Abstract: A pressure fryer having a vessel adapted to cook a food product within a bath of cooking oil. Means are provided for detecting the presence of water in the vessel and the bath and for automatically disabling the heater of the fryer if water is present in such quantity as to create a potentially unsafe condition.

Abstract: A pressure fryer having a vessel adapted to cook a food product within a bath of cooking oil. A cover seals the vessel in a pressure-tight condition and, as pressure builds up in the vessel, the cover automatically locks an opening-closing actuator to prevent the cover from being opened. When the pressure is relieved, the cover unlocks the actuator to permit opening of the cover.

Abstract: A food product is cooked under pressure and within a bath of hot cooking oil in a vessel when the vessel is sealed closed by a cover. The pressure in the vessel is controlled by an exhaust valve which must be located in an open position before the cover may be closed and sealed. As long as the exhaust valve is closed, it is not possible to open a drain valve and drain the oil from the vessel.

Abstract: A pressure fryer having a vessel adapted to cook a food product within a bath of cooking oil. Means are provided for detecting the presence of water in the vessel and the bath and for automatically disabling the heater of the fryer if water is present in such quantity as to create a potentially unsafe condition.

Abstract: A handle assembly is disclosed for the basket of deep fat frying apparatus. The handle assembly includes a bracket mounted on the basket, and a handle unit including a handle member mounted on an attaching plate which is slidably supported by the bracket. The handle unit is removable from the bracket and positionally adjustable along the vertical length thereof. A pivotal latch on the handle unit is interengageable with keeper slots in the bracket to position the handle member relative to the bracket, and a thumb operator is provided for pivoting the latch. The latch includes a detent interengageable with a keeper slot to prevent pivotal movement of the latch when the basket is supported in suspension by the handle.

Abstract: An improved cover support and operating mechanism is disclosed for use with the cooking vessel of deep fat frying apparatus. The vessel has an opening and the cover is supported in a plane transverse to the axis of the opening by a cross bar and a pair of vertical posts which are vertically reciprocable relative to the vessel to move the cover between open and closed positions. A spring arrangement is provided for biasing the post and thus the cover toward the open position, and a hand actuable latching arrangement is provided to releaseably hold the cover in the closed position against the spring bias.