Commercial Deep Fryers – How to Select the Right One for Your Business
Did you know the restaurant trade brings $18 billion to the Australian economy each year? Despite a small recession due to the COVID crisis, food culture and online delivery services have fuelled a resurgence in the catering industry.
If you know how to get started, you can create a very profitable catering business.
Managing your costs starts with knowing the right equipment to buy, and for many outlets, a fryer is the starting point. Read on as we give our must-know guide to buying commercial deep fryers.
Types of Fryers
A commercial deep fryer is a kitchen appliance that can heat large amounts of oil at a time. It is useful for frying large amounts of food, such as french fries, chicken, or tempura foods. This is done by heating the oil, lowering the food in using a basket, and removing it when the food turns a golden brown colour.
While the cooking process stays the same, there are numerous types of commercial deep fryers. The type of food business and premises you have will dictate the type that is best for your needs.
Benchtop Deep Fryers
Benchtop or countertop deep fryers sit on a work surface. Thus, they use up less space in your kitchen. If frying is not the main method of cooking in your kitchen, or you have space limitations, this is the best choice.
Floor Fryers
Floor fryers are large machines you see in fast-food restaurants. They take up a lot of space, but the pay off is that they can cook a lot of food. They are very durable, meaning they can be used throughout the day for busy establishments.
Electric and Gas Deep Fryers
Your kitchen will be powered by either gas or electricity, and it is possible to get fryers that use both. As with anything, these come with both advantages and disadvantages.
Electric fryers will have a heated element that is in contact with the oil. This means they are more efficient and recover heat quicker between batches. As they are electric, they are easy to unplug and move around the kitchen if you need to switch things around.
The downside is that electric fryers often have lower overall maximum heat. They also take longer to heat up at the start.
Gas deep fryers can be connected to a tank or the mains gas supply. Their elements can sit in or outside the pot of oil. They heat up quicker than electric fryers and have higher maximum temperatures.
The downside is that if you are connected to the mains, then moving them around can be a pain. Even with tanks of gas, you still have to get them regularly filled and may miss running out of power in the middle of service.
Choosing a Frypot
The frypot is the place where you fry the product. Different fryers have various sizes and shapes of frypot. The type of frypot determines what happens to food that breaks off when you are cooking.
This can have a marked impact on the flavour. That means you should carefully consider the type of frypot depending upon what you plan to cook in it.
Tube Frypots
In this type of deep fryer, a number of tubes sit above the bottom of the frypot. They create a cooler buffer zone so that any sediment does not overheat. Foods that give off lots of sediment should be cooked in this manner, so the build-up does not become dangerous and impact that taste.
The oil in these tends to last longer. While they are hard to clean, they contain less burnt sediment. They are one of the most versatile types of commercial deep fryers.
Flat Bottom Frypots
Flat bottom frypots are typically used for non-breaded items. This is because, as the name suggests, the bottom of the pot is flat and can collect sediment easily. Without a cold zone, it can result in a burnt taste in the oil if not cleaned regularly.
They work by allowing the items to sink in the oil then rise to the surface. They are used for doughnuts and funnel cakes and do not often have a basket.
Open Pot Frypots
Open pot frypots are externally heated and do not contain burners or tubes. The bottom of the frypot narrows into a V shape, creating a small cold zone. They are used for low sediment items such as hash browns and chicken wings.
They are more durable than other types of fryers, despite being less energy efficient. Open pot products are affordable and easy to maintain.
Advanced Controls
Many deep fryers come with advanced controls. While it may seem easier to avoid these if you are kitting out a kitchen on a budget, they can save you a lot of time and money.
The most desirable are programmable controls. With preset cooking times, you can ensure food is always thoroughly prepared. You will also be alerted when it is ready, avoiding any overcooking.
Oil filtration systems can also save you a lot of time spent cleaning and replacing the oil. They keep the oil clean, meaning the taste and look of products cooked in the oil is better for longer.
Other models have methods to increase energy efficiency. They use combustion to move heat throughout the fryer unit. Others use very exact combinations of gas and air to heat the fryers.
What Are the Best Commercial Deep Fryers?
Essentially, choosing the best commercial deep fryers comes down to your individual needs. The first is what your kitchen is cooking and how often. After this, size and efficiency considerations come into play.
If you are equipping a kitchen, then Snowmaster should be your first stop. We are Australias premier commercial kitchen supplier. Contact us to discuss your needs, and let us help build your catering business starting today!