Deep fat fryer v 'chip pan'

[Mrsspagnoli57]

I've never had a deep fat fryer and haven't had a chip pan for years but we are getting a bit bored with oven chips which are a bit bland. I've been looking at deep fat fryers and there are some good ones and bad ones-sometimes the same model if the reviews are anything to go by. All I want is to occasionally cook my own chips , I'm not intending buying frozen chips. Would I be better off with a DFF or just a good old fashioned chip pan and basket???

[tenrec]

Either of those items are huge fire risks. I would stick with oven chips. If you have never had a chip pan fire you will not know how extremely dangerous they are. (Just my opinion!)

[chrissa1]

Chip pans are too dangerous for me. DFF everytime.

[ummmm]

DFF are much safer.

[HowardKennitby]

DFF will give you the option of the thermostatic control which should make for better cooking and would be safer.
Cheap DFFs sometimes have thermostats that are not very accurate.
You get what you pay for. I once had a small DFF on which the setting was 20°C out at 100°C. You had to set it to 120 to get 100.

[Maydup]

Noooooo don't do it. Just have chips as a treat when you're out or cook a few potatoes as wedges in the oven if you fancy them at home.

[Meg]

I've got an actifry, chips in it are brilliant.

[heathfield]

If you only have chips occasionally, as I do, a deep fat fryer is hardly a 'must have'. The oil sitting in it will oxidise and eventually go off. I use a small saucepan to deep fry oven chips in batches of a half-dozen at a time, and keep them warm in the oven. They taste far, far better than just heating them in the oven. Once the oil has cooled, I save it by returning it to the bottle, using a Melitta conical coffee filter paper and a plastic funnel. This filters out any bits in the oil, and also takes out any flavours left in the oil.

[TWR]

Try some oven chips Mrs, no fire risk, no hazel,

[ummmm]

Oven chips are not a patch on home made chips.

[hc4361]

Just buy a chip basket that will fit an existing pan.

[whiskeryron]

Buy Homefries (which are meant to be oven chips) & cook them in a deep fat fryer, you will never taste better chips believe me.

Ron.

[woofgang]

I had a nice DFF but got rid because it used loads of oil and made the whole house stink.
If you only want chips occasionally, try these oven chips.
http://www.mccain.co....chips/gorgeous-chips/

they are superb, but dearer than the standard and more calories but I would think no dearer or more calorific that home made when you take the cost of the oil into account.

[Lore]

A chip pan is just too risky. We had a house fire when I was a child because a chip pan had been left unattended. My Dad and brother were very lucky to escape with bit of a cough!

I don't have a deep fat fryer either but a few friends have an actifry and love them.

[whiskeryron]

Buy Homefries (which are meant to be oven chips) & cook them in a Deep Fat Fryer. I swear you will never ever taste better chips.

Ron.

[naomi24]

Hate oven chips and I've thrown the deep fat fryer away. Proper chip pan every time - which isn't very often.

[whiskeryron]

Sorry for the repeat I waited ages for the first answer to go in & it didn't appear.

Ron.

[berniecuddles]

i love oven chips my wife has to have hers fresh,peeled,
cut and deep fried she hates oven chips!

[naomi24]

Sorry, I should have said only chips made at home with real peeled and sliced potatoes will do too. Nothing bought out of a shop freezer. Proper chips!

[Frank97]

I do the same Ron, with these http://www.mccain.co....-home/southern-fries/ delicious, highly recommended by me.

[ummmm]

I hate oven chips as well. I find they have an after taste.

Chunky home made every time. I just use a normal saucepan and take them out with a slotted spoon. A basket would be easier but they're a bugger to clean.

I never leave the chip pan unattended...I set fire to one when I was a kid. Luckily for me the adverts on what to with a chip pan fire were running at the time.