Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 Easy Cleaning Review: Does Its Patented Filtration System Really Work?

There’s a universal truth that every home cook knows: nothing quite beats the golden, crispy, audibly crunchy perfection of food cooked in a deep fryer. I’m talking about proper, takeaway-style chips with fluffy interiors, beer-battered fish that shatters when you bite into it, and fried chicken with a crust so flavourful it should be illegal. For years, my kitchen adventures in deep frying were a cycle of brief joy followed by prolonged dread. The joy was in the eating; the dread was in the cleanup. The greasy splatters, the heavy, oil-logged pan, and the eternal question: what on earth do I do with two litres of used, crumb-filled oil? Leaving it in the fryer felt unhygienic, and decanting it through a messy funnel and sieve was a chore I’d put off for days, leading to a lingering smell of old fat. This cleanup conundrum is the single biggest barrier to enjoying authentic fried food at home, which is why a product promising to solve it all is so compelling.

What to Consider Before Buying a Deep Fryer

A deep fryer is more than just an appliance; it’s a key solution for achieving a specific culinary texture and flavour that other cooking methods, including the much-lauded air fryer, simply cannot replicate. For anything with a wet batter—tempura, onion rings, doughnuts—or for achieving that unmistakable, oil-blistered crispness on a potato, a deep fryer is essential. It provides consistent, high-temperature cooking that seals the outside of food instantly, locking in moisture and flavour while creating an unparalleled crust. The main benefit is bringing professional-level frying results into the domestic kitchen, with more control and safety than a pot of oil on the stove.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a food enthusiast who prioritises taste and texture above all else and isn’t afraid of using oil in their cooking. It’s for the family that loves a weekly “chippy tea” or the adventurous cook who wants to master everything from Spanish churros to Southern fried chicken. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who are strictly health-conscious, have very limited kitchen counter space, or simply want a quick, low-mess cooking appliance for everyday meals. For them, one of the many versatile air fryers on the market would be a far better investment, offering a healthier, albeit different, type of crispness with minimal oil.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Deep fryers, even “compact” models, can have a surprisingly large footprint. The Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 Easy Cleaning, for instance, measures 42.3 x 37.9 x 29.2 cm. You must consider not only where it will sit during use—factoring in ventilation for steam—but also where you will store its various components, including the oil storage box, when not in use.
• Capacity/Performance: Capacity is usually measured in litres of oil and kilograms of food. This model holds 2 litres of oil to cook up to 0.8 kg of food, which Tefal estimates is about three portions. This is perfect for a couple or small family, but larger households might find themselves needing to cook in multiple batches. Performance is also tied to wattage; at 1500W, this fryer heats up efficiently, a key factor for quick temperature recovery and crispy results.
• Materials & Durability: Look for fryers with robust materials like stainless steel for the main housing and frying bowl, as they are durable and easier to clean than plastic. The quality of components like the basket, heating element, and any plastic parts (like the oil box) is crucial. We’ve seen reports on various models where small parts, like basket clips or lids, can be a point of failure, so a sturdy build is paramount.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: This is arguably the most important factor and the unique selling point of the Tefal OleoClean range. A standard fryer requires manual oil draining and difficult cleaning. A system that automates oil filtration and has dishwasher-safe parts, as this one does, transforms the ownership experience from a messy chore to a manageable task. Consider how many parts are removable and washable before you make your final purchasing decision.

While the Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 Easy Cleaning is an excellent choice for solving the cleaning problem, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, including healthier alternatives, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Smart, Substantial, and Purpose-Built

Unboxing the Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 Easy Cleaning, the first thing that struck us was its semi-professional aesthetic. The mix of brushed stainless steel and sturdy black plastic gives it a serious, no-nonsense look that says it means business. It feels substantial, with a reassuring weight of 3.65 kg that keeps it planted firmly on the countertop. Assembly is intuitive; the main components—the housing, the removable frying bowl, the immersed heating element, the basket, the lid, and the all-important oil box—slot together logically. It’s taller than many other fryers, a design dictated by the clever oil storage system underneath. It’s a “compact” model in Tefal’s OleoClean line-up, but as one user rightly noted, “it’s huge and will take up a lot of space.” This isn’t a fryer you can tuck away in a small cupboard easily. The design is thoughtful, with features like a folding basket handle for neater storage and a large viewing window in the lid. It’s clear from the outset that this appliance was engineered to solve one very specific, very messy problem, and you can see this thoughtful design in its full feature set.

A Deep Dive into the Tefal OleoClean’s Performance

An appliance can look the part, but its true value is revealed in use. We put the Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 Easy Cleaning through its paces over several weeks, cooking everything from traditional hand-cut chips and frozen fries to battered onion rings and chicken schnitzel. Our goal was to test not just its cooking prowess but to see if its signature feature truly delivered on its promise of hassle-free frying.

The OleoClean System: Genius Innovation or Fussy Gimmick?

Let’s be clear: the automatic oil filtration system is the number one reason to buy this fryer. It is, without a doubt, a piece of genius engineering that addresses the single greatest pain point of deep frying. The process is beautifully simple. After you’ve finished cooking, you turn the fryer off and let the oil cool down completely (a built-in safety feature prevents it from draining while hot). Once cool—usually after an hour or two—you simply turn the large dial on the front from ‘Cook’ to ‘Automatic Filtration’. Gravity does the rest. The oil drains from the main bowl, passing through a fine metal mesh filter that catches crumbs and debris, and collects in the sealed, removable plastic oil box below. The next time you want to fry, you just slide the box back in, turn the dial back to ‘Cook’, and the fryer is ready to go with clean oil. We found this to be, as one user perfectly described it, “a real pleasure to use,” completely removing the “messy oil filters or spills.” It encourages you to keep your oil clean, which not only improves the taste of your food but also saves money by extending the life of your cooking oil. It’s a feature that really sets it apart from conventional fryers.

However, the system is not flawless. During our tests with heavily breaded items like schnitzel, we encountered the exact issue some users have reported: the fine particles can clog the filter mesh. This slows the draining process significantly and can prevent all the oil from passing through without a little “intervention,” as one person amusingly put it, by “sticking your finger in!” We also confirmed another common observation: a small amount of oil, perhaps 15-20ml, is always left in the bottom of the frying bowl due to the filter sitting slightly raised. It’s not a deal-breaker, as it’s easily wiped away with a paper towel, but it prevents the bowl from being completely empty post-drain. It’s a minor quirk in an otherwise brilliant system. We also noted a few user experiences where the system seemed to fail or leak, but these appear to be isolated incidents or, in one case, user error, as the owner later realised they were “going wrong with the filtration” and got it sorted. Overall, we classify the OleoClean system as a resounding success, albeit one that works best with less crumbly foods.

Frying Performance: From Soggy to Superb in Minutes

A fancy cleaning system is worthless if the fryer can’t, well, fry. Fortunately, the Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 Easy Cleaning excels at its primary job. The 1500W immersed heating element is the star of the show. Unlike models where the element is beneath the bowl, this one sits directly in the oil. This design allows for incredibly fast heat-up—we clocked it reaching 190°C in just under seven minutes—and, more importantly, rapid temperature recovery when you add cold food. This is the secret to truly crispy, non-greasy results. The oil temperature doesn’t plummet, so the food’s exterior is sealed instantly rather than soaking up excess fat.

Our twice-cooked, hand-cut chips were magnificent. A first fry at 160°C cooked them through, and a second, quick blast at 190°C produced a perfectly golden, crunchy shell with a fluffy, steaming interior. Frozen French fries were equally impressive, coming out far superior to their oven-baked or even air-fried counterparts. This performance confirms what many users have discovered: for certain foods, there is no substitute for a proper deep fryer. As one happy owner stated, “I have an air fryer they are good but they cannot do onion rings or anything breaded because it looks anemic.” We wholeheartedly agree. Our beer-battered onion rings were light, crispy, and cooked to perfection, something my own air fryer consistently fails to achieve. The adjustable thermostat, ranging from 150°C to 190°C, provides the precise control needed for different foods, and the results speak for themselves. This machine consistently delivers the kind of restaurant-quality crispness that justifies its place in the kitchen.

Design, Build Quality, and the Realities of Cleaning

The overall build feels solid. The stainless steel bowl is robust, and the main components fit together snugly. However, upon closer inspection and after reading through dozens of user experiences, we did identify some potential weak points. A recurring theme is the quality of some plastic components and minor manufacturing details. For example, one user received an oil box with a distorted lid that wouldn’t seal, rendering the entire filtration system useless. Another reported that the small spot welds holding the basket bracket failed after a year of normal use. While these appear to be minority cases, they are worth noting. We also found an interesting discrepancy regarding cleaning instructions: an insert in the box contradicts the main manual, stating the lid is *not* dishwasher safe. We washed ours in the dishwasher before noticing this and saw no immediate damage, but it’s a confusing and frustrating inconsistency from a major brand.

One aspect that caught us by surprise, and was highlighted by a user, is the sheer amount of steam produced. The vent in the lid releases a significant plume of hot, oily steam during cooking. It’s essential to use this fryer in a well-ventilated area, preferably near an open window or an extractor fan, as it could quickly fog up a small, enclosed kitchen. When it comes to the “Easy Cleaning” promise, the fryer largely delivers. Once the oil is drained, the bowl, basket, and (reportedly) lid can all go in the dishwasher. The heating element, which houses all the electronics, lifts out easily and just needs a wipe. This disassembly makes cleaning infinitely easier than a traditional one-piece fryer. Despite the few quirks and potential quality control lottery, the day-to-day experience of using and cleaning the Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 Easy Cleaning is a world away from the greasy mess of its predecessors.

What Other Users Are Saying

Scouring through feedback from other home cooks, a clear picture emerges. The vast majority of owners are thrilled with their purchase, often calling it the “best frier I have ever owned.” A typical positive review reads, “This fryer is night and day in comparison [to cheap old ones], a real pleasure to use, no more messy oil filters or spills… the filtration system takes all the hassle out of deep frying!” This sentiment is echoed time and again, with many praising the cooking results and the sheer convenience of the OleoClean feature.

However, the negative feedback, while less common, tends to focus on two key areas: the limitations of the filter and build quality. One balanced user summed it up perfectly: “It gets 5/5 for cooking ability but 4/5 for oil drainage. 95% of the oil drains out, but some… gets left behind.” Others have been less fortunate, with one reporting, “After 1 hour it finally started to filter… but it had also leaked a lot of oil all over the place.” This, combined with comments about it being “very cheaply made with very light materials” or receiving units with defective parts like a warped oil container, suggests that quality control could be more consistent. This feedback is crucial; it confirms that while the design concept is brilliant, the execution can occasionally fall short for some users.

How Does the Tefal Compact Deep Fryer Compare to the Alternatives?

The Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 Easy Cleaning is a specialist tool. If the idea of deep frying with oil is still a concern for health or hassle reasons, an air fryer is a fantastic alternative. They use superheated air to achieve a different, healthier kind of crisp. Here’s how the Tefal stacks up against three popular air fryer models.

1. Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Digital Air Fryer Oven

The Tower Xpress Pro is less a fryer and more a multi-purpose countertop oven. With its massive 11L capacity and rotisserie function, it’s aimed at families who want maximum versatility. While it can air fry chips to a decent crisp, it also bakes, roasts, and even cooks a whole chicken on a spit. Someone should choose this over the Tefal if they want an all-in-one cooking solution that can replace other appliances and if cooking for a large group is a priority. It won’t produce the same authentic taste for battered foods, but its sheer flexibility is its main advantage.

2. Tower T17021 4.3L Family Size Air Fryer

This Tower model is a classic, basket-style air fryer and a direct competitor in the mid-size appliance category. Its 4.3L capacity is generous, and its operation is straightforward, making it a great entry point into the world of air frying. It represents a more budget-friendly, health-conscious alternative to the Tefal. A user would opt for this if their primary goal is to cook everyday foods like chips, chicken, and vegetables quickly and with significantly less oil. It’s the practical, no-fuss choice for healthier family meals.

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

Ninja has a formidable reputation for quality and performance, and the AF100UK is a prime example. Though slightly smaller in capacity than the Tower T17021, it’s known for its powerful and even cooking. It also offers extra functions like roasting, reheating, and dehydrating. A consumer would choose the Ninja over the Tefal for its premium build quality, brand reliability, and multi-functionality in a compact form factor. It’s perfect for individuals or couples who want a high-performance air fryer that does more than just fry and comes from a trusted name in kitchen appliances.

Our Final Verdict: A Flawed Masterpiece for the Frying Purist

After extensive testing, our verdict on the Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 Easy Cleaning is overwhelmingly positive, with some important caveats. This is not just another deep fryer; it is a brilliantly engineered solution to the single biggest problem that has plagued home frying for decades. The OleoClean system, despite its minor quirks with very fine crumbs, fundamentally changes the experience, making cleanup simple and encouraging the regular use of clean oil. The frying performance is exceptional, delivering the kind of authentic, crispy, delicious results that no air fryer can truly replicate. It’s a specialised tool that does its primary job to an incredibly high standard.

However, it’s not perfect. The large physical footprint belies its “compact” name, the significant steam output requires good ventilation, and the reports of inconsistent quality control on some components are a valid concern. We recommend it wholeheartedly to any food lover who has longed for proper, homemade fried food without the dreaded cleanup. If you understand its limitations and prioritise authentic texture and taste, this fryer will be a revelation. For those who want to bring the authentic takeaway experience home, it’s a game-changing appliance that is absolutely worth the investment. Ready to transform your frying experience? Check the latest price and availability to get yours today.

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