Presto 06003 Options Electric Multi-Cooker/Steamer

If Presto has decided to now say "don't fry in this", it is strictly a legal move. The problem is that Presto's "fry daddy" line has no temperature control, and it's preset low enough so that you can't set any frying liquid on fire. But these also have no versatility.

The multi-cooker can do so much more, because you can set the temperature from "warm" to 400 degrees. This is higher than the smoke point of some frying mediums (lard and shortening in particular) and therefore IF you don't know the smoke point of what you're using, you can get in trouble. This is probably why Presto's lawyers decided to say it's not a fryer anymore, although it clearly is. I, however, will happily continue to use my multi-cooker to make great fries, fried shrimp and chicken, donuts, etc. in addition to steaming and blanching vegetables, as well as braising. It's the most versatile appliance I own!


IT DOES iT all and then some ....   November 7, 2003
A. Day (Crane, Texas United States)
37 out of 37 found this review helpful

I just got this today at Walmart for more than 1/3 off Amazon's price and it says plain and clear that it IS for frying among other things..I tried it an the temp was accurate too. IT also has one of those new magnetic type cords for saftey and you can stick all of it (the pot and lid) in the dishwasher except the cord and thermostat thing. This is a great deal! IT does the job off a fryer, steamer and a crock pot and cost less than most of them do by themselves. I tried the steamer fuction too and it works great! I highly reccomend this, Try it , you won't be dissapointed!


Presto.....The only way to go!   January 6, 2002
jason (New Orleans, born.......Atlanta , livin')
28 out of 29 found this review helpful

I come from a large family, so i do a lot of cooking. This year everyone came to my house for Christmas, and not only was my mom impressed with my cooking,but also the way everything taste coming out of the steamer.She actually tried to take it home with her.... A week earlier, some of the guys came over, and my wife made her famous deep fried hot wings. The guys went nuts, especially, my brother Jarrick, he loved that there was little mess and because of the drop basket and tempature gauge, not mistakes.I'm buying one for my mom and my brother, at least that way i know i can keep my own! Thanks Presto


Kitchen Staple   October 4, 2006
Anonymous (Long Beach, CA)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

I have had this Multi-Cooker for years, and I still love it. I started out using it to steam clams and crab legs. Then I went on to use it as a stock pot - it's great for quickly reducing to freezable size. I recently have found a great hot wings sauce (Ken's) and have been using my true-blue multi-cooker as a fryer, and it is working out great. I just love this thing. It is easy to clean up. It's light and easy to handle. It heats up quickly and has had no technical problems. I love being able to tell what temperature I am cooking on (can set degrees - not just high medium or low temps) and be able to see through the glass lid at how the contents are doing. This is definitely a kitchen must-have.


Keep-It-Simple   May 17, 2003
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

I researched fryers costing from $100 on down to this very reasonably priced Presto "Options" multi-cooker. I settled on this fryer for it's simplicity, since the easier it is to use and clean the more likely I am to use it, hence my five star rating. I bought the silver non-stick coated model so that any inevitable knick in the finish wouldn't be visible against the metal underneath. It also comes in black. It has a temperature range from 155 degrees to 400 degrees, which will cook anything, but I bought it mainly as a deep fryer. I use two quarts of peanut oil, which has a higher flash point than other oils, and start frying in oil that is as hot as the thermostat will go. This is the recommended procedure in the instructions that came with this unit. This method sears the outside of the food retarding oil from being absorbed while the temperature is recovering. The pot is relatively deep so splatter is minimal when food is slowly placed into the hot oil. The instructions say to not use the glass lid when frying. I use a splatter screen instead. Cleanup is simple. After cooling, I use a strainer-funnel to pour the oil back into the original container for storage in the refrigerator. After removing the thermostat, the entire non-stick unit and basket can be sponge cleaned in the sink and put away. I deep fry outdoors so odor is not a problem. For indoor frying a sealed unit might be better unless this fryer can be used under a well vented hood.