Mini fryer advice please!

lindos90

Can anyone please recommend a mini deep fat fryer please?

Im hoping to get one for my mum for Christmas, and im really boggled by the choice, particularly as I need to get one that she can use easily with the right features for her ability!

There seems to be some that have to have the lid off while cooking which causes splashes of oil everywhere, and others where you have to fiddle about to dettatch/reattach the handle during cooking.

My mum has quite a few functional problems, so I would like it to be as simple to use as possible, ie clear markings for temperture, handle that can stay on during cooking, easy to 'take apart' and clean, and hopefully one that where the lid can be kept closed during cooking, and just fries one small portion.

If anyone has one that they would recommend (or one to avoid!) please let me know! I would really be grateful for any advice!

She has previously always used a chip pan with 'lard' so i'll need to convert her to oil, unless anyone knows of a fryer that takes lard!

Thank you and hope someone can help!

Indie_Kid

The fryer we have doesn't sound suitable. However, it uses no oil or lard. Have you looked into one that doesn't use anything?

Savvy_Sue

If you can't convert her to oven or micro chips, can you rise to the Tefal Actifry? uses next to no oil but not sure if it does single portions.

lindos90

Thanks for the replies, have looked at the actifry, but it seems quite large, and may not work properly if theres not a fair amount of chips in it. I wouldn't mind paying that price for something that makes nice chips safely, but would need something much smaller I think, may thanks for the idea though!

Js_Other_Half

Philips have a new air fryer out now too, but RRP is £200!:

http://www.philips.co.uk/c/viva-collection-800-g-timer-temperature-control-hd9220_20/prd/?origin=7_gb_en_airfryer______marin|sUI1VUFhb&pcrid=6511889334

The video shows it to be a quite large, but not difficult to use, and dishwasher safe.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0042EU3A2/ref=nosim/6688506-rg1148-21

Indie_Kid

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

If you can't convert her to oven or micro chips, can you rise to the Tefal Actifry? uses next to no oil but not sure if it does single portions.

We have the Actifry. Someone tried hash browns in them, and they came out as a mush.:rotfl:

The chips are so much nicer.

Tulip09

I can do single portions in the actifry. Potatoes or chunky chips are great as well as stews/ stirfrys etc and it is easy to pickup/clean etc for me. Cost is pretty scary though but i dont have to use oil put out fires after i have forgot about it!

saschasmum

lindos90 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, have looked at the actifry, but it seems quite large, and may not work properly if theres not a fair amount of chips in it. I wouldn't mind paying that price for something that makes nice chips safely, but would need something much smaller I think, may thanks for the idea though!

I use my actifry just for me. It does frozen oven chips lovely. I also use it for sausages and also roast potatoes.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I know this is an old thread, but I've just got a Cookworks compact fryer from Argos for half price, which sounds the right size and price (£11.49, has been there for a tenner before)

lindos90

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

I know this is an old thread, but I've just got a Cookworks compact fryer from Argos for half price, which sounds the right size and price (£11.49, has been there for a tenner before)

Oh thanks for that Jojo, ive just found it on the argos website, looks quite smart! Can I pick your brains please about it please? Ive got myself really confused about how they work and different features/models.

Does the handle of the basket have to come off during frying? (some aparently do and my mum would struggle to manage this)

Does the lid hinge or come off, and does it have to be on or off during frying?

Do you have to use oil, or does the instructions say it can be used with solid fat like lard?

Hope you can help Jojo, you may have just found the perfect one for her! (and with a good price too!):T

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

lindos90 wrote: »

Oh thanks for that Jojo, ive just found it on the argos website, looks quite smart! Can I pick your brains please about it please? Ive got myself really confused about how they work and different features/models.

Does the handle of the basket have to come off during frying? (some aparently do and my mum would struggle to manage this)

Does the lid hinge or come off, and does it have to be on or off during frying?

Do you have to use oil, or does the instructions say it can be used with solid fat like lard?

Hope you can help Jojo, you may have just found the perfect one for her! (and with a good price too!):T

Well, as far as I can see (I haven't actually made anything in it yet - I only got it yesterday ),

The lid lifts on and off - this is good in my mind, as I remember the hinged one slamming down without warning on a friend's hand. I believe you put the lid on gently - but the instructions do not say one way or another - there are vents in the lid, which is why I think you do.

The handle slots into notches in the lid - again supporting the lid on whilst cooking theory - so you don't need to unclip the handle.

Oil is easier (there is a min max line) but it does say you can use solid fat - it recommends for first use, you melt it in a saucepan and pour it into the fryer, but for subsequent uses, you poke some holes into the blob with a fork.


It is extremely basic, but I just wanted something safer than a frying pan or overfilled wok, which didn't need half a gallon of oil to tip away after a few uses - this uses 600 - 800ml, less than the small bottles of oil - just to cook a couple of portions of chips or the odd onion bhaji.


Hope that helps!