Bayou Classic 4-Gallon Deep Fryer: The Best Fish Fryer?

Are you looking for one of the best outdoor fish fryers on the market today? Then this 4-gallon one from Bayou Classic should be at the top of your list.

Read our buying guide packed with information to help you decide if this high-capacity outdoor fish fryer is the right one for you.

Bayou Classic 4-Gallon Bayou Fryer Review

If you’re looking for one of the best fish fryers on the market today, then you’ll want to seriously consider this Bayou Fryer. Bayou Classic is one of the most trusted names in outdoor cooking and for good reason. They make some top-quality products that are easy to set up and use.

Keep on reading to find out more about why we like it so much.

Key Features of the Bayou Classic 4 Gallon Fryer

• 4 gallon capacity (may be too large for some. If this is the case, then consider the Presto 05411 Granpappy Deep Fryer)
• Stainless steel
• Double frying baskets
• Very efficient
• Includes everything but the propane tank
• Innovative V-bottom design that keeps the oil cooler at the bottom so that the batter doesn’t burn

Shop Now for the Best Outdoor Fish Fryer

You can easily find this top-quality high-capacity deep fryer from Bayou Classic on Amazon. Check now for the lowest prices and also to see if this product is eligible for free shipping with a Prime membership:

Pros of the Bayou Fish Cooker:

• Large capacity (If you don’t need such a large one, consider the T-Fal Ultimate EZ Clean Deep Fryer instead)
• Double fry basket
• Heats up quickly and holds the correct temperature with ease
• Innovative design
• Stainless steel construction

Cons of this Stainless Fish Fryer:

• Some reports of poor welding and the unit leaking oil

What do People Think about this Fish Fryer from Bayou Classic?

—>Read More User Reviews and Ratings on Amazon<—

“My wife and I have been in charge of doing the cooking for our annual Church camp-out and I couldn’t be happier that we have this thing. We use it for almost every meal and it’s super easy to cook a ton of food in a very short time. Fries, shrimp, hashbrowns, etc. It’s reasonably small and fits easily into the back of our van, and then clean-up isn’t too difficult before we go.”

“The Bayou Classic Fish Cooker is super fast at coming up to the correct temperature. I have fish fries all summer long and this thing is a beast. It makes the most delicious fried fish and my friends and family just keep coming back for more. Quick tip: we’re all about the peanut oil here.”

“Okay, so it’s pretty loud, but I kind of like that. Nobody will make the mistake of bumping into it when it’s turned on because of that. Plus, it gets up to temperature really quickly and stays hot for a long time. Make nice fried fish, hush puppies, fries, shrimp, fried chicken, etc.”

Bayou Classic Fish Fryer Review

Do you want to find out more about this popular outdoor cooking device? Watch the short video for a Bayou Classic Fryer Review. Is it the best fish fryer? Find out here!

The Takeaway on the Bayou Fryer 

Overall, this fish fryer has some of the best customer reviews and ratings of all outdoor deep fryers you can buy. It’s well built, durable and will last you a lifetime with proper care.

Heats up Quickly

The best part is that it just works well. Although it’s quite loud, it comes up to temperature really quickly and stays hot, even if you put in a good amount of food. This is a game-changer when compared to some other brands that take what seems like forever to heat up.

Innovative Design

The innovative v-shape design means that the bottom oil stays a bit cooler. This helps to prevent the batter from burning and maintains the integrity of the oil for a longer period of time. We love that this unit helps you use the oil as long as possible, which can save you a ton of money.

Ideal for Outdoor Cooking

We LOVE this thing and it’s out top pick for a fish deep fryer. It’s ideal because doing this kind of thing inside can really stink up your house. Avoid this with the Bayou Classic Fryer.

Where Can I Buy It?

You can find one of the top choices for fish fryers on Amazon. Click the button below to learn more about this Bayou Classic Deep Fryer:

Is there a Smaller Fish Fryer?

This product we’ve reviewed has a 4-gallon capacity. That means it’s big enough for 2 baskets, side by side.

However, if you’re looking for a smaller one that’s a bit easier to transport and requires less oil, then you may want to consider the 2.5 gallon model instead.

The rest of the specifications are basically the same between the two models with the exception of the size and number of frying baskets.

Check out this smaller Bayou Fish Fryer here:

Is it Ideal for a Fish and Turkey Fryer?

If you’re looking to get a deep fryer than can be used for both fish and turkeys, or chicken, then this one from Bayou Classic will work well. The capacity is certainly large enough to handle an extra large turkey, or even two small ones.

Compare it something like the Butterball Turkey Fryer, XL. It has a total capacity of 2.75 gallons, where this Bayou Fryer can hold up to 4 gallons. Is it the ultimate turkey fish fryer? Perhaps, yes! If you’re looking for something that can handle the largest turkeys, and also cook up a ton of fish.

What Factors Should I Consider When Buying a Fish Fryer?

There are a number of important considerations for when you’re buying a fish fryer. Here are just a few of them.

Size/Capacity

There is certainly a big difference in capacity and output between this 4-gallon deep fryer and a small fryer that’s designed for indoor use. This one from Bayou Classic is suitable for a camp, or big backyard party.

But, if you tried to make enough fish for everyone with a small indoor fryer designed for a small family, it would take you hours. This is probably the most important consideration when deciding on the best fish fryer for your needs, so consider carefully.

Indoors or Outdoors

In general, we prefer the outdoor ones, like this Bayou Classic Fish Fryer. They have a much larger capacity (in general), are more powerful and just work better for this purpose. Plus, we’d personally rather do our deep frying outdoors because of the safety factors, as well as smell and clean-up.

However, if you live in a very cold climate and intend to use your fryer in the winter, then you may want to opt for one of the indoor ones. They are a nice alternative to the outdoor fryers.

Price

Of course with anything that you buy, price is a major consideration. You can spend under $50 for a simple indoor fryer, or upwards of $1000 for some of the very high capacity ones that are designed for large groups. In general, the higher the capacity, the higher the price.

Power

One of the major factors that you’ll want to think about is the power, which is measured in BTU’s. The more power you have, the faster the oil will heat up. Plus, once you put the food in, the oil will come back up to the correct temperature more quickly which means a better fry.

Temperature Control

Some very simple deep fryers don’t have a temperature control setting. It’s just basically on/off and the machine monitors this automatically.

We prefer the ones where you can regular the temperature yourself because this gives more versatility in what kinds of foods you can cook in it.

Ease of Storage

Some fryers are quite large, and don’t really pack up into a smaller package in any meaningful way. If you have a large garage or storage area, you don’t need to worry about this.

However, if you have a smaller place without much storage, then you’ll probably want to opt for one of the smaller fish cookers. There is a Bayou Deep Fryer in all sorts of sizes if this is the brand that you want to opt for.

Brand

If you’re going to buy a deep fryer, especially for turkey or fish, there are some top brands that are clearly a cut above the rest. For outdoor use, we strongly recommend going with a Bayou Classic Deep Fryer. They make some of the best fish fryers, as well as larger ones for deep fried turkey. They’re durable, have strong stands, and put out a ton of heat, in some cases, more than double the competition.

If you’re looking for the best indoor option, then you’ll want to consider the fryers from MasterBuilt ButterBall. They are one of the few options for indoor fryers big enough to handle a turkey, but thankfully, they’re very high in quality. You can also use this thing to deep fry a large quantity of fish.

Customer Reviews

Another thing to take a look at to find the best fish fryer are customer reviews. We recommend looking at the 3-4 star reviews on Amazon because they’ll often give you the best indication of a product’s true strengths and weaknesses.

Compare Fish Fryers

Besides the Bayou Classic Fish Fryers, there are a number of other options if you want to get your fish fry on. You can see some of our top picks in this handy chart below:

Fish Fryer FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about finding the best fish fryer for their needs. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What is the Best Fish Fryer?

The best fish fryer really depends on a number of factors and your personal preference. First of all, you’ll need to consider capacity and how many people you’re cooking for. Then, price, indoors vs outdoors, power source and temperature controls need to factored in. Most people consider Bayou Classic fish fryers to be some of the best options for most people.

How Much is a Fish Cooker?

You can generally find a small fish cooker or fryer kit for under $100 that’s big enough to fry fish for a small crowd. This includes everything you need to deep fry fish outdoors except for the propane tank.

How do you Cook Fish in a Deep Fryer?

To cook fish in a deep fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees F. Then, add the breaded fish to the oil and deep fry in small batches for 2-3 minutes until they’re golden brown the internal temperature is 145 degrees F. Put onto paper towels to drain and then serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce. You could also consider serving it with cowboy butter.

Does Fried Fish Float When Done?

Deep fried fish does float to the surface when it’s well done. However, the best way to know it’s fulled cooked is to check and see if flakes easily. Or, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

How do you Keep Fried Fish Crispy?

To ensure that fried fish stays crispy when frying in batches, use the following technique. Heat your oven to 200 degrees F. When the fish is cooked, place it on a pan lined with paper towels in a single layer. Transfer them to a wire rack on a baking sheet and put them in oven, uncovered. They’ll stay crispy for up to 30 minutes.

Why is my Fried Fish Not Crispy?

Fried fish is generally not crispy because the batter is too thick. Thin it with a little bit more liquid. Also make sure that you pre-heat your oil to the required temperature (at least 350 degrees F) so that the fish won’t absorb too much oil when cooking.

How do I Clean my Bayou Classic Fish Fryer?

To clean your Bayou Classic Fish fryer, put some dish detergent and water into it. Mix it and then turn the fryer on and let it boil for a few minutes. Let cool and scrub the stubborn bits of oil off. Rinse well with fresh water.

What is the Healthiest Oil to Fry Fish In?

The healthiest oil to fry fish in

Is it the Ultimate Fish Fryer? Have your Say about this Bayou Classic Fish Fryer Review

Do you think it’s the best fish fryer on the market today? Is it this one from Bayou Classic, or are you considering another brand? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other fish frying enthusiasts, like yourself find this useful resource.

Last update on 2020-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API