Six Steps to Extending the Life of Your Oil

Fryer oil plays a very important role in your kitchen. From deliciously battered fish to perfectly fried chicken, the life and quality of your fryer oil can often mean the difference between great-tasting food and a soggy mess. Well-managed, properly filtered oil, used in conjunction with regularly maintained equipment, helps reduce kitchen costs and waste while increasing operational efficiencies and productivity. A trained staff and quality equipment put you at an advantage when it comes to frying the foods your customers love. Follow these steps to extend the life of your fryer oil and achieve optimal frying results.

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1. Filter Oil at Least Twice a Day

Proper filtration is the most important step in extending the life of your fryer oil. It helps control consistency and keeps operational costs down. When you filter, it’s important to be mindful of the following guidelines:

• Filter for a minimum of five minutes per fryer vat
• Filter oldest oil first
• Add powder to polish the oil
• Use fryer filter paper
• Clean fryer vat while filtering to remove any food particles
• Check oil with test kit after filtering
• Rotate fryer vats as needed
• Track filtration
• Dispose of oil with manager approval

2. Skim Every 15 Minutes

Start by skimming the top and sides of the fryer with the skimmer, and then dispose of any errant particles. Removing loose food particles helps keep your oil clean longer and improves the consistency, letting your food maintain its unique flavor profile.

3. Establish a Schedule for Turning Off Vats

Schedules for turning on and shutting off the fryer are an efficient and sustainable way to extend the life of your oil. This helps your equipment preserve oil and conserve energy.

4. Cover Fryers When Not in Use

Protecting your fryer decreases the likelihood of contamination from substances and particles not intended for the fryer.

5. Check Fryer Calibration on a Quarterly Basis

Fryer systems tend to require recalibration over time. Checking calibration regularly helps ensure your fryer is working at its best. Compare the temperature of your fryer to the temperature reading on a food thermometer placed in hot oil. Adjust your fryer’s temperature accordingly. If your oil is too hot, it will degrade more quickly.

6. Fill Fryer Only to the Appropriate Oil Levels

Avoid filling the fryer above the recommended fill line. Keeping oil measurements at the proper level reduces excess waste and ensures adherence to food-safety guidelines. It is also a back-of house safety procedure aimed at preventing oil-related injuries.

 

Experience the Benefits of an Oil Management System

Well-maintained, quality equipment can make all the difference when it comes to extending the life of your oil. But the reality is, no matter how well your fryer is working or how effective your employees are at properly filtering and managing fryer oil, manual oil maintenance can be a dirty, hazardous job. That’s why companies have created automated oil management systems to be used in conjunction with existing fryers. Automated oil management systems can take the hassle out of changing and filtering your oil – resulting in safer and more sustainable and efficient oil management. These systems often include tech features – such as a dashboard for easy-to understand performance indicators and monitoring systems – enabling you to track daily usage and disposal patterns and receive alerts. Using an oil management system can help set up your restaurant for long-term success by properly tracking, filtering, disposing of and maintaining your fryer oil.

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