Fry daddy??

[MrsReber]

Hi everyone. I know, I know, how could I be asking about a fryer on the Cooking Light bulletin board? Well, it is entitled "Great Food" and we must allow for some indulgence, right?

Anyway, I can get a brand spankin' new Fry Daddyfor only $7.35 (shipping and handling). It is made by Presto, it's cast aluminum body with non stick surface inside. I was just curious as to whether anyone out there might have one or have an opinion on one. Thought I'd give it a shot, but for free, I certainly can't complain too much. I need something that will tell me the temperature of the oil when I deep fry (which is really not that often). I always get the oil too hot on the stove and burn things, including myself. My husband and I love deep fried buffalo wings and I would like to try the hush puppies, not to mention my Christmas cookies (bugies).

I appreciate any feedback! Thanks!

[Shirley Panek]

Hi.

I have the Presto Fry Daddy. The things I use it for (mainly) are for making rice and cheese sticks (a big indulgence for me). I like the fact that it's nonstick and can be submerged in water to wash. I've just moved recently and so am on a search for the cookbook that goes with it.

I say go for it - (of course my husband calls me the kitchen gadget queen). If you find you don't like it you can always sell it at a garage sale or donate it right? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Laura B]

Fry Daddy is not going to tell you what temperature your oil is. I had one and it is just a pot of oil that you plug in. There is no temperature gauge. I got sick of mine pretty quickly because there is no lid to close while you are using it (only a plastic cover for when it is not in use) and the sides got too gunky for me to even clean well anymore. I traded it in last christmas for a Delonghi Deep Fryer with a nice lid, basket, and odor filter. It was totally worth the 100 bucks for my house not to stink for two days because I had a craving french fries and fish sticks!

I just realized that mine was a Fry BABY - so I could be wrong about the Fry Daddy. I think my mom had a Fry DADDY though and it was just a bigger version of what I had.

*** OK, I just looked up the Fry Daddy on the presto web page and it is just like my Fry Baby. It says that it "maintains the perfect frying temperature" automatically. However, different things need different frying temps, so I don't know what they mean by the "perfect frying temperature." And you cannot adjust the temperature.

So, my recommendation is to find something with a lid, odor filter, and adjustable temperature gauge. I am sure you can get one for less than the one I got and you can put your $7 bucks towards that. I noticed on Presto's web page that they make a fryer called the Cool Daddy that looks a lot like mine and has an adjustable temperature. I would bet that it is under 50 bucks. Check out you local WalMart or Target!

www.presto-net.com (http://www.presto-net.com)



[This message has been edited by Laura B (edited 08-13-2000).]

[MrsReber]

Thanks to both of you for your reviews, although extremely conflicting. I don't think I'd really use it all that often so it might be okay for me to go with this one. I see that it does in fact only have a plastic lid for oil storage and it says that it has automatic temperature control. I am not sure what that means. I will give it a little more though since I am in no great hurry to get one, just thought it'd be easier than trying to fry things in a skillet- ouch!!! Ah, decisions, decisions. I have too many kitchen gadgets, too, but I need more!

[Marsha]

I have a Fry Grandaddy - think the Fry Daddy is very small if you are cooking for more than one person. Have used mine more for making taco/tostado "baskets" out of tortillas, and our own tortilla chips....but haven't used it for 5 years or more....I just don't fry stuff anymore!

[Laura B]

If you really don't fry that often and just want a safer alternative to frying in your skillet (the same reason I got my Fry Daddy), then go for it. After using mine for two years or so, I just could not take it anymore. And be careful, it can still splatter you when you put your food in it but won't really splatter you throughout cooking the way a fry pan does. And be very sure not to put too much oil in it. My husband put a bit too much oil in once (he is the one in charge of frying - we call HIM the fry daddy!) and when the fries went in the oil the whole thing overflowed. Hot oil all over the kitchen. It was very dangerous.

[This message has been edited by Laura B (edited 08-13-2000).]

[cookgirl]

Whatever you decide... If you go with the Fry daddy...be sure to make Sweet potato fries (use smallest amount of Canola Oil neccessary) OH YUM!

[MrsReber]

Thanks for the suggestion, Cookgirl. They sound awesome! My sister has told me about them (she lives in NC) but I never had them myself.

Well, I looked on Presto's website and I think the Cooldaddy looks pretty good. Even if I don't use it that often, it'd be nice to have a decent one with all the extras and I really am concerned about the proper temperature.Thanks Laura for suggesting that site- and thanks everyone else for your responses!