Deep frying adds a unique flavor and texture to food that is impossible to replicate with other cooking methods. This is a core reason that restaurant food is so appealing. You can achieve similar results at home with an electric or stovetop deep fryer, but its important to clean the deep fryer regularly to prevent rancid oil or appliance malfunction.
Read on to learn how to clean a deep fryer properly and see other deep fryer recommendations from Mr. Appliance® experts.
Frying turkeys has become a popular way to cook them, especially around the holidays But cleaning the turkey fryer afterwards can seem like a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. Properly cleaning your turkey fryer is crucial for food safety, preventing grease buildup, and ensuring your fryer lasts for years to come In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the entire process of cleaning a turkey fryer from top to bottom.
Step 1: Allow the Fryer to Cool Completely
Before cleaning, be sure the fryer is completely cool The oil inside can remain dangerously hot for hours after use Never attempt to drain or clean the fryer when it’s still warm. Once cool, put on protective gloves and eyewear just to be safe when handling the fryer.
Step 2: Drain the Used Oil
There are a few options for draining the large quantity of used oil from your turkey fryer:
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If your fryer has a drain valve, place a large funnel over a food-grade container and open the valve to let the oil drain out completely.
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If there’s no drain valve, carefully tip the fryer over the container to pour out the used oil
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Use a large stainless steel strainer when draining to catch any food debris.
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Make sure your container is big enough to hold all the oil. Have a second container ready if needed.
Properly dispose of the used oil according to your local regulations. The oil can be reused 3-5 times before needing replacement.
Step 3: Remove the Frying Basket
Once drained, remove the frying basket from the oil reservoir. Place the basket in your sink and fill it with hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes to loosen any remaining food debris.
Step 4: Scrub Inside the Fryer
While the basket soaks, tackle the inside of the fryer. Use a plastic bristle brush and degreasing dish soap to scrub the interior, removing all oil residue and stuck-on food bits. Pay special attention to the corners. Let the soapy water sit for 5 minutes before rinsing.
Step 5: Scrub and Rinse the Fryer Basket
Go back to the basket in the sink. Use a firm dish sponge, brush, or steel wool to scrub away any remaining debris from all the small holes and crevices. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. Repeat scrubbing if needed to remove all traces of food and oil.
Step 6: Clean Exterior Surfaces
Wipe down the exterior of the electric fryer unit with a damp cloth and degreasing cleanser. Remove any dust, dirt, or splatters from the sides, lid, and controls. Thoroughly dry with a towel. Avoid submerging the electrical components in water.
Step 7: Clean the Drain Valve and Hoses
If your fryer has a drain valve, unscrew the cap and use a narrow bottle brush dipped in dish soap to thoroughly clean the inside of the valve opening and drainage hoses, removing all food sediment and greasy buildup.
Rinse with hot water and replace the cap once clean and dry. Doing this regularly helps prevent clogs.
Step 8: Rinse Away All Soap Residue
Give all fryer components a final rinse with hot water from your kitchen sink sprayer or garden hose. Check closely and repeat rinsing if you spot any leftover soap bubbles or residue.
Step 9: Dry Thoroughly Before Storing
It’s crucial to fully dry all components of your turkey fryer after cleaning. Wetness leads to quicker corrosion and rust formation.
Towel dry carefully, allowing time for air drying any crevices and joints you can’t reach with a towel. Reassemble once fully dry.
Helpful Turkey Fryer Cleaning Tips
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Scrub the fryer after every use to prevent grease buildup.
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Use commercial fryer cleaning solutions for tough baked-on grime.
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Cover the fryer when not in use to keep out moisture, bugs, and dirt.
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Apply a light coating of cooking oil before storing to prevent rusting.
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Consider filtering your used oil through a fine mesh strainer to extend reuse.
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Clean turkey injector needles and marinade brine containers thoroughly after each use.
With a thorough cleaning after each turkey frying session, your turkey fryer will maintain peak performance for many years of crispy, golden turkeys! Just be sure to stay safe and patiently allow the fryer to completely cool first before getting started on the cleaning process.
Supplies Needed to Clean a Deep Fryer
You will need these items to clean your deep fryer.
- Dish soap
- Non-stick pan scraper (or a plastic putty knife)
- Paper towels
- Strainer
- Soft-bristled brush
- SpongeContainer for the frying oil
- Clean towels
- White vinegar
- Baking soda (optional)
Steps: How to Clean a Deep Fryer Correctly
- Unplug the deep fryer, and allow it to cool down completely.
- Strain the frying oil into a container, throwing away any bits of food or debris. If the oil is cloudy, smells rancid, is very dark, or has foam on top, dispose of it safely; otherwise, consider saving it to reuse.
- Soak the wire basket in warm, soapy water, adding a few tablespoons of vinegar to help break down the grease. Vinegar has many uses in the kitchen and other rooms of your home.
- Use the brush and scraper to remove as much buildup as you can from the interior of the deep fryer, including the corners.
- Use paper towels to soak up excess oil and wipe away debris.
- Fill the deep fryer with water to the maximum oil line, and mix in a few drops of dish soap.
- Turn the deep fryer on, and allow the water to come to a boil. Heat is the secret to the best way to clean a deep fryer!
- Let the water boil for several minutes, unplug the unit, and allow the water to cool.
- Drain the water through the strainer to catch any chunks of food or oil, and wipe down the interior of the deep fryer thoroughly with a sponge or cloth.
- Dip a sponge or soft-bristled brush in warm, soapy water, and use it to scrub remaining oil. If any areas won’t come clean, apply a paste made from baking soda and water, and scrub again.
- Rinse the deep fryer thoroughly with clean water, and wipe it dry with paper towels or cloth towels.
- Rinse the frying basket, and reinsert it into the appliance.
There you have it—the best way to clean a deep fryer at home.
The Best Way to Clean a Deep Fryer
- Keep the oil at a safe temperature and never leave your deep fryer unattended.
- Place a box of baking soda nearby to extinguish a fire in the event of an emergency.
- Dont overcrowd the fryer, which can lower the temperature of the oil and cause food to be overly greasy.
- Choose an oil with a high smoke point such as peanut, canola, or safflower.
- Keep track of how many times you reuse the oil and change it as needed.
- Make sure your food is dry before placing it in the fryer; any water that is present can cause the oil to splatter.
Turkey Fryer Easy Clean up Hack
FAQ
How do you clean the inside of a deep fryer?
How do you clean a greasy deep fat fryer?
How do you clean the heating element in a deep fryer?
How to clean a deep fryer?
Make sure to boil out the deep fryer every three to six months. This is basically a thorough cleaning of the fry pot and it’s mandatory that you do it properly. For this, you need to drain the old fryer oil, fill the vat with a mild cleaning solution and warm water and then turn on the fryer until the water simmers.
How do you clean a frying pan?
Fill the fryer with hot water, making sure the frying basket is fully submerged. If you don’t have access to hot running water, put cold water in the fryer then heat it before adding the soap. Let the water and soap sit and begin dissolving the grease for five to 10 minutes.
How do you clean a frying basket?
If you don’t have access to hot running water, put cold water in the fryer then heat it before adding the soap. Let the water and soap sit and begin dissolving the grease for five to 10 minutes. Use a dish cleaning brush with firm plastic bristles to scrub the grease and food debris from the frying basket.
How do you use a turkey fryer?
Make sure your turkey fryer is on a sturdy, level surface and do not move it once it is in use. Make sure it is at least 10 feet from your home and not under roof eaves. Test the amount of oil you need by filling your fryer with water. Place the turkey in the pot making sure the water doesn’t get too close to the top.