Presto 05411 GranPappy: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-10

Summary

The GranPappy’s main drawback is its fixed ~375 °F heat with no temperature control — Wirecutter’s test and owner reports both describe food overdone on the outside before the inside is cooked. It also fries only about one serving at a time, and there is no basket. The only running cost is cooking oil, since the snap-on lid stores oil in the fryer between sessions; it is a good buy at $65 or less for small batches of fries, shrimp and onion rings.

Common problems and fixes

No temperature control — the factory-set thermostat holds the oil at about 375 °F and there is no dial; Wirecutter’s test burned chicken tenders on the outside before the center cooked through, and a forum owner reported the same pattern. There is no fix — it is a design limit, not a defect, so the 1-year limited warranty does not apply; only fry foods that suit high heat. [2][4][1]
No basket — the included slotted scoop is the only tool for lifting food out, so small or delicate items come out piece by piece, which owners find inconvenient. No workaround beyond working in small batches. [1][3]
Small capacity — the “six big servings” label refers to the oil-to-food ratio, not what fits at once; Wirecutter found only one serving of french fries fit at a time. Plan on multiple batches. [1][2]

Parts and consumables

Yearly running cost

Not enough data for a dollar figure. The only recurring cost is cooking oil: the fryer holds 6 cups per batch, and the snap-on lid lets you store the oil in the fryer between sessions, so one batch of oil covers multiple sessions — the manufacturer says this saves money on oil. No oil price or typical annual consumption is published in the research. Electricity is 1500 W while heating.

When it is a good buy

$65 or less — good value. GoPresto.com lists it at $64.99 with free shipping and Everything Kitchens at $64.99 (October 2026); the missing controls are an understandable tradeoff for occasional small-batch frying. [1][5]
Between $65 and $85 — still fair if you specifically want a compact, no-controls fryer. Best Buy listed it at $83.73 and Lowes at $83.15 as of the October 2026 search, and Best Buy results have also shown $66.79–$69.99. [7][8][9]
Above $85 — weak value; at that price fryers with adjustable thermostats, larger capacities and frying baskets become available.
Alternative: Cuisinart CDF-200 (about $130, Wirecutter’s top pick) — the better choice when you fry varied foods, need temperature control or want more than one serving at a time. [2]