Most fast-food establishments and restaurants cannot operate without a commercial fryer. If you are serving French fries and a hamburger, your kitchen would need a fryer. Know that it is and always be an investment to buy a fryer. Ensure that you choose the most suitable one that meets your budget and your needs. So, what are those things to keep in mind when choosing a commercial fryer?
Source of Power
There are not many options to consider when considering power sources. The source of power is one deciding factor. The first will be the gas deep fryer. This is powered using a liquid propane tank or a natural gas line. There are heating elements inside or even outside the pot. This is a type that is cost-effective and more efficient. This could heat up easily plus reach its maximum temperature. It is just that it is hard to move demanding a natural connection of the gas line. If there are no existing connections, it could then be costly to install the unit.
Types
There will be two choices of the fryer for your business, floor, and countertop and the last are many types of specialty fryers. Firstly, the floor models would accumulate a lot of kitchen space. If you will be selling huge amounts of fried foods, this is the ideal choice to consider. The floor model would manage consistent and daily use which is why they’re suitable for high-volume businesses. They could have more updated features making the cooking as efficient and quick as possible.
The countertop, on the other hand, saves much space with no compromised performance. It could sit above the countertop taking up minimal kitchen space. Now with the other type as a specialty, there are many of them to find for their particular uses. There are the funnel cake and donut fryer, ventless countertop model, drop-in fryer, and outdoor fryer.
Durability and Size
The volume requirements are an essential element when you opt for new kitchen equipment. When you compare fryers, there are a lot of sizes to choose from. The widths can range from 11 inches to 34 inches; however, some models would go reach as high as 94 inches. The capacities would range from 500 lbs. The capacities of the tank are measured in maximum volume of oil or pounds.
If you manage a restaurant that receives high-volume orders and fries more foods, purchase the biggest one to find. You could arrange a lot of units on one side after the other. Moreover, think about the durability it can offer.
If it’s light, it is opted for handling low-volume applications. It can serve its purpose for delis, concession stands, and food businesses. If it’s medium, it could handle a lot of frequent usage compared to light-duty models with no loss of efficiency. As it is heavy, it is applicable for handling frying at a high volume in most popular restaurants, food businesses, and food trucks.
Burners
Think also about the types of burners you will use. They will rely on the foods that you are cooking. A fryer that has multiple burners enables you to cook many various foods at once. It is not suggested to mixflavors. If you will utilize oil in the cooking of chicken in batches and you will cook French fries using similar oil, the fries will then get a chicken taste.
It’s when you change the oil with every new type of food. Or, it’s when you utilize a distinct burner for every food item. Know the most usual burner and their types like the open pot fryer. This one is featured with heating elements right through the tank exterior. This is ideal as an option for most restaurants serving fried chicken, onion rings, and pre-breaded foods.
This one is beneficial for providing a lot more cooking space. This is easy when you clean it up and when you maintain it than any other type of burner. The ribbon is another that heats up easily and it has its immediate recovery. The tube is another with its tube-like pipe burners carrying gas right through the pot. This is suitable when you cook heavily battered and high-sediment foods. The flat bottom is another fryer that can deliver heat evenly.
With its shallow design it’s more applicable when you cook donuts, funnel cakes, low-density items, and tortilla chips. It is also easier when cleaned than any other type due to its heating elements.
Ease of Maintenance and Cleaning
Commercial fryer requires cleaning daily same with other appliances in a restaurant kitchen. It should be cleaned so that it brings about efficiency and it meets the sanitation standards. Moreover, a fryer can be hard when cleaned due to its nature. They would hold huge amounts of oil requiring regular change. Its oil would make it hard to clean the tank plus the machine. Know also that frying is a messy and greasy business.
Search for fryers with designs that can be easy to maintain and clean. When you maintain it easily, you have more time employees will be saving upon cleaning up for a day.
Safety Features
While the fryer could best elevate what your restaurant offers, it’s also essential to keep their safety in mind. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines plus the recommendations to achieve staff safety and optimal operation. Think about features like the splash guards and the automatic shut-offs enhancing the protection when you utilize the equipment.
Reviews and Brand Reputation
Reputation speaks much about volumes in the field of cooking. For commercial fryers, choose for reputable brands having a record of fulfilled and satisfied customers. It will rely much on the feedback and the demand. There’s always a list of top-selling fryers for commercial businesses.
Cost
Also, don’t forget to think about the cost when choosing a fryer. Know that the floor fryer would come with a more expensive tag than a countertop fryer. Nonetheless, the price would only increase while the capacity also increases. Thus, carefully calculate the food amount you would fry every day. If you opt for something like a small fryer, expect to increase the cooking times. But then, do not purchase a floor fryer that goes underutilized.
So, keep these essential things in mind when choosing a commercial fryer!
