Looking for a Deep Fryer

I need some recommendations here.  This will be used mostly for fish.  It would have to be big enough to handle any "lunkers" that I catch.  I generally don't fillet.  I just cut the heads off, gut and scale.  I'm guessing it's unlikely that I'll ever have anything more than 15 inches—most everything will be much smaller.  Not a huge deal about size.  I could always steak a few into smaller pieces.
 
A quick look on Amazon shows very cheap prices.  I don't want to spend a lot of money on this and don't need anything fancy - Bread em - toss em in - take em out and eat.
 
What do you folks recommend?  I've never used a deep fryer - any features I should care about?
 
Thanks
 
The Hot Pepper said:
 
 Not sure but some of the cheaper ones will not hold steady temps or reach 375 which some people like for good wings. 365 is usually fine but with wings some demand 375 for good wangs and some of the cheaer models do not get there. ;)
Or they are such small capacity that temp draw down and recovery makes the fried product inferior in quality.
 
dragon49 said:
I need some recommendations here.  This will be used mostly for fish.  It would have to be big enough to handle any "lunkers" that I catch.  I generally don't fillet.  I just cut the heads off, gut and scale.  I'm guessing it's unlikely that I'll ever have anything more than 15 inches—most everything will be much smaller.  Not a huge deal about size.  I could always steak a few into smaller pieces.
 
A quick look on Amazon shows very cheap prices.  I don't want to spend a lot of money on this and don't need anything fancy - Bread em - toss em in - take em out and eat.
 
What do you folks recommend?  I've never used a deep fryer - any features I should care about?
 
Thanks
 
If mostly for fish you can pan fry or fry in any of your deeper pots you have in house.  Just pour yourself 2-3 inches of oil, heat to proper temp and fry.  Here's a link to a serious eats article that details frying at home. 
 
I've had several smaller "fry daddy" type cookers over the years.  I prefer the deeper units over the rectangular ones that come with baskets.  Both models do what they're supposed to do - fry food.  The one I have now is a round presto non stick about 10 inches deep that also works as a steamer but it's main job is to allow me to fry fish on the back patio because the wife doesn't tolerate stinking up the house.  ;) 
 
I just picked up a butterball electric turkey deep fryer on clearance at Walmart for $54. Their normally $110+. If you can find a walmart that still has one left on clearance. I guarantee you wont find one with the size and features of this fryer. Itll do up to 20lb turkey in an hour. So it shouldnt have any issues doing large fish. After owning one without. The best feature it has or any fryer can have is a drain for the oil. I wont own another fryer without a drain.
 
My preferred method for cooking chicken wings is to deep fry the raw wings until they are just finished (around 10-12 mins) and then pull em out, drain them well, sauce em up and finish on a hot grill for a little bit to help dry them a touch and crisp them up.
 
I've been using my wok for deep frying. Nice carbon steel, got it seasoned BLACK with hours of seasoning. I like the shape of the wok because you don;t waste a lot of oil. Fries for example. Fill a pot of oil. Wok = fill the bottom and the reverse-dome shape saves oil with less at the bottom and it fries great!!!! The large sides catch splashes but also have a screen and lid. #woknroll!
 
The Hot Pepper said:
I've been using my wok for deep frying. Nice carbon steel, got it seasoned BLACK with hours of seasoning. I like the shape of the wok because you don;t waste a lot of oil. Fries for example. Fill a pot of oil. Wok = fill the bottom and the reverse-dome shape saves oil with less at the bottom and it fries great!!!! The large sides catch splashes but also have a screen and lid. #woknroll!
 
A billion Chinese can't be wong.
 
However.
 
I use this.
 
Recessed comal.
 
And love to be loving it long time.
I got mine from Heinsohns Country Store online.
 
Scroll down the page to find it.
 
https://www.texastastes.com/comals-woks.htm
 
But cuidado.
 
You will spend so much time on that site.
 
Your wife or GF will think you're definitely watching porn.
 
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