The popularity of fried foods can be seen in both the variety of what we fry, and the number of establishments doing the frying. Whether it is fried candy bars at the county fair, french fries as the football game concession stand, fresh donuts at the local diner or appetizers at a fine dining restaurant, fried foods are great sellers for everyone.
Commercial fryers come in many forms and sizes. Determining which fryer is right for you starts by understanding the basics and deciding where fried foods fit in your overall offering as well as your physical space. One of the first considerations is your heat source. Commercial electric fryers offer efficient heating and quick recovery between heating cycles and are available in both countertop and floor models. Commercial gas fryers work with either liquid propane or natural gas and provide rapid start-ups. Both countertop and floor models are available for gas fryers as well.
In addition to traditional commercial fryers that require hoods to manage the heat and exhaust created by frying, there are ventless models available that provide a closed environment for cooking and that work great in small spaces or locations without built-in ventilation. Other specialty fryers are also available that are designed for products like donuts and funnel cakes which benefit from larger but shallow cooking areas.
High-quality fryers from recognized brands can provide years of reliable service. Recommended brands include American Range, Autofry, Avantco, Belshaw, Frymaster, Henny Penny, Hobart, Keating, PerfectFry, Pitco, Qualite, Royal, Vollrath, Vulcan, Wells.