I'd get one with a removable oil bucket to help make cleaning a little easier. Also, a large capacity is a good idea, since the higher ratio of oil to food will result in the oil maintaining it's temperature better. Built in t'stat is nice, too, as is a filtered lid.
I have this one:
I bought it after seeing a "Good Eats" episode in 2004 where he was buying a deep fryer. I read some of the reviews on it and they aren't that great but I love mine.
Here's the write up on it:
"If you're a fan of Alton Brown, his show "Good Eats", Food TV, or basically just good cooking, then you'll appreciate this... on tonight's episode he reviewed his checklist for selecting a great deep fryer. This is the model he chose.
To be clear, he never discusses or recommends specific brands. Rather, he uses checklists of important features then chooses the best one. Following is his checklist so you can see how he arrived at his decision.
1. Its element should heat the oil, not the container. Sounds like common sense, but look carefully and you'll see most fryers have the element mounted on the outside bottom. This requires the fryer itself to become super-heated before the oil does. This configuration takes much longer, and can be more dangerous.
2. Digital readout for precise temperature control. You'll notice other reviewers discussing greasy-tasting food when using under-heated oil. Exactly his point.
3. Capacity should be 5 quarts or more.
4. The fryer should be able to top 375 degrees for flexible and fast cooking.
5. A vented lid allows safe covering while cooking.
The Euro-Pro F1066 meets or exceeds each of these standards. "
We must have the same Rival, Barb. A pain to clean, but it won't break so I can buy a new one. I really want the one Joe has.I've got a Rival that I've had for about 7 years now and it just won't die.......I don't like it at all. It's a PITA to clean....... I usually use my big chicken fryer instead. lol I'm looking for a new one too. I'd like to get one with two baskets.
We must have the same Rival, Barb. A pain to clean, but it won't break so I can buy a new one. I really want the one Joe has.
You want I should put a bug in your hubby's ear?Same here Terry. That's the one I'm eyeing too.lol I do have a birthday in January.
That would help............LOL
Or I could just go buy it and and tell him it's what "he" bought me. hahaha
On second look I have an earlier model without digital thingy.I have this one myself. Love it.
Yes that is the method my wife uses but come to think of it I do too.
Same here Ray, I used to have a Tefal when I lived over there, that is.. once I threw the dangerous, ancient chip pan out in the binI don't use one, sorry - we gave up deep fat frying some years ago.
I have this one myself. Love it.
Tefal must have been an English invention, given all the chip pan fires they have in their history.Tefal, cool touch, filter in lid, heats to 375, indicator light when it has reached the temp set, and it has little pic's of fish, french fries, etc by the correct temps for cooking each I like it!
Holy smokes, Joe. You look like you're trying to communicate with a satellite there.