Presto 05442 CoolDaddy Deep Fryer

Pros: Heats up quickly, cooks and holds heat well, can lower basket with the lid down.

Cons: Poor design in basket height, closable lid only helpful in some instances.

The Bottom Line: This fryer offers a good value and fries food well. It has a couple of design issues that are more annoying than fatal. Big step up from the stovetop.

Review: After years of frying on the stovetop and fiddling with my thermometer and dealing with the mess and smell, I decided to break down and buy a dedicated fryer. I didn't want to spend a fortune on something I'd only use once a month, and this fryer was ...

Pros: Some decent features

Cons: Hard to clean, pain to use, expensive, replaceable filters?!?

The Bottom Line: While it has some cool features, to me it isn't worth the hassle.

Review: When we moved from California to Virginia we decided to get rid of some of our older appliances and replace them when we got here. One of the appliances was our beloved Fry Daddy (see review here:

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Pros: easy to clean, does a good job with smaller portions, outside cool to touch

Cons: small basket sometimes droops into oil, temperature only to 375, viewing window a waste

The Bottom Line: Despite having to cook food in batches, I have managed to overcome most of the shortcomings in this appliance. It would work better for a couple or small family.

Review: I’ve never owned a deep fryer. Frying to me meant a frying pan with oil and sauteing. French fries, mozzarella sticks, chicken strips all went into the oven. That’s just the way it was done in my house. We kept talking about getting a deep ...

Pros: The ideas were good.

Cons: You'd be better off with the Fry Daddy.

The Bottom Line: I can use this fryer if I leave the lid open. The whole idea is to have enclosed frying. Not a good plan.

Review: My old Fry Daddy (after fifteen years) was not quite hitting the heat mark, and I needed a new fryer. Heck, I’m southern where it’s in the rule book that you’ve got to have a fryer and a good one. When the fryer is not quite right, it’s time to get a new ...

Pros: Easy Clean-up and is cool to the touch

Cons: Does not heat well, Food sticks to the basket

The Bottom Line: I would not recommend the fryer unless you are cooking for one person and don't mind your house smelling like grease.

Review: This is my second CoolDaddy deep fryer and I dislike it more than the first one. The first one heated up fine, but only lasted about 8 months. The 05442 model is only good if you are cooking for one person. If you put too much food in the basket the ...