I like it. Sturdy, unlike my older, cheaper deep fryer, which had an unstable feel to it. Timer is helpful--prevents leaving it on accidentally. Basket is larger than most, so items like FF can be spread out and fry quicker. Only downside is that this model is a little bulky (its squarer than most), especially if you live in a place with limited storage. And there's no real place in/on the unit to store the detachable cord. But this one looks like it will last a long time, and I'm glad I bought it..
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Below is my original review of this product. Since I wrote this the original fryer died (it had about two years of VERY frequent and hard use). We immediately replaced it with another T-Fal which has been chugging along just as well as the original, altho I think the new one is a little smaller.
I don't do French Fries never have been able to get them just right no matter how I fry or double fry them at home, but homemade potato chips. donuts, Indian samosas and pakoras or all kinds, Fry Bread, chicken fingers, Mexican foods (chili rellenos and taco and tostado shells not to mention tortilla chips) are wonderful and easy in the T-Fal fryer.
The product does get very warm so I recommend setting in on an inverted baking sheet to be sure the counter is protected. I won't lie and say that there is no grease splatter but it's really very neat and the little grease that there is can easily be cleaned up with just a sponge and soapy water no huge mess like frying on the stove.
Because we were so impressed with the T-fal fryer we also bought the T-Fal mini pie baker (which I love) and just bought a T-Fal toaster.
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We purchased the T-Fal Family Pro fryer about 4 weeks ago. It may be our downfall we've never eaten much fried food, but this makes it so easy and quick, and much neater than frying on the stove, that we have been having something fried about twice a month.
The first thing I did was a huge batch of chicken fingers actually cooked in 3 batches. Each batch was about 9 fingers (I made them myself, not frozen) and they cooked perfectly. I was finished in under 25 minutes.
I've also done french fries, potato chips, sweet potato chips, three Indian dishes (on two different occasions) including pakoras (several kinds) and samosas. I'm not sure, but it seems like less grease is absorbed by the foods than when frying on the stove. This is based on the amount of oil that needs to be "replaced" before reusing the unit.
Clean up is easy as is cleaning the entire unit. After doing some okra there was a lot of corn meal in the bottom of the unit, so we strained the grease, washed everything well and since it was only the 3rd use of the grease returned it to the fryer to be used a few more times.
I would recommend this product to anyone considering a deep fryer, especially if they did large quantities of anyting. There are only two of us, but I frequently do lots of somethng or another (egg rolls and won tons especially, for the freezer)so didn't even consider a small capacity fryer.
The unit does get the counter under it very hot so I have been setting it on an overturned baking sheet. I also wish that the cord was just a tiny bit longer, so I would be able to place the unit farther from the edge of the center island counter where the cord must go over the edge to reach the plug but can understand the safety concern of a short cord.
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I bought this deep fryer from Target (needed it immediately, instead of waiting for it to be shipped) and I must say it works GREAT! Very easy setup. After about 15 minutes of unboxing, and cleaning it, I was off to frying chicken wings. The timer setting was perfect. It cooked very even. Was able to fry 20 wings in one batch was nice. It is a great deep fryer for the price. I highly recommend it.
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I almost returned this as soon as I took it out of the box. The temp digits are so small (like an 8 font) I could barely see them. I gave it a chance and I kept it because it did a nice job cooking the food and it is so easy to clean. After a few uses all the printing on the control panel (including the temp digits) started to melt off. I was planning on returning it the next day, and then I had no choice because while I was prepping my food and letting it heat up it just stopped working. The lights were off and it was cold. I tried unplugging it for a while but nothing worked, it was just dead.
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We bought this fryer from Amazon in February (7 months ago,) and we have already experienced two breakdowns. First the lighted on/off switch literally disintegrated. The switch is lighted and the rocker is a thin red translucent plastic. Within a couple of months the switch rocker came flying off when I switched the unit on and the spring and guts came out of the switch unit. Upon examination I found that the rocker cover pivoted on two pencil lead sized pivots that easily failed with just a few uses. Rather than send the unit back, I went to Radio Shack and found a $3 replacement switch.
Last month the fryer wouldn't turn on. Troubleshooting the unit, I found that the safety mechanism that shuts off the unit when the heating element/control housing is removed from unit had failed. The micro-switch had become inoperative.
We're still using the unit, and always testing it before we prep the foods to go into it. It works great.....when it works. If you like to tinker with gadgets, buy this unit. I would strongly advise looking elsewhere for something more reliable. If you don't want the adventure of knowing whether you'll have deep fried foods for dinner on not, buy this fryer!
