Presto 06003 Options Electric Multi-Cooker, Steamer

I am always reluctant to purchase small electrics but this is a great addition to the kitchen. I bought it to use as a deep fryer for french fries, etc. and it's perfect for that, although the lawyers don't let Presto tell you that it can be used as a deep fryer. It keeps the oil at the correct temperature (so it doesn't burn) and holds a lot. If you fry frequently I don't see why you couldn't keep the oil in the pot with the lid on for reuse, but I don't do that since I only fry a few times a month. It also can be used as a slow cooker, and it's great for simmering sauces (e.g. spaghetti sauce) which tend to stick and burn to the bottom of a saucepan on the stove. Think of it as a temperature-controlled burner on your stove. You could get a similar result, I suppose, from one of those induction hotplates, but this is less expensive and does a great job. It's very easy to clean. The only drawback in my opinion is that the handles and feet need to be attached with a Phillips screwdriver and it's not included in the box. So you either need to have one or buy one to put it together. Also, I find they need to be re-tightened from time to time. Easy to do. The power cord is on the short side (blame the lawyers again) but it has a break-away magnetic attachment for safety. I use this much more often than I thought I would and it is well worth the price.

Awesome fryer. Good value and quality for price.

I was replacing a five year old Hamilton Beach deep fryer that I used only for French Fries. It was a nightmare to clean and slowly failed many times over the years and I managed to patch it up and keep it going. So instead of fighting it and trying to clean it again I wanted a fryer that was easy to clean. I found it with this Presto. I did have to assemble four legs and two handles but that took less than five minutes. It has no exposed immersion heating element to get gummed up with grease and the thermostat is removable. That just leaves the pot and basket to clean. I did find that the included aluminum basket retains a little too much oil so I simply used my reliable old wire mesh fry basket. As I only use this for frozen fries it works quite well. It does take about five minutes longer to reach frying heat than my old fryer and checking with a thermometer I found that the 400 degree stetting is closer to 375, just perfect for fries. So a twenty minute warm-up, a four minute frying time, and easy clean-up. What's not to like. Oh yeah, it could use a pouring spout for draining but that's not enough to lose a star. How well it works with other food I don't know and I've had it for such a short time I have no clue has to how long it will last, but it does seem to be well made.

After using a heavy aluminum roasting pan and a Le Creuset french oven for our deep frying, I decided it was time to get a dedicated deep fryer. Only problem; so many reviewed as not reaching 400 degrees F. I finally opted for this model and am genuinely happy with this purchase. I always use a (constantly tested) candy thermometer when deep frying, and have continued to do the same with this Presto multi cooker. It does take longer to heat up to 400 degrees - around 20 minutes minimum. But that gives me food prep time. Note this multi-cooker reads a bit over 400 on my tested thermometer (and I've never let it sit without placing food in it at that temp, so it might go higher; use caution, don't assume it's stopping at 400 degrees). One other note of caution, at 400, the temperature dial gets extremely hot - it now has heat blisters on it - not from oil spatter. I do sugar sculpting, and my fingers are used to heat, but I still have to use a hot pad on the dial to turn this off if it's been on a while at 400 degrees. I typically fry onion rings, fries, okra, chicken, fish, zucchini, mushrooms, ice cream, zeppole, cauliflower, the kitchen sink (gotcha!) lower than 400 (360 to 375), but I must have 400 for sopapillas. For those that test their fryer, please understand in any type of cooking pot the oil temp will drop when food goes in - and your temps vary depending on the location of the thermometer (top or bottom readings). My thick-walled aluminum roasting pan and cast iron pot drop 10 - 40 degrees depending on how much is put in, whether it's breaded, etc. The Presto will also loose heat. This is why you fry small batches, and allow the heat of the oil to recover. Cast iron tends to hold heat better, but it'll still drop in temp. Cast iron is also heavy (mine is 10 lbs.) which is why it's not a preferred method for me - too much of a hassle to handle and wash. My heavy aluminum roasting pan has thicker walls than the Presto, thus a thicker lip, so I spill oil everywhere when emptying for straining/storage. Again, not a preferred method due to waste. I typically fry enough for 2 to 4 people, but do so in batches, same as with both my other pots. Hint: Use a thermometer, set the dial for 400 even if you're frying food at a lower temp. The oil comes back up to temp more quickly at the highest dial setting. I like the magnetically attached heat control - it can be pulled off in an emergency. I reached a dangerous smoke point in my cast iron Creuset when I left the stovetop dial set too high - moving the pot with smoking oil was not a risk I'd take. The steamer basket is just that - a steamer basket, despite what the instructions say. Purchase a separate 8" diameter wire mesh fry basket if you want it for your fries and any un-battered items. I use the WMF Profi Plus Large 13-1/2-Inch Wok Strainer for battered food and sopapillas. Rice is lovely to make in this cooker and so easy - up to about 7 cups of white rice at once. The steamer basket leaves a bit to be desired regarding sturdiness but thus far I've had zero problems with it. Remember to remove the handle when steaming. Use tongs to attach the uppermost hook of the basket to the (hot) rim of the Presto. The lid won't sit completely into the cooker with the steamer basket attached, but the little bit of escaping steam won't affect steaming, and having a glass lid to check on status is a bonus. The hooks on the basket are riveted, so I don't load it heavily. Asparagus, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, zucchini, carrots, corn and summer squash are a breeze to steam now. Ironically this was purchased as a deep fryer, but we're eating far more steamed foods now that we have such an easy steaming method! One star deducted for the legs and handle. I don't mind screwing them on myself the first time. But they will come loose eventually, again and again. I tried stainless steel (non rusting) split ring lock washers but still had problems with them coming loose. I then purchased 7/8" diameter neoprene washers that fit, which solved the problem : ) Why aren't these included after the loose legs/handles problem were first reported? Also, the cord is extremely short; about 2 ½ feet from the plug to the magnetic coupler. I don't use this for slow cooking soups or beans, or blanching vegetables so I cannot comment on that aspect. The manual comes with braising, blanching, simmering, rice cooking, steaming, and frying instructions and times for a variety of foods, although your preferences may vary. Lastly, I do wash this by hand though it's rated dishwasher safe. All our Teflon coated cookware is washed by hand to prevent corrosion/flaking. Overall, this Presto is now my deep fryer of choice, plus a great rice cooker and steamer for an individual or small family - with `fixable' loose legs/handles at a reasonable price. UPDATE: I've had the Presto Multi Cooker for 3 months now. The heating element does take a bit longer to heat to the full 400 degrees - about 35 minutes now. I remain quite pleased with my purchase. UPDATE 3/24/2015: Please read T. Scott Kinder’s posts in the comment area regarding Sous Vide cooking using this Presto – many home chefs will be extremely pleased with Kinder’s detailed experimentation and end results. This truly adds to the "...and more!" to this Deep Fryer!

I'll start with the short list of CONS. -The fryer basket can stick to foods sometimes if you place them in the basket, the into the oil... but anyone who knows how to fry food doesn't do this. -The manual doesn't make perfect sense for some foods, but if you have any experience in the kitchen, you should be fine. -The basket seems flimsy when resting on the lip for draining excess oil off. I still trust is though, even with heavy fried foods in it. I mention this for the future of the basket, maybe several months down the line. This is a guess though. -The handle on the basket could be sturdier, once again though, I trust it, it just moves ever so slightly side-to-side -Not super pretty like a crockpot I considered getting, such is life. PROS -Incredible value for price. -Temp settings seem very accurate. Tested some cheap oils just under and just above smoking point. Below smoke pt the oil was fine, above it was not. That's plenty accurate for me. (tested olive oil, smoke pt around 375* and butter, smoke pt at 350*) -The warm settings are vague in the description, I'll try to clarify. So far I've been able to stably hold temps of around 120* all the way through 200* as the first listed temp on the dial. Holding meats around 140* for several hours (like chicken breast) for 90-120 minutes will kill bacteria and slowly heat the food to avoid drying out. Meaning awesome slow-cooked foods, with much, much more temp control than crockpots at the same price. -This model has a good height-width ratio for great frying, less food touching from the width and good height on the walls to prevent spill-over -Non-stick cleans up any messes you get, and dishwasher seems to clean this very well, though I prefer to handwash with a soft sponge. -Safety cord dislodges with just enough effort, but not too easily that it comes off for no reason. I'm incredibly satisfied with this purchase. As a self-proclaimed "food enthusiast" and son of a 3 decade restaurant manager I'm highly impressed with this model. Amazon had the cheapest price, even over walmart, and had this at my house sooner than it was even supposed to be processed. I'm very happy with this item, I think anyone else would be as well.

works good with a good size basket

This is an update of a previous review I did on this item. After living with this fryer and using it almost daily for several years now I found that it takes just a little longer to fry potatoes. Thinking the heating element might be burning out from so much use I bought a second one to keep as a spare, I like it that much.

Love this frying pan, nice and small and heats up right away. Don't use my stovetop much anymore.

Buena compra, la uso para derretir cera de soya. super fácil de controlar la temperatura, estable, el teflon evita que se pegue absolutamente nada... he visto en otras partes que le hacen un orificio en la parte inferior para colocar una llave de paso y drenar la cera, pero a mi parecer no vale la pena alterarla de esa manera, si es mucha cera con un cucharón la puedes sacar y es tan ligera que la puedes levantar para vaciar.

Nice it works

Good size, easy to assemble, like the cord and it’s attachment to the unit, sturdy, maintains heat well. I also purchased a frying basket later.

Es un excelente producto multi funcional ideal para freír, cocer, guisar, cocinar al vapor y mucho más...

Great little deep fryer, easy to clean and perfect for everything I can’t wait to have a fondue with this.