Anyone Had Good Or Bad Experiences With Deep Fat Fryers?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
July 18, 2012 6:18pm CST
I used to have one of these years ago in my flat-living days. It wasn't too bad actually but it was before the cool-wall technology really kicked in so I had to be careful with it.
I've read a lot about those Tefal Actifry machines and everyone raved about them when they first came out, going on about how brilliant they were and how little oil is used. Apparently, they are prone to breaking after a few months of use and for well over £100 that isn't good.
So, I've been doing some research and found the most amazing Philips gadget that looks almost space-age in its design and uses HOT AIR (like the MIL) to cook chips/fries with no oil at all, depending on what's being cooked.
How amazing is that?
http://www.philips.co.uk/c/home-cooking/171533/cat/
Granted, it's another mega-expensive machine but it's gorgeous to look at but does the thing work, that's the question? Do you have one or anything similar? Are you keeping abreast with all this new technology 'cos I 'aint!
http://www.philips.co.uk/c/home-cooking/171533/cat/
Granted, it's another mega-expensive machine but it's gorgeous to look at but does the thing work, that's the question? Do you have one or anything similar? Are you keeping abreast with all this new technology 'cos I 'aint!2 people like this
7 responses
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
29 Jul 12
That looks very cool and a lot safer! The deep fat fryer was my best friend back in the day. After a night of drunken head banging, throw in the chips and the sauages and all was well. I always wanted to try an egg in it but my better jugement prevailed lol. Now that I think of it, I am surprised I did not burn the house down. Thank god for microwaves and gadgets
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Jul 12
Plus the fact you're a bloke lol. It's a fact that men tend to burn houses down because they leave the chip pan on after a night out and fancy some chips..bit like you did actually..nearly!
@Dominique25 (9460)
• United States
19 Jul 12
No i don't have one. I'm way back in the stone age you might as well say. It is crazy how expensive things can cost. I hope that you are able to get an answer to your question if you are considering purchasing one. We just have a regular deep fryer and I have never used once, lol. I'm always afraid the oil will catch fire and burn the house down.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Jul 12
I think the newer ones have a safety cut-out system in case you forget you're frying chips lol.
How old is your regular deep fat fryer? If your machine does not have a safety feature the new ones do, even the very, very cheap ones..probably by law or something.
How old is your regular deep fat fryer? If your machine does not have a safety feature the new ones do, even the very, very cheap ones..probably by law or something.1 person likes this
@Dominique25 (9460)
• United States
19 Jul 12
Lol. I got it six years ago. It is crazy how fast time goes by. I will have to try it one of these days. I usually multitasking. But I better not multitasking while using my deep fryer :).
@shaggin (74987)
• United States
31 Jul 12
I have never seen a fryer that uses air and no oil. Seems like it would be healthier. We used to have a deep fryer but after a few years of using it it broke. Its not healthy to eat deep fried food anyway. We had to change the oil after a certain amount of time and it was a pain to change it. It was hard to not make a mess.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Jul 12
I know what you mean. I had a fairly small deep fat fryer in the early 90s (and, to be honest, they haven't changed much since then) and you're right, they are a pain to clean. Bit smelly as well aren't they?
However, I've read rave reviews about this new Philips Air Fryer and it blasts air at the food at 200 degrees C. I've seen a video of it in action and it sounds like it's taking off it's so loud.
It's cool to look at though and no way could you burn your house down using it.
It's cool to look at though and no way could you burn your house down using it.
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
27 Jul 12
Janey, as Bill said I did a discussion on this. I have to say, of all the aplliances we have, which isn't all that many, no microwave for instance, the Air Fryer gets as much use in its own right as all the others combined. It cooks a lot of things very well.
Lash
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Jul 12
Hi Lash! Sorry I haven't replied until now as I've been at Mum's house for a few days and she has no computer there.
I actually saw one of those Air Fryers in an electrical store called Comet that's within walking distance of Mum's home. They're very compact aren't they? I think they would have to come down in price a fair bit before I bought one though but they certainly look the part! It wouldn't take up too much space on my worktop which was the main reason for wanting to see one "in the flesh" so to speak.
1 person likes this
@anklesmash (1412)
•
19 Jul 12
I really like homemade chips cooked in a deep fat fried especially when they are really chunky.Bowever we have never had one at home.This is because before i was born my mum set one on fire and wont get another one.The only time i had chips cooked in.a deep fat fryer was when i went to my childminder twice a week after school though she was more like family than a child minder and i have kept on going to see her and they treat me like one of the family.At hone we only had oven chips which i know are healthier but they are not as nice.You can get a small fryer for quite a reasonable price so i think i will buy one when i go away to university.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Jul 12
I have made oven chips myself (well, they were wedges to be precise) and they were OK I suppose but a pain to do as I had to par-boil them first then place them in the oven with basic flavourings on them. The problem with that is I have a single oven so it's difficult cooking chips and other things at the same time and for the same AMOUNT of time, which is where a fryer would come in. Obviously, I am making a lame excuse to buy one but the ones I like are way out of my price bracket anyway lol.
1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
19 Jul 12
Deep fryers are bad, no matter how good the marketing gurus make them sound. As for the air fryers' they are not something I have used or would ever use, but I remember Grandpa Lash discussing one in one of his discussions earlier this year. Here it is:
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2650448.aspx
They bought one and have been using it. I am not sure if you are friends with him or his partner sharra1 or not?
No, I don't try to keep up with new fangled technology, just having a good quality, juicer, food processor and blender and sometimes a dehydrator is enough for me.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Jul 12
Why do you not cook anything? I've often wondered why you eat raw food. I could understand it if you were a gorilla lol.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
20 Jul 12
No, I am definitely not a gorilla but I am a chimpanzee.
I thought it was always obvious why I eat lots of raw food. It is simply better to eat lots of fresh veggies, fruits and loads of leafy greens than it is to eat processed foods that are full of toxic chemicals. Also cooking on high heat for a long period of time will kill off a lot of the enzymes and bacteria in even the best produce. Eating it raw is the best way to go to get maximum nutrition, improved digestion and energy transfer from the food. You feel better, live better and are also taking care of the planet better. I could go on and on really!
We do cook some things from time to time, especially now in the winter, but cooking for us is vastly different to what it would be for you and many others. Usually steamed veggies or a lentil curry at the most. 
I thought it was always obvious why I eat lots of raw food. It is simply better to eat lots of fresh veggies, fruits and loads of leafy greens than it is to eat processed foods that are full of toxic chemicals. Also cooking on high heat for a long period of time will kill off a lot of the enzymes and bacteria in even the best produce. Eating it raw is the best way to go to get maximum nutrition, improved digestion and energy transfer from the food. You feel better, live better and are also taking care of the planet better. I could go on and on really!
We do cook some things from time to time, especially now in the winter, but cooking for us is vastly different to what it would be for you and many others. Usually steamed veggies or a lentil curry at the most. 1 person likes this
