The best commercial deep fat fryer depends on how much food you need to cook, how often you will use it, the space available and your kitchen's power supply.
For kitchens that need a compact frying station, a countertop fryer can provide commercial frying capacity without taking up floor space. Freestanding fryers create a dedicated frying station and are available in larger gas and electric configurations. Electric open fryers are designed for heavier production, while pressure fryers are a more specialist option for foods such as pressure-fried chicken.
The key is not to choose a fryer based on size or oil capacity alone. Look at the basket or food capacity, tank configuration, power and manufacturer-stated output where available.
Browse All Deep Fat Fryers →Which commercial fryer should I choose?
Choose a countertop fryer when space is limited or you need an additional frying station; a freestanding fryer when frying is a regular part of service; an electric open fryer when you need larger electric frying capacity; or a pressure fryer when pressure-fried foods such as chicken are central to the menu. The individual fryer's food capacity, tank layout and power requirements should then determine the model you choose.
Commercial Deep Fat Fryer Comparison
Different types of commercial deep fat fryers suit different kitchen layouts, menus and levels of production. Use this as a starting point, then compare the specifications of the individual fryer.
| Countertop Fryers Compact commercial frying stations where counter space is available and floor space is limited. Browse Countertop Fryers → | |
| Freestanding Fryers Dedicated floor-standing frying equipment for kitchens where frying is a regular part of service. Browse Freestanding Fryers → | |
| Electric Open Fryers Larger electric frying systems with high-power and multi-tank options for repeated production. Browse Electric Open Fryers → | |
| Pressure Fryers Specialist frying equipment for pressure-fried chicken and similar menu items. Browse Pressure Fryers → |
Countertop Deep Fat Fryers
Countertop deep fat fryers sit on a suitable work surface rather than taking up floor space. This makes them a practical choice for cafés, pubs, smaller kitchens or businesses that need an additional fryer alongside their main cooking equipment.
Don't assume that a countertop fryer automatically means low output. Instead, look at how much food it can cook at once, the size and number of baskets, and how it is powered. These figures give you a much better idea of whether it can keep up with your kitchen.
For example, the EF-131V-P (291018) holds up to 9.5L of oil but has a maximum food capacity of 0.8kg. That's an important difference: the 9.5L figure tells you how much oil the fryer uses, while the 0.8kg figure tells you how much food can be loaded at once.
It also runs at 3kW from a standard 13A plug, making it easier to accommodate than a larger fryer that requires a dedicated electrical supply. This makes it a good option if you need a compact fryer for smaller batches. If fried food makes up a large part of your orders, a larger freestanding fryer may be more suitable.
Compact single-tank commercial fryer with a drain tap, 0.8kg stated maximum food capacity and a standard 13A connection.
Freestanding Deep Fat Fryers
Freestanding deep fat fryers sit directly on the floor, giving you a dedicated frying station without using worktop space. They make more sense when frying is a regular part of service and you want a fryer permanently built into the kitchen workflow.
When comparing freestanding models, don't focus on the overall size alone. Look at how many baskets and tanks you get, the power of the fryer and whether it uses gas or electricity. These are the details that affect how the fryer can actually be used during service.
The GF90 Freestanding Gas Fryer, for example, has an 18–23L capacity, twin baskets and three burners, with a 26.4kW input rating. The twin baskets allow two loads to be cooked side by side in the same tank, while the larger floor-standing format gives you a dedicated fryer for regular use.
This makes a freestanding fryer a better direction to look in when a small countertop model would be too limiting or would be working constantly to keep up. If you need electric rather than gas and want to step up further in capacity, electric open fryers are worth comparing next.
Single-tank freestanding gas fryer with twin baskets and three burners for a dedicated commercial frying station.
Electric Open Deep Fat Fryers
Electric open fryers are a step up from smaller plug-in fryers. They are designed for kitchens that want a larger, dedicated electric frying station and are available with single, twin and multi-tank layouts.
The DGF-26L (341004), for example, has a 26L tank with 21.5L working oil capacity and a 335 × 320 × 150mm basket. It runs at 14kW and requires a 415V three-phase connection. In simple terms, this is not just a larger version of a countertop plug-in fryer: your kitchen needs the electrical supply to support it.
If one frying area is not enough, the DGF-D26L (341006) doubles the setup with two 26L tanks and two independent 14kW supplies. That gives you two separate frying areas, which is useful when different foods need to be cooked at the same time or when one tank would not give you enough flexibility during a busy service.
Electric open fryers therefore make more sense when frying is a major part of your operation and a countertop fryer would be too restrictive. The trade-off is that you need to check the electrical requirements before choosing the fryer.
Twin-tank electric open fryer with independent supplies, programmable controls and built-in oil filtration.
Commercial Pressure Fryers
Commercial pressure fryers work differently from a standard open fryer. Food cooks inside a sealed, pressurised chamber, so these fryers are mainly relevant when pressure-fried chicken or similar products are an important part of the menu.
That means you shouldn't choose a pressure fryer simply because it looks like a higher-capacity option. If you mainly cook chips, battered fish or other conventional fried foods, an open fryer is likely to be the more relevant type of machine to compare.
For a larger pressure-frying operation, the EPF-24L (341003) has a 24L capacity, 12psi working pressure and an output of 32kg per hour. It also uses 13.5kW three-phase power, so it needs the appropriate electrical supply.
The key question here is what you are cooking. If pressure-fried chicken is central to your menu, a pressure fryer gives you the correct cooking method. If it isn't, start with the standard commercial fryer range instead.
Compact commercial pressure fryer for kitchens producing pressure-fried chicken without requiring a full freestanding unit.
What Size Deep Fat Fryer Do I Need?
Start with how much food you need to cook at once and how often you need to repeat those batches during your busiest service.
One of the most important distinctions is that oil capacity is not the same as food capacity. A fryer containing 10 litres of oil does not necessarily cook 10kg of food.
The EF-131V-P demonstrates this clearly: it has a 13L tank, a maximum oil capacity of 9.5L and a stated maximum food capacity of 0.8kg. The litres describe the oil and tank; the food-capacity figure tells you how much the manufacturer states can be loaded.
Where available, look for a maximum food capacity to understand batch size and a kg/hour output to understand sustained production. If neither is published, do not try to calculate output from oil capacity alone.
Put simply: choose a fryer that can handle the amount of food you need during your busiest period, not the fryer with the biggest oil tank.
If you are unsure what capacity is appropriate for your menu, speak to the Hamoki team and tell us what you cook, your busiest service requirements and the utilities available in your kitchen.
Why Does Fryer Power Matter?
Power matters because the fryer has to heat the oil and recover temperature after food is added. It also determines the electrical supply required for installation.
The difference across commercial fryers can be substantial. The EF-131V-P operates at 3kW from one 13A plug, while the DGF-26L operates at 14kW and requires a 415V three-phase connection.
A higher kW figure does not automatically tell you exactly how much food a fryer can cook, because tank size, food load and fryer design also matter. For the buyer, the important point is simple: find a fryer with the capacity you need, then make sure your kitchen can actually power it.
Single Tank vs Twin Tank Deep Fat Fryers
A single-tank fryer provides one frying area and can work well when most of your frying demand is concentrated on similar products.
A twin-tank fryer provides two separate frying areas. This can be useful when you regularly cook different products at the same time or want more flexibility during service.
For example, the Hamoki EF-132V-P twin countertop fryer uses two separate 13L tanks with up to 9.5L of oil in each, two baskets, two controls and two 3kW heating systems.
If you mainly cook one type of food, a single tank may be all you need. If you regularly need two foods frying at the same time, a twin tank gives you much more flexibility. For larger requirements, you can also browse electric open fryers with twin and multi-tank configurations.
Electric vs Gas Deep Fat Fryers
Both gas and electric fryers can suit commercial kitchens. The decision should begin with the utilities already available at your premises and the installation requirements of the fryer.
Electric Deep Fat Fryers
Electric models range from compact 13A countertop equipment to much larger hardwired and three-phase fryers. Browse countertop electric fryers for compact options or electric open fryers for larger commercial configurations.
Gas Deep Fat Fryers
Gas fryers provide another option for kitchens with the appropriate gas supply. Check whether the individual model is configured for natural gas or LPG and confirm the installation requirements before ordering. You can compare the available options in our freestanding fryer collection.
There is no automatic winner between gas and electric. Start with the supply already available in your kitchen, then compare the fryer capacity and configuration you need. Not sure which connection your kitchen needs? Contact us before ordering and we can help you narrow down the suitable options.
What Else Should You Consider When Buying a Deep Fat Fryer?
Once you have narrowed down the right fryer type and capacity, check the practical features that will affect everyday use. Consider oil drainage and filtration, temperature controls, cleaning access, basket configuration and physical dimensions.
Oil management becomes particularly relevant on larger equipment. The DGF-26L electric open fryer, for example, includes a built-in automatic oil filtering system and drainage valve.
Measure the installation space carefully and consider how the fryer will fit alongside the rest of your commercial cooking equipment. A well-planned kitchen layout can be just as important during a busy service as the specification of the individual appliance.
Ready to compare models? Browse all commercial fryers, or speak to our team if you want help narrowing down the right fryer for your kitchen.
Deep Fat Fryer FAQs
How much food can a 10L fryer cook?
There is no direct conversion between litres of oil and kilograms of food. Look for the manufacturer's maximum food or basket capacity instead. For example, the Hamoki EF-131V-P holds up to 9.5L of oil but has a stated maximum food capacity of 0.8kg.
Does a bigger oil capacity mean more food?
Not necessarily. A larger oil capacity means the fryer operates with more oil, but it does not provide a direct kg-per-batch or kg-per-hour figure. Food capacity, basket size, power and manufacturer-stated output are more useful when these figures are available.
How do I know what size commercial fryer I need?
Consider how much food you need to cook at one time, how often batches need to be repeated during your busiest service and whether you need one or multiple frying tanks. Then compare those requirements with the specifications of the individual fryer.
Can a commercial deep fat fryer use a normal plug?
Some can. The EF-131V-P uses one 13A plug, while larger equipment such as the DGF-26L electric open fryer requires a 415V three-phase connection. Always check the individual product specification before ordering.
Is a twin-tank fryer better than a single-tank fryer?
Not automatically. Twin tanks are useful when you want separate frying zones or regularly cook different products at the same time. A single tank may be more suitable when most frying is concentrated on similar products.
Should I choose a countertop or freestanding fryer?
Choose based on available space, required cooking capacity and installation requirements. Countertop fryers save floor space, while freestanding fryers provide a dedicated floor-standing frying station.
What is the difference between an open fryer and a pressure fryer?
An open fryer cooks food in an open tank of oil. A pressure fryer cooks inside a sealed, pressurised chamber and is particularly suited to pressure-fried foods such as chicken.
Need Help Choosing the Right Fryer?
Browse our full range of commercial deep fat fryers to compare countertop, freestanding, electric open and pressure models.
If you are still unsure which fryer fits your menu, available power supply or busiest service, speak to our team and we can help you narrow down the options.
