Presto 05464 Dual Basket ProFry Immersion Element Deep Fryer

Professional-style fryer in a convenient at-home size. 1800 watt immersion element provides quick preheating and fat oil temperature recovery. Big 12-cup capacity for frying family-size batches in a hurry. Oblong-shaped basket is ideal for large pieces of chicken or fish. With dual basket. Adjustable thermostat for easy selection of a variety of frying temperatures. Signal light lets you know when the oil is ready for frying. Removable heating element and enameled pot for easy cleaning. Cover with filter helps reduce spattering.

Fried food is comfort food--think French fries, doughnuts, or shrimp tempura--and almost everyone craves it at some time or another. But it can be kind of messy to make at home. The Presto Dual Basket ProFry electric deep fryer is an easy-to-use, self-contained frying unit, so there's precious little mess. The lid has three sets of slots to accommodate the prongs of the fry basket--two for side-by-side frying and a central set for a one-basket batch—and it can stay on during the frying process to prevent spattering. A grease filter cuts down on the fine spray of oil that can occur with an open-top fryer. The Dual Basket ProFry fits easily on most kitchen countertops, and its neutral, no-nonsense look--gray matte aluminum with black accents--would not be out of place in a working professional kitchen or on a cooking show.

The removable enameled oil pot holds up to twelve cups of oil or six pounds of shortening, and can handle family-size batches of food. The large oblong baskets also accommodate large pieces of meat or fish. A thermostat dial knob allows the oil to be heated up to the optimum frying temperature of 375 degrees F; the immersion element helps recover oil temperature between batches. An indicator light to the left of the thermostat dial goes off when the oil has reached the desired temperature, usually taking about 10 minutes. The frying baskets each have two small hooks on the back that hang over the lip of the unit so that baskets and food can rest at a good angle for efficient draining. The power cord has a magnetic safety connection--if the unit is jostled during cooking, the cord will disconnect, shutting power off immediately. And there's an automatic shut-off function for overheating situations; a reset button in the back will reactivate the unit.

After frying, unplug the unit and allow it to cool completely before attempting to empty oil. (For more stability, lift the oil pot from opposite corners when removing to empty oil.) Wash the removable pot, fryer lid and frying basket (with removable handle) in warm water with mild detergent and a nonabrasive sponge or cloth, or in the dishwasher. The control assembly lifts out for cleaning. It is not immersible; wipe with a damp cloth to clean. The grease filter does not need to be replaced; it can be cleaned with a dish brush under warm running water. The Presto Dual Basket ProFry measures 14 by 14 by 11 inches (basket handles extend an additional 4 inches). Presto guarantees this product with a one-year limited warranty. A detailed instruction and recipe pamphlet is enclosed. --Garland Withers