Keeping your deep-fat fryer clean ensures you get the best flavour from your fried food and helps with the proper temperature regulation of the hot oil. Deep-frying oil that is heated to the ideal temperature and time will ensure that your food is cooked to perfection and has a crisp and delectable outside coating. If your fryer has ever malfunctioned or heated improperly, the problem may be as simple as needing a complete cleaning.
We will discuss in detail how to clean a deep-fat fryer. So, by the end of this article, you won’t find the task as daunting as before.
Cleaning a Commercial Deep Fryer
One of the easiest and most common ways to clean deep fryers is by using boiling water and a cleaning solution. After removing the frying oil from the deep fat fryer, add water to the same depth you would fill the oil to.
Add a cleaner specifically formulated for deep fat fryer maintenance or one that is great for reducing grease build-up. Allow the deep-fat fryer to heat up and let the water boil away the built-up grease and grime.
Once it has been given a deep clean, drain the hot soapy water and rinse the unit’s interior thoroughly. This process should be done every 3-6 months to prevent bacterial growth if your fryer receives regular use.
Cleaning Deep Fryer Filters
If your deep fryer has removable filters, carefully detach them from the fryer. Use a sponge, brush, rag or paper towels to wipe the filter free from crumbs and oil residue. Rinse thoroughly and place the filter back into your fryer.
If your deep fryer does not have removable filters or utilises foam grease filters, use a slightly damp or dry rag or paper towel to remove dried food particles and any other build-up from the filter. Do not fill the filter pan with water or any other cleaning solution on a fryer that has a non-removable filter, as it could damage it.
How Do I Clean a Frying Basket?
Remove the fryer basket from the deep fryer and place it in the sink. You can then use an abrasive sponge, brush or rag to thoroughly scrub the basket clean of all grease buildup and food residue. Two or three drops of standard dishwashing detergent can help this process along.
Fryer baskets can also be placed in a dishwasher. You can allow the dishwasher to run on its normal setting to ensure a good clean of the food basket or add it to the dishwasher for the final wash after you’ve loosened up any caked-on gunk with handwashing.
Tips for Ongoing Maintenance
- Always remove the electrical outlet before cleaning.
- Replace used fryer oil regularly to keep the heating element effective.
- Never leave your deep fryer unattended. Keep the fryer lid closed.
- Clean fryer baskets regularly with warm soapy water.
- Clean oil pans thoroughly when oil quality is reduced.
- Clean oil filters regularly with warm soapy water and replace dirty filters.
- Replace odour-absorbing carbon cartridges as needed.
When to Discard Used Fryer Oil
Over time, cooking oil decreases in quality each time it is used in a deep fryer. The smoke point decreases whenever you bring it up to temperature. This means that it will take longer for your oil to reach proper frying temperature over time.
A quick way to help extend the life of your oil is by regular filtering. Some deep-fat fryers have built-in oil filters, but you can use a coffee filter to strain your oil regularly if yours does not. Pour oil directly into the coffee filter and ensure it is caught by the cooking pot or another container below. This keeps the used oil clean and helps extend the life of that remaining oil as well.
Disposing of Used Fryer Oil
Never pour used fryer oil into the sink or toilet, even if it is fully liquid when cooled. This can cause a wide range of problems in your pipes and water treatment facilities in your city or township. The most acceptable way to discard used fryer oil is by placing it into a bottle or sealable container with a secure lid. You can then place the container into a bin bag to properly dispose of the cooled oil.
Three DIY Methods for a Clean Deep Fat Fryer
Cleaning a deep-fat fryer should be done every few months or each time you replace the oil. Most home kitchen deep fryers have a variety of removable and dishwasher-safe parts to make cleaning quick and easy. The wire basket that holds your food is almost always dishwasher safe as it is usually stainless steel. Always clean your deep fryer properly to prevent any additional damage to the unit using dish soap or a deep fat fryer cleaner.
Dishwashing Liquid
If your fryer is the type that has dishwasher-safe parts, you can add them to the top dish rack in the dishwasher with standard dishwashing liquid or a tablet. If you have dishwashing detergent specifically made to cut grease, this is an excellent choice.
Handwashing your components in the sink work just as well. A small amount goes a long way with most cleaning detergents, and a few drops will do! Use a soft sponge or pan scraper and a circular motion to dislodge stuck-on particles, then rinse the basket or component in freshwater thoroughly.
Vinegar & Baking Soda
This combination of common kitchen items makes an outstanding thick paste cleaner for tough-to-remove grease and burnt-on gunk. Let the food basket sit in this cleaning solution for a few minutes, then use an abrasive sponge or brush to remove any build-up. Rinse thoroughly with warm water before placing the basket back into the fryer.
If you don’t have baking soda, a simple vinegar-water solution will work just as well. Use warm water and the same process as you would if baking soda was added to remove excess oil build-up and unsightly food particle residue.
Commercial Grease Removal Products
If you would rather turn to a commercial deep frying product, you can find a wide range of fryer-specific cleaning products on the market. Each is specifically formulated to cut through grease and leave your stainless steel fryer baskets and non-stick interiors shining!
Commercial grease removal products are a great way to remove oily residue on all parts of your fryer. It can also help remove food particles that a dishwasher and standard detergent could not dislodge.
Easy Peasy
If you’ve noticed poor heating temperatures with your fryer or incorrectly cooked fried food, you may be overdue for oil replacement and thorough cleaning with dish soap. Keeping up with regular maintenance on your deep fryer may seem daunting, but it’s a simple task to be done every few months, which can extend the life of your oil and fryer by quite a lot. With this no-brainer guide, learning how to clean a deep-fat fryer will be a breeze.
