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Fit Frying: is it a myth or can it be done? Frymaster has written an article about how it can in fact be done!

Fit Frying: The Challenge

It’s not easy being an operator today. Everyone, it seems, is telling you how to cook. With government agencies mandating removal of trans fats from menus and the Food and Drug Administration expected to deliver recommendations for reducing acrylamide in fried foods next year, delivering maximum taste in foods that are as healthful as possible is a major challenge. Especially when consumers have demonstrated that if something doesn’t taste good, they won’t eat it. Witness the multitude of healthy menu items that have been deleted from restaurant menus over time because they weren’t ordered.

Customer Demand

That’s why fried foods are more popular than ever with patrons - they consistently deliver on flavor. Data from Mintel, a global research company, shows that chicken wings and fingers, onion rings and mozzarella sticks are among the top ten appetizers on chain menus. Clearly, frying is one of the most popular cooking methods with patrons and one that provides unique challenges.

The Solution

The good news is that by following a simple set of principles, called The 4 Factors for Fit Frying, you can be assured your frying methods address current health issues such as trans fats, optimize taste and maximize oil life. The 4 Factors for Fit Frying program was developed by Frymaster, an Enodis company, and offers best practice guidelines for anyone serving fried foods. It consists of four steps you can take to make sure the fried foods you prepare are flavorful and healthful.

Fit Frying: 4 Factors

Factor  1: Choose The Right Fryer

Factor  2: Select The Right Oil

Factor 3: Follow The Right Cooking Process

Factor 4: Establish The Right Maintenance

Frymaster’s white paper, entitled “The Facts on Fit Frying: Impact and Benefits for Foodservice Operators,” provides an executive summary of The 4 Factors for Fit Frying program.

When it comes to choosing a commercial range for your kitchen, the choices seem endless. Why is one range more expensive? Where do you start? Commercial ranges come in many shapes and sizes and are manufactured by different companies like Vulcan and Wolf. You can get a
standard oven, convection oven or space saver oven, and with as many or as few burners as you need, with or without a griddle. There is a variation to fit the needs of any commercial kitchen.

Heavy Duty vs. Restaurant Duty Commercial Ranges

Hotels, hospitals, schools, institutions and some high volume restaurants use heavy duty commercial ranges. They have higher energy output and shorter cooking time. Most restaurants and chains can get by with a high quality, restaurant duty commercial range. They can usually accommodate a salamander broiler or cheesemelter.

Heavy Duty Commercial Ranges

Heavy Duty commercial ranges are durable ranges with larger gas valves to allow for easier combining of other components. They can be batteried together to create large units for high volume kitchens and
are built to withstand intense use. They do cost more both up front and in service fees. The higher energy output also means higher energy costs.

Restaurant Duty Commercial Ranges

Restaurant duty commercial ranges are suitable as free standing models with BTU and power levels close to the heavy duty standards, but for an economical price. They cost less and have lower service fees, but they are more costly to install and are not built to withstand intense use as well as the heavy duty commercial ranges.

Commercial Range Configurations

Just about any mix of open burners and griddle tops are available for commercial ranges. Convection ovens can also be added to the standard oven base.

Open Gas Burners for Commercial Ranges

The top choice for most professional kitchens, open gas burner commercial ranges provide instantaneous heat that is easily controlled. Look for easily removable top grates, a wide range of flame heights, ring or star burners, individual pilot lights for each burner and consider the BTU rating.

Griddles for Commercial Ranges

Instead of a burner, you can choose a griddle for the top of all or part of your commercial range. It is a flat metal plate made of steel, cast iron or aluminum and food is cooked directly on top allowing multiple food items to cook simultaneously. Look for a large grease trough for easy clean up, manual valve controls for user regulated temperature control, thermostatic controls for accurate temperature control and a non stick or well seasoned surface.

Other Considerations When Choosing a Commercial Range

Sold as options on most commercial ranges, casters are highly recommended for easy clean up and service. Also, if you will be using your range at an elevation above 2000 feet, be sure to note that while ordering. Gas valves must be adjusted to account for higher elevations.

As with any gas appliance, be sure and include a new AGA commercial gas flex hose. They are designed extremely heavy duty, usually with a brass quick connect. Standard, plumber supplied home-type flex hoses are not designed for commercial applications and are not NSF approved.