Aroma ADF-212 Smart Fry XL Digital Dual Basket Deep Fryer

Comment: I've had many fryers before this one (Presto, Rotofryer, etc.); the latest was a Wolfgang Puck fryer which was expensive and lasted 2 years before dying. This fryer is about half the price of the Puck fryer and since both are made in China, I don't have high expectations for this one to last much longer than 2 years (I've had it about 1-1/2 years so far) but it may surprise me. It can cook much more than the Puck unit which was the largest fryer I had until now, and it keeps the temp fairly well unless you're doing frozen fries, then the temp drops down from 375 to about 310 after a little over a minute. I then would remove them and wait until the temp goes back up to about 370 then immerse them again for another 1-1/2 minutes or so until golden brown. Double-dipping this way assures that the fries will be crispy and not soggy from oil by avoiding frying at too low of a temperature.

Frying chicken, shrimp, etc. works very well. As long as you avoid frying frozen items, it will maintain temperature fairly well (as mentioned above, frozen stuff is best done by "double-dipping".)

Comment: Good price. An engineering marvel. Holds temp prior to frying plus/minus 10 Degrees Fahrenheit. Large oil volume (1.25 gallons max) assures the thermal mass will maintain temperature a little longer -- even when food is added. 1800 watt power input assures recovery is as quick as it can physically be. 1800 watts is about the maximum that can be drawn from a 15A 120 Volt circuit (make sure nothing else is being used on this circuit). The fryer will draw between 14.6 and 15.0 amps. Best used on a 20A circuit, that is standard in most newer kitchens, to reduce supply circuit voltage drop and provide the most voltage to the fryer.

Greater recovery time can only be obtained with a 240 Volt unit -- and who wants to pay the commercial price for a fryer or has 240 in the kitchen. Shuts off element automatically after the timer counts down to zero and goes into a standby mode. Noted only a minimal drop of temp when food added (30 degrees) and quick recovery to set point. This drop is a function of the quantity and temperature of the food added (as with any fryer).

Looked at 230 vac/50hz European models. While they may be usable at our 240/60hz for the heating element, the electronics may have a problem, so just decided to get the Aroma model. Oil immersion element is the best and quickest way to transfer heat to oil compared to fryers that heat the pan.

Current temperature and set point are displayed with a 5 degree resolution. Current temp is displayed as the default and shows the rise and also the drop in temp as food is inserted (unlike some that apparently do not want you to see this). Pressing the time/temp easily changes the current display of temp to either set point or time remaining. Super easy to use this multi-function mode of current temp/set point/timer.

Timer and Temperature set point can be changed at any time. Time can only be started after set point is reached as indicated when green light flashes -- and this is the way it should be. If you do not want to time -- do not press the START button after reaching temperature and unit will control temp forever (I think).

Easy to clean (furniture polish removes fingerprints off stainless steel). All parts, including the 3 baskets, handles, and cord store internally (this is also the way it was packed in the original box). Easy oil pour into a strainer over one of the 4 corners (no valves to leak).

Cons: 1) not having the count down timer visible while it is timing -- since current temperature is always shown. It can, however, be shown with just the press of the temp/time button. 2) "At temperature" and "frying cycle complete" alarms not loud enough.

One user reported being able to see when the temp had decreased (after turning off) so the oil can be safely removed, but current temp is not shown in the off/standby mode. One has to again activate a new heating cycle temporarily.

Comment: works well and looks nice

cons: a lot of steam comes out of the handle openings on the lid

Comment: I had the unit for only 3 months, used only 2 times before the unit gave out. It happened while I was hosting and cooking for a party. It worked well for two batches of food before it went dead. It showed ER on the display before going blank. Checked manual for explanation, no reference for error messages.
I called Aroma's customer service and was told to return the heating/LCD readout unit(at my cost) and they would send back a replacement. I called after 1 week to get a status report. They could not tell me if my unit had been received because I couldn't give them a tracking number for my return. They said they would put a search on and get back to me. Another week has pasted before I called again. It has been twice now that I have been promised a "call back" and received none.

Comment: I have used many deep fryers in the past and also having worked at a Fried Chicken place, I was looking for something that would give me similar results and it did. The large basket is perfect for frying some chicken and or catfish filets. It does take about 15 minutes or so to warm up, but that was expected being as big as it is, it hold nearly a gallon and a half of oil. Would definitely recommend this fryer to anyone looking for one