Hamilton Beach 35042 Deep Fryer Review
Our verdict
The Hamilton Beach 35042 pairs a generous 5.3 qt capacity with 1800W power at $87.95, making it one of the better-specified family fryers from a well-known brand. Its 4.5-star rating from over 800 buyers confirms it performs as expected.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Families or households that fry larger batches of chicken, fish, or fries and want a roomy stainless steel fryer from a trusted American brand under $100.
Skip if
Small households or solo cooks who do not need a 5.3 qt fryer, or anyone tight on counter space given its 24.5 x 15.5 x 10.3 in footprint.
- Capacity 5.3 qt
- Wattage 1800 W
- Material Stainless Steel
- Color Stainless Steel
- Dimensions 24.5 X 15.5 X 10.3 In
- Weight 9.25 lb
- Priced 29% above the category median ($68.30 across 52 tracked models)
- Capacity of 5.3 qt - larger than 65% of the 52 models we track
- Wattage of 1800 W - higher than 62% of the 52 models we track
Pros
- Large 5.3 qt capacity handles full family batches
- 1800W heats oil quickly and holds temperature well
- 4.5-star rating from 812 buyers shows reliable satisfaction
- Stainless steel build from a well-established brand
- Priced under $90 for this size class is competitive
Cons
- Large footprint of 24.5 x 15.5 in requires significant counter space
- At 9.25 lb it is heavier to move or store than smaller models
- Review count of 812 is modest compared to longer-established Hamilton Beach fryer models
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.5/5
4.5 average across 812 owner ratings
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Popularity2.7/5
812 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other air fryers, deep fryers, indoor grills, griddles and countertop cooking appliances we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Specifications
- Capacity
- 5.3 qt
- Wattage
- 1800 W
- Material
- Stainless Steel
- Color
- Stainless Steel
- Dimensions
- 24.5 X 15.5 X 10.3 In
- Weight
- 9.25 lb
Overview
The Hamilton Beach 35042 is a full-size countertop deep fryer with a 5.3 qt oil capacity and an 1800W heating element. The stainless steel body measures 24.5 x 15.5 x 10.3 in and weighs 9.25 lb, placing it firmly in the family-capacity tier of countertop fryers.
At $87.95 it sits at a reasonable price for its size class. Hamilton Beach is an established brand with decades in the small appliance space, and the 35042 reflects that with quality stainless construction. The 1800W rating means it can heat oil quickly and maintain frying temperature through larger batches without significant recovery lag.
With 812 reviews and a 4.5-star average, early buyer feedback is strong. The high wattage and large basket capacity make it well suited for chicken wings, fish fillets, and thick-cut fries in a single batch.
Performance notes
The combination of 5.3 qt capacity and 1800W puts this fryer at the top of the mainstream home category. It can fry larger quantities of food without requiring multiple rounds, which is the key advantage over 2 to 3 qt models. The 1800W element also shortens preheat time and recovers temperature faster after cold food is added, which helps maintain crispness.
What buyers say
At 4.5 stars across 812 reviews, the 35042 has earned consistently positive marks. Buyers in this count range tend to represent genuine early adopters and repeat purchasers rather than incentivized reviews. The rating suggests the fryer delivers on its headline specs of capacity and power.
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Frequently asked questions
Can the Hamilton Beach 35042 fry a whole chicken?
The 5.3 qt oil capacity gives you room for substantial cuts, but a whole chicken typically requires a much larger oil volume than a standard countertop fryer holds. It is well suited for bone-in chicken pieces, wings, and thighs in generous batches.
How does the 35042 compare to the Hamilton Beach 35036?
The 35036 has a 4.8 qt capacity and also runs at 1800W, at a lower $79.95 price point with a much larger review base of 8,900 reviews. The 35042 adds a bit more basket room at 5.3 qt for around $8 more but has fewer reviews to draw from.
Is 1800W enough to keep oil at temperature during frying?
For a home countertop fryer, 1800W is at the high end of what standard household outlets support and is sufficient to maintain frying temperature through most batch sizes. Adding very large loads of cold food at once will cause a temperature dip, but recovery is faster at 1800W than at 1500W.