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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.

Restaurant equipment dealers are starting to get a little busier this month, and that could be attributed to the restaurant industry seeing an overall improvement to business compared to the past few months.

Restaurant Equipment Dealers Enjoy Business Increase

According to an article that appeared last week on Forbes.com and on the Associated Press wire, privately-held restaurant chains, single locations and locations that have been open at least one year were down in August in 42 percent of the respondent restaurants.  However, these same restaurants are starting to see an increase in their sales this month, possibly due to the easing up of gas prices. This means that restaurant equipment dealers are seeing a business increase as well.

Restaurant Equipment Dealers See the Light

The article also stated that publicly-held restaurant companies are starting to see nice improvements in their stocks, with some stocks increasing by almost two dollars a share.  This light at the end of the business slump tunnel is great for everyone in the restaurant industry, including restaurant equipment dealers, as each section of the industry depends on the sales in the restaurants.  Though this means people in the restaurant industry are busy, it’s safe to say they’re probably not complaining.

Restaurant Equipment Dealers Have What You Need

With an increase in business in September and with the busy holiday season fast approaching, this might be a great time to check out all of your restaurant equipment and make sure that it is all up to snuff.  ShortOrder has the widest selection of commercial kitchen equipment at great prices.  We carry commercial ranges, ice machines, refrigerators and so much more from companies like Manitowoc, Vulcan, Hobart, Beverage-Air and Frymaster.

If you are finding that some of your equipment is in need of replacing, make sure to contact one of ShortOrder’s restaurant equipment specialists.

Green Restaurants Are Here to Stay

Green restaurants are sprouting up all over the place, as they should be. Restaurant patrons have a growing daily concern for the health of their environment and the health of their families. They are making their homes, apartments, offices, cars and lives more green; why wouldn’t they want their favorite dining spot to do the same thing. Fortunately for commercial kitchens everywhere, restaurant equipment manufacturers are helping out.

Green Restaurant Equipment

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy have united to form the Energy Star movement. Currently, five categories of commercial restaurant equipment have established Energy Star guidelines. They are fryers, hot food holding cabinets, refrigerators/freezers, dishwashers, and steam cookers. These certified units can save over 40% in energy costs compared to non-Energy Star models.

Some examples of Energy Star rated equipment are the Vulcan VPX3 Counter Boilerless/Connectionless Electric Steamer, the Hobart LXi Undercounter High Temp Dishwasher, and the Frymaster H55 High-Efficieny Gas Fryer.

We care about the environment at ShortOrder.com; so if you have questions about Energy Star rated equipment that we carry, just give us a shout and we will be happy to help.

Green Restaurant Tips

You don’t need to buy all new equipment at one time to become a greener restaurant. There are several other things that you can do to start you down the green path.

• You can use low-flow pre-rinse spray nozzles at the dish machines.
• Use compact fluorescent lamps instead of light bulbs in break rooms, storage rooms, offices, walk-in refrigerators, etc.
• Use take-out containers that can be recycled (#1 and #2 plastics and aluminum) instead of Styrofoam.
• Use organic foods in the kitchen.
• Make sure to use recycled paper products whenever possible (i.e. napkins, office paper, menus)
• Install occupancy sensors in the restrooms, storage rooms and any other low-traffic rooms. Lights will turn off automatically when the rooms are unoccupied.

Here’s to greener restaurants and a greener future!

Frymaster Fryers Make Delicious Fried Foods Easy

Frymaster fryers are a kitchen appliance that most chefs and restaurant managers don’t want to live without. Voted best in class by Food Service Equipment Supplies Magazine, Frymaster fryers have a number of features that allow easy setup and use. If your menu includes one or more fried foods, you should note a few advantages of Frymaster fryers:

• Set-up for a Frymaster fryer involves only two simple steps.
• Frymaster fryers have stainless steel frypots and heating elements that lift up for easier cleaning.
• Frymaster fryer filtration systems extend the life of your oil.
• Frymaster fryers feature quick temperature recovery for good quality and uniformity.

Frymaster Fryers Are an Important Part of a Quality Fried-Foods Kitchen

To ensure the finest fried-foods taste experience for your customers, make sure your Frymaster fryers are surrounded by other pieces of quality restaurant equipment, like Beverage Air refrigerators, Hobart mixers, and Vulcan ranges from ShortOrder.com. You’ll want to manage the process of freezing and warming your french fries, chicken, fish, funnel cakes, or other fried foods before and after they reach your Frymaster fryers.

Consider Hatco Dump Stations with Your Frymaster Fryer

Frymaster fryers pair well with Hatco Fry Dump Stations, which provide both above and below electric heating elements, depending on your choice and setup. Like Frymaster fryers, Hatco fry dump stations were voted best in class by Food Service Equipment Magazine. Hatco fry dump stations currently sell for $282 to $425, and just as with the Frymaster fryers and all of our products, come with a 30-day return policy.

Kolpak Freezers Keep Ingredients Fresh for Frymaster Fryers

You’ll also want to consider the quality of your freezers to ensure that the money you’ve invested in your Frymaster fryers has not been wasted. Even a Frymaster fryer cannot make excellent food from ingredients that aren’t fresh. If you’re considering new restaurant equipment, you may want to check out our line of Kolpak walk-in freezers.