Breville DF28 Deep Fat Fryer

Breville DF28 Deep Fat Fryer
The Breville DF28 is a straightforward and simple to operate deep fat fryer targeted towards working couples and small families.

Operation consists of a variable temperature control and digital timer. The mechanical temperature dial means you can set a precise temperature for perfect golden brown chips, but the timer display is so small you may need a magnifying glass to read it.

The basket can be raised and lowered with the lid closed - a great safety feature if you have small children.

The rated oil capacity is 2 litres but filling the oil chamber to the minimum, as indicated by the line on the inside wall, produced the best results and helped prevent spills. The lid has a built-in viewing window, but as with most fryers it tends to fog up as soon as you put the food in.

It's not dishwasher safe but the lid is detachable and has a charcoal filter which, while effective, will need to be changed periodically.

The outside case is a combination of cool white and brushed steel and the smooth rounded contours and compact dimensions make it an easy fit for most home kitchens. It has a rated food capacity of 1kg which should be adequate for the typical midweek meal.

Pros:
  • Rise and lower basket with lid closed
  • Digital timer
  • Variable temperature control
  • Charcoal odour filter
  • Economical 2L capacity
  • Viewing window

Cons:
  • Not dishwasher safe
  • Miniscule timer display

The Breville DF28 is stylishly in vogue, doesn't take up a lot of space and is economical to use. For anyone that needs quick fry convenience it's a good choice.


Useful Links:

Breville Customer Service




Morphy Richards 45470 Deep Fat Fryer

Morphy-Richards 45470 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.

Pros:
  • Quick start up time.
  • Dismantles easily for quick clean-up.
  • Dishwasher safe.
  • Cool touch handles.
  • Variable temperature settings.
  • 1.2kg basket capacity.
  • 3.2 litre tank capacity.

Cons:
  • Basket sits on the heating element when in the cooking position.
  • Heavy basket handle tends to make basket uneven when in use.
  • No filter system.

The Morphy Richards 45470 is simple to operate and comes apart for easy clean up. And the stainless steel look will make all your friends jealous.

Useful Links:
Morphy Richards 45470 Web Site
45470 Instruction Manual
45470 Basket
45470 Basket Handle




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 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.

Pros:
  • Large 1Kg capacity
  • Fast warm up time
  • Can produce professional quality results
  • Front mounted drain valve for easy oil change
  • Easy disassembly for cleaning
  • Dishwasher safe (except heating element)
  • Permanent mesh odor filter
  • Stainless Steel

Cons:
  • Thermostat not very accurate
  • Basket handle folds forward into oil chamber when not in use

The DeLonghi F24512CZ is sleek and stylish with a nice expanse of stainless steel that will compliment any modern kitchen decor. The simple controls and innovative oil draining system make this fryer and excellent choice for any deep fry enthusiast.

Useful Links:

DeLonghi F24512CZ Web Site
F24512CZ Instruction Manual
F24512CZ Spare Parts






Moulinex Minuto AF100316 Deep Fat Fryers

Moulinex Minuto AF100316 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.

Pros:
  • Very economical - can operate on less than 1L of oil
  • Temperature indicator light
  • Fast Pre-Heat Time
  • Permanent metallic odour filter

Cons:
  • Not dishwasher safe
  • No auto shut-off

The Moulinex Minuto is a bare bones deep fat fryer that can spit out a single deep fried serving with minimal effort. Just don't expect too much else.


Useful Links:

Moulinex Minuto Product Page
Moulinex Minuto Instruction Manual


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.

Pros:
  • No pre-heating before use.
  • Little oil used so healthier and more economical.
  • The taste of chips and wedges is comparable to that of a conventional deep fat fryer.
  • Easy to clean. Dishwasher safe.
  • Reduced cooking odors.
  • Low fire hazard.

Cons:
  • Compared to a deep fat fryer cooking is slow. Almost everything takes about 40 minutes.
  • An electric fan is used to circulate hot air. Can be noisy.
  • The timer signal is barely audible against the drone of the fan.
  • The timer does not automatically turn off the fryer. Cooking continues until you turn it off manually.
  • You can't cook delicate items or foods covered in batter.
  • The small plastic clips which hold the lid down frequently break.
  • Has some reliability issues.
  • Expensive.

Useful Links:
Tefal ActiFry (FZ7000) Web Site
FZ7000 Filter Kit
FZ7000 Spare Parts



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
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
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
Double 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
Cheap 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