When Dean and FryMaster decided to promote healthy frying and to help fried food lovers and fried food providers limit the fat content of the food, this demonstrated a real desire to make their products as healthy as possible.

Let’s face it, fried food is scrumptious, but is not the healthiest way of cooking.  Rather than glossing over this fact, Dean embraced it, accepted it, and decided to treat their customers with respect. The fitfrying.com website was launched to promote the healthy use of their industrial fryers, and to help to educate restaurateurs on the best methods for reducing the fat intake as much as is possible. This helps to make the fried food made by a Dean deep fryer one of the healthiest possible.

The guide for the use of a Dean deep fryer consists of 5 key points for healthy frying, and provides information of a refreshing depth. Not only do they offer a guide to selecting the right fryer, they offer diagrams to help with the explanations and descriptions of how the machines work. They offer a detailed analysis of the 13 main types of oil to be used, with detailed benefits of each. A guide for selecting the right food to use in the fryer, a highly educational detailed process to be followed, and a maintenance guide for the machine you purchase are all covered.

There is a wealth of information on offer including detailed nutritional information, trends throughout the US and even details on nutritional regulation to help you to make sure that you follow the state guidelines for fat usage, in particular with the trans fat and menu labeling initiatives in place. Healthy, legal cooking is certainly the way forward.

So what of the actual fryers? Dean offer energy saving technology, gas and electric models, an innovative fryer filtration system and are part of the Manitowoc Foodservice STAR® Service program, which offers support and ongoing help to operators of the machines. The range starts at a modest 35lb capacity, and runs up to 100 lb machines, suitable for even the largest fried food chain.  These freestanding fryers start at around $700 for the lowest capacity up to around $3500 for the larger machines.

A company which takes voluntary healthy eating initiatives such Dean should be rewarded. These highly commendable steps demonstrate a level of customer care which is sadly a rarity. Taking such an active role after the fryer has left the factory demonstrates excellent customer serve and care for the purchasers of their products. If you are looking for a heavy duty, super high capacity frying system for your customers then a Dean deep fryer not only performs the task very well, but it is from a company that can be trusted and are actually keen that you produce the highest quality healthy food. It is a shame that more manufacturers do not take this lead and put a little more effort into customer service. After all, there is more to the full sales process than getting just getting the signed check.

Dual deep fryers allow you to conveniently keep your frying in a separate area of the kitchen; out of the way and the stove is kept free and uncluttered. It will lower the cleaning time, cook at an even temperature, and ensure that all of your fried food is a perfect golden color and as crisp as it should be.

So what are the important features to look out for when buying a fryer? The list is not exhaustive; however there are some key functions which should not be overlooked. Pay attention to these factors and it will ensure you buy a fryer which is not only up to the job, but you will also will get the maximum possible use from it.

1. Aesthetics:  Not a vital element for well prepared food, however your machine will be out on display in the kitchen for all to see. Brushed stainless steel looks great, but a couple of greasy finger prints and it’s difficult to clean without leaving smears. Look at the lip of the frying compartment and ask yourself if it is likely to drip when used.
2. Capacity: Make sure you get a model with sufficient capacity to cook for the whole families in one go. For the dual basket models, make sure that both baskets are sufficiently large and deep enough for the maximum range of food to be easily prepared
3. Cleanliness: All fryers need to be emptied and cleaned from time to time. Choose a model with a filter to get rid of the small bits of food which fall through the basket. This should be easy to remove and clean, preferably without having to empty al of the oil out first. Oil needs to be easily emptied too.
4. Power: Higher wattage means faster heating time and higher fuel usage. Go for a model which will heat up the oil quickly. You will not want to wait 15 minutes for the fat to get hot enough to cook.
5. Cooking temperature: You will need to have an adjustable thermostat to ensure you can get the oil to the correct temperature and keep it there. Chips and fried chicken are not cooked at the same temperature and some variety in the settings will ensure a perfect golden fry for all types of food.
6. Cost: Shop around. Store bought fryers are invariably more expensive that the same online models. Whilst you have to rely on pictures when purchasing from online stores, and will have to waiting a couple more days for the delivery, it could well save you a considerable amount.
7. Size: Decide where it is going to go, measure the space and buy one that fits. If frying is important, decide on the fryer, and then remodel your kitchen.

If you pay attention to all of these points when selecting dual deep fryers, you will ensure that you get the model which is perfect for your requirements.

There are 9 fryers ranges currently on the market from Presto, offering a range of styles and designs in stainless steel, white, easy-clean plastic, and my personal favorites, the black aluminum models with non-stick coating inside and out.

The FryDaddy brings to mind a black electric KFC bargain bucket, which is highly appropriate considering that would be its primary purpose in my household. It’s a DEEP fat fryer (note the capitals). The GranPappy offers a similar style of extra deep frying compartment, with the DualDaddy deep and oval shape for easy cooking of larger items such as fried chicken and fish.

For efficiency of oil use, the FryDaddy requires just 4 cups of oil, and the GranDaddy just 6 cups and makes six large servings.

For extra convenience there is the Presto dual deep fryer, called the DualDaddy. This is the model with the highest food capacity. It will fry 8 good sized meals.  Personally I would say it gives 4 extra large portions and 6 good sized meals, but then I do love my fried food.

The key benefit of the Presto dual deep fryer is the oval shape which is perfect for frying larger food, such as fish filets.  It has a dual divider which separates different fried foods, so two meals can be cooked at the same time. Very handy if not all food cooks to the same timescale.

It has the same inside and out non-stick coating making it one of the easiest to clean models on the market. For storage, all three models have a snap on lid to help keep the oil clean when not in use, and to stop any stale oil odors from filling the kitchen.

It is temperature controlled, sturdy, and has an 8 cup oil capacity and operates at 1500 watts for a fast heating and cooking time.

It is a good all-rounder, both attractive and practical. However it is not without its faults. Whilst the snap on lid makes it look good, you will find that you cannot use it when it is turned on. Naturally you want to see the food cooking and be able to turn items, but what many other ranges have is lid which can be lowered when cooking to prevent steam and odors from filling the kitchen. Whilst it has a thermostat for a consistent cooking temperature, none of these models have a timer.

They are also basketless fryers – personally I have found that a basket takes up a lot of frying space, however it does make for quick and easy removal of food. For fried chicken it is not a major problem, however a full load of chips can take a little while to empty. The basket models allow draining before serving – this type may be a little messier to use.

Presto do offer ranges with all of these extra features, and more standard looking models which have all of the features that you are likely to require. However if you want a fryer that looks “the Daddy” then this is the range to choose, and my choice would be the Presto dual deep fryer.

Once you have decided on the features that your fryer will need you can narrow down the range on offer and select a handful which give you the functionality and cater to your budget.

You will find a range of brands on the market in this competitive industry such as Tefal, Dean, Pima, Presto, Rival, Wells and Delonghi. Which brand should you choose? It always pays in the long run to purchase a piece of equipment from a name you can trust, that has a good history within the industry, and makes high quality durable machines. Delonghi deep fryers offer a range of 10 models and are a respectable brand of household appliances.

It is a good idea to have a look at some reviews of the product you are looking at to get feedback from people who have made an excellent decision, or regret the day they ever set foot in the shop where they bought it. Both viewpoints are equally important, as you can learn from the mistakes of others or benefit from their good decisions.

The Delonghi range offers three categories of fryer:  For the home, there are Rotofryers and rectangular fryers, and a commercial range for heavy duty frying.

For the maximum use, a rectangular fryer is often the most practical. It is easy and convenient to fit in the kitchen and is long enough for a high food capacity. They can also be used for fried fish filets without having to cut them down to fit.

Rotofryers have a rotating cooking compartment to help ensure that food is cooked evenly.  Delonghi deep fryers with the rotating mechanism use half the oil of the standard rectangular models, which is more cost efficient in the long run, not just in the quantity of oil used, but also in the fuel used to get the oil to desired cooking temperature.

There are two common rotating Delonghi deep fryers on the market with the catchy names of D895UX at 2.2 lb capacity and the D677UX with a 1.5lb capacity. They cost $70 and $100 respectively.  Whether they assume that the people who eat the highest amount of fried food are also those with the least money it is difficult to tell. However, there are some important extras on the more expensive model. It features a timer for one, so you do not need to worry about over cooking.

Both models have the same range of excellent features including a viewing window to see the food without lifting the lid, an excellent cleaning system to drain the oil through a tube so it does not need to be lifted., an adjustable thermostat cooking at 300 to 375ºC, odor and vapor filters, a detachable power cord and an easy clean non stick oil container. Both also allows you to raise the basket out of the oil and drain without lifting to prevent hot oil splashes.

All in all, a name to trust, an excellent array of features and a good price make Delonghi one of the brands to look out for.

The nation which invented the deep fried battered Mars Bar needs somewhere to fry it. This artery clogging, sugary, chocolaty, battered culinary delight should never be mixed in with your chips. That would just be plain wrong. A separate cooking area is the order of the day, unless you want chocolate flavored chips and chip flavored chocolate.

Whilst fried battered chocolate is not everyone’s cup of tea, the same principles apply to more run of the mill fried food. For the English, it allows separation of fish and chips.  For the Germans, sausage and pommes frites can be compartmentalized, and for the Americans, well, it holds double the food that a standard fryer does. It is truly a machine for all nations.

Generally a Dual deep fryer will offer a single fat reservoir, with two compartments for cooking separate food items. Whilst this does not give the option of using separate fats for separate foods, it does allow two dishes to be cooked at the same time.  The separation of food allows for easy and quick removal, very useful if you don’t quite get the timings right and one food item is ready before the other.

Unfortunately, there is often a problem with a deep fat fryer, and that is one of cleaning. A piece of kitchen equipment which is designed to make life easy should do so across the board. If it is difficult to clean you will end up spending considerable time cleaning after use, or will be tempted to leave the cleaning for longer, giving food a stale taste.

A way of prolonging the life of the oil is to choose a model with an oil filter. Just as in a car, this innovation cleans the oil prolonging its life. The filters can then be emptied or replaced with ease.

A second common complaint is one of capacity. For the machine to function well and prepare meals for all the family, or for commercial fryers which need to quickly produce large quantities of food, the basket and capacity should be high enough so that food does not need to be cooked in batches.

The power rating should also be considered. Whilst the higher wattage models will use more energy to heat up the oil and cook, they will do so in a much shorter time frame. Also choose one with an adjustable thermostat – not all fried food is cooked at the same temperature, and having a good enough range of settings to cook every food item well is vitally important.

So what will a Dual deep fryer cost you? The starting price is around $60, with expensive commercial fryers running into several thousands of Dollars. A good household model with high capacity will cost around $90. Clearly there is a happy medium between these extremes, but that will depend on the space you have available in the kitchen, and naturally the volume of fried food your family is likely to get through.