It’s hard to find a home that doesn’t have a deep fryer in it. However, maybe you just want an upgrade from the model you 
currently have, and since many of the latest models have dramatically improved energy efficiency and features, and it makes perfect sense.
This kitchen appliance has been a family favorite for a VERY long time – and for good reasons. It’s true that some of the best deep fryers are used in commercial kitchens; there are plenty of models that will work flawlessly in a home environment.
Modern Features
A modern deep fryer has a basket that is used to raise food out of the oil when it’s finished frying. Some of the latest models come with a wide range of convenience features, such as automatic raising and lowering mechanisms, audible alarms and timers.
Some even have protective measures that prevent food crumbs from overcooking and special ventilation systems that reduce the amount of frying odors produced by the machine.
They might also have oil filters that extend the lifespan of a batch of cooking oil, which saves you money. Electronic and mechanical temperature controls are also common features. If you frequently eat fast food, you might be pleased to know that much of this food is actually cooked with deep fryers.
Controlling the Temperature
The latest deep fryers have electronic temperature controls, which are computerized and can save a lot of electricity. A computerized temperature controller constantly senses the temperature of the oil and adjusts the heating element accordingly.
It’s a good idea to check to make sure the product comes with a high-quality thermostat, which should be able to keep the temperature range within a healthy 7.2 C of the desirable temperature.
This is the best way to almost guarantee accurate cook times. Another important feature is the safety thermostat, which automatically cuts off electricity to the fryer if the oil reaches a temperature that is capable of starting a fire.
Filtering the Oil
Some home deep fryers have an oil filtration unit, which removes tiny food particles that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
This is a very useful feature because it allows the same batch of oil to be used over and over again. In some cases, this feature uses a chemical treatment and can double the lifespan of the oil that you use.
What Exactly Is Deep Drying?
It’s very likely that you’ve heard this term used, but maybe you want to know a little more about it. Put simply, it’s a unique cooking method. It involves submerging food into some type of hot fat, which is almost always cooking oil.
Since water is never used, this cooking method is categorized as dry cooking. Since oil conducts heat very well and deep frying involves the use of high temperatures, it’s capable of cooking food extremely quickly.
When performed correctly, this technique doesn’t produce overly-greasy food because there is actually moisture inside of food that repels oil. As long as food isn’t left inside of the oil for too long, the oil cannot actually penetrate the food, which is what happens when the technique is performed properly.
Your Deep Fryer Questions Answered
Many consumers want to save their oil, so they would prefer to use it more than once. It’s best to avoid using a batch of oil more than five to six times, which means no more than five or six frying sessions.
Regardless of how many times it has been used, oil should not be used if it has been in storage for more than two weeks. When using a deep fryer, many people end up with soggy food and don’t know why. If your food stays soft after you’ve cooked it, then there are a few possible reasons:
- You tried to fry too much food at once
- The food was left to sit for too long after drying
- The oil didn’t get hot enough for the specific type of food being cooked
Most modern fryers have a filter, and it should be good for around six months. However, some filters must be replaced sooner or later than this general estimate. It’s also important to know how much food you can put in the machine.
You should never fill the basket more than ½ up to 2/3 of the way full. For optimal results, you should stick with filling the basket ¼ to ½ full. By filling the basket with more than the recommended amount of food, it will decrease the temperature of the oil and can result in less optimal results.
What Types Of Oil to Use
Some of the best oils to use are peanut oil, vegetable oil and olive oil. It’s important to never use margarines or butter because they produce an unacceptable amount of smoke.
Another question consumers have is how long it takes a deep fryer to heat up. Since all models are different, some can take exceptionally more or less time to reach the desired temperature. However, they should all have a product description that says how much time is needed for preheating.
For products that have a heating element on the outside of the machine, it can take up to 30 minutes to reach the desired temp. Models that have an immersion element (heating element inside of the oil) can take up to 10 minutes.
