Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer Review: The Home Chef’s Verdict on Crispy Perfection

There’s a universal truth that every home cook eventually confronts: achieving that perfect, golden-brown, shatteringly crisp texture on fried food is an art form, and the tools you use are paramount. For years, my own kitchen has been a battlefield in this quest. I’ve tried pan-frying, only to be met with uneven cooking, oil splatters that coat every surface within a three-foot radius, and the constant, nerve-wracking fear of a grease fire. I’ve turned to the oven, baking “fries” and “wings” with a hopeful heart, only to pull out trays of what can only be described as hot, slightly browned, and disappointingly limp impostors. They lack the soul, the crunch, the very essence of what makes fried food an indulgence worth having. This frustration isn’t just about food; it’s about the promise of a satisfying meal—a weekend treat of proper fish and chips, a batch of crispy chicken for a family gathering—falling short of expectations. The problem is clear: without the right equipment, you’re not frying, you’re just compromising.

What to Consider Before Buying a Deep Fat Fryer

A deep fat fryer is more than just an appliance; it’s a key solution for reclaiming control and consistency in your frying endeavours. It’s about transforming a messy, unpredictable cooking method into a precise, contained, and repeatable process. The primary benefit is temperature regulation. A dedicated deep fryer holds a large volume of oil at a constant, specific temperature, which is the secret to food that’s crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked within, not greasy and saturated. It eliminates guesswork and the dangerous temperature fluctuations of a pan on the hob. Furthermore, modern designs prioritise safety with enclosed containers and convenience with features like filtration systems and dishwasher-safe parts, turning a once-dreaded chore into a manageable task. If you’re serious about creating authentic fried chicken, proper doughnuts, or pub-quality chips, a deep fryer is an essential piece of kitchen hardware.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who craves the authentic taste and texture that only true deep frying can provide and is willing to dedicate counter and storage space to a specialised appliance. This includes home cooks who love entertaining, families who enjoy a weekly “chippy tea,” or culinary adventurers eager to master everything from tempura to churros. However, it might not be suitable for those who are extremely health-conscious and prioritise low-oil cooking above all else, or for individuals with very limited kitchen space. For these users, a modern air fryer, which uses circulating hot air to achieve a crisp finish with minimal oil, would be a more fitting alternative. While air fryers don’t replicate the exact taste of deep frying, they offer incredible versatility and a healthier profile for everyday cooking.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A deep fryer is not a small appliance. You must consider both the counter space it will occupy during use and the cupboard space required for storage. The Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer has a footprint of 24.7 x 22.7 cm, but its 40.5 cm height is also a factor. Measure your intended storage area carefully before you make the commitment to purchase.
• Capacity/Performance: Capacity is measured in two ways: oil volume (litres) and food capacity (kg). This model’s 3.5-litre oil capacity and 1.2kg food capacity are generous for a family of four, allowing you to cook a decent-sized batch of chips without overcrowding the basket, which is key for crispiness. The 2000W immersed heating element is also crucial for performance, as it ensures the oil heats up quickly and, more importantly, recovers its temperature swiftly after cold food is added.
• Materials & Durability: Look for a sturdy build, typically with a stainless steel body, which is durable and easy to wipe clean. The internal oil tank should be robust, ideally with a non-stick coating or made from enamel. Pay attention to the basket construction; a flimsy basket can be frustrating and a potential safety concern when lifting hot food.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: This is arguably the most important factor for long-term satisfaction. Features like a removable, dishwasher-safe oil tank, a detachable control panel, and an effective filtration system can mean the difference between an appliance you love and one that gathers dust. The long-term care of a deep fryer revolves entirely around how easy it is to empty, filter, and clean the oil and components.

Choosing the right fryer means balancing these practical considerations with your culinary ambitions. While a deep fryer is a specialist tool, the results it delivers are often unparalleled.

While the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer is an excellent choice for traditional frying, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition, especially in the booming air fryer market. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer

Pulling the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer from its box, the first thing that struck me was the professional look of the brushed stainless steel body. It feels solid and looks the part, evoking the aesthetic of a commercial kitchen appliance, which inspires confidence. Assembly was incredibly straightforward; the main components—the body, the removable oil tank, the heating element with its control panel, the frying basket, and the lid—all fit together intuitively. The control panel and heating element are a single, detachable unit, a design I always appreciate as it makes cleaning the rest of the fryer significantly easier and safer.

The unit feels well-balanced and stable on the countertop. The integrated cord storage at the back is a thoughtful touch, preventing tangled cables in the cupboard. One of the first things I examined was the frying basket. As one user noted, it does feel a little less substantial than on some older, heavier models. While perfectly functional, the wire gauge could be thicker for a more premium feel. However, the detachable handle clicks into place securely, which is the most critical safety aspect. Overall, my initial impression is of a well-designed, user-friendly appliance that prioritises the most important features: ease of cleaning and efficient heating. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a complete picture before diving into our performance tests.

A Deep Dive into the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer’s Performance

An appliance can look good on the counter, but its true value is only revealed in the heat of the kitchen. We put the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer through a series of real-world cooking tests, from classic chips to delicate doughnuts, to see if its performance lives up to its promising design. We focused on the three areas that matter most to a home cook: heating and cooking precision, the all-important cleanup process, and the day-to-day usability of its design features.

Heating Performance and Cooking Results: The Crispy Truth

The heart of any deep fryer is its heating element, and the 2000W immersed system in this Morphy Richards model is its greatest strength. An immersed element sits directly in the oil, which is far more efficient than elements located beneath the tank. This was immediately apparent in our tests. From cold, the 3.5 litres of oil reached our target temperature of 170°C for chips in just under 12 minutes, which is impressively fast. More critically, the temperature recovery was outstanding. When we dropped in a full 1kg batch of chilled, hand-cut chips, the temperature dip was minimal, and the powerful element brought it back up to the set temperature within a minute. This is the secret to avoiding greasy, oil-logged food. The fryer maintained its temperature with precision, confirmed by our own digital thermometer.

The results spoke for themselves. The chips came out flawless: a deep golden-brown, wonderfully crispy on the outside, and fluffy and light on the inside. We then moved on to fried chicken, setting the temperature to 180°C. The fryer produced pieces with a craggy, crunchy crust that sealed in the moisture, leaving the meat incredibly juicy. The large 1.2kg food capacity meant we could cook four large pieces at once without them sticking together. The variable temperature dial is simple and intuitive, with clear markings for different food types, making it easy for even a novice to get started. This reliable and powerful heating performance is a feature that really sets it apart in its price category and confirms the feedback from users who praise its ability to heat and maintain temperature effectively.

The Cleanup Operation: Is It Really ‘Effortless’?

This is the make-or-break feature for any deep fryer. The lingering memory of cleaning old, one-piece fryers is enough to put anyone off. Morphy Richards has clearly engineered this model with cleanup as a top priority, and it shows. Once the oil had cooled completely, the entire disassembly process was a breeze. The control panel and heating element lift out as a single unit, which can be wiped down separately. The lid, with its filter, comes off. Then, the enamelled oil tank simply lifts out of the stainless steel body. This is the magic of the design.

We timed the process, just as a user had mentioned. After pouring the cooled oil through a sieve into a storage container, the tank itself went straight into the dishwasher along with the frying basket. The stainless steel body just needed a quick wipe with a damp cloth. The lid’s anti-odour filter system is a two-part design that also comes apart easily; the grease filter can be washed in soapy water, and the carbon filter can be replaced. From starting with a cooled, oily fryer to having the parts clean and ready to be put away took us just over five minutes of active work, not including the dishwasher cycle. This is a revolutionary improvement over older models and makes the idea of using the fryer regularly, rather than just for special occasions, genuinely appealing. The ease of cleaning is, without a doubt, one of the most compelling reasons to consider this specific model.

Design, Usability, and Everyday Living

Beyond cooking and cleaning, a few key design choices impact how pleasant the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer is to live with. The viewing window in the lid is a great feature, allowing you to monitor the cooking progress without lifting the lid and causing the temperature to drop. While it does steam up, a quick wipe gives you a clear enough view. The anti-odour filters do a commendably good job of containing the classic “fryer smell.” While no system is 100% effective, it significantly reduces the lingering odours in the kitchen compared to frying in an open pan.

This is also where we must address the drawbacks noted in our initial assessment and by other users. The frying basket, while perfectly adequate, does have a certain flex to it that feels less premium than the rest of the unit. We had no issues with it during testing, but a more rigid construction would inspire greater long-term confidence. The second point is the lid for the oil tank. While a lid is provided for storing oil in the tank between uses, its fit is not airtight. It rests on top rather than sealing, which means you have to be careful when moving the tank to avoid spills. This seems like a minor oversight in an otherwise well-thought-out design. However, features like the cool-touch handles and the clever cord storage are practical wins that make handling and storing the appliance much more convenient. These usability features are worth exploring when you check the latest price and availability online.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience with the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer is largely echoed across public feedback. Many users confirm our findings, frequently highlighting the fryer’s excellent heating capabilities. As one person succinctly put it, it “heats and maintains temperature well for its size,” which is the most critical performance metric. The ease of cleaning is another point of universal praise, with one owner noting it takes them “about 6 minutes once drained/filtered to clean the whole thing,” a timeframe we found to be accurate and a huge selling point.

However, the criticisms we identified are also shared by the wider user base, adding validity to our concerns. The most common complaint centres on the build quality of certain components. The basket is described as “flimsy, more so than the older model,” suggesting a potential decline in material robustness over time. Similarly, the issue with the oil storage tank lid not closing well is a recurring theme. These criticisms, while not dealbreakers for most, are important to consider as they point to areas where the product could be improved.

How Does It Compare? Morphy Richards Deep Fryer vs. Top Air Fryers

In today’s kitchen appliance market, the biggest competitor to a traditional deep fat fryer is the air fryer. While they produce different results, they compete for the same customer: someone who wants crispy food at home. Here’s how the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer stacks up against three popular air fryer alternatives.

1. Morphy Richards 4L Digital Air Fryer Viewing Window

This is the in-house rival. The Morphy Richards Air Fryer offers a slightly larger 4L capacity and the convenience of 8 cooking presets on a digital touchscreen. The main difference is the cooking method: this uses superheated air with a tiny amount of oil, making it a significantly healthier option for everyday use. If your priority is lower-fat cooking, versatility (it can also roast and bake), and energy savings, this air fryer is the logical choice. However, if you’re a traditionalist who believes nothing can replace the taste and texture of food submerged in hot oil, the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer remains the undisputed champion for authenticity.

2. Ninja AF100UK 3.8L 4-in-1 Air Fryer

Ninja has a formidable reputation for performance, and the AF100UK is a bestseller for a reason. It’s known for getting food exceptionally crispy and offers four functions: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate. This makes it a multi-purpose workhorse. Its 3.8L capacity is comparable to the Morphy Richards deep fryer, but its utility is far broader. Someone who wants to replace multiple appliances with one device would prefer the Ninja. The trade-off is taste and authenticity on classic fried foods. The Ninja makes fantastic “fries,” but they will taste different—more akin to a convection oven—than the genuine article from the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer.

3. Instant Versazone Dual Black Air Fryer 8.5L Double Basket

This Instant Pot air fryer is all about capacity and flexibility. With a massive 8.5L capacity that can be used as one giant drawer or divided into two smaller, independently controlled zones, it’s designed for large families or those who want to cook a main and a side dish simultaneously. It offers 8 different cooking functions, making it the most versatile of the bunch. This is the choice for the ultimate multitasker. The Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer is, by contrast, a specialist. It does one thing—deep frying—and it does it exceptionally well. The choice here is between a master of one trade versus a jack-of-all-trades.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Morphy Richards 3.5L Deep Fat Fryer is a superb choice for any home cook dedicated to the art of traditional frying. Its greatest strengths are its powerful and responsive heating element, which delivers consistently crispy, non-greasy results, and its brilliantly simple cleaning process. The ability to disassemble the unit completely and place the main components in the dishwasher removes the single biggest barrier to enjoying deep-fried food at home.

While we acknowledge the minor build quality concerns with the somewhat flimsy basket and the loose-fitting oil lid, these are not significant enough to overshadow the machine’s excellent core performance. It is designed for a specific purpose, and it executes that purpose flawlessly. If you value the authentic, inimitable taste of proper fish and chips, fried chicken, or doughnuts, and you’ve been disappointed by healthier but less satisfying alternatives, this is the appliance for you. For its combination of performance, capacity, and incredible ease of maintenance, it offers outstanding value. If you’re ready to elevate your home frying game and achieve perfect results every time, we wholeheartedly recommend it. You can find the best price and order yours here.

Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API