Avantco Floor Fryers Buying Guide

Overview of Floor Fryer Types

Choosing the right floor fryer depends on your specific cooking needs, the type of food being prepared, and your operational requirements. This guide covers four main categories of floor fryers.

Tube Floor Fryers

Tube fryers feature a series of tubes running through the oil near the bottom of the vat, housing gas-fired burners. This design provides excellent energy efficiency due to the large heat transfer area. The large cold zones make them ideal for high-sediment foods like breaded items, fish, and chicken wings.

Open Pot Fryers

Open pot fryers use external heating elements, eliminating tubes or burners inside the frypot. This design offers 15% more frying capacity and is significantly easier to clean, taking about 30% less time. They are best suited for low-sediment foods like French fries and frozen items.

Flat Bottom Fryers

Designed for high-output operations, flat bottom fryers feature a wide design that maximizes frying capacity. They are specifically engineered for wet-battered foods like donuts, funnel cakes, and tempura, as the design prevents food from sticking to the surface. Note that these units require frequent oil filtering due to the reduced cold zone.

Electric Floor Fryers

Electric fryers feature heating elements submerged directly in the oil, offering the highest heat efficiency and faster recovery times compared to gas models. They include extra-wide cold zones to trap sediment and conserve oil, making them suitable for a variety of frozen products and breaded foods.

Operational Considerations

• Oil Capacity: Capacities vary by model, ranging from 40 lb. to 170 lb. depending on the fryer type and intended volume.
• Cleaning and Maintenance: Tube and electric fryers are generally harder to clean due to internal components. Open pot fryers are the most user-friendly for cleaning.
• Filtering: Frequent oil filtering is essential, especially for flat bottom fryers, to prevent sediment from burning and to extend the life of the oil.
• Food Compatibility: Always match the fryer type to your menu. Use tube or electric fryers for high-sediment foods, and open pot fryers for low-sediment items.