anyone use a deep fat fryer?

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Discussion

steveo3002

Original Poster:

10,536 posts

175 months

Friday 11th February 2011
quotequote all
wondered if anyone uses a deep fat fryer here? im not one for fancy food so chips n sausages etc do me fine

what should you look for when buying one and how long does the fat last between oil changes

21TonyK

11,546 posts

210 months

Friday 11th February 2011
quotequote all
I've got two. My own personal domestic one and a 12 litre commercial job in my work kitchen.

Apart from the obvious fish and chips I use it for all sorts of things from churos and donuts to deep fried spaghetti with cocoa and beignet fritters.

Proper deep fried chicken as well... mmm...

If you are frying inert stuff like chips then the oil lasts quite a while as long as you drain and filter it every few times. If you start frying meats or fish then maybe half a dozen times. A lot depends on the quality of oil and the temperatures used.

As to what to look for, difficult. In a domestic situation as long as it has enough oil capacity to not cool when you put whatever you are cooking in it I suppose it would be okay. Ease of cleaning would be an issue as well.

Edited by 21TonyK on Friday 11th February 20:39

steveo3002

Original Poster:

10,536 posts

175 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
right ive gone out and got a compact one to see if we like it

can anyone suggest any links for cooking times /temps as the instruction book says little

im sure i can figure out chips etc , but meats n stuff mainly

21TonyK

11,546 posts

210 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all

steveo3002

Original Poster:

10,536 posts

175 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
thank you

what about oil ? cheapo veg oil good enough ? do brands vary the taste or not really

21TonyK

11,546 posts

210 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
Pretty much any vegetable oil is fine. Sunflower is fine as well but more expensive. Corn oil will impart a flavour so thats best avoided.

Most generic vegetable oil is from rapeseed which is ideal and if you can find one with the additive E900 that will extend the oils life. Try to avoid blended oils where you don't know their make up as you could find the burn very easily.

steveo3002

Original Poster:

10,536 posts

175 months

Wednesday 23rd February 2011
quotequote all
getting on ok so far , i think im getting a bit of a back of the throat after taste so might try some other branded oil