What do you fry in??

[Down to Earth]

I've always used an electric skillet, but am contemplating going out and getting a deep fryer. What do you guys all use and why? Advantages/Disadvantages of one vs. the other?

Thanks.

Andy

[!wall-i-king]

I have actually recently moved away from either of those. I have used electric fry pans and like that you can control the heat, but it never seems like you can make the oil deep enough to cover fish and it doesn't get evenly cooked. The deep fryer that I have used didn't have a temp control so it was hard to get a good temp, however it cooked fish evenly because they were totally submerged. However I have found that a Wok works really well. I can get the best of both situations, I can control the heat and put in enough oil to cover fish. My vote would be for a wok.

[BAIT956]

I want to echo the comments of !wall-i-king. I had very much the same experiences. In addition, the high sides keep the oil from spattering all over. Totally submersable and easy to clean.

Get a wok and you will not regret it.

[Skitterpop]

I bought a Rival deep fryer 2 months ago. Until then I had always used the frying pan. I love it! It cooks the fish so much quicker, seels in the heat when the fish is done cooking, and the fillets are actually less greasy because the fillet coating seels around the meat so quickly. I use canola oil and periodically strain it to get the crumbs out of the oil so it does not get a burnt taste to it. I used the oil about 10 times until I switch it out. My only complaint would be that the oil steam coming out of it makes the house not smell so wonderful so I typically deep fry the fish outside so the fish steam can blow away. Otherwise I can not believe I did not buy the fryer ages ago. The fish just cooks so much faster and crispier than in the old frying pan.

[FRESHWATER PETIE]

I have used a wok also, works very good with smaller fillets. I do most of my frying with a large fry pan though... The electric skillet works well also. I usually fry up alot of fillets at one time, so the larger fry pan is more ideal for my large family.

[walleyeking#8]

I have used the electric skillet, the fry pan, the deep fryer and the grill. They all are good, but I feel the best is in a fry pan over a open flame. Like you would do when you have a shore lunch. We have our annual fish fry up at the cabin and we fry the fish on the gas grill and they are always scrumpdilyicious. I found that what you use to fry them in can be the difference. We use 2/3 vegetable oil and 1/3 olive oil. When I make them at home I sometimes fry them and then I use crisco shortening, I think that works well on higher heat. If I deep fry them, I use Wesson vegetable oil, I like this the best. I guess everyone has there own way that they like. This is mine.

[Bobby Bass]

I to use a Rival deep fryer, as long as you keep it clean and change out the oil it works great. Takes a little while to warm up but after it is hot it maintains the temp when the fish or fries or shrimp are lowered in the basket. I like mine so much that I gave them to all my kids for x-mas presents this past year. Cooking time is much better then pan frying.

[Phred52]

DtE, I fry in multiple ways. At home, I use a Presto "Fry Pro" for fish, chicken drummies, strips and shrimp. It's heat regulated and fries up a bunch at a time. At the cabin, I use a 15" cast iron skillet on an open fire and pay REAL CLOSE attention to what I'm doing. I've also used the skillet on a charcoal fire on the grill, once. And then, I've used the turkey fryer with less oil. It worked Ok, but the easiest and best way (IMO) is the Presto fry pro (or pro-fry). You get the oil up to temp, put in a load of fillets, and wait until the light comes back on (that the oil is back up to the preset temp 350*) I'm thinkin' I need another Presto for up-north (SOON)! Phred52

[cheesehead]

I use a cast iron dutch oven. just hang it over the camp fire and cook away.

I don't know what it is but food cooked over the open fire tastes 10 times better than anything cooked inside.

[MJCatfish]

My dad bought a rectangular-shaped cast aluminum pan, maybe 30 years ago. It fits two burners on a stove top in the house and/or two burners on your typical campstove. It has a lid that can be used as a shallow fry pan. The deep pan is about 3-4 inches deep, and is perfect for frying fish. I was lucky enough to "steal" the deep pan from him, but he uses the shallow pan still, even though he doesn't camp anymore. I'll have to wait on that one, because I think I'll be able to use it as a dutch oven of sorts.

I've done internet searches for this set up, but have not found it, so the company must have shut the doors. I believe he ordered from Gander Mountain.

Not only is the best fish cooking pan around, it certainly has sentimental value to it as well.

MJ