If your deep fryer is overflowing and foamy there might be a lot of underlying causes behind it. To fix that you need to find out the cause behind it first and then fix it accordingly so that your deep fryer has a longer lifetime.
Why is my deep fryer overflowing and foamy?
Even though this is common, excess foaming might mean there is an underlying issue. The reason for this might be due to your oil being too old. As a result, it contains contaminants that cause it to get foamy and overflow. It can also happen if the temperature of your oil gets way too high.
If you use the same oil to fry your food over and over again, it ends up getting old and contaminated. Not only that, but low-quality oils can also cause certain impurities.
Usually, these are the persisting issues that can cause the foam to rise on the top of your fryer when you try to deep fry your food. Another reason can be if your oil temperature gets way too high which results in immediate foaming when you try to fry the food.
These are the common reasons which can cause unsightly smoke and you need to fix either of these issues to have a cleaner oil to fry your food in.
Besides these reasons, you should know that a little bit of foaming is common when deep-frying food. Frozen foods, especially, contain a lot of moisture which steams up and results in some kind of foaming when you put them in very hot oils.
Over time, the moisture retains in the oil and also the contamination from deep-frying a lot of food. This can result in increased foaming when you fry your food in old oil.
Why does my deep fryer overflow?
The food that you usually fry in your deep fryer contains some level of moisture. If you add in too much food at once, too much moisture will start to evaporate. As a result, you will see bubbles forming on the oil layer.
Overcrowding can be a huge cause as to why your deep fryer ends up overflowing. Over time, when you use the same oil over and over again a lot of impurities remain in the oil. This buildup can cause an overflowing foam when you try to fry your food.
If your oil is too hot it can also cause it to overflow so keep in mind to change your oil frequently and manage the temperature of your oil so that it does not overflow.
Why is my deep fat fryer foaming?
There can be a handful of reasons which you should look out for if you notice that your deep fat fryer is foaming. It can be quite an unappetizing sight especially when you are frying food.
Normal foaming:
When frying food in your deep fryer you should expect to see a little bit of foaming. This is common because a mixture of the hot oil alongside the moist food frying can lead to bubbles in the oil which travels up on the surface as foam.
When there is too much foam then you should be concerned.
Dirty oil:
Since deep frying food can take up a lot of oil you might be tempted to keep using the oil a couple of times. This is not a great idea as the impurities left once you cook something in the oil can build up over time.
This can result in an unsightly amount of foam and can also alter the taste of your food.
High temperature:
Oil heats up relatively fast and can reach very high temperatures. You should be careful regarding this because it can result in your oil bubbling up quickly once you put the food in. That can result in foaming as well as your deep fat fryer overflowing.
Starch:
The most common ingredient when deep-frying food is starch. This is because it ends up giving your food a beautiful golden color as well as delicious crispiness.
However, if you are using too much starch in your marination it can separate from your batter and as a result foam up in the oil.
Heavily moist ingredients:
Usually it is common for food to contain a certain level of moisture. Especially frozen food that you end up deep frying in your fryer.
However, if you put in food that is incredibly moist and in large amounts in the deep fryer the water from the food ends up mixing with the hot oil. The water does not combine with the oil and instead it ends up on the surface of your oil as foam.
What causes the deep fryer to boil over?
Deep fryer boiling over can be quite scary as one can hurt themselves in the process. This is why it is important for you to find the cause behind it and prevent it from happening.
Dropping too much food quickly:
It is important that you put your food one by one with care. If you put too much food in at once at a fast pace the oil can end up boiling over from the sides.
Moist food:
Frozen food, in particular, contains a lot of moisture. You need to put that in gently in batches. Adding too much frozen food at once can release a lot of water which in turn cannot mix properly with the oil.
It turns into water droplets and starts to evaporate as water has a low boiling temperature. This foam up your oil and if there is too much water content it can cause your fryer to boil over.
Too much starch:
The context of starch here is quite similar to the water. Starch also has a tendency to not mix well with oil. If you marinate your food with too much starch for it to be crispy, it can break down in the oil.
This as a result causes bubbles and foams on the surface of your oil. The more starch breakdown there is the higher chance for your fryer to boil over.
Not maintaining the maximum line for oil:
For every deep fryer, there is, you will see it contains a specific warning or a maximum line that you cannot exceed when filling your fryer with oil. It is important to keep some space for the oil to rise when you drop the food in.
Overfilling your fryer can cause it to boil over. If there is no line present then do not fill more than two-thirds of your fryer with oil.
How do you keep oil from spitting in the deep fryer?
Oil spitting is quite dangerous as it can end up injuring a person or causing blisters. You should follow certain tips when frying your food to avoid the oil from spitting.
Patting off moist food:
If you are frying frozen food then use a tissue to dry off the extra moisture. This will help prevent the oil from spitting everywhere.
Add your food slowly:
Do not harshly drop your food in the oil as it can splatter everywhere. Instead, use a pair of tongs to slowly drop your food in the oil one by one.
When you are adding in frozen food make sure to fry them in batches as too many frozen foods at once can bubble up your oil and cause it to spit.
Use a lid:
If you still have a spitting situation then it is best to use fryers that contain a lid with them. This keeps the user protected from any kind of oil spitting.
What does it mean to boil out a fryer?
Boiling out a fryer is a convenient and easy process to clean all the impurities and dirt from it.
It is a process that includes making a mixture of baking soda, liquid dish wash, and water. Boiling it for a certain amount of time and leaving it to rest until it comes to room temperature is enough for all the junk to come out from the nooks and corners of the fryer.
It also makes all the hard grime soft enough for you to easily clean it out with a scrub.
How often should you boil out a fryer?
It depends on how many times you use your fryer. If your oil is filtered properly on a regular basis then boiling out your fryer once or twice every three months is a good way to keep your fryer clean and working efficiently.
Do keep in mind to regularly filter your oil and scrub your fryer every day so that it has a longer lifetime.
Why should you not always overfill a deep fryer?
Overfilling a deep fryer is a safety issue as there are more chances of the oil overflowing and thus spilling over if you end up overcrowding your fryer. As a result, the hot oil can end up severely injuring someone on sight.
Always ensure to fill your deep fryer only 2/3rd way through to avoid any overflow.
Final Thought:
A little bit of foaming when deep-frying food is quite common. However, when you see a lot of foaming you need to find out the reason behind it. Hot and impure oil might be common causes, but there can also be issues such as frying too many moist foods at once or frying a high content of starch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can You Use Crisco Shortening in a Deep Fryer?
What Can You Cook in a Deep Fryer?
Can I Leave Oil in My Deep Fryer?