Maintaining Your Commercial Deep Fryers

April 27, 2018

Commercial deep fryers are a common piece of equipment in most restaurants, especially fast food ones. The biggest cause of poor-tasting fried food is a poorly maintained deep fryer. To keep your customers happy and coming back, use these tips to maintain your commercial fryers from your favorite Missouri restaurant equipment maintenance company.

Cleaning Your Deep Fryer

The most important step in keeping your commercial fryer in proper working condition is regular cleaning. When you close up shop for the day, be sure to add fryer cleaning to your closing checklist. Not only do you want to wipe down the exterior of the equipment, but you should also clean out the baskets. Run them through the dishwasher and then be sure to wipe them dry before returning them to the fryer. Every 3-6 months, you'll want to take your fryer through a deep cleaning process called a "boil out." Start by completely draining your fryer of old oil, and then refill it with warm water and a commercial grade cleaning solution. Then turn the fryer on and allow the water to reach a simmer, not a boil. Then take a long-handled, soft bristle brush to scrub out the inside of the vat. Allow the fryer to simmer for about an hour before draining and rinsing with warm water.

Maintaining Your Deep Fryer

You'll want to open the hood of your fryer regularly to ensure that all of the components are working properly. It might be best to contact a restaurant equipment service company in Missouri to take care of this step for you. A professional food-service equipment technician will be able to identify components that are worn out and should be replaced before they cause major damage to your equipment. Having this done at least once a year will likely ensure longevity in your equipment, and will reduce repair costs. Preventative maintenance is the best thing you can do to protect your investment in restaurant equipment.

Taking Care of Your Frying Oil

In addition to taking care of the actual fryer itself, it's important to take care of the oil as well. You'll want to establish a regular oil maintenance schedule, similar to that of your car. Start by filtering your oil on a regular basis to keep your oil clean. At the end of each day, you'll want to filter it to remove any crumbs. When you filter your oil, you are maintaining the quality of the oil and prolonging its life. This leads to a consistently good tasting product. While proper care can extend the life of your fryer oil, you can't reuse it forever. When your oil starts to turn dark brown or it starts to smell, it's time for an oil change. Not only will old oil reduce the quality of food you're producing, but it can also damage your equipment. New oil is much less expensive than a new commercial deep fryer.

Another important tip regarding your oil is to make sure you stay within the recommended cooking temperatures. Those temperature controls are there for a reason, and while increasing the temperature might decrease your cook time, it can also cause problems. If the oil is too hot, it will burn, which will not only transfer an unpleasant taste to the food, but will also decrease the life of your oil. Putting your fryer in standby mode during non-peak hours can also help extend the life of your oil by keeping the oil at a lower temperature, which slows oil oxidation.

Whether it's your commercial deep fryer or another piece of restaurant equipment that needs some attention, Fast Fix LLC is here for you! In addition to our 24/7 emergency services, we also offer warranty work and individualized maintenance plans. Let us work with you to keep your equipment in tip-top shape, keeping your restaurant kitchen running efficiently.