How to Refresh Deep Fryer Cooking Oil

Deep fryers use a lot of cooking oil and replacing the oil constantly can get expensive. Provided the oil is not rancid, and you’ll know this by the smell, the oil can be cleaned and reused fairly easily.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A fine weave wire mesh strainer
• Cheesecloth or old pantyhose
• A container to put the strainer over
• A large rubber band.

1. Make sure the oil you are trying to refresh is cool and not hot. Burns are possible when working with hot oil.

2. Cover the inside of the wire mesh strainer with cheesecloth. Secure the cloth to the strainer by using a large rubber band around the outside rim. The leg of a pair of pantyhose can be used for this step also. Just cut the leg off and tie a knot in one end.

3. Position the strainer over a container large enough to hold all the oil. A food grade five gallon bucket works well for this task.

4. Pour the oil from the deep fryer into the strainer slowing. Take care not to overfill the strainer.

5. Allow the oil to drip through the cheesecloth and strainer into the container.

6. Repeat until all the oil has been strained.

7. Refill your deep fryer with the strained oil and add more fresh oil if needed for filling to the proper level.

Tips & Warnings

• Once your deep fryer is empty, it is a good time to clean out the inside.
• Never attempt to refresh rancid cooking oil. Not only will it make the food taste terrible, it could also make you sick as well.

[KevinMcKenney]

on 9/20/2008 For the 'refreshment' of non-rancid oil that retains a whiff of fish gone by, I've found the following useful: 1)Heat oil to 180C (or max temp of your fryer). 2) place 2 slices of bread, torn into a few pieces into the fryer. 3) cook until bubbling stops, and before smoking stops. For step 2 I have also heard that the addition of a sprig of parsley helps restore freshness.

[MORTYB]

on 11/2/2007 Hello, Kate,
All you said I have already done prior to my request here..the onion smell remained, and I knew there was more i could do. I deep fried a fresh whole potato and it did help absorb the onion. I also was told about a commerical product that I could purchase that many resturants use to 'refresh' even while using. I will try to find a supply house in the big city and buy some. thanks for your info, tho.