Presto 05442 CoolDaddy Cool-touch Deep Fryer
- Deep Fryer
- 1500 watts
- 1
- Plastic
- More reviewed than 75%
A well regarded compact fryer for typical home frying, praised for its closed lid safety design, though quality has been inconsistent enough that a few buyers received units with loose fitting parts.
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How it ranks among the 52 deep fryers we track
4.3★ across 5,158 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
5,158 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
5,442+ bought on Amazon last month.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 52 deep fryers we track - how the scorecard works · full deep fryers data report. Confidence: medium - useful but incomplete evidence.Last refreshed Jun 15, 2026. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
The Presto 05442 CoolDaddy is a cool touch electric deep fryer with a locking, vented cover, a removable nonstick pot, and a charcoal odor filter, sized to fry about six servings at a time.
The defining feature is the cool touch exterior paired with an external handle that lowers the basket into the oil while the lid stays closed, which several reviewers call out as the reason they feel safe using it around a family kitchen. It has been on the market for years and reviewers frequently compare it favorably to fryers they owned previously. Not every review is positive, one buyer found the handle harder to operate once the oil got hot and had the lid and filter come loose repeatedly.
- Cool touch exterior, six serving capacity
- Locking, vented cover with large viewing window
- Charcoal air filter for odor control
- Removable pot with nonstick surface
Who it's for
Good for households wanting a fryer that feels safe to operate, with a lid that stays shut during frying and a compact removable pot for cleanup. Someone frying very large quantities regularly may find the six serving capacity limiting.
What buyers say
From Amazon customer reviews.
Reviewers consistently praise the closed lid frying design and describe it as sturdy, easy to clean and effective at containing odor with the charcoal filter. A minority report quality problems, including a handle that became difficult to pull once the oil was hot and a lid and filter that kept popping loose during use.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Basket lowers into oil with the lid closed for safety
- Charcoal filter controls frying odor well
- Removable nonstick pot simplifies cleanup
- Cool touch exterior
- Handle reported to stiffen once oil is hot on at least one unit
- One buyer found the build cheaply made with the lid and filter coming loose
Performance notes
The adjustable thermostat and indicator light let the cook know when oil has reached the set temperature before lowering the basket, and the design keeps the lid closed and locked throughout frying so hot oil does not splatter. The charcoal filter is described by multiple reviewers as effective enough to fry indoors without the smell spreading through the house.
Specifications
| Brand | Presto |
|---|---|
| Model | 5442 |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Weight | 3.42 pounds |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 14.7 × 10.8 × 9.1 inches |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Wattage | 1500 watts |
| Construction & materials | |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | Black |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Included Components | Presto 05442 Cooldaddy Cool-Touch Deep Fryer - Black, Removable Pot, Wire Basket With An Exterior Handle |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | 1 year |
| Other details | |
| Item Type Name | Cool Touch Deep fryer |
| Part Number | 05442 |
Other Presto deep fryers
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in deep fryers.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presto 05442 CoolDaddy Cool-touch Deep FryerThis product | 4.3 / 5 | 5,158 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Hamilton Beach Professional Style Electric Deep Fryer with Basket and LidHamilton Beach | 4.5 / 5 | 3,200 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Elite Gourmet EDF2100 Electric Immersion Deep Fryer Removable Basket Adjustable…Elite Gourmet | 4.1 / 5 | 6,800 | 4.3 / 5 |
| T-fal 3.5L Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket for Home UseT-Fal | 4.4 / 5 | 22,400 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Chefman 4.5 Liter Deep Fryer w/Basket StrainerChefman | 4.4 / 5 | 6,600 | 4.1 / 5 |
Similar deep fryers from other brands
Questions about the Presto 5442
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
Can I lower the food into the oil without opening the lid?
Yes, the exterior handle lowers the basket into the oil while the cover stays closed, which is the fryer's main safety feature.
How many servings does the CoolDaddy hold?
Presto describes it as a six serving capacity fryer in a compact size.
Does it control frying odor?
It includes a removable charcoal air filter that several reviewers say keeps frying smell from spreading through the house.