A small, inexpensive doughnut fryer has a conveyor and separate elevator that are driven from the same shaft without interference with one another. Sprockets for driving the elevator are recessed to receive rods from the conveyor. The entire conveyor assembly is provided with a quick release coupling to the power supply. A method and apparatus for moving objects to be fried through a hot frying liquid by producing intermittent waves and eddies in the liquid in the desired direction of travel to propel the objects in a straight line.