10 Best Deep Fryer Consumer Reports of 2022

For summer partygoers, there’s nothing more delightful than a taste of crisp, evenly cooked chicken fry that achieves desirable qualities of golden-brown crust and juiciness at a go.

Sure, deep frying on the stovetop can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Having a chicken fryer can be life-saving when you want to fulfill your desire for a food that offers you greasy comfort and when you don’t find it necessary to visit a chippy near you.

And the good news is, the market offers plenty of pocket-friendly models. But it’s not easy to make the right decision when you have a flurry of options confronting you.

Worry no more.

In this article, we have thoroughly scoured the market for the best chicken fryer that fits your purpose, whether you want to deep-fry often, deep fry multiple foods, or deep fry for many people. Read on.

5 Best Deep Fryer Consumer Reports: Editor Recommended

Stovetop frying doesn’t have to intimidate you when you deep fry once a week or when you deep fry for dinner guests and family members. The best chicken fryer comes with many features that the traditional stovetop fryer doesn’t have. No more back and forth with thermometers and oil pots.

For one, the built-in thermostat enables you to set and maintain oil temperature. Moreover, it comes with an automatic shutoff feature that ensures hot oils don’t splatter on your skin or cloth.

When oil attains its flashpoint, it burns. The kitchen fryer prevents the oil from achieving its flash point and hence setting your house ablaze.

While it’s out of the question to keep track of temperatures when working with stovetop fryers, countertop fryers offer some solace. Nevertheless, the slowness with which the burner responds to temperatures changes makes them unreliable.

While a deep fryer can consume lots of spaces on countertops, it can reduce the need for the pot oil to hog on the stovetop.

Even the best chicken fryer has a fair share of shortcomings. Just like the oil pot on the stovetop, it doesn’t eliminate mess and odor completely. Not all countertop models can maintain oil temperatures, and they are not as powerful as one might expect.

When you add chicken to the oil pot on the stovetop, the oil temperature reduces, but the drop is lower than when you add the food to a deep fryer.

Besides, the components of an indoor deep fryer like the basket, lid, heater, and the oil container are large. You will require more effort to clean all these components than when you clean a single pot.

While the oil is reusable, you need to filter it first when you use it on a deep-fry cooker. Filtering helps to prevent the oil from changing color, breaking down, and having an unpleasant smell.

But filtering is in and on itself a frustrating and demotivating task. If you think about doing it every time you want to reuse the oil, you may feel like looking for inspiration elsewhere.

Herein are our picks of the best chicken fryer for different purposes. Let’s have a look.

10 Best Deep Fryer Consumer Reports Review:

1. T-fal Deep Fryer With Basket Model FR8000

Our pick of the best chicken fryer has a decent 3.5-liter oil container and 2.65-pound food capacity.

These features save you the need to fry many small batches when you can accomplish the same task within two and three servings. The oil container is 18.3-inches long and 14.8-inches deep.

The length is longer than the depth, hence a lower oil level. Such depth may not completely cover the food when deep frying.

The 1700-watt thermostat allows you to adjust temperatures between 300- and 375-degrees Fahrenheit, which are ideal for frying.

Despite setting the highest temperature, the deep fry cooker may not attain it, but the oil needs to stay hot.

Otherwise, the food will soak up more oil than necessary if the temperature decreases after you add a new batch, but, because of the immersed heating element, it will rise again after about three minutes.

T-Fal Model FR8000 also comes with two frying baskets, which can enable you to fry batches of different foods alongside each other. Filling the basket halfway will ensure the food submerges fully, hence cook evenly.

With an oil filtration system in place, you have a chance to filter and reuse the oil, even though it will get rancid when time passes. Awesomely, you can toss the parts in a dishwasher and not worry about cleaning them on your own.

Not to mention, the home deep fryer comes with a magnetic cord, which detaches to prevent tipping the oil container over and spilling its hot contents if someone snags it accidentally.

Features

• Immersed heating element
• Adjustable temperature range
• 2.65-pound food capacity
• 3.5-liter oil container
• Two frying baskets
• Dishwasher-safe components
• Detachable, magnetic cord

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2. Presto 05466 Stainless Steel Dual Basket

This portable deep fryer boasts two oblong-shaped frying baskets if you find it necessary to cook two batches of food at the same time.

Flexibility notwithstanding, Presto 05466 is a life-saving possession if you intend to fry extra-large batches for family or dinner purposes. The 12-cup food capacity fits that bill because you can leverage this large capacity to fry a whole chicken.

The immersion heating element has a power of 1800 watts. When you add a new batch and the temperature decreases, such power can restore hot temperatures in no time.

With a shield like no other, the spattering of hot oil on skin and cloth should be the least of your worries. The oil container is extra-large, and its material makeup is enamel.

While the enamel coating contributes to nonstick and corrosion-resistant properties, ragged frying baskets can scratch the coating off of the surface.

This personal deep fryer has a thermostat that comes with an illuminating signal that enables you to detect whether you have attained the set temperature.

Another big plus with this tabletop fryer is that it comes with a cord that attaches to and detaches from the power source through magnetic attraction.

With this feature, you won’t have to worry the container will tip over and pour the hot oil when someone accidentally snags the cord. The parts, such as the heating element and the oil container, are detachable, hence reduce the hassle of washing them.

Features

• Two oblong-shaped frying baskets
• 12-cup food capacity
• 1800-watt immersion heating element
• Spattering shield
• Enamel-coated oil pot
• Adjustable thermostat
• Magnetic, detachable cord

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3. Char-Broil Big Easy Turkey Fryer

This oil less fryer departs from frying with oil. Instead of raising temperatures by immersing an electric-powered heater in the oil (because there’s no oil), it fries your chicken.

Propane gas powers the 16000 BTU burners. These produce an infrared flame that heats the double walls of the cylindrical cooking chamber, which contains the food.

Char-Boil’s unique features can enable you to attain your goal of a tasty, golden-brown chicken fry with a juicy interior and crispy exterior. And because you don’t need to immerse food in oil, this oil less fryer is a healthier alternative to the deep fryers.

It’s the best turkey fryer in its own right, but you can capitalize on its 16-pound capacity to fry the whole chicken. There is no need to chop the chicken into pieces.

Alternatively, you can chop the chicken into one-pound pieces and insert them in the cylindrical container to cook in about 10 minutes. As long as pieces of meat are at least a pound big, then you can find joy in using this piece of kitchen equipment.

With such a large capacity, you can do more with fewer batches. The manufacturer equips you with a thermometer, so you can determine whether the cooking food has attained the right internal temperature.

A drip tray that traps ingredients, which you can reuse to make gravy soup, rests beneath the cooking chamber.

Features

• 16000 BTU burners
• Oil less fryer
• Infrared heat
• Addon thermometer
• 16-pound food capacity
• Double-walled cooking chamber
• Removable drip tray

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4. Cuisinart CDF-500 Extra-Large Rotisserie Deep Fryer

For every batch, the Cuisinart CDF-500 can produce the coveted golden-brown color with consistency. Its thermostat is reliable in maintaining oil temperature.

The clear labeling of the markings of the temperature-control dial of one of our picks of the best chicken fryer and its two-hour timer contribute to its simplicity and ease of use.

With 11 such markings, each corresponding to the temperatures between 175- and 375-degrees Fahrenheit, you have reliable temperature control on your side.

The top-rated deep fryer features a large frying basket, which permits you to fry a batch at a time. The basket gives you enough room to toss food when you cook and has a detachable, cool-touch handle for easy handling when the walls become hot.

When you set the dial to the highest temperature setting, the temperature of the actual oil is likely to be higher. And because new batches of food lower cooking oil temperature, this inherent characteristic can work in your favor.

But it’s not just temperature that you set, but also time. When the set time lapses, the timer dings to alarm you. You can bet on the residential deep fryer to maintain temperature, hence reliably produce a crispy and juicy outcome.

Besides, two types of signal lights are present. When you switch on the power, the signal light turns red. When the actual oil temperature attains the temperature setting, the signal light turns green.

Features

• Adjustable temperature control
• A single, large basket
• A 120-minute timer
• Red and green signal lights
• A detachable handle

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5. Cuisinart CDF-200P1 Deep Fryer, 4 Quart

It’s not surprising our pick of the best chicken fryer has enough capacity to serve your family and dinner guests with your favorite dish with less hassle.

A 4-quart (16-cup) oil pot matches that requirement and can hold up to 2.3 pounds of food. With a length (12.75-inches) nearly equal to the depth (12.5-inches), oil can completely cover the food in the container, hence make it possible for food to cook evenly.

The stainless steel makeup of the oil container ensures the rugged, steel frying baskets leave no scratch marks.

While cleaning any deep fryer is laborious and uninspiring, dishwasher safety of the individual parts compensates for the shortcoming. You can toss the components in the dishwasher without having to worry about them getting destroyed or destroying the machine.

While the best electric deep fryer has a lid with ventilation to let out odor during cooking, the smell lingers on the chicken fry, even when you add a carbon-activated filter to counter this problem. The oil relies on heat from the element that draws an 1800-watt power from the source.

And so, when you add a new batch of food and the temperature decreases, the high power consumer restores temperature in a good time, so the food cooks evenly.

The stainless steel basket features a detachable handle that enhances ease of handling hot pots. Its price range is decent, given how costly large-capacity deep fryers are.

Features

• 4-quart(16-cup) oil container
• 2.3-pound food capacity
• 1800-watt immersion heating element
• Dishwasher-safe parts
• A single, stainless steel frying bucket
• Vented lid

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6. Bayou Classic 1118 32-Quart Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer

With a 32-quart (128-cup) oil capacity, Bayou Classic 1118 is the best chicken fryer for frying about 24 servings of food simultaneously instead of having to cook many small batches.

You’ll delight in this fryer if you host a large dinner party or own a restaurant. Its huge 18-pound food capacity is a big plus.

The cylindrical oil container is deeper (18-inches) than it’s longer (14-inches), hence adequately deep to cover the food when frying. It features one large frying basket that has perforations.

You can confidently rely on the best home deep fryer to fry the whole chicken. Most awesomely, the material makeup is polished stainless steel, which is scratch-resistant and durable.

While it doesn’t come with a thermostat, the manufacturer empowers you with a 12-inch thermometer with stainless steel makeup, which you can immerse in the oil to determine whether you have attained the right cooking temperature.

Bayou’s boiler is unlike an electric fryer because it doesn’t rely on power and immersion heaters to cook. It seems like an upgrade to the oil pot on a stove that you can use to fry, boil, steam, and can large chunks of food, thanks to the generous capacity.

Its price range is also decent given that products of similar ilk are costlier. The basket has a heavy-duty handle to ease transportation. As well, the oil pot has a vented lid to let out odors.

Features

• Large, 18-pound food capacity
• 32-quart oil capacity
• One large, perforated frying basket
• 12-inch thermometer add-on
• Cylindrical oil container
• Stainless steel makeup
• Heavy-duty handle

7. DeLonghi D44528DZ Livenza Easy Clean Deep Fryer

If you worry about oil getting rancid and you always want to use fresh oil, then you will find joy in Delonghi D44528DZ. It comes with a draining system that disposes of leftover oil.

Odors are a big problem with many deep fryers. Even the best chicken fryer leaves a lingering smell on the food. While many manufacturers add ventilation to the lid, Delonghi has taken a different approach.

Their secret lies in keeping the oil as pristine as possible. An expansive zone with near-freezing conditions traps food particles, filtering them from the oil.

The freezer-like region utilizes a 60-Hz fan to generate a draft of air that reduces temperature. Cleaning isn’t always a joy with deep fryers, but this product minimizes the hassle. You can dismember the fryer and toss its constituents in the dishwasher with no worries.

The oil capacity is 4 quarts (one gallon). That’s equivalent to 16 cups! And so, you can prepare meals for guests and family members at home with this kitchen appliance since it allows you to make up to three servings at once!

Just like any other component, the large basket is detachable. A thermostat allows you the flexibility to set temperatures. You can immerse a thermometer to determine whether the oil has attained the preset temperature.

What’s more, the stainless steel makeup is resistant to scratch by ragged objects like the frying basket. It’s also durable.

Features

• 4-quart oil capacity
• Oil draining system
• An expansive cool zone
• One large, detachable frying basket
• 60-Hz cooling fan

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8. Stark Deluxe 30 QT Aluminum Turkey Deep Fryer

Stark Deluxe 30 QT doubles as a boiler and a fryer. It features a single, perforated frying basket with a handle that you can use to remove the basket from the cylindrical oil container when boiling.

The depth is more than the length, which bodes well for even distribution of heat, as it’s adequate to cover the whole batch of food.

Even when the temperature drops as a result of adding food, you won’t have to worry the food will soak up lots of oil. A poultry rack holds the piece of chicken in place to ensure even oil distribution.

And when you want to determine whether the oil has attained the desired temperature, the package comes with a long probe thermometer that you can dip into the oil.

The good thing with this thermometer is that it measures a long-range temperature scale between 50 and 750 degrees Fahrenheit. A clip ensures you can safely fix and remove the thermometer from the oil container.

What’s unique about the Star Deluxe’s fryer is the marinade injector, which you can use to inject and distribute flavors when frying. The oil pot also sits on a solid frame.

It’s a generous capacity of 30 quarts (120 cups). A chef or a restaurateur will delight in its ability to prepare many servings of their guests simultaneously.

Notable components other than the thermometer include a sauce syringe, burner stand, hanger, and regulator.

Features

• 30-quart oil pot
• 50-750 degree Fahrenheit thermometer
• Marinade injector
• A thermometer-holding clip
• A poultry rack

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9. Hamilton Beach Triple Basket Electric Deep Fryer

Hamilton Beach has a 19-cup (4.5-liter) oil capacity. It’s the best chicken fryer if you intend to fry the whole chicken or turkey. Not just that, but you can serve many guests at a time.

With a vented lid like no other, you can feel safe from hot oil splatters, and odor won’t linger on the dish after cooking. Its sleek and professional look makes it attractive for any chef.

It also comes with three baskets, one large and two small ones, which you can fit into the oil container. When you want to prepare two different fries at one go, then you can fight great joy in the best electric deep fryer. The frying baskets have a chrome plating.

Cleaning any fryer is no mean task; that is why they come with removable pieces. Such an ability to dismember the machine reduces the hassle to clean it. Removable parts are also toss able in dishwashers.

The oil pots have an enamel coating, which can peel off when you expose them to the rough surface of the frying baskets. Oil gets hot when you immerse a heating element, which supplies by drawing 1800-watt power.

And because of higher power consumption, it takes a shorter time to restore the right oil temperature after dipping due to the addition of a new batch of food.

Even when someone accidentally snags the power cord, it relies on magnetism to disengage itself from the source, hence prevents the oil pot from tipping over and spilling its hot contents.

Features

• 1800-watt immersion heater
• A detachable, magnetic power cord
• 19-cup oil capacity
• One large basket plus two half-sized baskets
• Dishwasher-safe
• Enamel-coated interior
• Vented lid

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10. Breville BDF500XL Smart Fryer

Everyone’s a big fan of fresh oil. When oil gets rancid, an unpleasant odor lingers on the food. No one wants that. It is a big deal breaker. Breville recognized this problem that’s been a thorn in the flesh for fryers, including the best chicken fryer.

Cool zone technology harvests food particles and filters them from the oil. The cooling fan draws 110-120 volts to pass a draft of air to keep things cool. As a double checker against odor, a mesh filter is in place.

Parts are removable and toss able in dishwashers. Washing is less of a hassle because of this characteristic.

An electronic thermostat is present to empower you to set temperatures, even though attaining and maintaining the oil temperature is a different kettle of fish.

Oil gets hot by relying on heat from a heater that you immerse inside the liquid. The heater draws 3000 watts of power.

With such massive power input at your disposal, you don’t have to worry about the food soaking up lots of oil as a result of notable drops in temperature when you immerse a new batch in the oil.

Boiling oil can splatter on skin and cloth, but this shouldn’t worry you, as a vented lid is present to catch the splatter and odor. The food capacity is decent at 2.5-pound.

You can derive great satisfaction from the best chicken fryer if you intend to prepare up to three servings at the same time. A 4-quart oil capacity fits that bill to perfection.

Features

• 4-quart oil capacity
• 2.5-pound food capacity
• 3000-watt immersion heater
• Cool zone technology
• Mesh filter
• Vented lid

Buy on Amazon

Buying Guide

Choosing the best chicken fryer from a barrage of options isn’t straightforward. There are several things you need to keep mind before you make the ultimate buying decision. Let’s have a look.

Capacity

It’s the foremost factor that’s dependent on the number of people you want to serve with the fried dish. One quart is equivalent to four cups. A 4-quart pot of a fryer pot takes up 16 cups of oil, which is enough to prepare about two or three servings at one go. But that’s the minimum capacity you require to fry the whole chicken. Otherwise, if it’s smaller than that, then you need to chop the chicken into pieces. Bigger pots delight restaurateurs and chefs.

Safety

Pots can tip over and spill or splatter the hot oil on skin and garments. Oil pots on stovetops are more prone to accidental spills. On the other hand, most fryers have a magnetic power cord that disengages from the source when you snag it. Pots also get hot on the outside. Fryers that feature cool-touch exteriors safeguard your hands from burns. Some fryers switch off when oil reaches the flashpoint.

Stainless Steel Makeup

It’s scratch-resistant and durable, hence more preferable than enamel-coated or nonstick surfaces.

Dishwasher Safety

Not all fryers have components that are toss able and washable in a dishwasher.

Built-in Thermostat

When you want to set temperature, a thermostat empowers you to do so. Some fryers have an LCD illumination to alert you when oil has reached the preset temperature, but some ding.

Concluding Remarks

The market offers a flurry of options from which to choose the best chicken fryer for your purposes. Decision-making isn’t a gamble. Lots of factors come into play. We compiled this guide to help you make the right decision. We hope the information herein helps you in that regard.