Presto ProFry User manual


ProFry 

immersion
element
deep fryer
INSTRUCTIONS
Thisisa Listedappliance.Thefollowingimportantsafeguards
are recommended by most portable appliance manufacturers.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
To reduce the risk of personal injury or property damage, when
using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should
always be followed, including the following:
1. Read all instructions.
2. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles.
3. Be sure handle is properly assembled to basket and locked
in place. See detailed assembly instructions on page 2.
4. To protect against electrical shock or burns, do not immerse
control unit, cord, or plug in water or other liquid.
5. Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used
by or near children.
6. Do not let children handle or put electrical cords or plugs
in their mouths.
7. Always attach magnetic plug end to appliance first, then
plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, remove plug
from wall outlet and then from appliance.
8. Unplug cord from outlet and appliance when not in use
and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or
taking off parts, and before cleaning the appliance.
9. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug
or in the event the appliance malfunctions or has been
damaged in any manner. Return the appliance to the Presto
Factory Service Department or to the nearest Presto
Authorized Service Station for examination, repair, or
electrical or mechanical adjustment.
10. The use of accessory attachments not recommended by
the appliance manufacturer may cause injuries.
11. Do not use a cracked removable pot or a basket having a
loose or weakened handle.
12. Always insert the control assembly in the removable pot
before plugging the unit into the wall outlet.Allow unit to
cool completely before removing the control assembly.
13. Do not use outdoors.
14. Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter or touch
hot surfaces.
15. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner or in a
heated oven.
16. It is recommended that this fryer not be moved when it
contains hot oil or other hot liquid. If it must be moved
when it contains hot oil or other hot liquid, always use
handles on base and use extreme caution.
17. Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
THIS PRODUCT IS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY.
IMPORTANT CORD AND PLUG INFORMATION
Ashort power supplycord is providedto reduce therisk resulting
from becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord. DO
NOT USE WITH AN EXTENSION CORD.
Do not allow the cord to run underneath or around the unit. The
magnetic cord may not detach easily if the cord is positioned in
this fashion.
Connectthepowersupplycordtoa polarizedoutletonly.As asafety
feature, this appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than
the other). This plug will only fit in a polarized outlet one way. If
the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still
does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to defeat
this safety feature. Before First Use
Become familiar with the various parts of the deep fryer (Fig.A
next page) and read the instructions carefully.
Remove all packing material and disassemble unit for cleaning.
Take the frying basket out of the unit. Remove the cord assembly
from the basket and set aside. Then, lift the control assembly out
of the unit. Wipe the control assembly (control unit with heating
element)with a dampcloth.Never immerse thecontrol assembly,
cord, or plug in water. Lift the removable pot out of the base and
wash the pot, frying basket, and fryer cover in dishwasher or in
warm, sudsy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Reset Button
Thedeep fryer isequipped witha sensor which willautomatically
shut the unit off if it is overheated. Overheating can occur if the
unit is heated without oil, with insufficient oil, or with older oil
that has become thick. Should the unit shut off, unplug and allow
the unit to cool. Then with the tip of a pen or pencil, press the
red RESET button on the back of the control unit. The unit will
not operate until it is reset.
Important Fryer Guidelines
✧Use deep fryer only on a clean, dry, level, stable, and heat-
resistant surface, away from countertop edge.
✧Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used
by or near children. Hot oil can cause serious and painful
burns.
✧To avoid the risk of electrocution or severe disfiguring
electrical burns, do not let children handle or put electrical
cords or plugs in their mouths.
✧To avoid the risk of electrocution or electrical burns, do not
let the control unit, cord, or plug come in contact with water
or other liquid.
✧Never use the deep fryer without the removable pot.
✧Never use the deep fryer without oil or with insufficient oil.
Also never exceed the maximum fill level. The minimum
(MIN) and maximum (MAX) fill levels are embossed inside
the removable pot (Fig. A, next page).
✧Use only a good, reliable standard brand of cooking oil for
deep frying. Deep frying foods in olive oil is not
recommended because it has a lower smoking temperature.
✧Donot use solidfat (shortening, butter,margarine,lard). Solid
fat will not melt uniformly and will cause severe smoking. It
1

2
Basket Handle Assembly/Storage
Your fryer will be shipped with the basket handle in the storage
position(Fig. B1).When ready touse the basket forfrying simply
lift the handle out of the basket. Then, gently squeeze the drain
hooks (Fig. C), keeping the pegs in the bracket holes, and fit the
handle bars in the brackets (Fig. D). The handle is now in the
locked position (Fig. B2).
Caution:To insureagainst accidental detachment ofhandle from
basket during use, always make sure both pegs are in the bracket
holes and the handle bars are in the brackets (Fig. D).
To unlock the basket handle for storage, gently squeeze the drain
hooks (Fig. C), keeping the pegs in the bracket holes, and fold
the handle into the basket.
Fig. B2
Locked Position (Frying)
Storage position
Fig. B1
Handle
bars
Fig. C
To lock and unlock handle, gently
squeeze drain hooks.
Drain hooks Fig. D
Peg
Brackets
Handle bars
Bracket
holes Peg
Handle bars
mayalso cause the unittooverheat resulting in theresetbutton
tripping. In addition, solid fat will solidify once it has cooled
making it very difficult to remove or insert the control
assembly.
✧Before deep frying, remove excess moisture from food by
blotting with toweling—moist foods cause excess foaming
and spattering. Do not add wet food to cooking oil. Even
small amounts of water may cause the oil to spatter.
✧Do not use cover while frying French fries and other high
moisture foods.
✧Always unplug cord from wall outlet and then from deep
fryer when unit is not in use.
✧Always allow fryer to cool completely before removing any
parts, before removing oil, and before cleaning.
Fig.A Removable
basket handle
Magnetic cord
assembly
Fryer cover
Magnetic
plug end
Thermostatic
control
Base
Handle
Frying
basket
Removable pot
Maximum and
minimum oil levels
Drain
hooks
Cover vents and
grease filter
Control
Assembly
(Control unit with
heating element)
Signal light
BACK VIEW OF CONTROL UNIT
Electrical
pins
Reset button

3
How To Use
1. Position base on a clean, dry, level, stable, and heat-resistant
surface in center of countertop. Always use the handles on
the base when lifting or moving the appliance. Never lift or
move appliance using control assembly.
2. Place removable pot in base.
3. Attach the control assembly to the base by aligning the two
guides on the front of the control unit with the two tracks on
theback of thebase (Fig. E). Slide the control assembly down
(Fig. F) as far as it goes making sure both guides are in the
tracks.
Note: The appliance will only operate when both guides
are properly positioned in the tracks.
4. Fill removable pot with cooking oil up to the MAX level
marking, which is located on the inside of the removable pot
(Fig.A, page 2).Your fryer will need approximately 12 cups
of cooking
oil.Theamount
of oil must
always be
between the
MAX and
MIN level
markings
inside the
removable
pot (Fig. A).
Never exceed the MAX level mark.
5. Attach the cord to the unit by aligning the magnetic plug
end with the two electrical pins located on the back of the
control unit (Fig. A, page 2). The plug can be attached in
either direction.
Important: The magnetic
cord was designed to detach
easily from the fryer. As a
result, if it is bumped or
touched during use it could
possibly detach causing the
unit to stop heating. Avoid
contact with cord during
operation. If contact occurs,
verify that the cord is still
properly connected.
6. Plug cord into a 120 volt wall
outlet.
Always make sure fryer and cord are out of reach of
children.
7. Turn the thermostatic control to the desired temperature (see
page 8 for proper cooking temperatures). The recommended
settingfor mostfrying is 375˚.While oil is heating, thesignal
light will be illuminated.
8. When the selected temperature is reached, the signal light
will go out. (Preheat time is approximately 10 minutes.)
9. While oil is heating, prepare food for cooking.
10. Assemble basket handle for frying, see page 2.
To insure against accidental detachment of handle from
basket during use, always make sure both pegs are in the
Tracks Guides
Fig. E
Fig. F
bracket holes and the handle bars are in the brackets (Fig. C
and D, page 2).
11. While frying basket is sitting on countertop, fill basket up to
2⁄3fullwithfood. Before deepfrying, remove excessmoisture
from food by blotting with toweling—moist foods cause
excess foaming and spattering.
12. Toreduce spatter,before placingbasket indeepfryer,position
cover over basket with cover vents away from basket handle.
Then, slowly lower the filled basket into the preheated oil
until the bottom of the basket rests on top of the heating
element. If frying French fries or other high moisture
foods, immediately remove cover after lowering basket
into oil.
Note: For crisper foods, fry without the cover.
Warning: To prevent the risk of severe personal injury
or property damage, use caution when cooking with hot
oil.
13. Begin timing. Refer to page 4 for recommended times.
Caution: It is normal for steam to escape from the cover
vents during frying. To prevent steam burns keep hands
and face away from the vents.
14. When frying time has elapsed, check that the food is golden
brown. Then lift the basket and hook it onto the fryer rim to
allow oil to drain from food.
15. Empty the food onto absorbent paper. Season to taste.
16. If frying additional food, repeat steps 11 through 15. If signal
light is on, allow oil to reheat until signal light goes out.
17. When frying is completed, unplug cord from wall outlet and
then from deep fryer. Allow oil and fryer to cool completely
before removing control assembly and before cleaning.
Care and Cleaning
1. After unit and oil have cooled completely, carefully lift
control assembly out of fryer and wipe with a damp cloth to
clean. Never immerse the control assembly in water or
wash in a dishwasher.
2. Then, grabbing two opposite corners of the removable pot,
carefully lift it out of the deep fryer.
If you plan to reuse the cooking oil, it is recommended that
you strain the oil to remove any food particles. Then store
the oil in a tightly sealed container and keep where it will
not be exposed to heat or direct light.
3. Wash the removable pot, frying basket, fryer cover, and base
in dishwasher or in warm, sudsy water. Note: If you choose
touse a dishwasher,there may besomediscoloration of parts.
This will not affect the fryer’s performance.
Do not use steel wool scouring pads or abrasive kitchen
cleaners on the removable pot, cover, or base and do not use
bleaching agents to clean the frying basket.
If desired, the basket handle may be removed for cleaning.
Squeeze the drain hooks and fold the handle into the basket
until the handle bars are out of the brackets. Continue
squeezing to remove both pegs from the bracket holes.After
cleaning, reattach handle making sure both pegs are in the
bracket holes and the handle bars are in the brackets (see
Fig. D, page 2). Fold handle into basket for storage (see Fig.
B1, page 2).

4
Note: Your fryer has a grease filter in the cover. The filter
does not need replacing. It can be cleaned periodically with
a brush.
4. Before reassembling unit, be sure all parts are completely
dry.
5. Always check the magnetic plug before use to assure
metal items have not become attached to the magnet.
Helpful Hints
✧If unit fails to preheat or if the cooking process stops:
1. Checkcord assembly toassure magnetic plugis attached
to the appliance and the cord is plugged into the wall
outlet.
2. Check to see that both guides on the front of the control
unit are properly positioned in the tracks on the back of
the base (see Fig. E and Fig. F, page 3).
3. The reset button may have tripped. The deep fryer is
equipped with a sensor which will automatically shut
the unit off if it is heated without oil or with insufficient
oil. Older oil that has become thick may not conduct
heat well and may also cause the sensor to trip and the
unit to shut off. Should any of these things occur, unplug
and allow the unit to cool. Then with the tip of a pen or
pencil, press the red RESET button on the back of the
controlunit (seeFig.A, page2).The unit willnot operate
until it is reset. Before plugging the unit back in, make
sure there is sufficient oil in the fryer, or if the oil is old,
replace the oil with fresh oil.
✧When using fryer for the first time, a slight odor or light
smokingmay occur as manufacturingresidue evaporates.This
is normal during initial use.
✧Fry foods of equal size and thickness as they will fry more
evenly and at the same speed.
✧Do not fill the basket more than 2⁄3full. If too much food is
fried at the same time, the food will not get crisp.
✧For crisper foods, fry without the cover.
✧Before deep frying, always remove excess moisture or ice
crystals from food by blotting with toweling. Moist foods
may cause excess foaming, spattering, and crackling.
✧For breading or coating foods, use commercial breading,
finely ground bread or cracker crumbs, corn meal, a mixture
ofcorn meal andflour, pancake mix,or prepared breadmixes.
✧Use only metal cooking utensils in the fryer as plastic or
rubber will become damaged from the hot oil. Do not leave
metal utensils in the fryer as they will become hot.
✧Foods that are battered may stick to the basket; therefore,
you may wish to fry these types of foods without the basket.
If, however, you want to use the basket, lower the basket into
the oil before placing battered foods in the oil. Coated or
breaded foods can be fried with or without the basket. When
using the fryer without the basket, a slotted metal spoon may
be used to add and/or remove foods.
✧After each use strain oil through a filter or a double thickness
of cheesecloth to remove the accumulated residue.
✧Thenumber of times thecooking oilcan bereusedwill depend
on the food that is fried in it. For example, the oil will need to
be replaced more often if fish or food coated with bread or
cracker crumbs is fried frequently.
✧It is time to replace the cooking oil if any of the following
occur:
The oil is dark in color.
The oil has an unpleasant odor.
The oil smokes when it is heated.
The oil foams excessively during frying.
Frying Timetable
Donotuse cover whilefrying Frenchfries andother highmoisture
foods. For crisper foods, fry without the cover.
The following times are approximate and based on the maximum
recommended amounts of food. Fill the basket no more than 2⁄3
full.
FOOD AMOUNT TEMPERATURE TIME
Cheese
Frozen, nuggets 8 cups 375˚ 2-3 minutes
Chicken
Frozen, nuggets 8 cups 375˚ 3-5 minutes
Raw, serving size 4-5 pieces 375˚ 13-18 minutes
pieces, battered
Donuts* 3-4 375˚ 2-3 minutes
Egg Rolls, frozen 3-4 375˚ 5-6 minutes
Fish
Frozen, battered 3-4 pieces 375˚ 7-8 minutes
Raw, battered 3-4 pieces 340˚ 3-4 minutes
Onion rings
Frozen, battered 8 cups 375˚ 4-5 minutes
Raw, battered* 3-4 large pieces 375˚ 11⁄2-21⁄2minutes
Potatoes
Frozen French fries 8 cups 375˚ 10-12 minutes
Raw fries (see below) 8 cups 375˚ 3-4 minutes
375˚ 10-12 minutes
Shrimp
Frozen, battered 8 cups 375˚ 5-7 minutes
Raw, battered 8 cups 375˚ 3-5 minutes
Vegetables, raw, 5-6 pieces 340˚ 1-3 minutes
battered*
*These foods are best when fried in small quantities.
Recipes
Raw French Fries (Double Fry Method)
Cut medium potatoes, peeled if desired, into 1⁄4to 1⁄2inch thick
strips. Place into large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak
potato strips for 15 minutes or until ready to fry. Rinse, drain,
and pat dry with paper towels. Fry at 375˚ for 3 to 4 minutes
until fries are cooked through but not browned. Drain; let stand
to cool for at least 10 minutes, but not more than 2 hours. Just
before serving, fry potatoes at 375˚ for 10 to 12 minutes or until
golden brown.

5
Crispy Coating
1⁄2cup milk Flour
1 egg, beaten Salt and Pepper
Beat milk and egg together. Combine flour and seasonings. Dip
food into milk-egg mixture, then coat in seasoned flour. Fry food
according to timetable above.
Beer Batter
11⁄2cups flour 11⁄2cups beer
Thoroughly combine flour and beer in a large bowl. Cover and
allow the batter to sit at room temperature for 3 hours or longer.
Dip food in batter and fry according to timetable on page 4. If
desired,youmayfry beer battered foods withoutthe frying basket.
Milk Batter
1 cup flour 2 eggs, beaten
11⁄2teaspoons baking powder 1⁄2cup milk
1⁄2teaspoon salt
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.Add eggs and milk.
Stir batter until smooth. If a thinner batter is desired, add more
milk. Dip food in batter and fry according to timetable on page
4. If desired, you may fry milk battered foods without the frying
basket.
Quesadilla Crispers
1⁄4pound fresh sausage 1⁄4pound jalapeño jack
(chorizo, Italian, etc.) cheese, shredded
1 cup refried beans (1-cup)
1⁄4cup finely chopped onion 8 (7-inch) flour tortillas
1⁄4cup diced canned 1 tablespoon flour
green chilies, drained 2 tablespoons cold water
Cook sausage until done, breaking it up as it cooks. Combine
sausage, beans, onion, chilies, and cheese.
Makes about 11⁄2cups.
Cuttortillas into quarters.Placeabout 1 teaspoonof bean mixture
in center. Brush edges with mixture of flour and water. Fold in
half and press to seal; keep covered as you work. Continue until
all are made.
Makes 32.
Let stand 5 minutes before frying to allow edges to stick together.
Deepfry 3 or4 at atime at 375˚for 2 minutes.Drain on papertowels.
Alternate method: Cut tortillas into 8 pieces. Fry in hot oil. Heat
bean dip and serve with fried chips.
Apple Pie Fritters
1 cup all-purpose flour 1⁄2tablespoon ground
2 tablespoons sugar cinnamon
11⁄2teaspoons baking powder 4 tablespoons sugar
1⁄4teaspoon salt 3-4 apples, peeled, cored,
2⁄3cup milk, minus sliced 1⁄4inch thick
1 tablespoon 2 teaspoons ground
1 tablespoon brandy nutmeg
1 egg yolk 2 egg whites
1 tablespoon butter, melted
In medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and
salt. In a second bowl, whisk together milk, brandy, egg yolk,
and melted butter. Gradually stir into dry ingredients until
smooth. Set aside.
Mix together cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle over both sides of
apple slices, saving remainder to dust over finished fritters.
Sprinklesliceslightly with nutmeg. Inclean bowl,beat eggwhites
until stiff, but not dry. Fold into reserved butter.
Dip several apple slices into batter to coat evenly, letting excess
drip off. Carefully place 1 to 2 slices at a time into preheated oil.
Deep fry at 375˚ for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once. Drain on paper
towels. Sprinkle both sides with reserved cinnamon and sugar
mixture. Best served warm.
Jalapeño Kickers
12 fresh jalapeño peppers 2 tablespoons bread
or 1 (31⁄2ounce) can crumbs
jalapeño peppers 1⁄4teaspoon onion salt
Cream Cheese 1⁄8teaspoon garlic salt
1⁄2cup flour 1⁄4teaspoon vegetable oil
1 egg 1⁄4cup flour
1⁄2cup milk 1 teaspoon sugar
CAUTION:Wear plastic gloves when working with peppers. Do
not touch eye area.
To prepare fresh jalapeño peppers: rinse, cut in half lengthwise,
remove seeds and stems, place in boiling water and remove after
2minutes; drainwell.Toprepare canned jalapeñopeppers: drain,
cut in half lengthwise, and remove seeds and stems.
Fill each pepper half with cream cheese until slightly rounded.
Place 1⁄2cup flour in separate bowl, set aside. In a second bowl,
beat egg with milk. In a third bowl, prepare breading by
combining bread crumbs, onion salt, garlic salt, and oil. Stir in
flour and sugar until mixed thoroughly. Roll each pepper in flour,
dip in egg mixture, and then cover with breading. For a heavier
breading, dip in egg mixture again and cover with breading a
second time. Gently set aside until ready to deep fry.
Deep fry at 375˚ approximately 1 to 2 minutes or until golden
brown.(Tip: Remove immediately ifcreamcheese filling appears
throughthe coating.) Place friedpeppers onpapertoweling. Serve
warm. If desired, serve with salsa.
VARIATIONS: Substitute shredded cheddar cheese in place of
cream cheese filling. Pack firmly. Or substitute a mixture of
cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese in place of cream
cheese filling.
Crab Fritters
1⁄2green pepper, finely 1 teaspoon sherry
chopped (about 1⁄3cup) 1 teaspoon paprika
1 garlic clove, minced 1⁄4teaspoon cayenne
3 tablespoons minced pepper
parsley 1 egg, beaten with 1
2 tablespoons butter teaspoon water
2 tablespoons olive oil Flour
1⁄2cup flour Dry bread crumbs
1⁄2cup milk
6 ounces frozen or
canned crab meat
In saucepan, cook green pepper, garlic, and parsley in butter and
olive oil until tender. Stir in flour.Add milk, stirring constantly,
until mixture thickens. Shred crab meat, removing cartilage.Add
crab, sherry, paprika, and cayenne pepper to milk mixture. Chill
for 2 hours. Shape into 1-inch balls using a 1-tablespoon scoop.
Roll in flour, then dip in egg and water mixture. Roll in crumbs.
Refrigerate until time to serve. Deep fry 3 or 4 at a time at 375˚,
turning once, until desired brownness is reached. Remove from
oil and drain on absorbent paper. Repeat until all are fried.
Makes about 11⁄2dozen.

6
Consumer Service Information
Ifyou have anyquestions regarding theoperation of yourPresto
appliance or need parts for your appliance, call our Consumer
Service Department weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Central
Time) at 1-800-877-0441 or write:
NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Consumer Service Department
3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, WI 54703-3703
You may also email your inquiries to [email protected].
Inquirieswill be answered promptlybytelephone, letter,or email.
When writing, please include a phone number and a time when
you can be reached during weekdays if possible.
Any maintenance required for this product, other than normal
householdcare and cleaning,shouldbe performed byourFactory
Service Department or any Presto Authorized Service Station.
Be sure to indicate date of purchase and a description of defect
whensendingan appliance for repair. Send appliancesforrepair
to: CANTON SALESAND STORAGE COMPANY
Presto Factory Service Department
555 Matthews Dr., Canton, MS 39046-0529
Appliancesmay also be repairedatany PrestoAuthorizedService
Station. Check your yellow pages for Service Stations near you.
The Presto Factory Service Department and Presto Authorized
ServiceStations are equippedto service allPRESTOappliances
and supply genuine PRESTOparts. Genuine PRESTO
replacement parts are manufactured to the same exacting quality
standards as PRESTOappliances and are engineered
specifically to function properly with its appliances. Presto can
onlyguarantee the quality andperformanceof genuine PRESTO
parts. “Look-alikes” might not be of the same quality or function
in the same manner. To ensure that you are buying genuine
PRESTOreplacement parts, look for the PRESTOtrademark.
This quality PRESTOappliance is designed and built to provide
many years of satisfactory performance under normal household
use. Presto pledges to the original owner that should there be any
defectsinmaterial or workmanshipduring the firsttwoyears after
purchase,wewillrepairorreplaceitatouroption.Ourpledgedoes
not apply to damage caused by shipping. To obtain service under
thewarranty,returnthisPRESTOappliance,shippingprepaid,to
the Presto Factory Service Department or to the nearest Presto
Authorized Service Station. When returning a product, please
include a description of the defect and indicate the date the
appliance was purchased.
We want you to obtain maximum enjoyment from using this
PRESTOappliance and ask that you read and follow the
instructionsenclosed.Failuretofollowinstructions,damagecaused
by improper replacement parts, abuse or misuse will void this
pledge.Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumay
alsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.ThisisPresto’s
personal pledge to you and is being made in place of all other
express warranties.
NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Eau Claire, WI 54703-3703
2003 by National Presto Industries, Inc. 72472.01
PRESTO Limited Warranty