Chip pans and deep fat fryers compared

Chip Pans and Deep Fat Fryers

Chip pans and deep fat fryers are intended to make the job of frying chips easier and in some instances they do. But it is not that complicated to fry the chips in a conventional pan with a lid and use a metal slotted spoon to remove the chips from the fat. Several of our chip cooking sessions were done this way and it really isn't a problem.
As far as cleaning is concerned using this method it's simple. Chuck the pan and slotted spoon in the dishwasher and hey presto it's done.

CHIP PANS
These are simply a pan and metal basket which are designed so that the basket is raised just above the base of the pan. Most chip baskets can be bought separately though (and much cheaper) and they fit a largish pan well.

The basket makes it much easier to take the chips from the hot fat in the pan and also the chips are easier to clear of excess fat. This is the option we would recommend above all the other options. Cleaning is no problem, both the pan and basket can go in the dishwasher or be washed by hand.

DEEP FAT FRYERS
Don't buy one, that's our honest advice. First of all, they cook good chips but that's all. You'll never get the best tasting chips from a deep fat fryer.

A few other downsides come with your deep fat fryer as well. First is they cost a whole lot more than a chip pan. Second, and this is the major problem we have them, they will break. Either the lid, or the non-stick coating, some are reputed to explode. Any electrical item will eventually break and in our experience deep fat fryers break quicker and more regularly than most other appliances.

That's not the end of the problems with deep fat fryers. None we have seen will cook four good portions. OK for a couple, but not a family. Also, deep fat fryers take longer to cook a batch of chips compared to manually cooking them.

And finally, is the cleaning problem. With a pan and basket you chuck it in the dishwasher and that's it. Even deep fat fryers that claim to be "easy clean" will get dirty on the outside with oil, and that will need to cleaned by hand regularly.

In conclusion, a pan and basket will always work, they are cheap and they cook superior chips for a large family. A deep fat fryer does none of that. Take our advice, use a pan and basket!

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CHIP PANS & DEEP FAT FRYERS