Commercial Donut Fryers

What to Know About Donut Fryers

Donut fryers consist of a wide, square vat that's capable of cooking multiple donuts simultaneously, submerging them in oil away from heating elements throughout frying, a feat accomplished by a pair of grates that are lowered into the vat. Additionally, a commercial donut fryer is equipped with drainboards that enable excess oil to run off before serving. These units are ideal for various foodservice establishments, including continental breakfast bars, hotels, upscale restaurants, and more.

As with funnel cake fryers, a donut fryer is designed with a flat bottom, a configuration that's optimal for working with wet batter and dough used to make donuts. Depending on the amount of oil a unit has the capacity for, donut fryers can fry hundreds of donuts each hour; this is determined by the number of BTUs the unit produces. Commercial donut fryers are available in compact countertop configurations or high-volume floor models, with the capacity for cakes that measure 8 to 9 inches.

Common Questions About Donut Fryers

What does a donut fryer do?

Designed specifically to fry donuts, these units have a large, shallow vat. Like funnel cake fryers, donut fryers have flat bottoms that work best with the wet batter and dough used to make donuts. As the dough cooks, it sinks to the bottom of the vat, and the vat's incorporated grate keeps the dough separated from heating elements. A donut frying machine may be equipped with a drainboard so that excess liquid can be drained off of the doughnuts before they're served, which prevents them from getting soggy.

How do I find the best commercial donut fryer?

Capacity is an important factor when choosing a donut fryer. Depending on the amount of oil the unit holds, it can fry hundreds of donuts each hour. The amount of space you have available for the donut fryer will dictate the capacity of the unit. Most countertop donut fryers range from 20 to 50 inches in width, but there are also larger floor models. The amount of BTUs the equipment produces directly affects the number of donuts you can fry per hour.

What is the best oil to use in a donut fryer?

Peanut oil is often used with donuts, funnel cakes, and other bread products since it has a neutral, sweet flavor and a high smoke point that ranges from 440 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Coconut oil is a popular option because of its health benefits, but can be more expensive than other options. Because of its mild and slightly sweet flavor, the oil is perfect for donut fryers. The 350 degree Fahrenheit smoke point means it can be used with most frying applications.