Deep Fryer Safety Tips

If you’re new to using a deep fryer, there’s no need to be worried. As long as you’re using safe practices when frying foods, you can rest assured that you and your coworkers will avoid injury. Learn more about our deep fryer safety tips below.

Best Practices for Safe Deep Fryer Use

There’s a variety of ways you can keep yourself and others safe when deep frying. Here are a few of the best practices to keep in mind when aiming for deep fryer safety:

• Wear the appropriate, kitchen-safe gear - When deep frying, you want to make sure you have close-toed shoes with a strong tread to protect your feet and help you avoid slipping, a long-sleeved shirt to protect your arms and heat-resistant gloves when handling a fryer basket.
• Frequently change the oil - Not only can dirty fry oil get smoky, it can cause a burnt flavor in your fried foods. It’s also more flammable. Be sure to avoid any accidents by replacing the oil. Typically, oil should be changed after about eight uses. Be sure to check with your manual for the proper procedure on changing the oil as well to avoid injuries.
• Check the oil temperature regularly - If the oil heats up too quickly, this can cause smoke, burning or bubbling over. To avoid burning yourself, your coworkers and your food, make sure you check the oil temperature. It’s recommended that you heat the oil to 160℃ for low, 180℃ for moderate and 190℃ for high.
• Avoid overfilling the fryer - Don’t use too much oil or put in too much food that’ll raise the oil levels past the maximum level. If the level is too high, it could boil over or splash out, potentially burning someone or causing a dangerous and slippery work environment.
• Have the fryer inspected regularly - With time and use comes wear and tear. The best way to avoid damage to your deep fryer that can cause issues in the future is by having a certified service technician inspect your unit. By having your fryer checked, you can prevent a variety of problems from occurring.

Deep Fryer Clean Up

Cleaning a commercial deep fryer is an important part of preventative maintenance. Once you’re done with the deep fryer, be sure to turn it off and unplug it so the oil can cool down. Wait until the fryer has completely cooled before you clean it. Before you can start scrubbing, you’ll need to dispose of the oil. The best way to dispose of cooking oil is to pour it into a sealable metal container and toss it into the garbage. DO NOT pour oil down the drain. When it fully cools, it will clog your pipes.

In some areas, there are places that will recycle your used cooking oil. Check to see if there’s a recycle drop off point nearby and if they’ll accept your used oil to make soap, biodiesel fuel and more!

What if Deep Frying Goes Wrong?

Accidents happen. In the event of an accident, you want to be prepared, here are a few instances that can happen and how to deal with them properly:

• Smoking oil -  Turn off the heat and let the oil cool
• Oil on fire - Turn off the heat and smother the flames using a large lid or fire blanket. Use a fire extinguisher if you have one close by.

If there’s a grease fire, never pour water on it. The water can cause the oil to splatter and spread the fire. Use a lid, baking sheet or fire extinguisher and call 911.