grills stoves and cookware

This pump is a step backwards from the previous two battery version (this one has three batteries). The additional battery make it too heavy on the top so it doesn't sit well in the pot. It has a tendency to tip over, or at least shift from the position you set it at.

I would agree with some of the other reviews that it seems to loose power after the first use. The thicker the oil, the harder a time it has. If you heat the oil before filtering, it works much better. Note that you don't want to get the oil too hot - perhaps nothing hotter than 100 degrees. I cracked the clear tube in my old two-battery one by running boiling water through it (requiring the purchase of this model).

If you can find the older version, I highly recommend it, but the three battery version is definately a step backwards.

I had bought the battery version of this pump as gifts for other turkey fryers and bought the electric one for myself two months ago. Used it for the first time today, all was well until the pump lets out a little smoke and quit after pumping 4.5 gal of room temp oil. I called the Eastman Outdoors help line and they were very good about offering to ship out a new unit but had no advice on why the pump died or whether this has been a common problem.

I'll see how the replacement unit works out the next time I do a turkey. Now I'm wondering how the battery versions I bought for gifts worked out in comparison.

This is a must have for anyone who has trouble lifting 5 gallons of oil in a slippery cooker. The pump is the same as the ones that pump kerosene. So you can get the same thing cheap locally if you don't want to wait for shipping. Fast, self priming, easy.

*** Don't try to move hot oil *** Do turn off flames ***

Hot oil will quickly melt the plastic pump and the plastic will stick to the sides of the fryer and ruin your oil and machine.