9 Electric Deep Fryer Safety Tips

Using an electric deep fryer saves money and is a convenient means of preparing a meal. However, it can also be dangerous should anyone get splashed with hot oil. It is important to know how to safely use a deep fryer.

1 - Reading the Manual

Take the owner's manual provided by the manufacturer of the deep fryer. Read the instructions contained in the guide before you begin any cooking with the appliance. 

2 - Extension Cords

Extension cords should never be used with deep fryers. The cord provided with the fryer is designed to be short in order keep it from becoming tangled or snagged, causing the fryer to spill and perhaps burn someone.

3 - Heat Resistant Location

Your deep fryer should be placed on a surface that is heat resistant to prevent any damage or dangerous situations from the high temperatures of the appliance. A surface that does not resist heat could potentially be set a blaze with hot oil. Place the deep fryer far back from any edges to prevent it from accidentally falling to the floor. 

4 - Choosing the Oil

Choose an oil with a high smoking point. These oils do not break down when they are heated to deep frying temperature levels. High smoking point oils include: peanut oil, sunflower oil and canola oil. 

5 - Filling the Reservoir

The oil reservoir should never be overfilled. Most fryers have a line indicating the depth of oil that should be poured into the appliance. An overfilled reservoir could spill out over the top. Use the correct temperatures level when heating the cooking oil in the reservoir. 

6 - Removing Moisture

Make sure that the foods you are frying are as free from moisture as possible. Frozen foods should also be removed of any ice. Moisture and ice will cause splattering and could potentially lead to burns. Use paper towels to blot any moisture from foods. Consider coating the food in bread crumbs before cooking it to reduce moisture levels. 

7 - Using the Fryer Basket

Food should be carefully placed into the deep fryer basket before being dropped into hot oil to be cooked. Do not overfill the basket. Be sure there is ample space between each piece that you place inside it. A slow submersion of the food will prevent and splashing or splattering of hot oil onto your skin. Never season or salt any food while it is in the cooking oil. Always allow the hot oil to drip off the fryer basket before you remove it from the appliance. 

8 - Cooling the Fryer

When removing the oil, make sure that the deep fryer and the oil have both cooled down completely.  Never attempt to move the fryer or clean the fryer unless it is cool.

9 - Kitchen Safety

Have an anti-slip floor mat handy and place it on the floor in front of the deep fryer whenever you do any deep frying. Always keep a up-to-date fire extinguishing device in the kitchen. Never leave any type of heating element unsupervised while it is in operation, especially a deep fryer.