One of the first things you need to know is how to store fried foods. You can avoid food poisoning by storing your foods properly. Storing stews, soups, and other stew-like dishes is easy: simply transfer them to a covered container. Fried food is trickier. When stored improperly, fried foods will go soggy and lose their signature crunchy exterior. If you are worried about this, store your fried foods on a rack directly from the hot oil. Use paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

Changing the oil every three or four days

Changing the oil on your deep fryer should be done twice a week, or more often if you are a restaurant. This is because your deep fryer is more likely to be used than a home fryer, and you can’t afford to serve mediocre food. Bad reviews and fewer customers will result, so you need to make sure your fried food is fresh.

For commercial operations that deal with a high volume of fried items and fluctuating oil volume, you can purchase a commercial test kit to measure the oil’s quality. However, even if you don’t have one, you can use other low-tech methods to monitor the quality of your oil and detect changes. The oil in a frying machine will generally have a darker color and smell bad, so change it before busy service begins.

Seasoning fried food while it’s still hot

If you want your fried food to be crispy and delicious, seasoning it while it’s hot is essential. Many people love fried food, especially when it comes with a crispy exterior. However, this coating can be less than desirable if it’s greasy. This problem can be avoided by dredging the food with flour before frying. This will ensure that the batter stays attached to the food and prevent it from becoming too soggy.

The best way to season fried food is while it’s hot, since the flavor of the oil will bleed into the food. While frying food, make sure to keep the oil temperature between 325 and 375 degrees. Keeping the oil temperature too low will make the fried food too soggy or greasy. In addition, lowering the temperature will make your food taste greasy and unappetizing.

Using a holding cabinet

The primary use of a holding cabinet is to store cooked food at a temperature that is safe for consumption. The cabinet is designed to hold cooked food at a constant temperature while retaining moisture and freshness. By suspending the food, it is kept at just the right temperature, allowing it to stay the same temperature for serving. Many holding cabinets are equipped with digital displays for easy monitoring. These appliances are ideal for keeping buffet line refills close at hand.

While holding fried items is tricky, following a holding program will help improve consistency and the flow of service. You can determine the ideal hold time and humidity levels for specific foods. This will help you serve the same quality item every time. Following these tips will help you achieve the right crunch for each type of fried food. These tips can help you create the right atmosphere in your holding cabinet. You can also take advantage of holding cabinets that are humidified.

Using Styrofoam as an insulator

One of the many reasons you shouldn’t use Styrofoam for frying food is that it doesn’t handle heat well. It starts to melt at 212 degrees Fahrenheit and won’t survive the reheating temperatures of an oven. Even if you tried to reheat the food in a Styrofoam container, it wouldn’t taste good and would most likely ruin the food.

Polystyrene, the substance used to make Styrofoam, is highly flammable and can cause health problems if exposed to high temperatures. It melts and turns into a hazard when placed near fire. Furthermore, it also releases a toxic fume that can be dangerous to humans. Ultimately, it’s not worth the risk.

Using airtight containers

Using airtight containers to store frying food is one of the best ways to ensure its quality. Unlike the open containers, closed lids prevent air from entering the food. Consequently, the food is not only safe from odors, but also retains all of its essential nutrients. In addition, using a container prevents the food from losing its flavor and nutrients. Not to mention, it can also be used for leftovers.

Many people open a packet of chips or other fried food and throw it out because they don’t want to eat the whole thing. Using an airtight container ensures the food remains fresh and free of any harmful bacteria. Airtight containers also keep odors at bay, preventing them from becoming unpleasant. Whether you’re using an airtight container for frying or storing other foods, make sure to store them in airtight containers.