Both home and restaurant deep fryers are difficult to clean due to large amounts of oil and residual food particles. Although this is a much longer procedure than washing a few dishes, it is advisable to face it before large accumulations of dirt and grease form, in order to significantly reduce the efforts.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Clean the Home Deep Fryer
Step 1. Clean the fryer according to its condition
If you use it often, changing the oil and cleaning it every 2 or 3 days will prevent the accumulation of dirt, which is much more difficult to remove. If you only use it every two weeks or less, clean it every time.
Do not immerse the deep fryer in the sink and do not put it in the dishwasher. Immersion in water causes a short circuit and damages the appliance
Step 2. Unplug it from the power outlet and wait until it is completely cool
Never clean it without first disconnecting the power supply. Wait for the oil to cool to avoid burns. Never add water to hot oil otherwise it could explode.
Step 3. Drain the oil
If you plan on using it again, drain it into a sealable container and store it in a cool place. If not, find another way to recycle it or dispose of it according to your municipality's regulations.
Do not pour the oil into the sink, it is polluting and clogs the pipes
Step 4. Remove the basket and place it in the sink
Put two or three drops of liquid dish soap in the drum to clean it later.
Step 5. Remove any residual oil from the reservoir and lid
Use kitchen paper or a damp but not dripping sponge to remove the remains of food and grease from inside the appliance. If the oil has congealed and burned, take a scraper or spatula to remove it, being careful not to damage the fryer coating. Some models have a removable lid to facilitate cleaning. Also dispose of these residues like liquid oil previously.
Hard plastic tools should be able to detach the encrusted oil without scratching the fryer
Step 6. If necessary, clean the resistance
Most deep fryers have a heating element consisting of two metal bars. If they are smeared with oil, wipe them off with kitchen paper. Be very careful not to damage them, especially if there are any wiring.
In some cases the resistances are removable to facilitate cleaning, in others they are hinged and can be lifted close to the walls of the fryer. Check your model's maintenance manual
Step 7. Use a soft sponge and dish soap
Put about four drops of detergent on the base of the fryer and the same on the inside walls. Start cleaning the bottom and scrub in a circular motion to create foam. Do the same on the sides.
Step 8. Fill the fryer with boiling water
Use a pitcher or other container to bring the water from the sink to the appliance and do not put it directly under the tap; in this way you avoid exposing the electrical components to moisture. Add a quantity of water equal to that of the oil you normally use and let it act for 30 minutes. While you wait, you can clean the other components.
If the water from your tap is not hot enough, you can reconnect the fryer to the electrical outlet and boil the water inside. Finally disconnect the power supply and wait half an hour. If there are many deposits, let the water boil for several minutes
Step 9. Run the hot water over the basket and clean it by rubbing it
Add more cleanser and continue scrubbing until it is no longer greasy. Use a lightly abrasive sponge to remove food particles.
Once clean, rinse the basket to remove the soap and place it to dry on a cloth or dish drainer
Step 10. Clean or replace the dirty filters located in the lid
Check the manufacturer's manual to find out if your model has removable filters and if you can clean them. Foam rubber can be washed with warm soapy water and then left to dry. Those with activated carbon instead must be replaced when they become dirty and clogged.
If your model does not have removable filters, be aware that you cannot immerse the lid in water. In this case, rub it with a damp cloth and a little detergent, then use a clean cloth to remove both the foam and the oil
Step 11. Return to the deep fryer and proceed with the final wash
Once the water has worked for half an hour, pour half of it into the sink. With a sponge or cloth, rub the inside with the residual soapy water and then throw away that too.
If the water contains a large amount of oil, it would be advisable to pour it into a container with a lid to dispose of it properly
Step 12. Use baking soda on the residual oil
If there are stubborn encrustations or a greasy layer that you can't remove, try mixing a little water with the baking soda to create a thick paste and rub it with the sponge on the dirty areas making circular movements until they are clean again.
Use other abrasives only as a last resort. If you have to rely on an oven degreaser or other aggressive cleaner, wash the fryer immediately afterwards with soap and water and rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of chemical agent before cooking
Step 13. Rinse the fryer
Add clean water and shake it with your hands to remove the foam from the walls and bottom. Throw the water in the sink and repeat until the appliance is perfectly foam free.
If there is a film of stubborn grease, add a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 10 parts of water or 110 ml of vinegar for every liter of water
Step 14. Wait until the fryer is completely dry before using it again
Dry the outside with kitchen paper, but let the inside dry in the air. Wait patiently until it is completely dry so that the humidity that has reached the electrical system has the opportunity to evaporate before the appliance is operated again.
Method 2 of 2: Clean the Industrial Fryer
Step 1. Clean it regularly
Follow the same instructions as in the previous section for a basic cleaning of your machine. How often you need to clean it depends on how you use it and for what purpose, but the more often you do it, the easier it will be to get rid of the caked food and grease.
Since commercial machines are very large and deep, you will need to use a brush (instead of a sponge) with a long handle and soft bristles to scrub the interior
Step 2. Filter and replace the oil often
In restaurants where there is a lot of frying, the oil should be filtered once or twice a week. Although at home it is possible to filter the oil through a coffee filter or cheesecloth, at an industrial level it is advisable to have a special machine capable of performing this operation quickly and at high temperatures. Whenever the oil becomes dark, smokes at low temperatures or smells, it must be replaced.
The oil will last longer if you bring it to a maximum temperature of 190 ° C and if you avoid salting the dishes directly in the oil
Step 3. Every time you drain the oil, clean the heating coils with a brush
Before putting back the filtered or new oil, use a long-handled brush to remove food residues from the coils. In this way, you keep the heating elements in full efficiency and reduce the amount of particles burned in the oil.
Step 4. Keep the exterior clean too
Although cleaning the edge and the outside does not affect the duration and functionality of the fryer, it prevents dirt from accumulating and splashes from ending up on the floor and other surfaces. Try to clean it at the end of each day and apply a degreaser if a greasy film has formed. Wait for the product to act for a few minutes and then rinse with a damp cloth. Dry the surfaces with another clean cloth.
Step 5. Perform a thorough cleaning every 3-6 months
Industrial fryers must be subjected to a "shock" treatment by filling them with water that is left to simmer. Then a specific cleaning product is added (according to the manufacturer's instructions) and left to simmer for 20 minutes. Wearing rubber gloves and being careful not to get burned with splashes, you must scrub the inside with a soft-bristled brush with a long handle to remove food encrustations. Finally, the water is eliminated, the internal walls are rubbed again and everything is rinsed normally.
In the rinsing phase, one part of vinegar for every 10 of water should be added to neutralize and remove the detergent
Step 6. Follow the use and maintenance manual to perform the annual inspection
Your deep fryer manufacturer includes the instructions you need to check the machinery and make sure everything is working at its best. If any problems arise that the manual does not cover, contact an electrician or technician.
Advice
- The technique for cleaning a deep fryer also depends on the model. Read the instruction manual before proceeding.
- If necessary, remove the filters from the fryer lid before cleaning it.
Warnings
- Never wash the deep fryer by immersing it in water.
- Never pour oil directly into the sink. Pour it into a container (such as a tin) and cover it with a lid or aluminum foil to then dispose of or recycle it properly.
- Never leave the plug plugged in while cleaning a deep fryer.
