Why Are Small Deep Fryers Missing from The Market?

ladybug1 on 22/08/2021 - 23:15

I'm looking for a deep fryer, and the smallest easily available is 3 l, for which you will need 2.5 l oil. That's a lot of oil to store, given no one is likely to use it more than once or twice a week at most.

Kmart apparently does make a 1.5l one but I've heard it sets off steam and smoke (interested if you have other experiences).

I found that both Tefal and Cuisinart did have 2l fryers, which they have phased out of the Australian market. Delonghi has a rotary fryer that needs even less oil, but the machine itself is fairly big. I may still have to buy it because of the lack of options.

So my question is, why aren't small fryers more easily available?

Home & Garden Deep Fryer

Comments

  • p1 ama on 22/08/2021 - 23:24
    +9

    The straight answer is because they've been replaced by airfryers.

    • ladybug1 on 22/08/2021 - 23:25

      but then how is it that the big ones are still being sold?

      • p1 ama on 22/08/2021 - 23:35
        +7

        Because airfryers don't work well for larger loads

    • jv on 22/08/2021 - 23:48
      +5

      beer battered fish does not turn out very well in an airfryer.

      • iDroid on 23/08/2021 - 09:59
        +1

        Air fryer == small oven with basket and fan.

  • spackbace on 22/08/2021 - 23:32
    +2

    Would it not be just as easy to use a pot with oil and a thermometer….?

    • ladybug1 on 22/08/2021 - 23:33

      That's what I have been doing, but the high temps destroy good pans.

      • spackbace on 22/08/2021 - 23:35

        https://www.bigw.com.au/product/sunbeam-multi-cooker-deep-fr…

        Sunbeam 2L deep fryer, in stock at big w

        First hit when searching "2L deep fryer", funnily enough…

        Or a tiny Kogan one for similar money:
        https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/09l-deep-fryer-adjustable-therm…

        • ladybug1 on 22/08/2021 - 23:39

          When I'd seen it at the shops, the sign on the Sunbeam says 5L, but yes, when I look at the description now, it does say the oil capacity is 2L!! Thanks!

          • whitelie on 22/08/2021 - 23:43
            +3

            @ladybug1: It's technically a 5L electric saucepan with a deep fryer basket. Safe oil content is 2L as the level will increase with food displacement and moisture content.
            I think a dedicated deep fryer will have better thermostat control but hey….

          • jjjaar on 22/08/2021 - 23:57
            +1

            @ladybug1: I have that sunbeam one and it doesn’t get hot enough for some things, doughnuts or tempura for example, just soak in the oil rather than fry. End up doing those on a pot on the stove instead.

            Fried chicken works well though.

            • ladybug1 on 22/08/2021 - 23:58

              @jjjaar: That's the problem with a lot of fryers, it seems. Also with my Aldi air fryer.

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 23/08/2021 - 23:40

      And dangerous especially on gas ovens.

  • whitelie on 22/08/2021 - 23:38

    What are you frying in a 1L deep fryer? I'm sure you can definitely get 2L (or thereabouts) still.
    We've got a 4L one, one basket does just enough chips as a side for our family. If I'm cooking fish or something else in there, you only really get one or two pieces.
    When it's done, cool down, lid on and back in the cupboard until next time. Probably only use it once or twice a fortnight at most. Clean it out/change the oil every couple of months (depending on what's been cooked in there). I just buy the 4L sunflower or canola oil when they're on special so it's not expensive to fill.

    I put a thick cutting board over my gas stove and put the fryer on there so I can use the exhaust fan. Have never set off the smoke alarm even when it's not under there but don't want the whole house smelling like a fish and chip shop.

    • ladybug1 on 22/08/2021 - 23:45

      Cauliflower or chicken or battered fish, usually for one person at a time. Rarely 2.
      I've never had a deep fryer. Also air fryers don't seem to do things covered in a wet batter.

      • jv on 22/08/2021 - 23:50
        +7

        one person at a time. Rarely 2.

        That's sad 😢

        • Wystri Warrick on 23/08/2021 - 04:26
          +9

          jv showing emotion? Ok who are you and what have you done with jv

      • whitelie on 22/08/2021 - 23:55
        +2

        Yes, if wet batter, I'd deep fry personally.
        I'd just go with a Kmart or similar cheap deep fryer even if it's 3-4L. The cost of filling it with oil would likely still put you in front of a more expensive brand name fryer of smaller capacity. You can also strain the oil out, clean the fryer and put the oil back in which will make it last longer as you're not burning crumbs/batter that has accumulated on the bottom.

        • ladybug1 on 22/08/2021 - 23:59

          Kmart does have a 1.5l one. I was just wary because I've heard of people setting off fire alarms with it. I guess I could always try it and see.

  • kaleidoscope on 23/08/2021 - 05:40

    Often wondered about it too. My mate had a cheap brand small capacity one and said the temp marking faded away after couple of uses.
    I was planning to purchase the big boy tefal when I spotted this. Only 1L of oil as per specifications and comes with oil storage similar to the 4L pro model.

    https://www.myer.com.au/p/tefal-oleoclean-snack-dep-fryer-bl…

    • eltito on 23/08/2021 - 11:59

      Have you used the Tefal snack deep fryer yet? If so, what are your thoughts?

      I was planning on buying the Tefal Pro model that has popped up a few times on ozbargain but have held off, as I don't need something too big - it seems that the snack version is a decent size (with minimum oil consumption)

        • eltito on 24/08/2021 - 10:57

          Yeah that’s the one I was eyeing off originally. The issue is the capacity oil is 3.5L. For a household of 2 - that’s way too much oil. This is with my assumption that you need to fill it close to that limit. Correct me if I’m wrong though - would be amazing if I could just use 1L of oil (or something close to that) in that unit

  • mskeggs on 23/08/2021 - 08:05
    +1

    We have a 1L fryer. It cooks enough chips for one person, maybe as many as a McDonalds large fries. I bought it because a teenager was making himself a snack and a lot of mess in a pan. Not useful for the family cooking.
    I can’t see the exact model we have, but there is a 1.5L one on ebay for $32.99, so you could try it out pretty inexpensively.

    • jv on 23/08/2021 - 09:58

      I bought it because a teenager was making himself a snack and a lot of mess in a pan.

      These are perfect for today's teenagers…

      • Seraphin7 on 23/08/2021 - 10:43

        I remember when these first came out about 30 years ago … total waste of time. These any better?

        • jv on 23/08/2021 - 11:08
          +1

          These any better?

          They are OK… Not that different from maccas.

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