Deep frying food is a skill any food enthusiast should grasp. The sound of boiling oil as it crisps your dish to-be is satisfying and its aroma is very welcoming.
While deep-fried food is not that healthy, a once-a-while serving won’t hurt. Among the items you need to perfect your skill in deep-frying is a cooking vessel. This is a pot designed to fry your food in pools of hot oil.
Are Deep-Frying Pots a Necessity?
Why can’t I use a regular cooking vessel for deep frying? This is a question many people have when looking for an ideal frying utility. While a regular pot can work for this food preparation mode, the results won’t be as good as you want.
Major problems you may encounter include poor heat distribution, splattering oil, and spills. A deep frying pot is designed in a manner that overcomes the mentioned hurdles. For instance, it has a slightly curved bottom to prevent spills and ensure even heat distribution.
Do you need one? If the answer is affirmative, you are in the right place. Stick on as we review the finest pots for frying your food.
The Best Pots for Deep Frying
Best Cast Iron
Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Cast iron pots are robust, translating to longevity. The Lodge enameled Dutch oven is an excellent example of a cast iron utensil. Let us look at its features to understand why it deserves a spot in this review.
Durability
Resilience is a crucial thing to keep in mind when getting kitchen utilities. This Lodge product is resilient, owing to its cast iron construction. Additionally, it has an enamel coat, which gives the pot an extra layer of sturdiness.
This utensil will have your back for ages, without degradation.
Structure
On the outside of the pot is an enamel coat. Besides making the pot sturdy, it enhances its heat retention quality. Therefore, when you use this pot for deep frying, the oil heats up fast.
On the inside is a glass surface, which helps in distributing heat. Ample distribution of heat will give you evenly cooked dishes.
The inner and outer coats of this pot make cleaning a hassle-free engagement.
Safety
Some of this pot’s elements that enhance its safety are its loop handles and stainless steel knob. They come to your aid when you want to check and remove your food from the cooker.
Moreover, the glass surface enhances your well-being. It is non-reactive, as such, won’t cause leaching into your foods.
Adaptability
While the Lodge product’s primary purpose is deep-frying, it has no limits on its functionality. You may use it for marination, refrigeration, broiling, baking, and oven-roasting.
Pros
- A durable utensil.
- Even heat distribution.
- Safe to use.
- You can use the pot for marination, baking, and refrigeration.
- The pot is dishwasher-friendly.
- A large cooking capacity of 6-quarts.
Con
- The paint may peel over time, especially if exposed to high temperatures.
Budget-Friendly Cast Iron Pick
Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
The next pick is highly durable, guaranteeing you long-term service. Highlighted below are additional facets of the Lodge 5 Quart cast iron Dutch oven that make it a suitable pick.
Product Quality
Cast iron is one of the finest materials for heavy-duty utensils like deep frying cooking pots. You can prove this statement by trying out the Lodge 5-quart Dutch oven. Moreover, its surface is already cured, thus, you will have no problems using it.
Multipurpose Use
This cooking implement can handle several functions. You can use it for deep-frying, baking, roasting, braising and simmering. Furthermore, you can use it on the stove, oven, or campfire.
Heat Retention
This pot assures you of well-cooked food, regardless of the cooking method. It has an impressive level of heat retention and distribution. The oil will boil fast, enabling you to have your meal ready in a few minutes.
Ease of Handling
Handling this pot is straightforward, supported by its lid knob and loop handles. You lift the lid by its knob to check on your meal’s readiness. If ready, you remove the pot from the cooker by holding its side handles.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- A durable construction.
- A pre-cured cooking vessel.
- Adequate heat retention and distribution.
- You can use the pot for many applications and different settings.
Con
- The pot may show signs of wear when you use soap to clean it.
Best Stainless Steel
Cook N Home 20 Quart Stainless Steel Saucepot
Stainless steel is a sturdy material, which is less prone to degradation. The Cook N Home 20 quart saucepot has stainless steel as its primary material. Hang on as we check on this item’s elements.
Top-Grade Construction
The Cook N Home utility is a stainless steel build. This material is robust, with a slow rate of wear. You can use it for many years, without the fear of it breaking apart. In addition, stainless steel is shiny; a feature that upholds the aesthetic appeal of this deep-frying vessel.
On the pot’s bottom is an encapsulated aluminum core for even heat distribution. The tempered glass lid is sturdy and allows you to check on your meals as they cook.
Capacity
At 20 quarts, this Cook N Home deep fryer has a large capacity. You can use it to prepare large meal servings at a go. It is a perfect addition to your commercial kitchen or if you have a large family.
Oven-Safe
Few pots can go into the oven and come out unscathed. The Cook N Home stainless steel saucepot is among them. Its resiliency is a contributing factor. You can bake, oven-roast, and broil using this vessel. Plus, it goes into various kinds of ovens, such as gas, electric and ceramic.
Safety
The pot’s safety features are the silicone-coated lid knob and side handles. The coat provides insulation against heat, to prevent accidental burns when dealing with it.
Dishwasher-Compatible
You do not have to stress about cleaning this utensil. It is dishwasher-friendly; hence, you save time when it comes to its maintenance.
Pros
- A large cooking capacity.
- Safe for oven use.
- Top-grade construction.
- Insulated side handles and lid knob.
- A dishwasher-friendly utility.
- Uniform heat distribution.
- A stunning look.
Con
- The inside may get discolored, especially after prolonged use.
Budget-Friendly Stainless Steel Pick
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel Pot
If you are on a tight budget and want a stainless steel pot, the Cuisinart stainless steel pot is an excellent option. Apart from a great value, it has several standout elements, as we can see below.
Classic Look
The Cuisinart pot has a striking look, thanks to its stainless steel construction. It can uplift the essence of a dull kitchen by placing it in opportune places.
Durability
As earlier hinted, this utensil sports stainless steel as its primary material. It is sturdy and less prone to scratches and dents. Moreover, the material is inert and won’t react with your food.
Heat Distribution
When shopping for a deep frying vessel, you have to consider its temperature distribution. This Cuisinart product has an aluminum-encapsulated base for fast heating and uniform heat diffusion.
Flexible Operation
You may use this implement for different applications. It is oven-safe, withstanding temperatures of up to 500-degrees Fahrenheit. It can also cook under a broiler or on stovetops.
Furthermore, this deep-frying utility is dishwasher-safe.
Pros
- A high-grade construction.
- The pot has a striking look.
- Ample heat distribution, courtesy of an aluminum encapsulation at the pot’s base.
- Dishwasher-friendly.
- Multiple functions, including refrigeration and oven cooking.
- Tapered rims for clean pouring.
Con
- You may notice black spots forming at the cookware’s base.
Best Wok
Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel
The wok is a Chinese cooking vessel that is perfect for deep frying due to its depth. In this category, the Craft Wok traditional hand-hammered steel is a great pick. Below are some of its impressive attributes.
Functionality
The Craft wok’s rounded bottom aids in heat distribution, ensuring uniform cooking. Its depth holds oil in place, preventing accidental spillages.
Furthermore, it has a wooden handle, which you grab for stability when using it. There’s also a steel helper handle that you can hold onto when removing the pan from a cooker.
Materials
This wok is sturdy, courtesy of its 15 gauge carbon steel construction.
Carbon reinforces steel; thus, the cooking implement is durable and won’t break easily. The handle is likewise durable and entirely made of wood, which has anti-slip properties. Both materials are safe to use.
Large Cooking Capacity
The Craft Wok traditional hand-hammered carbon steel has a large cooking capacity, which makes it a worthy companion for commercial settings.
What’s more, you can use this wok for many cooking styles including shallow frying, stir-frying, and standard cooking.
Pros
- Adequate cooking capacity.
- Use of safe materials.
- The round bottom promotes heat distribution.
- This cookware is durable.
- A non-slip wooden handle.
- You may use it for deep frying and stir-frying.
Con
- This cooking vessel is not compatible with flat cooking surfaces.
Related: Best Carbon Steel Wok Reviews 2022
Budget-Friendly Wok
Helen’s Asian Kitchen Carbon Steel and Bamboo Wok
A flat-bottomed wok is stable, allowing for use on various stoves. An example of such a wok is Helen’s Asian Kitchen carbon steel and bamboo wok. Let us see the niceties it comes with.
Versatility
The depth of this cookware is ideal for deep frying. The oil will settle at the bottom with minimal chances of splattering or spilling. Furthermore, you can use it to sauté, prepare stews and stir fry food.
Its flat bottom allows for use on different cookers.
Resilience
The Helen’s Asian Kitchen item is very durable, with 1.8-millimeter carbon steel. The material is robust and efficiently spreads heat. The bamboo handle is also sturdy and offers heat resistance for safe use.
Convenience
This product is easy to use and maintain. You can easily clean and also season it to improve its service life. Moreover, its stability, brought about by its flat base, prevents it from toppling as you cook.
Pros
- Convenient to use and maintain.
- The vessel is compatible with various cooking styles, such as sautéing and stir-frying.
- It is stable on various cookers.
- A durable build.
- An anti-slip bamboo handle.
Con
- This deep frying pot may develop rust spots if not well maintained.
Related: Best Carbon Steel Pan Reviews 2022
How to Ace Deep Frying
Deep frying is pretty easy if you are keen on instructions. To get desirable results, you start with a clean pot. Ensure your ingredients are ready before putting the vessel on the cooker. Let it preheat for less than a minute before adding oil.
If dealing with meat dishes, you may boil them before deep frying to cook them faster and avoid getting a raw dish. For battered food, keep the batter thin for even cooking. Deep frying under moderate temperatures guarantees you a tasty meal.
Deep Frying Safety Instructions
The following are safety instructions to be keen on when deep frying.
Stovetop
If using a stovetop to deep fry, you put the pot first before pouring the cooking oil. The oil should be half the pot at most. This prevents spilling and the splatters from reaching you. In addition, you can wear an apron for protection.
Your draining station should be close to the cooking area. It helps deal with spills, which can cause slips. Additionally, the food you are deep frying should have a minimal moisture content as water reacts violently with boiling oil.
Oven or BBQ
Before using the oven, check that the vessel is oven safe. Preheat the oven, an essential step for getting the oil hot enough. You can now add your food carefully to avoid splashing. It is also important to exercise caution when removing the pot with oil to avoid accidents.
You Might Ask
1. What Oil is Suitable for Deep Frying?
Smoking points and flavor are crucial things to check when picking suitable oil for frying. Oils with high smoking points are great as they do not burn quickly. For a diverse taste, peanut and canola oils are perfect.
If you want a mild taste, sunflower, soy, and palm oils are the go-to options.
2. What should I avoid cooking in cast iron pots?
Cast iron pots are sturdy, with a longer service life if properly maintained. When maintaining this vessel, you should watch the foods that go into it. Highly acidic foods should not be cooked in implements.
Moreover, avoid dishes with a strong flavor as the pot can absorb their essence.
3. Is deep frying the same as hallow frying?
Deep frying and shallow frying vary depending on the amount of oil used. The former uses a lot of oil, where you immerse food into a boiling pool of oil. The latter uses less oil, consequently, the food is not fully submerged.
Final Remark
Deep frying is a popular way of preparing meals. Here, you fully submerge the food in boiling oil while flipping it occasionally for evenness.
In this piece, we look at a significant component of deep frying, the pot. The review introduces you to prime deep-frying pots. Check out the selection to find a perfect fit for your kitchen.