Kitchen Gadgets for Less: The Best Fryer DealsThere's nothing quite like the taste of freshly cooked chips, but fryers can also help you to prepare a range of other treats, like spring rolls, battered chicken, and even doughnuts. They are a more efficient alternative to pan-frying, but also cleaner and safer. Fryers come in a range of models, from those which deep fry, to low-fat versions which use little or no oil.
The first home fryers were introduced to the American public in the 1950s, they were named the Presto Automatic Dixie-Fryer. The idea was modified and improved throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with better safety features being added and improvements to the gadget's overall appearance. The next major step came in 2010 when Phillips launched the first Air Fryer. This high-tech appliance cooks food using very hot air and just one spoonful of oil. These have become extremely popular with people who want to reduce their fat intake or be more health-conscious, without missing out on the taste of fried food.
Fryers are all designed to do the same job, providing that familiar taste and a crunchy texture to various foods. However, the methods that are used to achieve these results vary greatly between devices.
Deep Fat Fryers - Deep fat fryers contain a large bowl which is half filled with oil and a wire basket that sits inside to hold food. They can be quite simple in design, like the Swan Single Deep Fryer, or more modern, like the Delonghi Traditional Fryers. Whichever model suits you, it will have a recipe booklet with instructions on how to cook a variety of foods. With a deep fat fryer, the oil is heated before the food is placed inside, and the fryer maintains the right temperature throughout the process. As food is submerged in a few inches or more of oil, its fat content becomes quite high. Even so, if you prefer the authentic taste of traditional fried food and you don't want to compromise on texture, then a deep fat fryer is likely to be your best option.
Healthy Fryers - Healthy fryers, or air fryers as they are also known, only need one tablespoon of oil per kg of food. They are sophisticated enough to cook delicate fish like salmon, but can also produce old favourites like fried chicken and chips. Most fryers are sold with a recipe book, so you'll have plenty of new meals to try out right from the start. Others, like the Tefal Actifry, can be programmed to follow certain recipes via your phone, using a Bluetooth connection. Inside an air fryer the food is coated with an extremely thin layer of oil, then very hot air is circulated around, cooking and crisping it perfectly. To get a good even coverage, a paddle keeps everything moving. Food does not taste exactly the same as it would if deep fried, but air fryers use 80% less oil and are seen as a healthier alternative. For people who want fresh chips without any extra calories, there are also fryers like the Phillips Healthier Airfryer, which cook food without oil.
For people who are trying to lose weight, or want to follow a healthier lifestyle, an air fryer is ideal. You can get similar results to conventional deep fat frying, and you won't have to give up the distinctive taste of your favourite fried foods.
Traditional chip pans can perform the same function, so why do some people prefer to buy an electric fryer? The primary reasons are safety and convenience. An electric fryer is temperature-regulated with a thermostat and many have shut off switches to stop them overheating if they are left on for longer periods of time. They also have a lid and most models will filter out cooking smells. On the other hand, chip pans are left open on the hob and need to be watched constantly to ensure they don't boil over. In the case of air fryers, consumers are choosing to use these instead of other methods because they have all the benefits of a deep fat electric fryer, but use far less oil.
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Whichever model of fryer you prefer, there are some important features to look out for, here are some examples:
Cooking controls - To ensure that food is cooked well every time, check the fryer has a cooking control regulator which will keep the temperature between 140°C and 190°C when in use.
Odour control - Some fryers come complete with a more robust anti-odour filter, look out for 100% carbon versions, many of which can be washed up to 80 times.
Cleaning - If a fryer comes with removable parts, it will be far easier to clean. On a standard model the bowl can be taken out, but on others, the heating element, the basket, and the lid can all be washed separately.
Oil filter - Some fryers use charcoal, whilst others have a fine mesh which removes food particles from the oil after cooking. These must be changed regularly, but you can find universal filters to fit many machines.
Cool touch - When the interior reaches a very high temperature, fryers with this feature keep the outer handles insulated so you can touch them safely.
Cold–zone technology - This feature heats the oil quickly and produces two separate temperature zones. It reduces odours and minimises the loss of oil.
Multiple baskets - These enable you to fry two different foods at once, so fish and delicate vegetables can both be cooked together.
Basket control - This function lets a user lower food with the lid shut, to minimise the chance of being hit with spitting oil.
Lock tight lid - This locks the fryer closed until you open it using a separate mechanism. It also has a viewing window at the top, so you can keep an eye on things.
Anti-slip base - If a fryer is accidentally nudged whilst it's in use, you need a base that keeps it firmly rooted to the spot.
Automatic cut-off - A fryer with this feature quickly shuts down if it overheats.
Fryers come in a wide range of sizes from 0.5kg, to 1.2kg, 1.5kg to 2kg, all the way to a sizable 3.2kg capacity. Choosing a fryer in the right size can be tricky. Too small and you may end up having to cook in batches, too big and you'll waste money heating up your 
appliance. Consider the kind of quantities you plan to cook, if it's just for one or two people a 0.5kg fryer will be sufficient, these smaller models are also the cheapest air fryers. For larger families, it's best to go for the more generous sizes, and maybe those which include separate baskets. However, these will take up more room in a kitchen and they are more expensive.
You can extend the functionality of a fryer with a number of useful accessories.
Food separator - If your Phillips air fryer didn't come with two or more frying compartments, you can buy a food separator to keep different ingredients apart.
Replacement filter kit - Trap grease or smells with a good filter. Many are universal kits which can be cut to size.
Baking dish - These look like a deep baking tray and enable you to cook bread and cakes inside an air fryer.
If you tend to cook lots of fried food, a fryer could be an excellent buy, but what should you consider before parting with your cash? How are some of the pros and cons:
The Pros:
Most fryers have a filter to reduce odours.
Air fryers don't need that much oil.
It's easy to adjust the temperature for different foods.
The lid will contain any oil splatters.
The basket makes it safe to put in and remove food.
The Cons:
Air fryers can leave food tasting dry.
Fryers can take up a substantial amount of room.
Deep fat fryers need lots of oil, that's not very healthy and it can be difficult to dispose of.
Deep fat fryers and air fryers, in a range of sizes are available from many online outlets. Amazon has a huge range of fryers, as do eBay and AO. If you'd like to take a look at a fryer before you buy, Currys and larger Tesco stores usually have some on display.
Over the Christmas period, cheap deep fat fryers and air fryer sales are common, as shops like Argos, Asda and John Lewis cut prices on many electricals. Spring presents another opportunity for savvy shoppers to grab a bargain, as small kitchen appliances are often reduced in price when retailers get ready for the new season's stock. You can also shop for cheap health fryers during the Black Friday event when most UK shops offer great deals across the board. In previous years, stores like Debenhams, Lakeland and Appliances Direct have advertised savings of up to 40% on fryers.
For the latest news about discounts and reductions on this handy appliance, check in regularly with the HotUKDeals fryer page.
