When planning to purchase deep fryer cooking equipment for your kitchen, or patio there are some important factors you should consider before you actually go online or to an appliance store to purchase it.
A stove top deep fryer is an option. They come in aluminum, stainless steel, and cast iron. They can be used for other applications besides frying as well. They came in a wide range of sizes, so size may be a consideration for you. You need a place to store a large pot.
Counter top deep fryers can be really big and can take significant amount of space in your kitchen. Some fryer sizes can be as large as a microwave oven. So it is very important to consider the size of the specific fryer you will buy and the space in your kitchen where you intend to place it. I have a larger counter top deep fryer that I have to cool off, drain, clean, and put away every time I use it. I have very little counter space so I have to put my fryer back in the closet after every use. To conserve on counter space you can purchase a smaller deep fryer that you can actually store the oil right in, but then you are limited on the size of items that you can cook. I purchased my counter top deep fryer with the intention of being able to fry a small turkey indoors. I wanted to try it out before deciding on making the larger purchase of an outdoor patio propane deep fryer. Besides, my fryer is very versatile. I can steam and boil in it as well.
If you are a chef, or if you really know and understand the basics of cooking, you definitely know that temperature plays a vital role in cooking. All deep fryer's temperature controls can be a bit tricky sometimes, and for those who don't really know how to use it, it can be tricky most of the time. Setting this cooking equipment at the wrong temperature can affect the food significantly, from taste, to texture, to quality. Those fryers with low, medium, and high gauges can be difficult to handle. These temperature levels are too vague. With fryers like this it is good to have a deep fryer thermometer on hand. Many fryers nowadays do come with a proper temperature gauge, some even have a light that comes on or goes off when you've reached your optimum temperature. Also if you don't heat the oil back to an optimum temperature between batches, your food won't cook right. Cooking too much food in one batch will also lead to improper cooking.
Now if you're considering an outdoor patio propane deep fryer, there are many styles and sizes to choose from as well. There are some smaller units. Table top would be a good term here. These units would be great for small gatherings, camping and tailgating. Some, called turkey fryers, are an outdoor patio stove, with a separate stock pot and basket that you fill with oil and heat on the patio stove. Some people are scared of this type of fryer, due to the open flame & oil. Flare ups are common if proper care & safety are not taken. The turkey fryer is very versatile, in that you can steam & boil with these outdoor cookers as well. That opens the door for lots of outdoor cooking opportunities! There are "safer" fryers, that the flame is contained and runs through a tube in the oil. There are many items that can be cooked in these units. Some are even large enough to deep fry a turkey.
So, when What kind of temperature gauge does it have? Think about where you'd like to do this cooking. At home, in the kitchen, outside? Do you want to take it tailgating or camping? How many people are you looking to feed? Do you just want to feed the family, or have a fish fry for the church congregation? There are many things to consider, but with the proper research, anyone can make the proper deep fryer purchase to suit their needs.
