I've never heard of a GFCI being "fried" by a motor. The reason that
certain large appliances (refrigerators, freezers, sump pumps) are allowed
not to be on a GFCI is that the startup surge current of the motors
sometimes causes them to false-trip. They don't FRY though, you simply have
to reset them. But by the time you notice, the food has spoiled or the
basement has flooded.

-Tim