Pitco vs. Frymaster

Pitco® and Frymaster® are two long-established commercial fryer brands offering gas fryers, electric fryers, multi-vat systems, and oil-management technology for professional kitchens. Pitco focuses on durability and simple controls across its product line, while Frymaster focuses on temperature control, automated filtration, and oil conservation.

Pitco vs. Frymaster: Comparison Snapshot

About Pitco

Founded in 1918, Pitco has manufactured frying equipment for more than 100 years. Early in its history, the company discovered that keeping small food particles away from the intense heat of the fry pot could improve fried food quality. This idea led to the Pitco Frialator, which used construction that permitted food sediment to drip below the heating tubes into a "cool zone" where it could not carbonize. Today, Pitco’s catalog includes gas fryers, electric fryers, reduced oil volume fryers, filtration systems, specialty fryers, and oil-handling equipment.

Key Features:

• TorQ™ is the first gas fryer to combine forced convection heating and continuous in-line filtration
• Infinity Touch™ controller stores recipes, tracks usage, and alerts users when oil changes or filtration cycles are due
• Integrated Oil Management System reduces oil use, extends oil life, and improves food quality

About Frymaster

Founded in 1935, Frymaster specializes in open-pot and large-vat fryers. In 1938, Frymaster founder P. F. Radcliff attempted to heat a steel rod for easier bending, which led to a breakthrough in gas flame design. With this insight, Frymaster produced its Jet Burner system, which distributed heat evenly under the fryer pot and removed the need for visible heat exchangers that made fryer cleaning difficult. In 2016, Frymaster introduced the industry's first touchscreen fryer, and in 2020, it introduced the FilterQuick® 120, the first 120-pound fryer capable of automatic filtration. Today, Frymaster’s product lines include DEAN fryers, which enables the company to leverage DEAN’s Thermo-Tube heat transfer system to improve efficiency, temperature control, and oil quality.

Key Features:

• Oil quality sensors on select models
• FilterQuick fryers with automatic filtration and auto top-off
• Low-Oil-Volume (LOV) fryers cut oil usage by 40 percent and extend oil life by as much as 92 percent

Key Differences Explained

Pitco and Frymaster produce high-quality fryers, filters, and accessories for commercial kitchens. Comparing performance, filtration, controls, and price points can help clarify which brand best aligns with operational needs.

Performance and Frying Capacity

Pitco’s Solstice and Solstice Supreme burners can achieve 84 percent thermal efficiency. Stainless steel heating tubes positioned low in the fry tank create a large cool zone where sediment doesn’t burn, extending oil life. Frymaster’s gas and electric fryers offer advanced heating elements to support consistent performance. Many units include 1-degree-Fahrenheit action thermostats and fast-action temperature probes that quickly sense cold food and automatically reduce the temperature to extend oil life.

Oil Management and Filtration

Pitco’s continuous in-line filtration system removes food particles during cooking, and ROV systems on select models filter automatically after each cook cycle, which can help standardize oil care during repeated frying. Frymaster’s FilterQuick technology is built around automatic filtration, auto top-off, and oil quality sensors that advise staff when oil should be discarded.

Controls and Ease of Use

Select Pitco models may include 12-button controls, Infinity Touch controls, filter warnings, and data functions that track oil use and filtration activity. Frymaster focuses on automation and programmable touchscreen controls, which can help kitchens standardize frying and oil-care procedures across staff members.

Price and Value

Pitco provides a lower entry barrier with durable, lower-tech options that are easy to repair. Frymaster’s advanced oil-conserving models justify the higher price point through automated filtration and reduced oil use.

Which Commercial Fryer Brand Is Right for You?

Shop Pitco & Frymaster at KaTom

KaTom offers commercial fryers from Pitco and Frymaster. Check out KaTom’s catalog to find reliable fryer equipment at the right price for your operation.