Anyone who needs to keep the hob free
If a sauce or side dish is already cooking on the hob, a freestanding electric deep fryer lets you fry food elsewhere. This is the use highlighted by Que Choisir in its guide to electric deep fryers.
Who are these options suitable for?
Households that deep-fry regularly
For frequent or generous batches, the stated amount of food per batch matters just as much as the oil capacity. It’s also worth checking how the oil is drained, filtered and stored before choosing a model.
Anyone coordinating two dishes
If your main aim is to cook two parts of a meal without using the hob, a dual-drawer air fryer could work if each drawer is large enough for your portions. However, you’ll need to be happy with hot-air cooking rather than deep-frying.
How do the cooking methods compare?
First decide whether you need to deep-fry: if you do, an air fryer and oven won’t be suitable, but you’ll still need to consider space and cleaning. A traditional deep fryer placed on the hob will only work if you’re happy to use a hob ring while cooking.
| Priority | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Deep-frying without using the hob | Check that the appliance heats independently of the hob, and compare the stated amount of food per batch with your usual portions. | If the rest of the meal is cooking on the hob, you’ll need to be able to deep-fry without interrupting that cooking. Around 33% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Oil maintenance | Check how the oil is drained, whether it can be filtered, and which parts the instructions say are dishwasher-safe. | After regular frying, draining the tank and cleaning away residue can influence your choice of appliance; around 27% of consumers would put maintenance first. |
| Portions and storage | Separate the oil capacity from the amount of food cooked per batch, then measure the space available for storing the appliance. | If several batches make mealtimes longer but a large fryer is hard to fit in your kitchen, you’ll need to balance portion size against the space it takes up. This would be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Two cooking tasks without deep-frying | For a dual-drawer air fryer, check the capacity of each drawer and whether the model can coordinate the finish times. | If you need to cook two parts of a meal at the same time without deep-frying, separate cooking zones may matter more than frying itself; around 20% of consumers would prioritise this setup. |
An oven can also leave the hob free, as long as it’s available and you don’t need to deep-fry. However, it won’t give you extra cooking space if you’re already using the oven for the meal.
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing a deep fryer that sits on the hob to free it up
A traditional deep fryer takes up the very hob space you need for your other dish.
If both dishes need to cook at the same time, compare freestanding electric appliances, an oven if one is available, or hot-air cooking instead.
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Confusing tank capacity with the amount of food
Oil capacity and the stated amount of food per batch measure different things. A large tank doesn’t, by itself, tell you how many batches you’ll need to cook.
Compare both figures with your usual portions, and check the appliance’s external dimensions too.
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Assuming filtration means no maintenance
A filtration or storage system doesn’t remove the need to follow the model’s instructions for cooling, draining and cleaning.
Check the instructions to see which parts can be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and how to store the oil between uses.
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Mixing oils without checking the instructions
In its instructions for the Oleoclean Compact, SEB warns that mixing different oils can cause emulsions and the oil to overflow during cooking.
Follow the oil guidance in your deep fryer’s instructions.
Brands to know for each cooking method
Tefal
The range includes electric deep fryers, such as the OleoClean Pro FR804110, which Tefal says features oil filtration and storage.
- For the FR804110, Tefal states an oil capacity of 3,5 L, a food capacity of up to 1,2 kg and an adjustable temperature of 150 to 190 °C.
- On this model, the heating element isn’t listed as a removable dishwasher-safe part. Check the specifications for any other model separately.
SEB
The Oleoclean Compact FR701601 is worth considering if oil filtration and storage are important to you.
- SEB states that this model filters the oil automatically after use.
- The electrical base isn’t dishwasher-safe. If you won’t be using the appliance for an extended period, SEB recommends storing the oil separately and cleaning the appliance.
De’Longhi
The Cool Zone range is worth exploring if you’re looking for a cool zone beneath the heating element. The F32110CZ is a model described by the brand, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s available to buy.
- De’Longhi says this design allows particles to settle beneath the heating element, helping to keep the oil cleaner.
- The specifications listed for the F32110CZ, including its maximum capacity of 3,5 L, don’t automatically apply to other models from the brand.
Severin
Severin offers both the FR 2431 deep-fat fryer and the S-Fry Duo Stack FR 2468 dual-drawer air fryer, so your choice starts with the cooking method you want.
- Severin states that the FR 2431 uses around 3 L of oil and cooks around 400 g of food per batch; the FR 2468 has two 5,5 L drawers, according to the brand.
- These capacities relate to different appliances and uses: the litres of a hot-air fryer drawer aren’t directly comparable with the litres of oil in a deep fryer.
Moulinex
The Dual Easy Fry EZ901AF0 is an option for coordinating two hot-air cooking tasks while keeping the hob free.
- Moulinex states that this model has two drawers, with capacities of 5 L and 3 L, and a synchronisation function.
- Hot-air cooking isn’t a like-for-like replacement for deep-frying.
Electric deep fryers and a hot-air alternative on Joybuy
This selection brings together electric deep fryers for cooking without using the hob and a dual-drawer air fryer for cooking two foods with hot air. First choose your cooking method, then compare capacities and maintenance with the meals you usually make.
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Hkoenig DFX600, dual-tank deep fryer, 3 L × 2
Cook two batches of fried food while using the hob for the rest of the meal. The product title lists two independent thermostats, 3 600 W of power, removable baskets and odour filters. Check how much space you’ll need and read the tank maintenance instructions before buying.
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Tefal Clear Duo, 3,5 L deep fryer
A deep-fat fryer to consider if you want to keep the hob free for other cooking. The product name lists a 3,5 L capacity and an anti-mist viewing window. For maintenance, check the instructions to see how to drain the oil and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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Livoo DOC217, dual deep fryer, 2 × 3 L
Its two oil tanks let you cook two batches without tying up the hob. The product title lists two 3 L tanks and 3 300 W of power. Before choosing this double-size design, measure the space you have and check the cleaning instructions.
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Livoo DOC240, 1,5 L deep fryer
This model is worth considering for smaller batches without using the hob. The product name lists a 1,5 L capacity and 900 W of power; the description says it can cook up to 400 g of chips per batch. The tank is described as fixed, so check the instructions for cleaning guidance.
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Ninja DZ400EU Dual Zone, 9,5 L air fryer
Worth considering if you want to cook two foods without using the hob or deep-frying. The product title lists two drawers and a total capacity of 9,5 L; hot-air cooking is different from frying in oil. If it’s important for both dishes to finish cooking at the same time, check that this specific model has a synchronisation function.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should I choose to serve a meal without cooking several batches?
First compare the stated amount of food per batch with your portions, then check the oil capacity and the appliance’s dimensions. These measurements aren’t interchangeable: Tefal states that the OleoClean Pro FR804110 holds 3,5 L of oil and cooks up to 1,2 kg of food, while Severin lists around 3 L of oil and around 400 g of food per batch for the FR 2431.
What should I check to make an oil fryer easier to maintain?
Check the oil drainage, filtration and storage separately, as well as the list of dishwasher-safe parts. What you can’t wash varies by model: Tefal says the heating element on the OleoClean Pro FR804110 isn’t dishwasher-safe, while SEB says the electrical base on the Oleoclean Compact FR701601 isn’t either.
Can I leave the oil in the deep fryer between uses?
Follow the instructions for your model and take the storage period into account. For the Oleoclean Compact, SEB says the oil can be left in the fryer with the lid closed, but recommends storing it in a separate container and cleaning the appliance if it won’t be used for an extended period.
Where can I dispose of used frying oil in France?
Check the guidance from your local authority or recycling centre before setting off. For example, the rules at a Syctom recycling centre allow used vegetable cooking oil to be dropped off; this applies to that site and not necessarily to all recycling centres.
Can I use a traditional deep fryer on an induction hob?
The tank must be compatible with induction: Que Choisir notes, for example, that an aluminium cast tank isn’t suitable for this use. Even if it is compatible, a deep fryer placed on the hob occupies a ring while cooking, so it won’t keep the hob free.