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Deep frying at home is usually a nightmare. You have to sacrifice a gallon of expensive oil, your house smells like a fast-food joint for three days, and managing the temperature on a stovetop usually results in either soggy fries or burnt offerings. It is messy, dangerous, and wasteful.
The Presto FryDaddy has been around for decades essentially promising to fix these issues with a very simple concept: a small, electric bucket that heats oil efficiently. It doesn’t have digital screens, timers, or Wi-Fi. It just fries things. I bought one to see if this classic design still holds up against modern air fryers and fancy basket deep fryers, or if it belongs in a museum.
What is the FryDaddy?
Unlike most deep fryers that look like miniature versions of what you see at McDonald’s (with wire baskets and heating elements immersed in the oil), the FryDaddy is essentially a non-stick pot with a heating element built into the walls.
- The 4:4 Ratio: Presto claims it uses 4 cups of oil to make 4 servings of food. This is incredibly efficient. Most fryers need huge amounts of oil just to reach the minimum fill line.
- No Controls: There are no temperature dials. You plug it in, it heats to roughly 375°F, and it stays there. It uses an internal thermostat to cycle the heat on and off.
- The “Scoop” System: It does not have a basket. You drop food directly into the oil and fish it out with the included slotted spoon.
- Storage Lid: It comes with a plastic snap-on lid so you can store the oil right in the unit for the next time.
Hands-On Experience: The Fries Test
I decided to test the FryDaddy with the ultimate challenge: frozen french fries and breaded chicken tenders.
Heating Up
I poured in a standard bottle of vegetable oil. It hit the fill line perfectly. I plugged it in (there is no on/off switch, which is a bit unnerving). In about 12 minutes, the oil was shimmering. I used a kitchen thermometer to check, and it was hovering right around 370°F. The recovery time is impressive because there is so little oil to heat.
Cooking Without a Basket
Dropping food in without a basket feels wrong at first. I was worried the food would stick to the bottom. However, the non-stick coating works. The fries floated around freely. The lack of a wire basket actually means you have more room for food, as baskets take up valuable volume.
The chicken tenders came out golden brown and crispy. The internal thermostat does a good job of kicking back on when you add cold food. I didn’t experience that greasy, oil-logged texture you get when the temperature drops too low.
The Mess Factor
Because there is no lid to use during cooking, there is some splatter. It’s not a volcano, but you will get small oil droplets on your counter. The “Scoop” takes some practice. Fishing out 50 individual french fries one scoop at a time is tedious compared to just lifting a basket. However, for larger items like chicken or onion rings, the scoop is fine.
Pros and Cons
After a week of frying, here is my honest assessment of the FryDaddy.
| What I Loved (Pros) | What Could Be Better (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Oil Efficiency: Uses a fraction of the oil compared to basket fryers. Saves money. | No Basket: Removing small items (like fries or popcorn shrimp) takes time and patience. |
| Temperature Recovery: Maintains high heat remarkably well for crispy results. | No On/Off Switch: You have to physically unplug it to turn it off. |
| Easy Storage: The snap-on lid lets you keep the oil in the unit. No pouring messy oil back into bottles. | Exterior Heat: The metal sides get scalding hot. Keep kids and pets away. |
| Cleaning: The non-stick interior wipes out easily (once cooled). | Magnetic Cord: The safety cord disconnects a little too easily if you bump it. |
Comparison: Which Fryer is For You?
The FryDaddy occupies a unique spot in the market. Here is how it compares to its big brother and a traditional basket fryer.
| Feature | Presto FryDaddy (This Review) | Presto GranPappy | T-fal Basket Fryer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity 🍟 | 4 Cups (4 Servings) | 6 Cups (6 Servings) | 3.5 Liters (Large) |
| Method 🥣 | Scoop (Bucket) | Scoop (Bucket) | Wire Basket |
| Temp Control 🌡️ | Automatic (Fixed) | Automatic (Fixed) | Adjustable Dial |
| Cleaning 🧽 | Easy (Non-stick) | Easy (Non-stick) | Hard (Wire mesh) |
| Price 💰 | Budget Friendly | Mid-Range | Premium |
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Presto FryDaddy is the best deep fryer for 90% of households. Unless you are feeding a football team or need precise temperature control for delicate tempura, this little bucket wins on convenience and efficiency.
The fact that you can use just 4 cups of oil means you won’t feel guilty frying up a batch of wings for a Tuesday night dinner. It heats up fast, cooks evenly, and stores easily. While I miss the basket for fries, the scoop works well enough for everything else. It is a simple, honest appliance that does exactly what it says it will do.
