8 Crazy Ways to Save Money on Frying Oil

We’ve already established that Hanukkah is the greatest holiday for fried foods. From fried potato latkes to the famous sufganiyot jelly-filled donuts, the use of oil as it relates to food is a symbolic nod to the meaning of the holiday, a holiday that celebrates the miraculous use of oil.

Though we don’t have any miracles up our sleeves here at Pitco, nor do we have any catchy Hannukah songs, we do have eight crazy ideas to help you save money on your frying oil.

Let’s start by staying true to the meanings of Hanukkah. Operators that make all the efforts to extend the life of frying oil will ultimately save money, especially now when frying oil is so expensive. From filtering schedules to proper filtration, making oil last longer is always the ultimate goals.

With automatic filtration or built-in filtration systems, operators can manage oil more efficiently. In an era when staffing is so scarce, anything that makes the job easier and safer is a great benefit that will ultimately save money in the long run.

As we just mentioned, labor is in high demand. Many foodservice lifers are opting out and are choosing other professions. So how can operators decrease staffing demands while also saving on labor costs? For starters, make the frying oil management process as easy as possible.

Frying oil programs are typically some of the most dangerous processes in commercial kitchens. To help mitigate these risks, frying oil management that’s concise, scheduled, or even better, automated, will go a long way toward reducing safety risks in the back-of-the-house.

What about the front-of-the-house? The reality is bad or rancid frying oil will turn food quality in unwanted ways, as well. Clean oil leads to aromas and flavors that customers desire. Bad oil doesn’t. Return visitors help operators make money, while returned food doesn’t. It’s simple math.

How can you ensure fried foods are cooked consistently and with quality? With a fryer that offers accurate controls. Fryer design that incorporates precise controlling allows operators to consistently cook foods at precise temperatures, and temperature is the key to cooking.

Thinking of your used oil as a profit point isn’t a common thing, but with a waste oil management system, that’s exactly what it can be. Who wouldn’t want to sell used oil and turn it into a little dough?

This is pretty simple math, too. The less oil you use, the less an operation will spend on oil. With the volatility in frying oil prices these days, finding a fryer that operates with reduced oil volumes can be a gamechanger for reducing overhead.

Looking to celebrate oil management even longer?

Yes, it’s possible to go into greater depth with oil management and savings, and we invite you to schedule a free consultation with one of our local reps. Whenever convenient for you, we’re happy to provide oil management advice that can help impact your bottom line in a positive way.

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Is a Deep Fryer with an Oil Filtration System Right for Your Restaurant? 

A deep fryer with a built in oil filtration system is often a great investment for restaurants who have menus full of fried food options. The oil filtration system is a feature that helps to remove impurities and contaminants from the oil, which can improve the quality and taste of the fried food, as well as extend the life of the oil. Some deep fryers with oil filtration systems may also have additional features, such as adjustable temperature controls, timers, and baskets for holding the food being fried. They are often used to prepare a wide variety of fried foods, including French fries, chicken, onion rings, and doughnuts. 

Investing in a Deep Fryer with Oil Filtration

The key feature of a deep fryer with oil filtration is the ability to filter and reuse the cooking oil, which can save time and money by reducing the need to constantly purchase and dispose of new oil. Oil filtration is easy with the press of a button, saving headache for employees and inherent risk that comes from working with hot oil. However, the initial upfront investment can be tough for some restaurants to handle. Deep fryers with oil filtration systems built in can cost anywhere from $20,000 on up to $60,000 or more. That initial investment will pay off in the long run due to the amount of money saved on frying oil, but it's only worth it if it doesn't put major financial strain on a restaurant with the initial purchase. 

A Low Cost Alternative

For restaurants who can't swing a 5 figure investment, there's another option that's just as easy as pushing a button. FreshFry Pods are one of the safest, easiest, and most effective way to clean and reuse frying oil. All you have to do is drop a Pod into each fryer at the end of the day. Allow the Pods to sit overnight and adsorb the impurities that make oil degrade faster. In the morning, simply remove the Pods from the fryers and toss them into the trash. On average, restaurants see 2-3 days of oil life extension just from using FreshFry Pods. A yearly investment cost to purchase FreshFry Pods is about $820 a year for a restaurant with 1-2 fryers. Most of our customers end up with a net savings of $2,000 - $4,000 a year on their frying oil expenses. $820 is much easier to invest than $60,000. The best part is that you don't have to pay for a yearly subscription, you can pay monthly at $47.49 per case. Interested? Click below to request a Pilot Pack which includes everything you need to get started with Pods.