Fryers

How big should you go?

General purpose fryers have oil capacity between 30-50 lbs. Large chicken/fish fryers have 60-80 lb capacity.

Look for general purpose fryers with larger capacity for faster recovery. Recovery is the time it takes for the fryer to heat the oil back to starting temperature after the cold food is dropped in. A faster recovery means the fryer oil temperature drops less and recovers faster to maintain proper cooking temperatures and greater production. Low oil temperatures and low recovery fryers result in soggy and longer cooked products.

Stainless Steel Pots

Always buy a stainless steel pot. They are easier to clean and last much longer. Look for a minimum 5 year warranty on the stainless steel pot, and better brands have a lifetime warranty. Avoid the expense of a leaky pot by always getting a stainless steel pot.

Sediment Zone Types

A sediment zone is where the excess breading and small pieces of food collect as they fall off during cooking. There are three different types of sediment zones or “cool zones” for the fryer, open-pot, tube-type and flat bottom.

• Open pot fryers have an open bottom and unobstructed heated area. They have fast recovery and are easier to clean than a tube type fryer. They have a smaller sediment zone which makes them ideal for lightly breaded foods, such as french fries.

• Tube type fryers are best suited to heavily breaded products like fish and chicken because they capture the sediments that occur while frying in a larger cool zone. This larger zone is a bit harder to clean because the tube shaped heating elements are permanently fixed in place.

• Flat bottom fryers have no sediment zone and are designed for frying delicate items that float to the top, for example, tortilla chips and funnel cake. Because there is no defined sediment zone, they are difficult to clean.

Chef’s Tips:

1. Load, then shake fry baskets away from the frypot area, allowing food particles and other contaminants to fall safely away from the oil. Careful and frequent filtering coupled with good fry station management will remove the solid particles that collect in the oil such as food particles and non-dissolved salts that occur during the normal cooking process.

2. If oil is contaminated by any unexpected substance or object it should be disposed of immediately in accordance with safe handling guidelines. The fryer should also be carefully cleaned and sanitized before being used again.

3. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions for frypot cleaning and replace oil promptly when needed. Maintain optimal oil temperature in the cooking zone. It extends oil life and avoids situations in which foods are cooked too quickly or at a temperature that are too high.

4. The duration for which food is held at a specific temperature is referred to as the “cooking curve.” This can vary based on the type of food involved, operator preference and desired outcome – including oil absorption. For best results, oil temperatures should be maintained at 330°F–350°F at the beginning of the fry cycle – then reduced to near 330° F for a short period, then elevated again to 330°F-350°F.

Accessories

1. Casters are a must – for mobility and easier cleaning.
2. A pot cover when the fryer is not in use is an inexpensive and useful tool.
3. Consider a filter to get the most life out of your oil. Specially woven filter paper allows the free flow of oil while capturing food particles, sediment and other contaminants.
4. As with any gas appliance, be sure and include a new AGA commercial gas flex hose. They are designed extremely heavy duty, usually with a brass quick connect. Standard, plumber supplied home-type flex hoses are not designed for commercial applications and are not NSF approved.