A commercial fryer is necessary for the success of your restaurant or grocery store. This piece of cooking equipment enables the kitchen staff to prepare flavorful, battered meats and vegetables quickly. Here are tips to get the most out of using the restaurant equipment, as well as common mistakes to avoid. 

Do:

Be mindful of the type of oil chosen.

Different types of cooking oil have different smoke points, which refer to the temperature right before the boiling point at which the oil starts to smoke and break down. Heating an oil past its smoking point could cause carcinogens to develop in the liquid and give fried food a burnt taste.You should also consider the flavor profile of the oil, as some have a more distinct taste than others. This, in turn, could affect the taste of the food.

Fry foods that are frozen.

Putting frozen foods in the commercial fryer will lead to better results. Because the food starts at the same temperature, there's less risk of areas being undercooked or burnt. The heat also spreads faster when the food is frozen, which means it will take less time to cook thoroughly. Just remember to shake off the excess ice buildup first. Otherwise, the ice will expand in the hot oil to the point it explodes, which is a safety hazard. 

Don't:

Overload the fryer basket.

In an effort to prepare more food quickly, you might be tempted to cram as much food as possible into the fryer basket. Overcrowding the basket is unsafe, as the oil could spill over the edge of the cooking equipment. There's also a chance that food won't cook evenly when the basket is overloaded. 

Keep oil at its cooking temperature during downtime.

When your restaurant or supermarket experiences slow periods during the day, turn down the temperature on the commercial fryer, so the oil is at 300 degrees. This will prevent the liquid from deteriorating quickly and can ensure it will heat up fast when you're ready to use the cooking equipment again.

For high-quality, reliable cooking equipment for your fast food restaurant or supermarket, reach out to Commercial Refrigeration of KY Inc. in Campbellsville. The company has been a leading source for commercial ovens and fryers, walk-in freezers, and additional restaurant equipment in central Kentucky for over 40 years. See which brands the company carries online, and call (270) 465-2910 to find out what's in stock.