Americans love deep-fried food; from carnivals to five-star restaurants, you will be hard-pressed to find any food establishment that does not use a deep fryer in their kitchen. You may be wondering how best to clean a deep fryer so the food will be safe and delicious every time.
The best way to clean a deep fryer is to drain the old oil and thoroughly wash the fryer with hot, soapy water or an approved deep-fryer detergent. To avoid getting burned, do not clean when the oil is not cooled to room temperature. Soak the wire basket in hot, soapy water, then scrub it clean.
If you are concerned about keeping food safe and flavorful, continue reading about how best to clean a commercial deep fryer.
The Best Way to Clean A Deep Fryer, Step-By-Step
This section will give you steps on how best to clean a commercial deep fryer. Keep in mind that there are many different brands and styles of commercial deep fryers, and some of them may have different parts or components that need additional cleaning.
Step 1 – Drain the Old Oil
Be sure your oil is fully cooled before draining to avoid getting burned. Most commercial deep fryers have a large spout located at the bottom of the unit, which is intended to be used to drain the oil. Be sure to have plenty of empty buckets on hand.
Step 2 – Wipe Excess Oil and Food Debris
Using a clean rag, disposable towels, and/or a plastic scraper, remove any excess oil and leftover food debris from the walls of the fryer and its components.
Be extra careful not to scrape or damage the heating elements and other components. Never use metal spatulas or scrapers to remove excess debris, as it can create scratches that can rust.
Using a metal spatula or scraper can also leave shards of metal in the vat, which could potentially, and dangerously, become a part of someone’s meal.
Step 3 – Let It Soak
Fill your fryer with hot, soapy water or an approved deep fryer cleaning detergent to the maximum fill line.
Turn the fryer on and allow the water to boil for around thirty minutes. In some cases, you may need to let it boil longer if the deep fryer has excessive grease and food buildup inside.
Step 4 – Cleaning the Fry Basket
While the deep fryer is boiling and soaking, you can work on the fry baskets. Fill a basin with hot soapy water or the same detergent used to clean the fryer. Let the basket soak until any debris has become loose. Scrub the basket with a soft scrub brush to remove any remaining debris and grease. Finally, rinse well and move on to the next step.
Step 5 – Rinse and Wipe Dry
Once the soapy water in the deep fryer has cooled, you may drain it. Next, rinse thoroughly and wipe the deep fryer dry with a clean rag or disposable towels until there is no residue or debris left.
It is important that you thoroughly rinse any soap or detergent as that could potentially make someone sick and also ruin the flavor of the food.
Pro-tip: After the cleaning process is complete, be sure to pour a small amount of oil into the vat and let it drain out into a bucket. This will ensure that any remaining water is flushed from the system. If water is left in the system, it can cause components to corrode.
The next section will go over the commonly asked question of how to clean a deep fryer at home.
Cleaning Your Deep Fryer at Home
If you are one of the millions who enjoy the crispy deliciousness of deep-fried food, then you may be wondering how best to clean a deep fryer at home. Whether you use your deep fryer every day or just occasionally, it is important to know how and when to clean it.
If your oil has turned a darker color and/or it has a pungent odor, it is time to clean your deep fryer. To clean your deep fryer at home, you will follow the same basic steps that are required to clean a commercial deep fryer.
If you, like many of us, indulge in the guilty pleasure of eating deep-fried food and would like to know more about how to safely keep your deep fryer clean for the best-tasting food, keep reading this delicious article.
How to Clean Your Deep Fryer at Home – Basic Steps
Improper cleaning can lead to food poisoning or, at the very least, food that does not taste as it should. If you want your fryer to produce crispy food that tastes awesome every time, follow these steps to keep your deep fryer clean.
As previously mentioned, you will follow the same basic procedure as you would if you were cleaning a commercial deep fryer.
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Drain the old oil
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Wipe the excess oil and food debris
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Let it soak
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Clean the fry basket
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Rinse and wipe dry
When boiling the soap/detergent water, five or ten minutes is typically a sufficient amount of time versus thirty minutes for a commercial deep fryer.
As with a commercial deep fryer, you need to avoid using metal spatulas and scrapers to prevent damage to the unit.
The next section will give you some examples of the types of tools you can use to safely clean a deep fryer, commercial or personal.
A Few Products to Make the Cleaning Process Easier
Here are a few examples of the type of products you can use to safely clean a deep fryer.
FRYOILSAVER™ Company Store High-Heat Deep Fryer Cleaning Brush
This brush is designed to withstand high temperatures and brags that you can begin the cleaning process before the oil has fully cooled. Although the brush may withstand these temperatures, it is still recommended that you wait for the oil to fully cool to prevent getting burned.
KUSUFEFI™ Plastic Scrapers for Cleaning
These handy plastic scrapers can be used for multiple purposes, but they work great on deep fryers. They are safe to use on metal, so you won’t have to worry about scratching the unit and causing damage.
Despite the name, these disposable towels work super well when cleaning a deep fryer. They are thick and ultra-absorbent. Although you can certainly use regular paper towels, they are not as absorbent, and you may end up using a whole lot more than if you use this type of disposable towel.
Patience and Attention to Detail Get the Job Done Best
As you can see, the actual process of cleaning a deep fryer of any size is not difficult. However, it does take some patience and requires that you pay attention to details to ensure the best and safest results.
Be sure to use detergents that are safe to use on food-grade equipment and always rinse thoroughly. Following these steps will ensure that your food is safe and delicious every time.
Also read: The best ways to clean commercial hood filters
Sources:
(https://www.nycoproducts.com/resources/blog/how-to-clean-a-commercial-deep-fryer/#:~:text=Turn%20on%20the%20heater%20and,out%20and%20could%20cause%20burns.), (https://www.mrappliance.com/blog/2019/august/how-to-clean-a-deep-fryer-and-say-goodbye-to-gre/#:~:text=Dip%20a%20sponge%20or%20soft,paper%20towels%20or%20cloth%20towels.),
