Anyone Deep Fry? Considering Getting a Deep Fryer

Widget on 04/10/2020 - 07:57

Hey all,

I'm considering getting a deep fryer. I've watched some cooking videos on youtube (despite not liking to cook), and have seen a few involving using a deep fryer, particularly (but not limited to) home made fish and chips. Something I've considered for a little while now, I thought I'd look into it, though I'm wondering those who do deep fry, what might you suggest under $100?
A quick google, there isn't a whole lot, to be expected, but have seen;

  1. (kmart) 1.5l Deep fryer - $20 - mixed reviews.
  2. (kmart) 3l Deep Fryer with Timer - $29. 5star on kmart site, but mixed reviews on product review.
  3. (big) Contempo Stainless Steel Deep Fryer 3L - $39
  4. (Target) Bellini 3.5L Deep Fryer - BDF21 - $49 - Likely to be better than kmart and bigw fryers. Bellini's considered an OK brand, isn't it?
  5. (CotD) Maxim 3.5L Deep Fryer - $53 (inc postage - pickup from target option)
  6. (BigW) Sunbeam Multi Cooker Deep Fryer DF4500 - $69 - Mixed reviews on Product reviews
  7. (Kogan) Unknown brand 6L + 12L - $79+post - To be honest, it's probably too big for my needs, plus it looks to be China-no name import, so haven't found many reviews on it.
  8. (BigW) Kambrook 4L Stainless Steel Deep Fryer - $79

Has anyone had experience with these, or know of any not in the list ?

I'm somewhat leaning towards either $29kmart or $49 Bellini.

Food & Grocery Deep Fryer

Comments

  • Zonty on 04/10/2020 - 08:13
    +8

    Deep fryer good if you have back yard something because oil smoke will make house smelly if you do not intend to fry every day. If you keep in deep fry oil (without use )and do not heat up regular bases it's get smelly.

    If you looking to fry pre cook food like frozen pies, fish fingers and nuggets gratin,pizza, chips battered then air fryers is better choice save oils plus healthier then deep fry.
    Since I got air fryer deep fryer is useless for me.

    • jjjaar on 04/10/2020 - 09:03
      +2

      Deep fryer good if you have back yard something because oil smoke will make house smelly if you do not intend to fry every day. If you keep in deep fry oil (without use )and do not heat up regular bases it's get smelly.

      I empty the oil into a jar and keep it in the fridge after every single use. You should be doing this and you should filter with a per towel and a sieve. Otherwise the oil will go rancid, which would be the smell you’re talking about.

      • Widget on 04/10/2020 - 09:22

        Thanks for the advice :). Wondering what the 'per' towel is though? Just some paper towel, or would you use something a bit more durable like a thin cotton towel ?

        • jjjaar on 04/10/2020 - 09:24
          +1

          Paper towel, yes. Sorry, fingers type too fast for my phone to keep up there days.

      • Wardy on 05/10/2020 - 19:05

        I just use fly screen cut to fit a funnel. Quick and simple.

    • Widget on 04/10/2020 - 09:20

      We have one of those air ovens, I use for chips every now and then, but was looking to get one for (fresh) battered foods (fish, onion rings, potato scallops), as well as smaller items like spring roles, dim sims etc..

  • jjjaar on 04/10/2020 - 08:59
    +3

    I have the Sunbeam Multi Cooker Deep Fryer DF4500 and it doesn’t get hot enough to deep fry everything.

    It gets to about 160 (I have a deep fry thermometer) which is the lower end of deep frying, so it does some things perfectly like chips or fried chicken but I’ve tried things like donuts or tempura and it just simply is not hot enough - these things need about 180.

    When I got my thermometer and realised this was not hot enough for things like donuts I did a lot of research and I was looking at ones that had a higher wattage and a specific temperature gauge. The $29 Kmart one was one I was going to try but even then reviews were saying it would only ever reach 160.

    In the end I didn’t get another one and I just started using a small pot on my stovetop instead, as the smaller amount of oil was able to reach the 180 as I needed.

    • Widget on 04/10/2020 - 09:52
      +1

      oh, hmm, didn't really occur to me about temperature. Looking at the ones listed above, many don't say what their max temps are :/.

      The Maxim says 2000w / max temp 190c
      Kambrook states 1850-2200W / max tmp 190      c
      Bellini says 2000W
      Sunbeam 1600w
      kmart $39 2100W - surprised this only got to 160*c :/
      Contempo unknown

      Might have to check around to see what temps people deep fry their foods at.

      • jjjaar on 04/10/2020 - 09:57
        +1

        Have a check for recipes you want to make to see what you’d need to be cooking at.

        Your first step could be getting a thermometer (Kmart have one for real cheap) and trying on the stove.

  • AustriaBargain on 04/10/2020 - 09:01
    +1

    This is everything you need to know about deep frying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLOgwRkRVl8

    • Widget on 04/10/2020 - 09:24

      He used too much oil! AND didn't use the dingle-dangle :/.

    • Loopholio on 05/10/2020 - 08:23

      I had not seen that before. Thank you for sharing!

  • Halo375 on 04/10/2020 - 09:01
    +10

    I do fish and chips in a wok every now and again and works great. No need to add another dedicated appliance - you don’t want it to be that easy to have fried food everyday!

    • Widget on 04/10/2020 - 09:26

      hmm didn't think to use a wok. How do you deep fry in it? Do you find you have to keep mixing the food around the oil, or scooping the oil over the food to evenly cook ?

      • Halo375 on 04/10/2020 - 09:43
        +1

        Fish just kind of floats on it, cook for a little while on one side then gently flip it and you’re done. Chips would probably be easier in something dedicated though with a proper basket to help with draining.

    • conan2000 on 05/10/2020 - 10:13

      I bought a deep frier about 2 years ago and do use it occasionally. To be honest, it's a bit of a pain and I wouldn't bother in retrospect. It uses a huge amount of oil, which is awkward to empty/store/dispose of. It's a bit easier to maintain a set temperature than a Wok, but not worth the storage space.

      I use mine outside on the side of our BBQ as the house will stink of oil for quite a while after cooking anything. And as per earlier comments don't jsut store oil in it as it will go rancid if not cleaned and stored properly.

  • Presence on 04/10/2020 - 09:02

    I've used the Kmart one and I don't use it inside. They make a lot of mess and smoke. You'd want to use it under a really good extractor hood. It was a nice novelty but not something I'd use regularly.

    • AustriaBargain on 04/10/2020 - 09:24

      What about using it outside, like a BBQ.

      • poboy on 04/10/2020 - 09:36
        +1

        Didn't s/he just say they don't use it inside?

  • Nitrollparty on 04/10/2020 - 09:04
    +3

    have you not considered an air fryer? no mess and far easier to clean! i cook all my meals in it, its replaced my oven and even rarely use my microwave too

    • Widget on 04/10/2020 - 09:30
      +1

      We have an air fryer oven, i use for chips sometimes, but was looking for something to do other foods like fresh battered fish, scallops, onions, dim sims, spring roles etc.. From what I've read, wet batter can't be used in the air fryers, though i guess i can pre-batter some stuff and fridge it. Not sure how they compare fresh vs cold though.

      • Zonty on 04/10/2020 - 10:16
        +1

        Air fryer oven not give totally same result like airfryer I got both and airfryer are small and It's circulates air so much it will give crisp whole food. I use Philips airfryer works like charm.
        I tried spring rolls, chicken Kiev pie, pizza in both and in my personal experience airfryer best for pre cook food. But if you really in to make fresh then its good option but big Hassel to keep area clean after each use.

        • lgacb08 on 06/10/2020 - 11:30

          Airfryer is no where near good as conventional deep fryer because the poor thermal mass of the air, it's only good for partially cooked food like frozen chips and stuff (nugget, schnitzel, pie). If you do air fry with fresh stuff that still have high amount of water in it chances are they gonna be soggy, or you need to do some prep and tricks. And it will take very long to get there.

    • lainey13 on 04/10/2020 - 19:46
      +1

      Also far healthier! I think that's pretty important too :)

  • CyberMurning on 04/10/2020 - 09:22
    +1

    Air fryer… Full stop no but no bat no bit

    • AustriaBargain on 04/10/2020 - 09:25

      If you spray it with a mist of oil every now and then you can get great results.

      • Widget on 04/10/2020 - 09:31

        Spray the foods in the air fryer ?

  • Chandler on 04/10/2020 - 12:12
    +3

    We must deep fry wrong or something…

    We have an older Breville deep fryer (like this) and leave it filled with olive oil. Never any issues with smoke, smell or anything…? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  • Bunnyburger on 04/10/2020 - 13:37

    You probably know what you're doing, but be safe! Deep fryers can be dangerous.

  • Mythreesons on 05/10/2020 - 10:12
    +1

    Kmart has an air fryer (it has shelves) , everything we used to use the deep fryer for we now put in the air fryer. Best thing we have ever purchased. So far we have cooked, chips, spring rolls, dim Sims, nuggets, chicken wings, chicken drumsticks, fish, corn fritters and cauliflower. Easy to use and easy to clean. Never add oil to anything you put in it, read instructions.

    • Widget on 05/10/2020 - 10:49
      +1

      We have this one https://www.kmart.com.au/product/3-in-1-air-fryer-oven/27548…
      but the rotisserie mechanism broke :/. Use to use the cylinder basket for chips so they flipped around for even cooking, but would jam up every now and then… now no work :/

      • Mythreesons on 06/10/2020 - 10:44

        Return it, they will replace it. I do my chips on the trays and find they are crispy on both sides.

  • OzHunterNSW on 05/10/2020 - 10:15

    And have you noticed now that mysteriously adds for deep friers seem to be appearing in you Face Book adverts, or google pages?

    They know … they just need you to press that BUY button.

    You are committing yourself (and family) to a life of fried foods…. why don't you consider the future health implications.

  • eyeballz2770 on 05/10/2020 - 10:16
    +1

    If you don't enjoy cooking and want to experiment with deep frying before spending money, use a steel pot. I add enough oil to cover the food by a solid 5cm so there's plenty of room under the frying food. There are 2 of us in the house, so we use a medium sized pot.

    We've used 3 deep fryers over 20+ years and enjoyed using them, but when the 3rd one died, I used the pot as a temporary measure until we bought a new one. It's worked so well for 5+ years that I can't see buying a deep fryer ever again. Everything we've fried floats and nothing scorches unless the oil level is too low, even without a fry basket.

    • Widget on 05/10/2020 - 10:52

      Might give that a shot before buying. What oil do you use? Can you still get cooking fat ?

      • eyeballz2770 on 06/10/2020 - 13:04

        I use Alfa One rice bran oil because it has a very high smoke point (250C). The brand advertises it has plant sterols (Oryzanol*), vitamin E, no cholesterol, and light flavour.

        Coles sells 3L for $9 and WW sells 4 L for $12.

        *What is Gamma Oryzanol?
        Rice bran oil is extracted from the bran fraction of rice, the kernels or seeds of the rice plant. It contains large amounts of gamma oryzanol, a mixture of antioxidant compounds. The outer chaff of the rice seed is milled off to produce brown rice; further milling removes the bran portion (the rest of the husk and the germ portions), creating white rice.

  • farknos on 05/10/2020 - 10:43
    +1

    for $126 you can get a rolls royce, Delonghi Rotofry Deep Fryer F28313BK, awesome bang for fried buck, not in your budget but not out of it by much
    and its awesome.

  • saltypete on 05/10/2020 - 10:46
    +2

    Do not buy another electrical appliance!!! If you want to deep fry stuff, use a saucepan for a few months. If you love that way of cooking (and your new, more cuddly figure maybe) buy one in the pre/post/during Xmas sales.
    Make every appliance fight for it place in your home, or you will end up with cupboards full of crap with cords….

    • Soroako on 05/10/2020 - 13:34

      Guilty as charged. If I had to start again the only corded appliances in my kitchen would be toaster, kettle, microwave, airfryer, fridge, dishwasher and a Breville pan [high power ribbed unit for steaks etc when it is too wet or windy to use the BBQ].

      I have heaps of unused appliances including 2 deep fryers. A Tefal with storage tank and a small Sunbeam. I've never been able to replicate Fish or Scallops with a lightweight crunchy beer batter as nice as the better Chish & Fips shops do. A lot of effort - not worth it. Smelly, expensive [throw out a lot of oil], hard to clean, dust attractants.

  • Series4Episode10 on 05/10/2020 - 18:48

    Went the other way - Air Fryer … much less fat or oil involved in cooking, like 10ml of oil to fry the chips from 4 large potatoes. and no oil needed to cook chicken pieces, comparable result to pan frying with some oil

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