A commercial fryer is an essential appliance not only in fast food outlets, but also in restaurants and pubs. If you want your chicken coating to be golden and your fries to be perfectly crispy, you need the right fryer. What kind of fryer? Pressure fryer, gas fryer, electric fryer …? How to choose the right one? Find out which fryer you need and choose the perfect solution for you.
Which fryer for the catering industry? A professional deep fat fryer for restaurants!
Commercial fryers are designed for catering establishments. The wide selection and variety of appliances also means that it is good to start your search for the ideal fryer for catering by answering a few important questions. This way, you will know what are the conditions that your commercial fryer should meet and you will easily make the right choice.
Before buying a fryer, think about:
- what you intend to use it for,
- what amount of food you plan to fry in it,
- how much space you can allocate for the appliance,
- what type of power source you have at your restaurant.
What can you fry in a deep fryer?
The commercial deep fryer is an appliance that you will successfully use in any catering establishment. In the fryer you will fry snacks such as french fries, onion rings, cheese balls, seafood, as well as pieces of meat: nuggets and chicken strips. The chicken coating powder you use to prepare your dishes will become appetisingly crunchy, golden and crispy in the fryer.
Professional commercial deep fryers are also used in the catering industry to prepare sweet snacks – churros and doughnuts. They are also perfect for preparing large quantities of pork chops or breaded fish.
Commercial deep fryer: which capacity ?
Commercial fryers also vary in size and capacity. When choosing the size of a fryer, it is worth considering first what quantities of products you intend to fry in them. A fast food outlet, which bases its menu on fried products and serves a large number of fries, will certainly require a fryer with a slightly larger capacity (minimum 5 l) than a restaurant where fries are ordered occasionally and in small quantities. It is also worth considering whether a single-chamber or double-chamber fryer will be more suitable and functional in our situation.
Commercial deep fryer: single or double chamber?
If we intend to serve several different deep-fried products, it is worth investing in double chamber commercial deep fryers. Thanks to the number of chambers, we can easily fry several products at the same time, protecting them against unwanted flavour combinations. Thanks to this solution, fries will not absorb the smell of fried chicken or fish.
Commercial deep fryers: floor fryers or countertop fryers?
You can find professional commercial deep fryers in both floor and countertop versions. Which one is better? It all depends on how much space you have in your kitchen. Commercial floor fryers take up more space, but have a practical cabinet for storing extra baskets.
Countertop fryers are designed to be placed on a work surface and are smaller than floor fryers. When planning the location of the fryer, it is worth remembering that it should be next to the cooker hood. This will ensure proper ventilation and avoid spreading the smell of fried food.
Electric, induction, gas or pressure fryer?
Which type of fryer should you choose? It all depends on what kind of power source your establishment has, whether it has a power connection – three-phase electric power or a gas connection. It’s also important what you intend to fry in the fryer – both the type of food and the size of the food – whether it’s fries, small pieces of chicken or whole thighs.
Electric fryer
Easy to use, convenient and functional. The electric fryer has a wide range of applications in food service. It is great for frying fries, sweet snacks, fish as well as boneless pieces of meat. If you’re wondering how to make chicken nuggets using the deep fryer – this is the appliance that will prepare them without any problem. It only takes 3½ minutes to fry chicken strips in a golden, crispy coating.
The fryer has an electric heater and an intuitive control panel. It is not only easy to use, but also safe: most are equipped with a thermostat, a safety device that cuts off the power in the event of the heater being incorrectly positioned in the oil pan. The cold zone system prevents food residues from burning and allows you to comfortably fry products with a coating. Having a cold zone protects the fat from burning too quickly and extends the useful life of the fat.
Pressure fryer
How do you make chicken thighs in the deep fryer? Simply by using a pressure fryer! If you’re going to serve fried chicken thighs, wings or drumsticks – go for a pressure fryer. These fryers are perfect for frying larger pieces of meat on the bone. However, it is worth remembering that a pressure fryer requires special precautions when being used. Thorough training of the staff in the use of the fryer is therefore mandatory.
Commercial gas fryer
Your premises do not have the so-called “power” and using an electric deep fryer is not possible for you? You don’t have to give up deep frying. On the market you will find various gas models of commercial deep fryer designed for gas installation. The gas fryer is characterised by optimal energy utilisation. When deciding on this type of fryer, it is recommended to choose fryers equipped with sensors and gas flow prevention valves.
Induction fryer
Certainly, the biggest advantage of an induction fryer is the short oil heating time. Unfortunately, due to the lack of a cold zone, this solution is not suitable for breaded products. However, if you are looking for a fryer to fry fries – this is the option for you.
How much does a commercial fryer cost?
The price of fryers varies depending on the type of power supply, capacity and number of chambers. The cheapest type of fryer is the induction fryer, but it is worth bearing in mind that it does not have a cold zone and does not suit frying breaded products.
Below are approximate prices for the most popular commercial fryers:
- commercial electric fryer 5l – cost: over 500 zł
- commercial double electric fryer (6l x 2) – cost: about a 1000 zł
- commercial double gas fryer (7l x 2) – cost: about 10 000 zł
- commercial double induction fryer (8l x 2) – cost: about 4000 zł
What to consider when buying a deep fryer?
For professional restaurants, it is important to choose the right equipment. You will find a wide range of commercial fryers on the market, but not all will be suitable for your establishment. It’s important to choose commercial fryers based on the available power supply in your premises, the type of product you will be cooking in them and how large quantities you plan to fry.
When buying a fryer, it is also worth paying attention to its workmanship. A fryer made of high-quality stainless steel, even if frequently used, is sure to last for many years.
When choosing a commercial fryer, it is a good idea to pay attention to the user-friendly features incorporated: A commercial fryer with an oil filter will extend the freshness of the oil and save a lot of money, while a fryer with a drain tap will make it easier to dispose of the used oil.
So what is the answer to the question: which is a good fryer? One that is well chosen, i.e. one that meets your needs and is suitable for your restaurant. Now you know how to choose the right equipment for frying fries, vegetables and, of course, breaded chicken.
