Most commercial kitchens can’t operate without a heavy duty deep fryer. This is what you use for frying donuts and other pastries, shrimp tempura, fries, onion rings and more. And like any other commercial kitchen equipment, a deep fryer is an investment so you need to make sure you pick the right one for your kitchen.
Don’t know how to start? Here’s a complete guide on what you should look for in a commercial deep fryer.
Different types of commercial deep fryers
Whether you’re starting a commercial kitchen or just need an update for your kitchen equipment, choosing the best commercial deep fryer can save you time and money. When determining which type of commercial deep fryer you need, consider your kitchen space and the amount of food you usually cook everyday.
Here are the different types of commercial deep fryers to help you decide.
Tabletop Deep Fryer
Tabletop or benchtop deep fryers are one of the most common deep fryers you usually see in food trucks and small establishments. This is a small and easy to operate type perfect for you if you don’t have much to fry on a daily basis.
The main benefit of a tabletop deep fryer is that you can save space in your kitchen without sacrificing your overall performance and food quality. And since it’s small, it’s easier to maintain and move from one place to another.
Ventless Deep Fryer
A ventless deep fryer is almost the same as a tabletop deep fryer. The difference is that ventless deep fryers are enclosed and come with an internal venting system. This can save kitchen space and allows you to cook food even without a ventilation hood.
Ventless deep fryers are best for small restaurants and food trucks.
Floor Deep Fryer
Floor deep fryers are perfect for big kitchens cooking several batches of fried dishes everyday. You can find different designs available in both gas and electric models. This type of deep fryer is highly recommended for medium to large establishments like fine-dining restaurants, hotels and fast food chains.
Specialty Deep Fryer
Aside from the tabletop, ventless and floor deep fryers, you can also find a specialty deep fryer suitable for specific uses. If you offer products like doughnuts or corn dogs, then this might be perfect for you. Here are the different types of specialty deep fryers.
Funnel Cake Fryer
A funnel cake fryer has a wide and shallow space that allows products to float while cooking. It comes with a flat bottom and it’s available in both gas and electric types. And depending on your kitchen space, you can choose a tabletop or a floor model.
This type of specialty deep fryer is perfect for cooking doughnuts.
Corn Dog Fryer
Corn dog fryers have narrow fry pots and clips, making it suitable only for cooking corn dogs. Commonly comes in electric models. It also comes with a flat bottom and clips to hold the corn dog sticks to ensure they’re cooked evenly. Usually, this fryer can accommodate up to twelve corn dogs in a single use.
Outdoor Fryer
If your restaurant offers catering, or if you’re operating a food truck, you can go for an outdoor fryer. This one is portable and mainly uses gas as its power source. It’s almost the same as the tabletop deep fryer, but outdoor fryers don’t have electric models.
Most outdoor fryers come with wheels for easier mobility.
Tips before buying a commercial deep fryer
Before deciding which commercial deep fryer you should buy, consider some factors first to make sure you pick the right one.
Here are some tips to help you shortlist your options with all the available deep fryers in the market.
How many do you need to get?
Do you need separate fryers, all the fryer types? If you offer corn dogs or doughnuts, you probably need to get two different specialty fryers.
Assess if your fryer/s will fit with the rest of your equipment. If a floor deep fryer is too big for your kitchen, then maybe you can go for a tabletop deep fryer and get a separate specialty fryer for your other dishes.
Determine the size you need.
Commercial deep fryers come in different sizes depending on your needs. Assess how much deep fried products you usually produce daily. If it’s in large batches, you might need to invest on a floor deep fryer. It’s also suitable for huge restaurants that offer a lot of fried dishes.
Let’s face it, people don’t order as much fried food now. If your menu is on the healthy side and your staff will only deep fry fish, radishes or potato side dishes, go for a tabletop deep fryer instead. This is a space-saver and efficient to use.
Assess which type of power supply you need.
The power supply is one of the major deciding factors when choosing a commercial deep fryer. Depending on your preferred fryer type and size, you can find units that have different power sources.
Gas fryers
Commercial gas fryers’ power source is mainly liquid propane tanks or natural gas lines. These can be cheaper depending on the location you’re currently living. Gas fryers are also in-demand since it’s more efficient to operate.
Gas fryers heat up to a higher temperature more quickly. However, the installation might be relatively expensive especially if you don’t have an existing connection.
Electric fryers
Electric fryers, on the other hand, use heating elements that come directly from oil and lose less heat compared to gas. They also have faster heat recovery time between frying batches. Without the need for gas lines, electric fryers are portable and easy to install.
Know your preferred burner type.
Commercial deep fryers have various burners that can suit your needs. Depending on the dishes you offer, you might need a specific burner type for your commercial deep fryer.
Open pot
Open pot’s heating elements come from the tank’s exterior. This is a popular option for fries, onion rings, chicken fillet and other breaded dishes.
Flat bottom
Flat bottom deep fryers are for low density and dough-based products like doughnuts, funnel cakes, battered fish and tortilla chips. It can also be used for cooking corn dogs, provided with clips on its side to hold the corn dog sticks.
Tube
Gas fryers with tube burners have pipes where the gas is coming from. This burner type is perfect for high-battered foods and might be difficult to clean since the heating tubes are fixed.
Consider the price.
A set of factors can help you determine how much you’ll be spending for your new commercial deep fryer. Basic floor deep fryers range from $650 to $10,000 while tabletop fryers range from $200 to $3,000.
Gas fryers are less expensive compared to electric fryers. However, you might need to spend more for the installation process if you prefer a gas type deep fryer.
Before deciding which commercial deep fryer you should pick, assess the price range first and weigh the pros and cons along with the space considerations for your kitchen.
Key Takeaways
The perfect commercial deep fryer will help work more efficiently in the kitchen while providing quality dishes to your customers. With a great combination of size, heating requirements and deep fryer type, you can definitely craft high-quality goods people will love.
Do you now have an idea on which type you should go for? Whether you’re a startup or currently needing a kitchen upgrade, these tips will help you decide on the right deep fryer for you.
