often. The absence of a large volume of hot oil provides a good safety margin and also keeps cooking odours to a minimum. Clean up is straightforward as the Actifry comes apart easily and can be placed in the dishwasher.

Continued...



Deep Fat Fryer - Reviews, Tips, And Buyers Guide


Millions of deep fried food lovers have discovered that the best way to enjoy their favourite deep fried treats is by cooking them at home with a deep fat fryer. If you love the taste of deep fried foods (and who doesn't) then having your own deep fat fryer is a great way to save money and enjoy fried foods cooked the way you want, when you want.

If you're fed up with greasy, overpriced fish and chips from your local chip shop having your own fryer is the answer. Home fried foods are fresher, cheaper and with the right oil, healthier.

In the past deep fat fryers were big heavy machines that needed gallons of cooking oil and took forever to clean. The latest designs are a far cry from those days with a wide range of sizes and styles that can fit in any kitchen. They're safe to use, economical and most can be put in a dishwasher for easy clean up.

But with so many to choose from where do you start? To get you started towards deep fried nirvana, we've broken things down into the most popular categories:

Mini Fryers
Moulinex Minuto AF100316 Mini Deep Fat Fryer
The mini deep fat fryer has become one of the fastest selling items for deep fried enthusiasts, especially if you have a small kitchen. They're compact, use very little oil and can be stored away easily. Ideal for singles and small families.

Stainless Steel
DeLonghi F24512CZ Stainless Steel Deep Fat Fryer
If you have a modern up-to-date kitchen, chances are that most of your existing appliances are stainless steel. If so, then then you are probably looking for a stainless steel deep fat fryer to match your current decor.

Double Fryers
Breville VDF020 Double Basket Stainless Steel Deep Fat Fryer
The double deep fat fryer is ideal for those situations when you need to fry two different things at the same time. They can also be used to keep different foods like meat and fish separate so as to prevent the taste of one mixing with the other.

Cheap Fryer
Bonne Cuisine E813 Mini Deep Fat Fryer
For those on a strict budget there are a number of inexpensive deep fat fryers that are worth looking at. In most cases you can get a basic no-frills cheap deep fat fryer for less than £30.

Filters
Deep Fat Fryer Filters
If your kitchen is not well ventilated or you live in a flat with neighbours nearby then you need to think about how you will control odours from your deep fat fryer. The best way to do this is to buy a model that has a built-in filter.

Strapped for time? Take a look at our deep fat fryer reviews. We've sorted through the maze of models to pick the very best in each class.

Tags: cheap deep fat fryer, deep fat fryer, deep fat fryer reviews, double deep fat fryer, mini deep fat fryer, stainless steel deep fat fryer,