buyer's guides
Canada's delectable treasures like poutine, beaver tails, and fried chicken are iconic for a reason—they're downright irresistible!
To serve up these classics, you need a top-notch commercial deep fryer.
It's your ticket to crispy, golden, and oh-so-juicy perfection.
But how do you pick the right fryer? What features matter the most? And which brands rock the fryer world?
This guide's got you covered.
Whether you're running a cozy diner, a bustling fast-food restaurant, or a food truck, we'll help you find the ideal fryer.
Plus, we'll drop some pro tips on using and maintaining it. Let’s get started.
Do you own a fast-food restaurant or a high-end one? A food truck, or a concession stand?
Choosing the right commercial deep fryer depends on the type of food you’ll be frying and their demand.
Your key decision point is the fryer's burner style, as each excels with specific menu items.
Let's break down the most commonly used types and determine which one suits your kitchen best.
If you're looking for simplicity and efficiency in your kitchen, consider the open-pot fryer, a popular choice for many fast-food establishments.
If your menu features a variety of battered dishes, the tube-type fryer is a kitchen essential. Its ingenious design ensures precision cooking.
The ribbon fryer symbolizes electric efficiency, ensuring consistent speed without compromising flavour, perfect for those who crave swift service.
A kitchen essential for dishes that stay afloat in hot oil, the flat-bottom fryer is tailored for delicate items that thrive in a consistent frying environment.
These fryers aren't your typical kitchen equipment; they combine the frying artistry with the precision of pressure cooking, resulting in a unique culinary experience.
Choosing the right fryer isn't just about meeting your current requirements; it's also about preparing for future demands.
Your choice of fryer can significantly influence service speed, food quality, and overall customer satisfaction.
These compact units are designed to take up minimal space while ensuring consistent frying results.
These fryers are the heavy-duty champions of the frying world, purpose-built for high-volume cooking and unwavering consistency.
Installed directly into countertops, these fryers maximize space efficiency while maintaining top-notch frying quality.
True to their name, specialty fryers are dedicated to specific tasks and are often used for frying unique items such as doughnuts.
Ventless commercial fryers are revolutionary for spaces that lack a dedicated hood system. With their built-in ventilation and fire suppression systems, they prioritize safety while delivering exceptional frying results.
Before you make your deep fryer choice, examine your menu closely.
But if you're juggling a mix of mains and sides like fries or onion rings, consider fryers that offer the flexibility of multiple baskets to keep your kitchen running smoothly.
However, if your menu primarily features non-battered items, a conventional fryer will suit your needs perfectly.
Even with fresh items that are less demanding, maintaining consistent and even heat remains crucial.
In summary, let your menu be your guide when selecting a fryer. The right choice ensures that each serving turns out as a crispy masterpiece.
When it comes to fryer size and capacity, it's not just about physical dimensions but also the number of baskets it can handle.
Fryers come in various capacities categorized by the number of baskets they accommodate – single, double, and triple.
Continue reading for more details on each.
Single Basket Fryers
Single-basket fryers are like your one-person kitchen army.
They work well for establishments with a limited menu or those starting small, especially when you're frying one type of food at a time.
However, keep in mind that while they are compact and cost-effective, they may limit your ability to multitask during unexpected rush hours.
Double basket fryers
Double-basket fryers bring versatility to the table.
With two baskets, you can simultaneously fry two different foods without worrying about flavour crossover.
Picture frying fish in one and chips in the other – it's all about efficiency and speed without sacrificing quality.
These fryers are a game-changer for medium-sized establishments.
Triple basket fryers
In high-demand venues where things get bustling, triple-basket fryers are your frontline champions.
Frying three different foods at once? Absolutely doable.
Perhaps you'd like to allocate two baskets to your bestsellers and one to a popular side dish?
The unmatched flexibility of these fryers allows you to maximize your output and effortlessly meet diverse customer demands.
Now, let's dive into the details of settings, features, and functionality.
This is the part where you ensure your fryer aligns perfectly with your kitchen's requirements.
Pay close attention to these essential features as you consider your options:
Look for fryers that provide custom settings, allowing you to fine-tune the frying process for specific dishes according to your needs.
A fryer isn't just another kitchen appliance; it's an investment in safety, quality, and efficiency.
Ensure that yours ticks all the right boxes to meet your kitchen's needs and standards.
Filtration is your oil's best friend, removing troublesome food residues and carbon remnants.
The result? Crispier, more flavourful dishes and a safer dining experience. And here's the financial perk: purified oil lasts longer, trimming operational costs.
Consider these filtration options:
The filtration advantage:
Choosing an energy-efficient deep fryer is not only a smart business decision but also a way to reduce the environmental impact of your commercial kitchen.
Here are some key points to consider when comparing gas and electric power sources:
In our country, about 82% of electricity generation comes from low-carbon sources, such as hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear.
Commercial deep fryers excel in efficiency, but, like all valuable tools, they benefit from attentive care.
Here's your blueprint to ensure they run smoothly and stand the test of time:
Daily exterior wipe-downs maintain its appearance. But once a week, dive deeper — empty the oil and wash the fry pot and baskets with warm, soapy water.
And if it's in high use daily? Opt for more regular deep cleans.
Don't forget to give your oil a good filter, especially when you catch a whiff of that telltale burnt scent or when your dishes are turning a bit too brown.
Once you've filtered it, roll up your sleeves and give those heating elements a nice scrub to bid farewell to any sneaky crumbs and remnants. Your fryer will thank you for it!
It's a smart move to bring in an expert from time to time. They have a knack for spotting issues you might miss, and their insights can help you save money in the long run.
Quality oil isn't just about enhancing taste; it's also about taking care of your fryer.
Investing in top-notch oils is like providing the lifeblood your machine deserves.
Whether you're in the market for a new fryer or considering an upgrade, pay close attention to factors like material quality, design, size, placement options, and the brand's reputation.
These elements impact not only your kitchen's aesthetics but also your fryer's longevity.
Here's a heads-up: Always double-check that any products or accessories you're considering are a suitable match for your fryer.
If you're unsure, a quick chat with your supplier or manufacturer will help steer you in the right direction.
Your deep fryer might be the star, but it's the little add-ons that can genuinely take your frying game to the next level.
Let's explore a concise yet impactful guide to crucial accessories and enhancements for your deep fryer, designed to power up your operation.
These baskets are indispensable tools for your fryer.
They ensure the safe submersion of your food into the sizzling oil and golden retrieval.
With various sizes and shapes available, select the one that best suits your specific frying requirements.
Think of these as your oil's best friends.
They diligently filter out troublesome food particles, extending your oil's lifespan, saving you money, and ensuring a consistently fresh taste.
Safety always comes first.
Splash guards shield your team from scalding oil splashes and have the added bonus of minimizing those pesky and messy oil splatters.
Consider it as a snug cover for your fryer, guarding it against dust and debris during its moments of rest and rejuvenation.
These trays work like a clean-up crew for your oil.
They catch any stray food bits to prevent them from lingering and causing burnt spots in your oil.
These gloves are indispensable.
They serve as an additional safety layer, safeguarding your team's hands from the heat while they work diligently.
You’ve heard it before - a clean fryer is a happy fryer! It's all about keeping it in top-notch shape to ensure it performs at its best and lasts longer.
These kits come loaded with specialized brushes and essential fryer tools, making cleaning a breeze.
But remember, it's not just about adding any old accessories; it's about selecting the right ones that perfectly match your specific fryer model.
And if you ever find yourself unsure, a quick chat with your supplier or manufacturer will help you make the right choice.
Garland, Canada, a shining gem in the Welbilt family, is renowned for blending innovation with top-notch quality in kitchen equipment.
Among their diverse product range, spanning griddles, grills, ovens, and pasta cookers, their commercial deep fryers shine brightly in commercial kitchens.
These fryers are the epitome of high-performance and energy-efficient design, essential qualities in the bustling world of commercial cooking.
Highly recommended floor-standing models are the S18 Series Fryer and the Master Series’ M35SS. The S18, a commercial electric medium-duty option, offers models S18F and S18SF1, equipped with a mechanical thermostat, Incoloy swing-up heating elements, and adjustable stainless steel legs. It provides two chrome wire baskets, with add-ons like an extra tank, varied basket choices, and a stainless steel cover.
In contrast, the M35SS, a heavy-duty gas fryer, handles high frying demands with its 110,000 BTU/Hr. infra-red jet-type burner. Boasting a large 35lb. stainless steel fry pot and sturdy exterior.
Shop Garland commercial deep fryers now
Since its inception in 1986, Perfect Fry Company has been a prominent food service supplier, renowned for its innovative and user-friendly countertop deep frying solutions in North America.
Among their impressive lineup, two standout models are highly recommended for commercial kitchens:
The PFC Semi-Automatic Fryer represents the culmination of extensive research and development, delivering the highest power output available in today's market. Designed for both durability and exceptional performance, it's the ideal choice for high-volume kitchens.
On the other hand, the PFA Fully Automatic Fryer streamlines operations by minimizing staffing requirements and prep time. Its fully automated features, including the efficient Rapid Fry Mode, maximize cooking capacity and efficiency.
Shop Perfect Fry commercial deep fryers now
Henny Penny Corporation, headquartered in Eaton, Ohio, is a renowned American manufacturer of premium commercial food equipment.
Established in 1957, their notable clients include global giants like KFC, Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and Chicken Licken.
Two standout models from Henny Penny, highly recommended for commercial kitchens, include:
The Evolution Elite Open Fryer, featuring reduced-oil capacity technology, is a high-performing deep fat fryer with a 30 lbs. oil vat, ideal for high-volume kitchens.
The Velocity Series PFE 500/PFG 600 High Volume Pressure Fryers, equipped with built-in filtration as a standard feature, are robust fry vats and fry pots crafted from top-tier stainless steel. They efficiently serve batches of delectably golden-brown French fries and other customer favourites.
Shop Henny Penny commercial deep fryers now
American Range stands as a renowned manufacturer of chef-inspired professional cooking equipment, earning favour among culinary experts worldwide for over three decades.
Their commercial deep fryers have found their place in commercial kitchens, especially the AF-35/50, a robust gas fryer with a 15 to 23 litre oil capacity, and the AR-GCF-15 compact commercial countertop fryer featuring an 8 litre oil capacity.
Both models deliver a potent 30,000 BTU heating capacity while maintaining a manageable 26-inch height, making them perfect for kitchens with limited space or mobile catering setups.
American Range's reputation for durability and advanced features aligns perfectly with the demands of bustling commercial kitchens, ensuring consistent and exceptional frying results.
Shop American Range commercial deep fryers now
With over 80 years of history, Waring Commercial has been a trusted partner for culinary excellence, collaborating with top chefs worldwide. Their product range spans from blenders to waffle makers and deep fryers.
In Canadian commercial kitchens, two highly recommended models from Waring Commercial shine:
The Waring Commercial WDF75RC is a compact electric deep fryer with a hinged heating element that heats up and cools down quickly. It features a removable stainless-steel tank for easy cleaning.
On the other hand, the heavy-duty Waring Commercial WDF1000 single electric deep fryer is designed for durability and high performance, making it ideal for high-volume kitchens.
Like its counterpart, it also boasts a hinged heating element and a removable stainless steel tank for convenient cleaning.
These models offer durability and advanced features while ensuring consistent frying results, day after day, that Waring is known for.
Shop Waring Commercial deep fryers now
Spending thousands of dollars on a commercial deep fryer can put a strain on your budget and cash flow.
If you’d prefer not to invest a lot of money in a deep fryer, a cheaper, pre-owned appliance might be the solution you’re looking for.
SilverChef’s range of ‘Certified Used’ commercial equipment is mostly ex-rental equipment sourced from businesses we know and trust.
The equipment is typically less than two-and-a-half years old, has been fully refurbished by us, and is backed by a three-month parts-and-labour warranty.
Considering the effective or useful life of a deep fryer is much longer, you can be sure our Certified Used commercial deep fryers have plenty of life left in them.
You can either buy or finance the ‘Certified Used’ (and clearance) equipment on our website. (We’re one of the few financiers, if not the only one, in Canada that funds second-hand commercial kitchen equipment).
Read more about ‘Certified Used’ equipment
Cleaning your commercial deep fryer is crucial for maintaining food quality and safety. Here's a straightforward guide to effective cleaning:
For the best results, clean your fryer regularly, and always refer to your fryer's manual for specific cleaning instructions.
Filtering the oil in a commercial deep fryer is a crucial step for maintaining the quality of fried foods and extending the life of the oil. Here's a step-by-step process to guide you:
Ensure safety: Before you begin, ensure the fryer is turned off. Allow the oil to cool slightly but not become cold. Ideally, it should be warm to the touch, which makes the filtering process efficient.
Gather necessary equipment: You'll need oil filter paper or a bag, an oil filtering machine (some fryers come with built-in filtration systems), and safety equipment like gloves and goggles.
Remove food particles: Take out the fryer baskets and use a skimming tool or fryer cleaning rod to remove any floating food debris from the top.
Drain the oil:
Clean the inside: With the oil drained, you now have a chance to clean the inside of the fryer. Use a fryer brush to scrub the walls and heating elements, removing any stuck food particles or carbon deposits.
However, avoid water or liquid cleansers unless you do a deep clean.
Replace the oil: Once you've filtered the oil, pour it back into the fryer using a funnel. If the oil is too degraded (dark, smelly, or overly thick), it's best to replace it with fresh oil.
The quantity of oil that a commercial deep fryer demands depends primarily on its size, the kind of food it fries, and how frequently it's utilized.
Generally, commercial fryers may require approximately 20 to 25 litres of oil.
On the other hand, electric deep fryers typically cap out at around 12 litres.
But bear in mind, these numbers are just rough estimates.
For exact oil requirements tailored to particular models and culinary preferences, it's best to consult the manufacturer's recommendations.
A cleaning method using a specialized solution to cleanse the fryer's interior, targeting carbon residues and other debris.
The fryer's base section, where fallen food particles reside, helps to avoid overcooking and thus preserving oil quality.
The duration required for the fryer to return the oil to its optimal temperature post-cooking.
Simply put, it's the primary chamber where the magic happens: oil heats up, and food gets its golden crisp.
A built-in feature in many fryers, it sieves out food remnants, extending the oil's usability.
It is designed to capture those stray food morsels from the frying baskets, often situated in the cold zone.
This tool ensures the oil remains at a steady temperature, guaranteeing uniform frying results.
Defines the weight, typically in pounds or kilograms, of food a fryer can handle simultaneously.
Indicates the volume of oil, often in litres or gallons, a fryer can accommodate.
We hope this guide has helped you better understand what you need to look for in a commercial deep fryer and how to choose the right model for your needs.
If you want to know more, you can always reach out to the SilverChef team.
Hospitality equipment can be expensive, and paying for it outright can put pressure on your business’s cash flow.
Our finance solutions allow you to get the equipment you want now and to pay for it in small, regular amounts out of the revenue it generates for you.
Rent–Try–Buy® not only helps you maintain your cash flow, it gives you unrivalled flexibility to adapt your equipment to the changing needs of your business.
You can upgrade or buy the equipment at any time or, after 12 months, return or continue renting it.
If you decide to buy the equipment, we’ll give you back 60% of the net rent you paid in the first year and 20% of any rental payments thereafter — to put toward the purchase price.
