If you love the taste of restaurant-quality deep-fried food but dread the mess and waste of oil, the T-fal 3.5L Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Oil Filtration (often called the EZ Clean or Ultimate EZ Clean) promises to be the solution. With its high-wattage power, precise controls, and signature automatic oil filtration system, this deep fryer aims to bring convenience and efficiency to your kitchen. T-fal 3.5L Deep Fryer Review
We’ve put this popular appliance through its paces to determine if its standout feature—the automatic oil filtration—is truly a game-changer.
⭐ Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5.0 Stars
The T-fal 3.5L Deep Fryer is an excellent choice for home cooks who want consistently crispy results without the tedious cleanup. The automatic oil filtration system is a revolutionary feature that justifies the investment, turning the most dreaded part of deep frying into a simple, hands-off process. While it has minor drawbacks in terms of size and temperature recovery, it delivers on its core promise of great food and easy maintenance.
Key Features and Specifications
| Feature | Specification / Detail |
| Capacity (Oil) | 3.5 Liters (approx. 3.7 Quarts) |
| Capacity (Food) | Up to 2.6 lbs |
| Power | 1700W / 1800W Immersion Heating Element |
| Temperature Control | Adjustable dial, typically up to 375°F (190°C) |
| Oil Filtration | Automatic, integrated system filters and stores oil |
| Cleanup | Most parts (tank, basket, lid, oil box) are dishwasher-safe |
| Safety Features | Cool-touch handles, magnetic power cord, closed-lid frying |
| Design | Stainless Steel with an anti-fog viewing window |
The Good: Performance and Standout Features
1. Automatic Oil Filtration: The True Game-Changer
This is the main reason to buy this fryer. The T-fal’s patented “EZ Clean” system automatically drains, filters, and stores the cooking oil in a sealed container located in the base of the unit.
- Mess-Free: You never have to manually pour, strain, or handle hot, dirty oil. Once the oil cools, you simply turn a dial, and the filtration process begins.
- Saves Money: By removing food particles, the filtered oil stays cleaner for longer, extending its life and reducing the frequency of oil changes.
- Convenient Storage: The sealed storage container keeps the filtered oil fresh and ready for your next batch of fries, and you can even detach the container to store the oil in the refrigerator.
2. Superior Frying Results
Thanks to the powerful 1700W/1800W immersion heating element, the fryer heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature. This is crucial for producing that perfect, crispy texture.
- Fast Heating: Reviewers consistently note that the oil reaches the set temperature relatively quickly.
- Consistent Crispiness: The powerful element helps with good temperature recovery when cold or frozen food is added, ensuring the food crisps up quickly rather than becoming greasy.
3. Effortless Cleaning
For an appliance associated with being messy, the T-fal EZ Clean is remarkably easy to clean. Nearly every component—the oil tank, the frying basket, the lid, and the oil storage box—is dishwasher-safe. This simplicity dramatically cuts down on post-frying labor.
4. Odor Reduction and Safety
The fryer lid includes a filtration system that significantly cuts down on the lingering “deep fry smell” in your kitchen. Furthermore, the ability to raise and lower the basket while the lid is closed is a key safety feature that prevents hot oil splatters and burns.
The Not-So-Good: Drawbacks and User Concerns
While the T-fal is a top performer, a few common concerns are worth considering:
1. Inconsistent Temperature Recovery (Minor)
While the heating element is powerful, a common complaint with this and other home fryers is a slight drop in oil temperature when a large amount of food is added, which can affect consistency if you fry too much at once. Frying in smaller batches is recommended.
2. Filtration Time and Oil Drain
The automatic filtration process can be slow, as the oil must cool completely before draining and filtering (which is a necessary safety feature, but can be inconvenient). Some users also report that a small amount of oil is sometimes left in the bottom of the frying bowl after the automatic drain is complete.
3. Bulk and Storage
The 3.5L capacity is excellent for family use (up to 2.6 lbs of food), but the overall footprint is quite large. If kitchen counter or cupboard space is limited, this appliance may feel bulky.
4. Digital Timer
Some models of the EZ Clean have an integrated digital timer, but user feedback on this feature is mixed, with some noting a slight learning curve or wishing for a more straightforward timer system.
T-fal Deep Fryer vs. Air Fryer: Which is Right for You?
This is a common dilemma for home cooks.
| Feature | T-fal 3.5L Deep Fryer | Air Fryer |
| End Result | Authentic, restaurant-quality, deep-fried food (e.g., crispy fried chicken) | Healthier, oven-crisped food (e.g., very crispy French fries) |
| Cooking Process | Food is fully submerged in hot oil | Food is cooked by super-heated circulating air (minimal to no oil) |
| Health | Higher in fat and calories | Significantly lower in fat and calories |
| Cleanup | Excellent (Oil filtration & dishwasher-safe parts) | Good (Non-stick basket, easy to wipe down) |
| Odor | Reduces odor significantly with active filters | Minimal cooking odor |
The Verdict: If your goal is to replicate the taste and texture of truly deep-fried favorites (like beignets, onion rings, or battered fish), the T-fal Deep Fryer is the superior choice. If you prioritize health and a fat-free diet for everyday cooking, an air fryer is the better option. The T-fal, however, minimizes the two main drawbacks of traditional deep frying: mess and oil waste.
- Oil Filtration System: Advanced technology automatically filters and stores oil in a sealed container ensuring easy clea…
- Precise Temperature Control: Adjust the small fryer from 300F to 375F for optimal frying results. The thermostat ensures…
- Large Capacity: 3.5L oil capacity and 2.65 lb food volume provide ample space to fry. Perfect for family meals or entert…
Final Verdict
The T-fal 3.5L Deep Fryer with Oil Filtration is a top-tier home deep fryer that successfully solves the most significant pain points of deep frying: mess and oil disposal.
If you are a deep-frying enthusiast who is tired of tedious, messy cleanup and wasteful oil disposal, the EZ Clean system makes this model a highly recommended investment. It delivers delicious, perfectly crispy food with an ease of maintenance that is unmatched in the home deep fryer category.