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Deal.ai › Compare

Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer vs Mainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer

Buy the Hamilton Beach Professional-Style for two-basket frying, a timer, and a removable dishwasher-safe pot. Buy the Mainstays 4-Liter for simple, large-batch frying on a budget. The Hamilton Beach has the sturdier build and more features; the Mainstays has a bigger oil capacity and a far larger owner base. Reviewers of both report crisp results, but the Mainstays draws more complaints about flimsy parts and messy cleanup.

  • Choose the Hamilton Beach Professional-Style if you want two baskets, a timer, and a pot that goes in the dishwasher.
  • Choose the Mainstays 4-Liter if you want a straightforward fryer that holds more oil for big batches.

Prices

  • Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer: $79.95 at Walmart (last seen Nov 10)
  • Mainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer: $49.97 at Walmart (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the Mainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer is $29.98 cheaper than the Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer at the latest prices (Nov 10)
Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach Professional-Style

Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer

Hamilton Beach Professional-Style

4.5(149 ratings)
$79.95at WalmartChecked 13 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Two baskets let you cook two foods at once
  • Timer helps you avoid overcooking
  • Removable pot and baskets are dishwasher safe
  • Vented lid cuts splatter
  • UL and ETL listed
Cons
  • Fewer owner ratings to judge long-term reliability
  • Chrome finish shows fingerprints
  • Larger oil volume means more oil to heat and discard
Mainstays
Mainstays 4-Liter Black Electric Deep Fryer with Adjustable Temperature Control

Mainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer

Mainstays 4-Liter Black Electric Deep Fryer with Adjustable Temperature Control

4.4(4,519 ratings)
$49.97at WalmartChecked 13 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Large 4-liter oil capacity for family batches
  • Simple adjustable thermostat from 265°F to 375°F
  • Viewing window to watch food cook
  • Very large base of owner ratings
  • Straightforward analog controls
Cons
  • No timer
  • Pot is not removable, so cleanup is harder
  • Owners report flimsy lid and basket parts
  • California lead warning on the listing

What separates them

Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep FryerMainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer
BasketsTwo baskets, so you can fry two foods at onceOne basket
TimerBuilt-in timerNo timer; analog dial only
Oil capacityAbout 1.06 gal (19 cups)4 liters (about 1.06 gal)
CleanupRemovable enamel pot, baskets and lid are dishwasher safePot is not removable; hand washing the body is awkward
BuildChrome body, non-slip feet, ETL and UL listedStainless steel and black plastic, analog controls
Temperature rangeUp to 375°F265°F to 375°F
Owner feedback4.5 from 149 ratings4.4 from 4,519 ratings
FootprintAbout 14.8 by 15.6 inchesAbout 18.2 by 12.2 inches

Price history

$79.95$49.97
Nov 9Nov 11
  • Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer: lowest $79.95 on Nov 9 at Lowe's; $79.95 on Nov 11.
  • Mainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer: lowest $49.97 on Nov 9 at Walmart; $49.97 on Nov 11.

Prices at every store

Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Hamilton Beach Brands IncReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $79.95Free shippingChecked 13 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $79.95Free shippingChecked 13 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • Blain's Farm & FleetCheck price at Blain's Farm & Fleet
  • Hamilton BeachCheck price at Hamilton Beach
  • JCPenneyCheck price at JCPenney
All 2 stores and price history →

Mainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $49.97Checked 13 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $49.97Free shippingChecked 13 h ago
    Visit Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecHamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep FryerMainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer
ColorChromeBlack
Width (")14.8—
Type of FryerDeep Fryer—
Third-party CertificationsETL Listed, UL Listed—
Power (W)1800—
Temperature (max) (°F)375.0—
Height (")11.0—
FeaturesTimer, Removable Bowl, Non-Slip Feet, Dishwashe…—
Depth (")15.6—
Oil Capacity (gal)1.06—
Weight (lb)13.0—
size13.2" x 14.5" x 10.5"—
Show all 20 specsShow fewer specs
SpecHamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep FryerMainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer
Capacity—4 Liter
Power—1800 Watts
Temperature Control—Adjustable Thermostat
Heating Element—Immersion
Material—Stainless Steel
Dimensions—18.23 in. x 12.24 in. x 10.83 in.
Control Type—Analog
Model—MS8400778514-2

What reviewers say

Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer

  • 4.5 / 5149 ratings

Owners rate it highly, praising fast heating, steady temperature and the two baskets for cooking different foods together. Common complaints are the size and weight, the amount of oil it needs, and cleanup of the non-dishwasher parts.

What people mention
  • HeatingPraisedOwners say the 1800-watt element brings oil up to temperature fast and keeps it steady during frying.
  • Two basketsPraisedReviewers like frying two different foods at once or separating batches.
  • SplatterPraisedThe vented lid keeps grease off the counter compared with open stovetop frying.
  • SizeCriticisedOwners find it takes up a lot of counter space and is heavy to move when full.

Mainstays 4-Liter Electric Deep Fryer

  • 4.4 / 54,519 ratings

Owners rate it around 4.4 out of 5 and mostly praise how quickly it heats and how much it holds for the money. Complaints center on cleaning, oil changes and the lack of a timer or drain valve.

What people mention
  • Heating speedPraisedOwners say the 1800-watt element brings oil up to temperature quickly.
  • CapacityPraisedReviewers like that 4 liters fits a family-sized batch without crowding.
  • CleaningCriticisedOwners find the basket, lid and reservoir fiddly to clean and not dishwasher-friendly.
  • Oil changesCriticised

Questions and answers

Which is better for frying two different foods at once?
The Hamilton Beach. It ships with two baskets, so you can fry one food in each at the same time. The Mainstays has a single basket.
Which holds more oil?
They are close. The Mainstays is rated at 4 liters, and the Hamilton Beach at about 1.06 gallons, which is roughly the same. The Hamilton Beach's two baskets split that volume, so each side holds less.
Which is easier to clean?
The Hamilton Beach. Its oil pot, baskets and lid are removable and dishwasher safe. The Mainstays pot is not removable, so you drain and wipe the body by hand.
Which lasts longer?
Hard to say from ratings alone. The Mainstays has far more owner reviews, and some report flimsy lid and basket parts. The Hamilton Beach has fewer reviews but a sturdier chrome build and a removable pot that is easier to maintain.
Is the Hamilton Beach worth stepping up to?
Yes if you fry for a family or entertain, because the second basket and timer save effort. If you mostly make one batch of fries, the Mainstays covers it with simpler controls.
Does either have a timer?
Only the Hamilton Beach. The Mainstays uses an analog thermostat dial with no timer, so you watch the clock yourself.

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Without a drain valve, emptying and filtering used oil is messy.