How to Clean a Deep Fryer

Using a deep fryer to cook your favorite fried chicken or French fries requires using a substantial amount of cooking oil to deep fry the food.

Although it is recommended to use cooking oil for some time, it’s important to clean the deep fryer once in a while to ensure that it will yield a good flavor of the food. It will require your time, but as long as you know the process of how to clean a deep fryer, everything will flow smoothly.

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The process of cleaning the deep fryer may take time, but doing it diligently will prevent a serious buildup of grimes.

Things needed to clean a deep fryer:

Water
Baking soda
Grease dissolving solution
Dish detergent
Plastic scrubber
Soft cloths, paper towels or sponge
Seal-able container
Steel wool pads

Steps in Cleaning a Deep Fryer

Clean the unit as needed
If you’re using the deep fryer frequently, it’s necessary to change the oil and clean the unit. In cleaning the fryer, don’t let it sit in the sink. Immersing it in water may lead to electrical short or worse damage to the unit.
Unplug the fryer
Prior of cleaning the fryer, the first thing to do is to unplug it, let it cool down and remove the leftover grease. Put the grease into a sealable container and dispose of it. Never pour the used oil down the drain as it will clog and damage the pipes.
Take out the frying basket
After removing the oil, take out the basket and clean it separately. Pour dish-washing detergent into a basin and immerse the basket for later cleaning.
Wipe off the oil residue
Use a damp sponge or paper towel in removing the oil residue. If there’s a buildup of food particles, you can scrape it with a spatula or pan scraper, but do it carefully to avoid damaging the finish. You can also use newspaper in wiping down the outer part of the unit to remove some oil before washing it with soap.
Wipe the heating element of the fryer
If the heating element of your deep fryer is composed of metal rods, you can wipe it using paper towels. Be careful in cleaning it to avoid damaging or bending any parts or thin wires. Check your manual if the heating elements are removable for easy cleaning.
Scrub the unit with a soft sponge
After removing the oil residue, the next step is to use pour drops of dish soap into the fryer. By using a soft sponge, start scrubbing at the bottom in a circular motion going up to the sides.
Rinse with hot water
As mentioned earlier, it’s not recommended to expose the electrical component of the fryer to the wet sink. Instead, you can pour hot water into the fryer and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Or you can boil water in the fryer, but make sure to keep an eye on it to avoid boiling it dry.
Wash the frying basket
While waiting for the hot water to dissolve the residue, you can proceed to wash the frying basket. Use a toothbrush or scrubbing brush to get rid of the food particles. Rinse the basket thoroughly to remove the soap and wipe it dry with a paper towel or leave it on a dish rack to dry.
Clean dirty filters
Prior to cleaning the filters, check the manual to know if the filters are removable. If your unit has foam grease-filters, you can use hot soapy water in washing it and letting it dry. On the other hand, charcoal odor-filters require replacement as they are not washable. If the filters aren’t removable, the best thing to do is to wipe it with a damp cloth and avoid immersing the lid in the water.
Rinse the fryer pot
After the set time lapsed, you can rinse the cooking pot on running water. Wipe the bottom and sides of the fryer using a cloth or sponge. Don’t pour the water down the sink if there’s a large content of oil, rather pour it into a sealed container and dispose of it in the trash.
Use baking soda to remove the remaining oil residue
If after rinsing the cooking pot there’s still sticky oil present, you can mix warm water and baking soda to make a thick paste. Use the paste and sponge to scrub off the sticky residue. Use chemical substances as last resort and rinse very well to get rid of the traces of chemicals prior to using them again.
Remove the smell
Deep fryers usually develop a rancid smell caused by the used oil. You can make a solution by mixing vinegar and water and pouring the solution into the fryer. The solution won’t only remove the traces of residues but also neutralize the smell. Remove the solution and rinse the fryer thoroughly.

Extra Tips and Ideas:

Cleaning the deep fryer regularly plays a significant role to maintain and ensure that it will serve for a longer time. The frequency of cleaning may depend on the frequency of use. Filter the oil if you’re frying fish, meat and the like.

You can use a cheesecloth or a specialized machine to filter the oil. If the oil has a darker color and stinking smell, you should dispose of it and replace it. Before adding new oil to the fryer, you should scrub the heating coils to get rid of food particles from the coils. Keeping the heating element clean will make it function effectively.

You should not only clean the inner part of the unit but also the outside surface. After using the fryer, you must wipe it clean or degrease the outer part to remove the buildup of grease film. Apply degreasing product to loosen the grime and rinse it off using a damp cloth.

To clean the deep fryer thoroughly, you must perform a “boil out” to dislodge food particles. Wear rubber gloves to prevent burns. In cleaning the deep fryer always refer to the manufacturer’s manual. Likewise, perform an annual inspection to know if the unit is functioning properly.

Keep in mind that proper and regular cleaning of the deep fryer will is also essential to keep the unit working for a longer time. This is important especially if you’re using the unit for your business and generating income.

Lastly, the deep fryer needs regular cleaning to ensure cooking clean and healthy food.