8 Things to Stop Doing to Your Oil

Frying oil is a precious commodity in any commercial kitchen, especially in the world of deep-frying. To keep your cooking oil in optimal condition and ensure delicious taste and texture of your food, it’s essential to avoid certain practices that can harm your oil’s quality and lifespan. We asked Henny Penny’s frying experts and the results are in – here’s what you should stop doing to your oil immediately:

1. Irregular or Infrequent Filtering:

One of the most crucial aspects of maintaining cooking oil is regular filtering. Over time, food particles, crumbs, and other impurities accumulate in the oil, leading to increased smoke production and off-flavors. Make it a habit to filter frying oil at least once a day, or more frequently during busy cooking periods, to extend its usability and enhance the taste of your dishes. With features like quick-filter cycles and automatic top off, filtering Henny Penny fryers has never been easier for you and your crew.

2. Salting Over the Vat:

Salt from seasonings, breadings, and marinades accelerates the oxidation process and releases excess moisture from food into oil. Keep salt away from oil by seasoning food away from the open vats and follow proper frying procedures to minimize fall-off. It’s safer and more effective to salt your fried menu items after frying.

3. Poorly Skimming the Vat:

Failing to remove excess food particles from the cooking oil can lead to accelerated degradation of the oil and unpleasant flavors. Quality skimmers and mesh ladles can help efficiently remove debris and maintain the oil’s clarity.

Henny Penny fryers are designed with features that simplify the skimming process such as oil level sensors. This reminds your crew to remove debris by letting them know when to clear the crumbs and other fall-off from the top of the vat, keeping the oil cleaner and improving its longevity.

4. Using Improper Cleaners:

When cleaning the fryer, avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. These substances can leave harmful residues and damage the fryer’s surface, which can affect oil quality and food safety. Instead, opt for gentle, food-safe cleaners recommended by the manufacturer, like Henny Penny Prime Products.

When proper cleaning practices are followed, oil quality is maximized and the useful life of the fryer is extended.

5. Allowing Excess Moisture in Vat:

Moisture is one of the leading causes of oil break-down. Of course, all moisture is unavoidable, especially when cooking proteins. But there are some best practices to keep in mind when frying up your next batch.

Ice crystals from frozen food products can easily add unnecessary moisture to cooking oil if your crew is loading fry baskets right over the open vats. It’s a dangerous practice for them and it can lower the desired frying temperature which can be dangerous for your guests. Excess moisture can also come from wet tools like your skimmer and fry baskets after they’ve been washed and immediately put back in the fryer. Get the delicious and crispy results your customers crave by keeping your vats dry.

7. Leaving Vats Uncovered:

Leaving your fryer vats uncovered when not in use exposes the oil to air, dust, and other contaminants, leading to faster oxidation. Always use vat covers on traditional open-well fryers when not in use, and same goes for keeping the lid shut on your pressure fryer when it’s not cooking.

8. Unnecessary Heat Exposure:

Exposing cooking oil to prolonged high heat when not in use can accelerate its deterioration. Using features like Idle Mode keeps the fryer on but reduces the temperature which also reduces the amount of energy used.

In addition, excessive frying temperatures can degrade frying oil quickly, causing it to break down and release harmful compounds. Always follow the recommended frying temperature for different types of food and avoid heating the oil beyond its smoke point.

Heat is one of the major enemies of oil, and the faster you break down oil, the quicker you spend money replacing it.

9. Dumping It All at Once:

Resist the temptation to dispose of used cooking oil in one go. If you cook the same food items at the same temperature every time, you’ll be able to continue rotating your oil for longer to maintain that coveted sweet spot. Keep your fried foods tasting just as they should and keep your guests coming back for more.

By avoiding these detrimental practices, you can extend the life of your frying oil, maintain the quality of your fried foods, and ensure a safer and more enjoyable cooking experience. Properly cared for oil not only saves you money but also enhances the taste and texture of your culinary creations!

Want to take your oil management game to the next level? We’ve got some fantastic oil savings resources available to download for free.