Presto Frydaddy

The compact budget pick — a tiny, no-frills fryer using minimal oil (4 cups) with a fixed preset temperature, a small footprint, dead-simple operation, and a very low price. Fine for one or two people and occasional basic frying; no adjustable temperature or large batches.

The Presto FryDaddy is the compact, simple, budget pick for small households and occasional frying. It's a tiny, no-frills fryer using a small amount of oil (its '4 cups of oil, 4 servings' design) with no controls — you plug it in and it maintains a preset frying temperature automatically. Its simplicity is the appeal: minimal oil to buy and dispose of, a small footprint that stores easily, a very low price, and dead-simple operation with nothing to set, plus a scoop to lift food out. The trade-offs are no adjustable temperature (one fixed temp, fine for basics but not varied or precise frying) and small capacity (no large batches). But for cheap, simple, small-scale frying — a single person, small kitchen, or occasional chips and doughnuts — it's the easy, inexpensive choice that won't intimidate or take over your kitchen.

▶ Video review

Presto Fry Daddy Review / Is This Classic Deep Fryer Still Worth Buying?