Deep fryer: types and features of use

A deep fryer is a household device in which you can cook meat, poultry, vegetables and even fruits by frying them in a deep layer of melted animal fat or sunflower oil.

What is a deep fryer used for?

A deep fryer in the kitchen allows you to easily prepare different foods:

• French fries cut into cubes or slices;
• deep-fried meat - pieces of pork or lamb in a delicate batter;
• yeast baked goods - boat pies, pasties, brushwood;
• fish fingers in toasted breading and more.

The thickness of the products used should not exceed 1 cm. Therefore, before frying, they must be thinly sliced. The ingredients are chopped into equal pieces for uniform frying.

Operating principle of a deep fryer

A standard electric frying appliance consists of:

• thermally insulated housings;
• mesh container for products;
• and heating structure.

A mesh container is used to place food during the cooking process. The heating element maintains the required temperature in the fryer. The preset heating mode is provided by the built-in thermostat. This design element prevents food from burning.

Frying food in a deep fryer is carried out according to the following scheme:

• first the oil is poured into the container;
• then set the required temperature;
• a mesh with ingredients is immersed in the bowl;
• lower the lid and press the “start” button;
• upon completion of cooking, remove the dish from the bowl.

Before placing food in the fryer container, wipe it dry. They are immersed in the container only after the oil has warmed up to the specified temperature. When cooking frozen foods, fill the appliance to only 3/4 of the bowl volume. During the cooking process, place a paper filter at the bottom of the container so that it absorbs burnt food particles.

For deep-frying, only high-quality oil (palm, sunflower or olive) or animal fat (lard, a layer of melted lamb and pork fat) is used. Unrefined oil is not used because it causes the formation of carcinogens. The liquid oily product is poured into the container of the electrical appliance to the specified mark. The used oil must be changed after 2-4 fryings, when it darkens. The oily substance is drained only after the electrical appliance has completely cooled.

Kinds

The following types of device exist:

• household;
• professional.

The first is intended for use at home. It has small dimensions and is inexpensive. The second one is used mainly in cafes, bars and restaurants. A professional deep fryer can be equipped with two autonomously operating baths, allowing you to prepare many dishes at the same time. The unit can operate on gas or from electricity.

Based on the installation method, deep fryers are classified into floor-standing and table-top devices. The former are characterized by increased productivity. They are mainly installed in heating lines for professional kitchens. The latter are suitable for any catering establishment.

Characteristics of deep fryers

Power

A device with low power warms up faster. The frying process is carried out only in fully heated oil, so in a unit with low power you can start cooking within 15–20 minutes after turning it on. The volume of products depends on the power of the device:

• a unit with a power of up to 1000 W can be filled with no more than 1.5 liters of oil;
• a device with a capacity of 1500–2000 W can heat a bowl with a volume of 2–3.5 liters;
• no more than 4–5 liters of fat can be poured into a unit with a power of 3000–4000 W.

Oil volume (l)

A bowl with an increased capacity allows you to cook a large volume of dishes in one go. A device with a bowl volume of 1–1.5 liters is enough for a family of 1–2 people, with a volume of 2–3 liters – for a family of 3–4 people. In a 4-5 liter bowl you can prepare food for 5-6 people. A professional deep fryer used in restaurants has a bowl with a volume of 10–12 liters.

Anti-odor filter

The electrical appliance can be equipped with a carbon odor filter. This anti-odor device works very effectively, but its resource is limited - over time it requires replacing cartridges. You can also see frying devices with a stationary filter on sale. The non-removable element is considered the most ineffective element. It needs to be washed periodically.

Removable cover

Most modern deep-frying devices are equipped with a removable lid. TThis design detail greatly facilitates cleaning the inner surface of the upper part from oil.

Housing material

Manufacturers use either metal or plastic to make the case. The metal casing gets very hot, but not so hot as to cause burns during operation of the device. Plastic construction (especially light-colored ones) will become dull and scratched over time.

Temperature adjustment

The temperature-controlled appliance allows you to prepare a wide variety of dishes. You can fry crispy potatoes in it at a temperature of 190 °C or cook juicy vegetables in batter at a temperature of 140 °C. In most devices you can set the heating temperature to 50-190°C.

A heating element

The deep fryer is equipped with an open or closed heating element. An open-type heating element speeds up the heating of the oil, but makes cleaning the device more difficult. It fits right inside the bowl. A closed heating element is located under the plate at the bottom of the bowl. It has no contact with food. A closed type element is installed in higher quality devices, an open type element is installed in cheap models.

Features and Benefits

Thermal equipment for frying food is in demand for many reasons. It makes it possible to easily and quickly prepare many delicious dishes. The deep fryer takes up little space and performs well in operation. And its service life can be counted in decades.

Deep-fried dishes are low in calories. During the frying process, products immediately enter the optimal temperature environment, which contributes to the rapid formation of a crispy crust. Deep-fried foods are cooked in their own juices. They are not filled with high-calorie and harmful fats, so they turn out incredibly aromatic and tasty.

Using an electrical appliance has many advantages over frying in a pan:

Quality. Temperature adjustment and a built-in timer ensure that if the parameters are set correctly, the dish will taste great, regardless of the cook’s experience.

Safety. During the cooking process, the cook practically does not interact with burning dishes and boiling oil, with the exception of the moment of placing food in the appliance or removing it.

Ease of use and maintenance. Cooking in an electrical appliance eliminates the presence of oil splashes and burning odors. The removable bowl can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand.

Economical. The vegetable oil used can be used repeatedly without risk to health. The presence of a thermostat prevents the product from overheating and prevents it from accidentally burning.

How to choose a deep fryer?

When choosing a frying device, you should focus not only on the year of manufacture or price. Inexpensive models are often not inferior in reliability and functionality to premium products. Therefore, first of all, you need to consider the features and equipment of the device.

You can also choose a deep fryer based on the model rating on the Internet. Honest customer reviews online will help you find a good unit with an optimal quality-to-price ratio.

Today, top manufacturers of household appliances offer devices with:

• touch screen control – for convenient launch of preset modes;
• convenient timer - to control the cooking time;;
• two metal meshes - to create two different dishes at the same time;
• time indicator - to track time during the cooking process;
• cold bottom function - for longer preservation of the oil in working condition.

An important element of a functional device is the presence of overheating protection, which ensures safety during the cooking process. No less important is the lid lock. The presence of this function will prevent accidental opening of the device lid during frying.

Some models have a fondue function. Manufacturers additionally equip such electrical appliances with a set of forks on which to place pieces of food.

How to clean a deep fryer?

If used frequently, the bowl of the unit should be cleaned periodically. In rare cases - after each use. For washing, do not use hard-bristled brushes or metal brushes.

The non-removable bowl is not washed under the tap. After the container has cooled, simply drain the used oil. Then the inside of the container is wiped with a paper napkin and soaked for 30–40 minutes with warm water and detergent. To speed up the process, add 2-3 tbsp to the soap solution. spoons of 9% vinegar or citric acid. If, after draining the solution, traces of fat and soot continue to be visible on the walls, repeat the steps from the beginning.

The removable bowl is washed after each use during intensive use of the device. To clean the cooled bowl and basket, use warm water and regular detergent.remedy. After washing, wipe the bowl, accessories and unit body dry with a lint-free towel. The non-removable filter of an electrical appliance is cleaned once every 2–3 months. Removable - change if necessary.