Commercial Deep Fryer Maintenance

For proper maintenance of your deep fryer, there are 2 main components you need to consider. First of all, you need to care for it properly and secondly, you have to filter the oil and change it regularly in order to ensure the quality and taste of the food is maintained. Don’t forget to also regularly clean and inspect both the oil and the machine.

To have the peace of mind you can use your deep fryer for years to come, make sure to clean and maintain it properly. While learning more about the general cleaning procedures for this type of equipment, you should also refer to the owner’s manual for more specific cleaning tips.

The element should be cleaned every time the oil is changed or filtered. Also, when you filter or drain the oil from the vat, any elements that are submerged in it need to be brushed clean. This way, proper heat transfer is going to be maintained. Don’t forget to scrub off food particles and crumbs off the fry pot walls as well.

At the end of each day, the exterior needs to be properly wiped off, especially around the fry vat’s rim. If you don’t do this, then the oil will drizzle to the floor and cause slip and fall accidents.

The fry baskets need to be cleaned at the end of each day. Remember that before you place them back over the oil, the baskets need to be dry.

Make sure to boil out the deep fryer every three to six months. This is basically a thorough cleaning of the fry pot and it’s mandatory that you do it properly. For this, you need to drain the old fryer oil, fill the vat with a mild cleaning solution and warm water and then turn on the fryer until the water simmers. Use a brush with a soft bristle (it needs to have a long handle, too) to clean the equipment, but be careful not to injure yourself while you’re at it. Lastly, the solution needs to be drained and the vat rinsed with warm water prior to using cooking oil to refill it.

The fryer should be inspected every year and while the inspection varies based on manufacturer, you need to properly check all fittings to ensure they’re tight. Check the fry pot as well to see whether it leaks or not. If you see anything that’s worn out or loose, be sure to tighten and replace it.

Fryer Oil Maintenance and Usage Tips

Maintaining the oil is as important as maintaining the fryer. Use the tips below when handling your fryer oil.

Always stick to the recommended cooking temperatures. Each type of fryer has an ideal cooking temperature that ranges between three hundred and three hundred and fifty degrees F. If you go above these temperatures, then you may cause the oil to burn and adversely affect the taste of the food cooked in it. On top of that, you’ll also need to replace the oil quite often, resulting in extra expenses.

To prolong the life of your oil, you have to regularly filter it. This will depend on the type of oil you use, but also your cooking volume.

When required, be sure to change the oil. Sure, filtering it will prolong its life, but in the end you’re going to have to replace it. The best time to replace it is when the oil makes the food taste bad, starts to smell or turns brown.

Calibrate and maintain your deep fryer temperature

During an oil change it’s important to calibrate your unit to ensure efficiency. Calibrating your deep fryer ensures that the thermostat reading matches the temperature of the oil.

Calibrating your unit entails, emptying, changing and then heating the new oil to your desired temperature. Once it has heated insert a digital thermometer into the oil and make sure the temperature readings match on the unit and thermometer. Doing this regularly will help you to pin point when there is something wrong with the thermostat in your deep fryer, and ensures that the deep fryer is heating correctly and working efficiently.

For safety reasons it is always important to ensure the machine isn’t running too hot or too cold because the product won’t heat up/cook your products properly.

Servicing Your Commercial Deep Fryer

If you need to service your deep fryer, always consider the services of an authorized service agency. If your fryer is still under warranty, then the costs of repairing it will be covered by the manufacturer.

Lastly, to keep your fryer in great working condition, always use high quality accessories. Also, pay very close attention to the consistency, cleanliness and quality of the oil used. If you notice any changes in these aspects, it’s best that you clean your machine and change your oil right away.

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