Why you should get a deep fryer instead of an air fryer

Deep fryers can get messy — they are a vat of hot, dirty oil after all. But this fryer from T-fal has a filtration system that cleans the used oil and safely stores it for reuse. It also has dishwasher-safe parts (everything except the heating element) that you won't have to scrub by hand.

Aside from being easy to clean, the T-fal deep fryer is easy to use as well. The basket sits in two positions for frying and draining the excess oil. It has a heating system that evenly warms the oil, so you won't have any cold patches that result in soggy food.

Thanks to the size of this deep fryer, you can make a small batch of appetizers or a main course for the whole fam.

With a powerful heating element, this Cuisinart deep fryer reaches the ideal frying temperature quickly. It's a great size for potatoes, onion rings, chicken, seafood, and donuts.

This fryer features heat-resistant handles on both the lid and the frying basket to help you avoid burning yourself. After you're finished frying up your food, you can throw the frying basket, oil container, and lid in the dishwasher for hassle-free cleanup.

Some deep fryers can be bulky, and while this one is not tiny, it is pretty compact and smaller than a microwave. This model comes in a few different sizes if you want something even smaller or want a large option for frying a whole turkey.

If you're looking to just dabble in deep frying or don't need anything too fancy, you should definitely consider the Bella Pro Series stainless steel fryer. It's extremely affordable but it doesn't skimp out on quality or features.

This fryer is nice and compact to fit easily on your countertop or stored in a cabinet. The basket has a heat resistant handle cover and the deep fryer's lid is see-through so you can watch your food turn to the perfect color. Plus, the basket, handle, and lid are all dishwasher safe.

Depending on what you're frying, you might want to heat the oil to different temperatures. With this deep fryer's adjustable thermostat you're able to select how hot you want your oil to get. There are also light indicators to let you know when it's preheating and when it's ready to cook.

When it comes to deep fryers, you want width over depth. This allows your food to be more spread out instead of piled on top of itself, which means the oil is able to hit every side evenly and you won't have soggy, cold middle pieces. This Chefman deep fryer has a nice, wide frying basket that can accommodate about 2.5 to 3 pounds of food.

The lid has a viewing window that lets you check on your food without splattering oil all over the place. When the food reaches optimal crispiness, clip the basket to the side of the fryer to let the oil drain out to prevent messes. After you're all done, you can pop the basket and removable oil container in the dishwasher.

Considering the size and price of this deep fryer, you're really getting the best bang for your buck. It's large enough to feed a crowd and it's well below the $100 mark.

Feel like a professional fry cook with this three-basket deep fryer. It comes with two 2-quart and one 4-quart baskets. The dual baskets are good for when you want to whip up a main course and a side, or two different sides. You can cook chicken wings and French fries simultaneously so they're both ready to eat at the same time.

The smaller baskets can each hold up to a pound of food while the large basket handles more than 2.5 pounds. Each one has a heat-resistant handle to save you from burns and they have their individual slots carved out of the fryer to keep them perfectly in place.

As you can expect from its capacity, this deep fryer is pretty bulky and you'll need adequate kitchen space to store it — it's definitely not for a tiny apartment.

Like the Instant Pot, this multi-cooker fryer does the job of multiple kitchen appliances. It's big enough to deep fry an entire meal or food for a few people. The metal basket snaps onto the rim of the fryer to keep it in place — it has a metal handle, so use an oven mitt or pot holder to lift it out after frying.

In addition to deep frying, you can use this cast aluminum pot to steam, blanche, roast, and make soup and pasta. It's truly an all-in-one kitchen companion.

The frying/steaming basket has a non-stick finish, though a handful of reviewers noted that they would prefer stainless steel to avoid corrosion. The fryer has a large, clear lid that allows you to keep an eye on your food while avoiding rogue hot oil splashes. With the heating unit removed, every part of this is dishwasher safe.

Thanksgiving is not complete without a beautiful, crispy turkey. Sure, you can roast a bird in the oven, but to take it to the next level you're going to want a big old deep fryer. This frying kit comes with everything you need to fry a turkey except for a propane burner. You'll get a large 42-quart aluminum pot with a lid and riveted handles, poultry rack and lift hook, thermometer, seasoning injector, and protective glove.

Because of its large capacity, it does take about half an hour for the oil to heat up in this pot, so plan your day accordingly. Also, it's important to note that this fryer is intended for outdoor use only (please don't put a giant vat of oil over a propane burner inside your house).

During the rest of the year, you can use the Bayou Classic to fry up seafood and other meats, make soup, or whatever your heart desires. This deep fryer does require a lot of oil, so it's not ideal for small batches — whip this bad boy out for parties.

If you want to fry a whole bird but don't need a massive outdoor fryer, this countertop rotisserie fryer is great for cooking smaller poultry. It's not just for birds, though — you can use it as your everyday fryer or for special occasions with large crowds.

This fryer comes with both a frying basket and a rotisserie spit to ensure any whole birds get cooked evenly all the way around. The basket and spit each have their own detachable handles, with the rotisserie one having double handles for better leverage.

The timer on this fryer goes up to 120 minutes for extended cooking — no raw meat here. When you're done frying, the lid and basket are dishwasher safe while you'll need to wipe down the rest.