Ask people about their favorite types of food, and one thing that will feature at or near the top of many people’s lists will be delicious fried food. Whether it’s fries, donuts, onion rings, popcorn chicken, or fish, we just can’t resist crispy food.

Investing in a commercial deep fryer is critical for fast food restaurants and many other food vendors. A small countertop fryer might be sufficient for some fried foods. However, if you’re cooking large quantities of, for example, fried chicken or delicious french fries, having an efficient deep fryer is essential.

You may make a considerable investment, as they can be expensive. However, knowing about your options and understanding the differences means you’re more likely to make a smart decision.

This buying guide will help you decide whether to purchase a countertop or floor commercial deep fryer, whether it should be gas or electric, what capacity is best, and how much you might expect to pay. We’ll also introduce the best commercial deep fryers in our range.

What Are the Different Types of Commercial Deep Fryers You Can Get?

There are several types of commercial deep fryers. Knowing a little about each one will help you decide which suits your needs best. 

Gas Floor Fryers

Floor-standing deep fryers that connect to a gas line in the kitchen. Gas fryers heat up relatively quickly and are generally temperature specific, which reduces running costs. You can choose natural gas or propane models. However, not every kitchen has access to a gas outlet. 

Regardless of which fuel you choose, the food usually tastes the same. You can also use both types of deep fryers for various fried foods such as egg rolls, french fries, chicken wings, shrimp, and more. 

A gas floor fryer is designed for frying large amounts of food and withstands constant use.

Pros

• Heats up quickly

• Temperature specific

• Economical

• Can fry large amounts of food

Cons

• A gas outlet is essential (unless you can use propane)

Electric Floor Fryers

Floorstanding electric fryers plug into an electrical power outlet and heat up to the required temperature. Before purchasing an electric fryer, you must check that the voltage requirements of the fryer match what is in your kitchen. 

Commercial fryers usually have an adjustable temperature control function so the frying oil won’t exceed the set temperature. They can maintain the set cooking temperature more efficiently than a gas fryer but often take longer to reach the desired temperature initially. 

An electric deep fryer may be lower in price than a gas-fuelled equivalent. Typically, they’re preferred by smaller businesses as they are easier to use and require less maintenance. Electric fryers may also be more energy efficient. Check for ENERGY STAR models because these may qualify your business for a rebate.

Floorstanding electric fryers are also designed for frying large amounts of food and are better suited for large commercial kitchens. 

Pros

• Automated settings to prevent overheating

• Efficient at maintaining heat

• Lower in price than a similar gas deep fryer

• Require less servicing/repairs

• More energy efficient

Cons

• Voltage requirements must match the kitchen’s power supply

• Heats up slower than a gas fryer

Countertop Gas Deep Fryers

These deep fryers have all the benefits of a floorstanding deep fryer but are more compact. 

You might find this type of deep fryer used in fast food stands or food trucks cooking french fries all day.

Pros

• Lower cost than a floor fryer

• Quick and easy to clean

Cons

• Won't work without a gas outlet

Countertop Electric Fryers

A more compact fryer than its floorstanding counterpart, you can connect it to the mains power supply and sit it on a countertop. It is also easy to move around, should you need to. 

Pros

• Easy to move around

• Simple to maintain

• More affordable than a floor fryer

• Suitable for a small kitchen

• Heats up quickly

• Generally, they are temperature specific

• Low running costs

• Choice of natural gas or propane

Cons

• Takes longer to heat up

Single Basket Commercial Deep Fryer vs. Double or Multiple-Basket Commercial Deep Fryer

One other thing to consider is the number of removable baskets. How many baskets are ideal depends on the deep-fried food you need to cook. If fried food is not a specialty of your kitchen, a single frying basket should meet your needs, especially if you only need to cook French fries. 

A fryer with two removable baskets gives chefs greater capacity and possibly flexibility in the variety of items they can prepare.

Which Are the Best Commercial Deep Fryers?

Here are our top picks for commercial deep fryers available from Kitchenall.com. 

Best Gas Floor Fryers

Here are some of the top-selling brands at Kitchenall.

Cookline CF40-NG

This natural gas deep fryer handles high-volume frying easily. Its large capacity is ideal for busy diners, cafeterias, and smaller restaurants that need to produce a large volume of fried food. Its heavy-duty stainless steel construction makes this fryer easy to use. It also requires minimal maintenance. 

The tank has a cold zone that stops crumbs and other food particles burning, extends the life of the cooking oil, and keeps your food tasting fantastic.

Dimensions: 15.5"L x 29.9"D x 47"H 

Main features

• Stainless steel frame and body for durability and corrosion resistance

• cETLus, ETL-S, Conforms to NSF

• Fast response thermostat

• 2 wire mesh frying baskets

• Long-lasting bafflers in heat exchange tubes ensure maximum combustion efficiency

• Built-in control valve prevents gas flow to the burner until lit

• Auto shut-off when the pilot light is extinguished

• Overheating protection: max oil temperature 450°F

Technical specifications

• BTU: 90,000

• Capacity: 40 lbs.

• Temperature range: 200°F - 400°F

• Burners: 3

• Gas connection: 3/4” NPT inlet

Warranty: 1-year parts and labor

Price: $749

Standard Range SR-F3-NG 

Ideal for any busy kitchen, this deep fryer includes two nickel-plated fry baskets. The standing pilot provides a flame whenever you need it. It has built-in heat deflectors and independently controlled gas valves. 

Its stainless steel construction makes this deep fryer easy to clean and protects it from corrosion and rust. 

Dimensions: 15.5"L x 32.25"D x 45.25"H 

Main features

• 3 tube burners

• 30,000 BTU per burner

• Stainless steel door and front

• Galvanized steel back and sides

• Cold zone for trapping food particles

• 1-1/4”, full-port oil drain valve

• Two nickel-plated fry baskets

Technical specifications

• BTU: 90,000

• Capacity: 40 pounds

• Operating Temperature: 200°F to 400°F

• Number of burners: 3

• Gas connection: 1/2” or 3/4” 

Warranty: 1-year parts and labor

Price: $795

Standard Range SR-F4D-NG

This Standard Range fryer will handle deep frying tasks in any busy commercial kitchen. Split pots with individual snap-action thermostats mean you can fry different products simultaneously without any worry about flavor transfer or contamination. For low-volume frying, single-pot use will save energy. 

The stainless steel construction means the fryer is easy to clean and rust-resistant. 

Dimensions: 21"L x 32.25"D x 45.25"H

Main features

• 4 powerful heating tubes

• 2 wire mesh baskets

• 1-1/4” full-port drain valve

• Split pot design controlled by separate millivolt thermostats

• Cold zone traps food particles

• Stainless steel door and front

• Galvanized steel back and sides

Technical specifications

• BTU: 120,000

• Capacity: 78 pounds

• Operating Temperature: 200°F to 400°F

• Number of burners: 4

• Gas connection: 3/4”

Warranty: 1-year parts and labor

Price: $1,895

Best Electric Floor Fryers

Time to look at some of the best electric floor fryer models.

Cookline CF-40E-240-3

This Cookline floor deep fryer is efficient and easy to use. It has twin baskets, with the option to use a wider single fryer basket. It has a quick recovery time with a built-in thermostat. The slanted bottom and oil drain pipe make this deep fryer easy to clean. 

The unit is shipped pre-wired for a 3-phase supply but can be converted to a 1-phase by a licensed electrician. 

Dimensions: 15.75"L x 29.25"D x 44"H

Main features

• Two twin baskets

• Built-in thermostat

• high-quality stainless steel fry pot

• Large debris collection area protects food and oil quality

• Fully submerged heating elements provide maximum heat transfer

Technical specifications

• Capacity: 40 pounds

• Kilowatts: 14

• Phase: 3:

• Hertz: 60:

• Volts: 240

Warranty: 1-year parts and labor

Price: $1,795

Vulcan 1ER50D

This model features multiple fat melt cycles and high-limit control. The fryer cabinet is stainless steel and uses ribbon-style heating elements for heating the oil.

Dimensions: 15.50"L x 34.38"D x 39.44"H 

Main features

• 16-gauge stainless steel oil tank with 50 lbs capacity

• Multiple fat melt modes

• High limit control

• Twin fry baskets with plastic-coated handles

• Full-port ball-type drain valve

Technical specifications

• Oil capacity: 50 pounds

• Operating Temperature: 200°F to 390°F

• Kilowatts: 17

• Phase: 3:

• Hertz: 50/60

• Volts: 208/480/240

Warranty: 10-year limited fry tank warranty plus one-year limited parts and labor warranty

Price: $9,823.15 

Best Gas Countertop Deep Fryers

A countertop gas deep fryer might be a better option for a smaller commercial kitchen.

Single Tank

Globe GF15G

This countertop deep fryer is perfect for heavy-duty frying applications, including cooking french fries, chicken, donuts, fish fillets, and more. Propane (LP) or natural gas models are available. High-limit thermostat shuts down the fryer if temperatures become excessive. The oil is heated via high-performance stainless steel tube burners inside the heating chamber. 

Dimensions: 10”L x 33"D x 30"H

Main features

• Single pot

• Nickel-plated wire mesh fry basket with insulated handle

• Thermostat protection

• Two stainless steel tube burners

Technical specifications

• BTU: 26,500

• Oil capacity: 15 pounds

• Temperature range: 200°F to 400°F

• Number of burners: 2

• Gas connection: 3/4”

Warranty: Two-year parts and labor

Price: $1,718

Dual Tank

American Range AFCT-15-LP

This model from American Range has a unique sloped tank design. The oil heats up to the desired temperature quickly. Recovery time is minimal. Food debris collects in the cool zone, which keeps the oil pan clean for longer. Easily remove used oil through the 1/2” diameter front drain. The fryer also includes an automatic reset button and 100% safe shut-off.

Dimensions: 14"L x 25.605"D x 26"H

Main features

• Snap-action mechanical thermostat

• Stainless steel construction

• Large cool zone prolongs oil life

• 100% safe shut-off

Technical specifications

• BTU: 30,000

• Oil capacity: 15 pounds

• Operating Temperature: 200°F to 400°F

• Number of burners: 4

• Gas connection: 1/2”

Warranty: One-year limited parts and labor

Price: $3,790.50

Best Countertop Electric Deep Fryers

Countertop electric deep fryers are ideal for smaller commercial food preparation vendors, such as snack bars and food trucks.

Single Tank

Cookline DF15-1-120 

This durable stainless steel electric countertop deep fryer can cook various fried foods. It fits any kitchen with a 120V power cord and is light and compact. It's easy to move wherever you need it. 

The fryer has a built-in wire mesh to catch food debris and crumbs and make cleaning easy. It has anti-slip feet and auto cut-off for safety. 

Dimensions: 10.40"L x 16.9"D x 11.6"H

Main features

• Compact stainless steel design

• Oil-level marker in tank

• Safety micro-switch

• The heater stops automatically when the basket is lifted 

• Stainless steel cover with cool-to-touch Bakelite handle

• Heating and power indicators

• Easy cleaning with removable electric box

Technical specifications

• Oil capacity: 15 pounds

• Operating Temperature: 122°F to 374°F

• Kilowatts: 17

• Phase: 1

• Hertz: 60

• Volts: 120 

Warranty: 1-year parts and labor

Price: $169

Dual Tank

Cecilware EL2X15

This compact countertop deep fryer is perfect for a smaller kitchen. Its stainless steel exterior and removable fry tank are easy to clean. It has built-in thermal overload protection and a safety cutout switch when the frying tank is removed. 

Dimensions: 21.75"L x 17.5"D x 15.75"H

Main features:

• Stainless steel construction

• Auto heating-element cutout switch

• Removable frying tank for easier cleaning

• 240V or 120V

Technical specifications

• Oil capacity: 30 pounds

• Temperature range: 325ºF to 358ºF

• Kilowatts: 1.8

• Phase: 1

• Hertz: 60

• Volts: 120

Warranty: 2-year parts and 1-year labor

Price: $1,001

What Are the Most Important Factors and Features to Consider When Choosing a Commercial Deep Fryer?

A commercial deep fryer is essential kitchen equipment for a busy restaurant, food truck, or other professional food establishments. It lets you fry food quickly in hot oil. 

Whether you need to buy your first commercial deep fryer or are looking for a replacement, which one you purchase depends on how quickly you need to cook the food you serve.

There are several other things you also need to take into consideration before buying a commercial deep fryer.

Size and Weight

How much food do you need to fry at once or per day? And how much oil do you need to fry the different types of food?

If you’re frying large quantities of food daily, you need a commercial deep fryer with a large tank or even dual tanks. As a guideline, you can expect a 40-pound commercial deep fryer to produce between 60 and 80 pounds of food every hour. Floorstanding fryers have larger capacities and can easily cater to high volumes of deep-fried foods. 

For smaller establishments (a food truck or cafe) a compact countertop fryer with a single basket may be suitable. But make sure wherever you plan to install the countertop fryer can withstand the weight of the fryer plus the recommended oil capacity.

Oil Filtration System

An efficient oil filter design is crucial if you want to extend the lifespan of your fryer oil. An oil extraction system that drains the oil and keeps the tank clean will keep the oil and any food cooked in it tasty and fresh. 

You can avoid automatic oil filtration to keep costs down - it's not essential. You can drain the oil and filter it to remove food particles. In-pot filtration systems can also be purchased separately to ensure the best quality food every time.

Maintenance

The day-to-day cleaning process of most commercial deep fryers is easy because they are stainless steel. They also have a drain valve to empty the oil from the fryer, clean the tank, filter the oil, and then return it to the fryer. Alternatively, you can use the valve to clean the oil without removing it. 

Aside from cleaning the oil, there are several other regular maintenance tasks that you need to perform. For example, check for oil build-up and that the control knobs are working correctly. Also, make sure that the panels are all secure. 

Keep up with the weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance; it will cost you less in the long run. 

Safety

Safety is a vital element to consider. Whatever size of commercial deep fryer you buy, there must be enough space in your kitchen area to operate it efficiently and safely. 

There must be adequate space around the fryer to prevent oil splashing that may injure users. Prevent oil splashes on the floor, as these can be a slip hazard. 

Floor vs. Countertop

There are two types of commercial deep fryers: floor or freestanding and countertop. Countertop fryers are more compact, portable, and easier to maintain. They are perfect if space in your establishment is limited or demand is low.

Alternatively, freestanding or floor commercial deep fryers are better suited for restaurants or venues that serve large amounts of deep-fried food. 

You can use a floorstanding commercial deep fryer all day, and there are plenty of configurations to choose from. 

Power Source (Electric vs. Gas)

How your commercial deep fryer is powered is another critical element to consider. 

A commercial gas deep fryer works on either propane or natural gas. Both natural gas and propane can be a more affordable energy source for your fryer. However, it depends on your location. Other benefits of gas include:

• Heating the oil faster

• The oil can reach higher temperatures

However, gas installations for a commercial fryer can be pricey. Gas-powered commercial deep fryers are also less portable than electric ones. 

A big plus with an electric deep fryer is that it’s easy to install. Typically, all you need to do is plug the electric deep fryer into the regular electricity supply. 

On the downside, it can take an electric fryer longer to heat up. However, it does have an edge in terms of getting back up to temperature between batches. Something else to remember is that there’s no risk of a gas leak. 

Settings, Features, and Functionality

Commercial deep fryers have a variety of settings and features, all of which affect their functionality. Here are some you might want to check:

• Controls: Most models have basic controls. Usually, a commercial fryer will have a knob that controls the oil temperature. Additionally, there might also be power lights or a temperature gauge. With these controls, you can monitor the temperature of the oil and instantly recognize that the appliance is on. Some commercial deep fryers have programmable elements that you can use to cook food on a timer. The timer will let you know when the food is perfectly cooked. 

• Vats: These hold the oil, also referred to as tubs. Some commercial deep fryers have single-pot vats, but others might have a split-pot vat. The first type has one vat in which all foods are fried. Others have two compartments. For example, in a double-deep-fryer, you can fry different types of food simultaneously. 

• Heating elements: There are a variety of heating element types:

  • Tube-style heating: The elements are in the oil vat, and distribute heat evenly. There is space for a cold zone where sediment can collect without burning. This type of heating element is ideal for battered and breaded food. 

  • Open-pot heating: The heating elements are inside the vat walls. The cooking space tends to be much bigger and wider. They are the easiest type of vat to clean and work well when frying high-volume foods such as chicken tenders and french fries. 

  • Flat-bottom heating: This heating system is perfect for frying foods that sink to the bottom and then rise as they cook. Battered fish and tempura are just a couple of examples. There is a minimal chance that food will stick to the vat’s bottom.

• Baskets: However many there are, look for durable baskets with a rubber coating or something similar on the handles. You may be able to purchase more specialized baskets if you want to prepare food such as taco shells. The more advanced commercial deep fryers feature automatic basket lifts. These will raise the cooking basket after a preset cooking time. 

• Covers: Most commercial deep fryers sell with a cover. It’s an essential accessory to keep the oil free of dust and other contaminants. It also protects the oil from light exposure. Light can make the oil degrade quicker. 

Warranty and Cost of Parts

A warranty on your commercial deep fryer is essential. Generally, you can expect a new commercial deep fryer to have a 12-month warranty. However, in some cases, it might be 2 years or more. 

Be clear about the warranty before buying a commercial deep fryer. And if there isn’t one, walk away. 

Before you buy a commercial deep fryer, discuss the recommended servicing and repair schedule. If you plan to fry high volumes, your commercial fryer will likely need attention three or four times annually. 

The cost and availability of parts are other things you need to consider before you purchase the best commercial deep fryer. A premium commercial deep fryer may have expensive parts, whether you need spare parts to replace old ones or carry out repairs on your deep fryer. 

Condition

There are two options for the commercial deep fryer you purchase. Do you want to buy a new deep fryer, or are you considering a used model to save money? 

Used vs. New

A used commercial deep fryer will likely be cheaper than a new one, but you have to weigh up the additional costs. 

Pros of Buying New

• High performance, reliable operation, latest technologies, and components

• Durability: commercial deep fryers are made from quality materials, featuring superior construction and engineering

• Warranty protection for normal wear and tear

Cons of Buying New

• Expensive initial cost compared to used models

Pros of Buying Used

• Initial cost saving

• You can find models with higher performance than newer, lower-end models

Cons of Buying Used

• Potentially shorter lifespan

• May be harder to find technical support or replacement parts for older models

• Risk of potential unknown defects or problems that could be expensive to repair

No matter which option you choose for your commercial deep fryer, don't forget to consider the features and pros and cons before making a purchase decision. Make sure the model you choose meets your business needs and budget.

Conclusion

Are you looking for the best commercial deep fryer? You have plenty of choices at kitchenall.com. With such a wide selection of new commercial deep fryers to suit all needs, it’s easy to decide what elements and features are most important and choose the best deep fryer for your food business.