Rival CF425-W Digital Removable Bowl Deep Fryer

You can watch those French fries, shrimp tempura and corn fritters frying to a crispy, golden brown thanks to the viewing window. The electronic timer and thermostat keep cooking temperature even which results in perfectly cooked, not overly greasy food. Finally, clean up is easy thanks to the coating of DuPont Teflon that surfaces the bowl.

Deep frying on the stove is messy and kind of dangerous. Not to mention the smell of the oil that permeates the house. This Rival deep fryer makes it so much easier, from heating the oil just to the proper temperature to cleaning up. It's got a clean-curved "Brave Little Toaster" look, white with a gray basket handle, and easy-to-clean touch button controls. A green ready light tells when the proper oil temperature has been reached, and there's a view window in the lid to keep an eye on what's frying. The removable nonstick bowl holds up to 8 cups of oil, and there are easy-to read "min" and "max" guidelines on the inner surface to indicate when more oil should be added.

This deep-frying unit emphasizes safety, with non-skid feet, a lock-down lid, an exterior housing that stays cool, and a magnetic cord that will detach if the machine is jostled, effectively shutting it down. It also has a filter in the lid that catches odors as they escape during cooking. The basket handle folds down during cooking or storage, and it locks into place for stability while food is being placed into or removed from the hot oil. A digital timer makes an audible tone to say that the food is done, and it shuts the heat off automatically so the oil won't continue to heat up.

The nonstick oil reservoir detaches for easy cleaning. Use a gentle scrubber--no harshly abrasive cleansers or steel wool. The deep fryer measures 15 by 11 by 11 inches (unit is 20 inches long when 5-inch handle is extended). Rival includes a one-year warranty against defects and a detailed booklet of instructions, recipes, and tips. --Garland Withers