Deep fat fryer - should we get one or not?

[Pennies]

DH really wants a deep fat fryer and for years I've said no. The thing is that I'm now totally stuck for any idea what to get him for his birthday so I thought I might indulge him.

Do you have one or could you recommend one?

I saw the John Lewis mini one today and I thought it looked nice and compact (storage an issue here) but then you can't cook as much in it.

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MNHQ

I have a magimix which comes apart really easily and get the OH to power wash it. Capacity is important.

I dont use it much as I prefer to boil/roast puds.

Its the fat thats important, no matter which one you buy you need to change the oil frequently and mix beef dripping with sunflower oil.

We had one but they are a pig to clean, ours always seemed to be a bit greasy, and I overdid the clean at one point and killed it...our local hardware shop still sells chip pans, so every now and then, you can bung them in the dishwasher.

Had you thought about one of those gizmos that wafts round a small amount of oil with a lot of hot air, to make v low fat chips, don't know what they're called, I've seen them in Which not too long ago, or maybe only the Full Fat version will do for your dp.

I wouldn't. I'm sure you'll think of something else.

I mean, deep fat fried food isn't something you really want to encourage anyway is it?

They are a complete bastard to clean, take up too much room and aren't multi functional.

Get a decent pan and a chip basket if you want to make your own deep fried food - but better still to do them in the oven with a light spray of oil.

Sunflower oil does the job fine without beef fat in it.

We got one, mainly because my parents kept complaining they couldn't have "proper" chips at our house. They've never wanted chips since . It's stuck in our cupboard (taking up most of it) and I can't be arsed to clean it .

Deep fried food definitely is something I want to encourage in our house

I really like having one for a couple of months of the year: we set it up outside when we're barbecuing and do tempura veg and prawns; squid and all kinds of other fish dipped in seasoned flour (which makes a very light batter coating once you fry it); and really, REALLY good beer-battered fish fillets. I still haven't mastered the perfect skinny chip though despite lots of attempts using double and triple-cooking, etc...

The rest of the time it sits around taking up space. If storage was an issue, I wouldn't have one.

not unless you want your dh to have an early heart attack.

I got rid of ours about a year ago and we went onto oven chips.

Vile things.

Last week I bought a new DFF and there was much rejoicing. We only have chips once a week anyway!

My advice, though, is buy the cheapest one you can find and when it gets dirty throw it away. They're a pig to clean. Life is too short.

I would get an Actifry they make really nice chips (and other stuff) with only a tbsp of oil!

I would get an Actifry they make really nice chips (and other stuff) with only a tbsp of oil!

I have both an actifry and a DFF - I have the de Longhi here www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4234896/Trail/searchtext%3EDEEP+FAT+FRYER.htm

Every bit (except the little electric thing at the front) of this goes in the dishwasher - soooo much less hassle.

I needed a DFF as son coeliac and I can't make onion rings, battered fish any other way !

Actifry is smaller, easier to clean, healthier but more expensive.
Deep fat fryer stinks the whole kitchen and your clothes out.

I wouldn't be without ours. We don't use it everyday, perhaps about once a fortnight - but we NEVER get takeaways.

So if we fancy fish and chips we make it. It make great onion barjis too.