Deep fat fryer

pingua

Can anyone recommend a deep fat fryer?
We have had the Tefal actifry (not sure if that is classed as one or not?)-went up in smoke ! But looking for a cheaper one that could do more chips or less cooking time so we can do two batches.

McKneff

How long did you have the Actifry, i was thinking about buying one but presumably you wouldnt recommend it. lol

pingua

Well we bought it spring 08 and it went pop the other month - perhaps they have 'updated' them since. It was so handy for cooking and I do miss it. But don't want to fork out that much again. Chips took forever in it and one batch was never enough for all of us.
Having said that, not sure how long a fryer takes to cook and the amount that can be put in !

culpepper

my frier is ancient but basic, it takes about 5 minutes to pre cook the chips, then I raise them above the oil and reheat till smokey and they are done in about another 2 or 3 minutes.
Whole thing from cold to cooked chips is probably about 15 minutes.
It just about holds enough for 4.
If you dont mind standing over it the whole time, a deep pan with a chip basket is just as good.

McKneff

pingua wrote: »

Well we bought it spring 08 and it went pop the other month - perhaps they have 'updated' them since. It was so handy for cooking and I do miss it. But don't want to fork out that much again. Chips took forever in it and one batch was never enough for all of us.
Having said that, not sure how long a fryer takes to cook and the amount that can be put in !

if it's only that long since new, i would try taking it back.
Warrantys are usually only for a year but the EU directive is 2 years.
And to be honest, at that sort of price i would expect it to last longer than 18 months. I really think you would get somewhere.

Give trading standards a ring before you do anything.
Let us know how you get on.

And, no, i wont be buying one after that. thanks

anguk

I was put off the Actifry after all the stories of them catching fire.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2008/11/chip_pans_up_in_smoke.html

I've just got a cheapie Argos fryer, less than £18 and it does enough chips for the 3 of us! It's very quick to heat up and cook and it doesn't take up too much room either. Best of all, the whole thing comes apart and is so easy to clean.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4225221/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/c_2/3%7C15701302%7CSmall+kitchen+appliances%7C14418587/c_3/4%7Ccat_14418587%7CFryers%7C14418598.htm

pingua

We bought it from amazon and yes we did get a refund - in the end - after contacting trading standards. Tefal themselves did not want to know and deny there is/was a problem with them.

Will check out the argos one. There are 5 of us so I just want to make sure it would be big enough. Although don't think by the sounds of things they take too long to cook.

pingua

How often does the oil need changing in these fryers? Does it just get left between cooking till you think its had enough?

pingua

Well wouldnt you know its out of stock everywhere!!

mikeandrach_2

the actifry is very good, don't be put off by the bbc programe. every electrical item has a returns %, the actifry is actually far lower than the average fryer. The issue reported on tv has been massively sensationalised, its an overheating issue which is actually more common on laptops.
also, the 2 year european warranty is a myth. it was a proposal that has not been implemented in the uk. you have the right to make a claim against the retailer, not the manufacturer, they do not have to refund/swap the item but they ay have an obligation to offer a repair or a partial refund.

pingua

We did love our actifry But this overheating problem happened within about 2 mins of turning ours on. Had it happened a bit later or whilst I was not in the kitchen... I think it is alot more common than they are letting on. And its not as if we used it everyday or every week for that matter.

But perhaps they have a 'new' model out.

Still looking for a fryer!! So many out there.