What’s the difference between a pressure fryer and an open fryer?
Why a pressure fryer is better
There is no mistaking the fact that America loves fried foods — from chicken and fish to potatoes, onions, mushrooms, cheese … you name it. If it’s fried, you know people will love it.
What you might not know is there are different ways restaurants go about frying all of the foods people love. The two most common methods, open frying and pressure frying, have each been around for decades. Both get the job done, but in very different ways with varying degrees of efficiency and finished product quality.
An open fryer was first invented in the 1800s. This cooking method is based on submerging pieces of food in a big vat of cooking oil. Many open fryers include a basket the food is placed into before being lowered into the oil. This is the typical “deep fryer” setup at a quick-service restaurant that cranks out batches and batches of french fries.
A pressure fryer was first invented back in the 1950s. It cooks food under pressure within a sealed cooking well, usually around 12 to 14 psi.
Benefits of pressure fryers
Cook faster. One benefit to using a pressure fryer is that cook time is decreased. For instance, eight pieces of bone-in chicken can be cooked in 10-12 minutes whereas 16-18 minutes would be needed with an open fryer. That is a significant time savings that can result in considerably higher output over the course of a day. Customers will also be happier because they don’t have to wait as long for their chicken.
Better finished product. Another benefit to pressure frying is product quality. Pressure frying seals in all of those seasonings and natural juices, resulting in a piece of chicken that is more succulent, tender and flavorful. Pressure fryers also tend to cook product more consistently.
The design of the pressure frying equipment plays a big role in finished product quality. For instance, Broaster pressure fryers use a round cooking well. This allows for more uniform heat distribution by eliminating cold spots in the corners. The result is evenly cooked chicken, batch after batch.
Extend oil life. Pressure fryers allow food to be cooked at a lower temperature. Thus, the cooking oil won’t break down as quickly, which means you’ll be able to use the same oil for several more days. That reduces not only the hard cost of the oil itself, but also the labor required to change the oil since it doesn’t need to be changed as frequently.
Final considerations
It should be noted that open fryers do tend to produce a crunchier product. That makes sense, seeing as how a piece of food is swimming around in boiling hot oil for more than 15 minutes. If the crunch is what you and your customers are after, or all you want to cook is french fries, it might be best to stick with an old-fashioned open fryer. But if taste, juiciness, consistency and efficiency are what you’re after, a pressure fryer is the way to go.
From a cost perspective, the actual cost of ownership (purchase price) is just slightly higher for a pressure fryer. The cost of equipment maintenance is roughly the same, as well. But a pressure fryer gains a couple of advantages with respect to operating costs. As pointed out earlier, pressure fryers cook faster and at lower temperatures. The time and money a restaurant can save on cooking oil, energy to power the fryer, and labor can really add up over time, literally returning thousands of dollars to the bottom line over the course of the year.
Another thing to think about on the operating cost side is unexpected repairs. First of all, always ask about warranties when comparing brands and product models. Also, look for design elements that make a pressure fryer more durable and easy to clean. The easier a fryer is to maintain, the longer it will last — and the less money you’ll spend on labor to maintain it.
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Mar 13

Crazy Pizza is the right place for a hot slice of pizza or some juicy Genuine Broaster Chicken!
They offer delicious pizzas, fresh food, salads, side orders, seafood, calzones, sandwiches, pasta, desserts, and more. But that`s not all. They even have halal & a special Middle Eastern menu, too!
📍Dearborn Heights, MI
Thanks for being a Genuine Broaster Chicken operator!
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Mar 12

It’s almost that time of the year again and we’re super excited! 👏🏼
The 2025 @nationalrestaurantshow is only a couple months away and we can’t wait to see you all there. Join us and be part of the largest gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western hemisphere!
📍 Chicago, Illinois
📆 May 17 - 20, 2025
⭐️ Booth #4062
More information 🔜
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Mar 11

Wondering what you can cook some delicious Boneless Buffalo Wings in? How about in a Broaster 1600 Pressure Fryer? 🤗
The Broaster 1600 PF is the smallest footprint, most cost-effective medium-capacity pressure fryer we have available.
Special Features:
🔺Fast and productive – specifically designed for high volume production
🔺Unique Pressure Activated Cover Locking Mechanism – quick closing & opening single action sealing including a pressure- activated cover locking mechanism for safety and ease of use
🔺Proven round cooking well design – engineered for more uniform heat distribution, durability, & efficiency
🔺Large capacity provides more room for product, minimizes sticking, & produces quality food
🔺Easy to operate – SmartTouch™ full color touch screen with easy to navigate tab menu
🔺Unique Auto Comp™ feature – automatically adjusts cooking time to accommodate for varying sizes and temperatures of loads.
🔺Automatic cook cycle counter
🔺Built-in filter system
🔺Touch screen controller option now standard
Check out more of our equipment here 👉 https://broaster.com/equipment-categories/
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Mar 10

Happy National Employee Appreciation Day!
Today and everyday, we are very grateful for every single person that’s part of our Broaster Team. Broaster Company appreciates all of the hard work and dedication that everyone puts into their work. We wouldn’t be the great company that we are today, without YOU!
Thank you! 😊
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Mar 7

In honor of National Frozen Food Day, we’d like to tell you a little more about our Frozen Food Line! 👏🏼
Broaster Foods offers you the finest quality marinated and breaded frozen chicken prepared by the same company that brought you world famous Genuine Broaster Chicken®.
Always cut directly from the breast, marinated and breaded, par-fried then frozen for quick and easy preparation at your establishment, you won’t find any formed or pressed chicken products in the Broaster Foods portfolio.
Our frozen food portfolio offers a full line of appetizers, seafood, side items & many other products!
What are your top 3 favorite food items from our Frozen Food Line? Let us know in the comments! 👇
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Mar 6

Daylight Savings is right around the corner. Don’t forget to spring your clocks forward on March 9th! ⏰
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Mar 5

Popcorn Chicken tastes better when it’s cooked in our Broaster Ventless Fryer VF-3! And that’s the truth! 🔥
Model VF-3 ventless fryer includes round cooking well that can cook 3 pounds of product per load. Built-in fire suppression system and HEPA and charcoal air filter qualify the VF3 to operate without a hood in most municipalities.
Ventless Fryer VF-3 Features:
🔺Easy to operate – SmartTouchTM Touch screen controller features a large, full color, touch screen display with easy to navigate menu and ability to pre-program up to 100 menu items.
🔺Unique Auto-CompTM – automatically adjusts cooking time to accommodate for varying sizes and temperatures of loads.
🔺Space-Saving design for back-counter operation.
🔺Easy to clean – all interior components are easily removed and dishwasher safe.
🔺Proven round cooking well design – engineered for more uniform heat distribution, durability, and efficiency; no cold spots or corners.
🔺Auto-Lift ensures consistent product output by automatically lowering the cooking basket at the beginning of the cook cycle and raising the basket at the end.
DM us for a quote today!
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Mar 4

Looking for a classic Wisconsin supper club with a great bar and great service? Then you’ll want to check out Marty’s Place North in Arbor Vitae, WI.
They have an incredible menu with very delicious choices. Walleye lunch meal, Fettuccini Alfredo, ribs, pork chops, Genuine Broaster Chicken, fish fry… We know! 😍
Thank you for being a Genuine Broaster Chicken Operator! 😁
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Mar 3

#FAQFryDay: How can Broaster help my business?
The #ChickenExperts know!
👇
Because Genuine Broaster Chicken’s product is tender, and juicy. Pressure fried chicken cooks faster with less oil absorption and a longer hold time. Genuine Broaster Chicken has pressure fryers and menu options to fit your business’ goals.
DM us to learn more about the benefits of pressure frying your chicken, our different Food Programs, how to expand your C-Store menu, and more!
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Feb 28

Should I get Genuine Broaster Chicken for lunch today?
…Uhh that’s a no brainer! 💯
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Feb 27

This week’s Operator Spotlight goes to The Village Squire Restaurants! 💯
We guarantee they offer anything you’re craving! Gyros, burgers, steaks, Genuine Broaster Chicken platters, seafood, ribs, pasta? They got it!
The Village Squire has multiple locations in the state of Illinois, so if you ever find yourself in Crystal Lake, Dundee, McHenry, or South Elgin make sure to give them a visit and enjoy some delicious food and drinks! 😎
#GenuineBroasterChicken #BetterBeBroaster
Feb 26

@thenafemshow is open & the place to be today! 💯
Be sure to check out the What`s Hot! What`s Cool! area to see the latest innovations in foodservice equipment & supplies.
#GenuineBroasterChicken #GenuineBroasterChicken #NAFEMShow #NAFEM2025
Feb 26

We`re at the @thenafemshow featuring our new E-Series 24 Pressure Fryer 🔥
The show is hopping, be sure to check us out at booth #3128!
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Feb 26

Genuine Broaster Chicken is always on our mind! 🤯
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Feb 25

What’s better than regular chicken sandwiches? Spicy chicken sandwiches! 😍
And, Broaster has the perfect Spicy Chicken Fillets just for you!
Our Spicy Chicken Fillets are made from tender, delicious 100% breast fillet. We never form, chop, extrude or process our chicken products, we cut these fillets directly from the breast and provide only the best cuts as fillets.
Spicy Chicken Fillets are made with our proprietary ingredients & are frozen, and ready to cook in our Broaster Pressure Fryers or Ventless Fryers.
These spicy fillets have the mild kick consumers crave! They’re carried at most Broadliner Distributors.
Visit our website to find a Broadliner Distributor near you! 💯
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Feb 24
