Deep Fat Fryers
Discussion
Thing of the past or a useful tool. I know you can buy the like of tefal acti-frys etc. But for £20 and the odd batch of nuggets and chips are they worth buying?
How often do you need to change the oil?
Can you store them with oil for a while?
Are they horrendously smokey?
The last time I remember a fryer being used was by my parents when I was a lad.
Thanks
How often do you need to change the oil?
Can you store them with oil for a while?
Are they horrendously smokey?
The last time I remember a fryer being used was by my parents when I was a lad.
Thanks
We had one a while back - great for homemade onion bhajis or a batch of prawn crackers in a single hit but not exactly healthy and made the kitchen stink to high heaven.
Took it to the tip many moons ago.
My folks recently purchased an acti-fry and they swear by it - have to say it's very good (even for chips), and I'll probably end up with one of those before too long.
Took it to the tip many moons ago.
My folks recently purchased an acti-fry and they swear by it - have to say it's very good (even for chips), and I'll probably end up with one of those before too long.
I've got a bog standard counter top fryer. You change the oil depending on its use. If you don't fry things that leave residues, ie breadcrumbs or batter, the oil lasts longer. It the residues that burn, cause the smells and the smoke.
If you filter the oil through a fine sieve every couple of uses it lasts longer and doesn't stink. I use mine directly under the extractor and you'd barely notice it.
While the newer types might use less oil etc they don't have the flexibility of a traditional fryer. You can't do battered fish for example.
If you filter the oil through a fine sieve every couple of uses it lasts longer and doesn't stink. I use mine directly under the extractor and you'd barely notice it.
While the newer types might use less oil etc they don't have the flexibility of a traditional fryer. You can't do battered fish for example.
Maty said:
Actifry. Thread closed.
Well worth the investment, best thing I've bought in a while and proper chips!
Even the wife approves.
Don't tell me you use Lurpak lightest?Well worth the investment, best thing I've bought in a while and proper chips!
Even the wife approves.
If you want to get a deep fat fryer get a commercial one of at least 4 litres capacity and a shed so it does not stink your house out. They then cook perfectly.
It is a hassle though.
I have one and love it, so many things aren't possible without one. Triple cooked chips, although a chore, are amazing. Fried chicken another just isn't the same in the oven and so much better than shop stuff. Although the concept is unhealthy, if you are going to eat "comfort food" it's better to know what's in it. It's just a weekend treat.
Will probably use it a few more times this year before it gets put away and frying season turns into BBQ season.
Will probably use it a few more times this year before it gets put away and frying season turns into BBQ season.
Funny ho people's opinions differ so much, even down to the last two comments. "Dangerous and smelly" to "Could not be without it in winter".
I have one, I cannot see a danger , nor do I think I have heard of any danger, and yes they are a little bit smelly but so are other ways of cooking. You paoch a fish and your nose will know about it for some time.
They are unhealthy but I am sure most of us eat unhealthy food from time to time. Eating chips from the chippy is not more healthy just because you a re not making them.
Professional kitchens all seem to have them so that is good enough for me
I have one, I cannot see a danger , nor do I think I have heard of any danger, and yes they are a little bit smelly but so are other ways of cooking. You paoch a fish and your nose will know about it for some time.
They are unhealthy but I am sure most of us eat unhealthy food from time to time. Eating chips from the chippy is not more healthy just because you a re not making them.
Professional kitchens all seem to have them so that is good enough for me
Europa1 said:
I love mine, for all the reasons other enthusiasts have noted.
Did a bit of comfort food fusion cuisine at the weekend - corn dogs in tempura batter. Yum.
Like the sound of that, been tempted to do corn dogs but always seemed a bit heavy, reminded me of the battered sausage at the chippy but a light batter might work well. How do you make it stick?Did a bit of comfort food fusion cuisine at the weekend - corn dogs in tempura batter. Yum.
Type R Tom said:
Europa1 said:
I love mine, for all the reasons other enthusiasts have noted.
Did a bit of comfort food fusion cuisine at the weekend - corn dogs in tempura batter. Yum.
Like the sound of that, been tempted to do corn dogs but always seemed a bit heavy, reminded me of the battered sausage at the chippy but a light batter might work well. How do you make it stick?Did a bit of comfort food fusion cuisine at the weekend - corn dogs in tempura batter. Yum.
Was going to start a thread asking whether there's a good small-footprint standalone fryer available, but the consensus seems to be 'go large or go home'.
We don't eat much fried stuff, but when we do it's a bit of a faff using a saucepan and two forks, even with our industrial grade extractor.
Made some great turbot goujons yesterday to accompany a couple of pan-fried fillets and a whole plate of them would be lovely but much easier in a proper fryer.
Suppose I should just get a basket to use with a bigger saucepan?
We don't eat much fried stuff, but when we do it's a bit of a faff using a saucepan and two forks, even with our industrial grade extractor.
Made some great turbot goujons yesterday to accompany a couple of pan-fried fillets and a whole plate of them would be lovely but much easier in a proper fryer.
Suppose I should just get a basket to use with a bigger saucepan?
Like many things, a deep fat fryer is excellent if used in moderation. Some food simply must be deep fried to be enjoyed at its best.
The Tefal Actifry sounds great in principle but actually takes around 30 minutes to cook a portion of chips and can't be used for anything larger than a chicken nugget.
I left my fryer on all afternoon once. Made the house smell a bit but it never caught fire and no one died.
I'd recommend this Delonghi Total Clean fryer. It comes apart and everything other than the heating element (and clock and filter) can be chucked in the dishwasher for cleaning (also makes it easy to poor the old oil out).
The Tefal Actifry sounds great in principle but actually takes around 30 minutes to cook a portion of chips and can't be used for anything larger than a chicken nugget.
I left my fryer on all afternoon once. Made the house smell a bit but it never caught fire and no one died.
I'd recommend this Delonghi Total Clean fryer. It comes apart and everything other than the heating element (and clock and filter) can be chucked in the dishwasher for cleaning (also makes it easy to poor the old oil out).
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