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.
Contact Us
#BetterBeBroaster
Day 3 at the @nationalrestaurantshow 🎉 We are having so much fun talking to everyone & showcasing our chicken & equipment. Stop by & listen in on some of our public demos 🎤 #2025RestaurantShow #BetterBeBroaster #BroastBroastBaby
May 19
Day 2 at the @nationalrestaurantshow 🤩 Visit us at Booth #4062!
May 18
Day 1 of @nationalrestaurantshow we delivered some Genuine Broaster Chicken to our friends at @cocacola ♥️🍗 #BetterBeBroaster #2025RestaurantShow #BroastBroastBaby
May 18
We’re here at the @nationalrestaurantshow at Booth #4062! 🎉🍗 Stop by & visit us!
May 17
Happy National Buttermilk Biscuit Day! 🧈🍞
Flaky, golden, buttery perfection—our buttermilk biscuits are reason enough to celebrate. But pair them with our juicy, crispy, Jumbo Popcorn Chicken? Now that’s a flavor combo worth craving! 🍗💥
May 15
Come see our VF-3 Ventless Fryer in action this weekend at the @nationalrestaurantshow 💥
#2025RestaurantShow #BetterBeBroaster
May 13
Happy Mother`s Day!
Today, we’re celebrating the women who fill our hearts — and our plates — with love. Treat Mom to something crispy, golden, and unforgettable. 🍗💕
Because nothing says "I love you, Mom" like a bucket of her favorite Broasted chicken!
May 11
🎣 Hook your customers with a Friday night favorite!
Our Beer Battered Cod Fillets are made from 100% skinless, boneless, whole muscle wild Alaskan cod—crisped to golden perfection in a rich, flavorful Samuel Adams® ale batter. 🍺🔥
Pair `em with our crispy potato wedges and you`ve got the ultimate fish fry combo that`ll have everyone coming back for seconds. 🙌🐟 Available at a Broadliner Distributor near you! #BetterBeBroaster
May 7
This week’s Operator Spotlight goes to Lucy’s Burgers located in Blaine, MN! 🔥
Lucy’s Burgers specializes in savory handmade burgers (fresh, never frozen), Genuine Broaster Chicken, state fair quality cheese curds, & fresh salads! 🍔
Join them for happy hour, relax by their cozy fireplaces, enjoy a cocktail on their patio, or catch the game with friends. At Lucy`s Burgers, great food and a welcoming atmosphere come together for an unforgettable dining experience. 😎
#BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken
May 6
Who says a piñata has to be filled with candy? 😉 Happy Cinco de Mayo! 🍗🎉
May 5
#FAQFryDay: How do I minimize Fryer downtime?
1. Always use Broaster filtering compounds & follow the recommended filtering procedures set forth in your Operations Manual.
2. Always make sure the filter screen is in place under the filter paper when you reassemble your filter pan.
3. If the pressure valve (small lever on top of Broaster) won’t fully close, the drain valve could be open & clogged. Remove clog with your ramrod & close drain valve.
4. Always keep spare O-rings on hand for cover & filter pan.
5. When filtering & cleaning your Broaster Pressure Fryer, always use the brushes from your Pressure Fryer Accessory Kit. These brushes were specially designed to quickly & easily clean the units. Contact your Local Authorized Distributor if you need replacement heads or brushes.
6. Once a month, verify screws for the probe guard are tight & not missing.
7. Keep copies of instruction sheets & job aides on hand near your equipment to ensure proper procedures are always followed. This is especially important when you have newer employees in the kitchen.
8. NEVER turn the unit on with water &/or cleaning solution in the cooking well. Always unplug your unit & place the cleaning flag on the latch column to alert others that the well is currently being cleaned with water.
9. Always use your handy O-Ring & groove cleaner tool when installing O-Rings or cleaning your groove. This tool was designed to not damage the O-Ring or the groove. If damage occurs to either component, this may cause your unit to not build pressure.
10. Always use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) Components & parts on your Broaster Pressure Fryer. Failure to do so may void your warranty.
#BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken #RestaurantIndustry
May 2
Today is a very special day for the Broaster Company—we get to celebrate two dedicated, hard-working, talented individuals for their 30-year anniversaries with us! 🎉
Troy Long and Ron Kollasch have been an important part of our Broaster family for 30 years now. We are so lucky to have them on our team! Drop a comment below to show them some love! 💬👇
May 1
🎩❤️ We had a delightful afternoon hosting the lovely ladies of the @redhatsociety for lunch today! They joined us to learn more about Broaster and enjoyed our famous Genuine Broaster Chicken 🍗 while sharing laughs, stories, and great company.
Apr 30
Who doesn’t love cheese curds? 🧀 Our Battered Cheddar Curds are covered with a light & tasty batter & par-fried to crispy perfection. Our curds are made from real Wisconsin yellow cheddar cheese that simply melts in your mouth. They’re frozen, ready to cook!
You gotta have ‘em! Ask your local Broaster Distributor for availability 👉 https://ow.ly/JwsO50VGkFy
#BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken
Apr 29
Create delicious, smoked foods with the Smokaroma Pressure Smoker! 😍
The Smokaroma Pressure Smoker combines the modern scientific method of pressure cooking with pressure smoking to create delicious foods. Traditional pits require constant attention, such as turning the food and basting, while the Smokaroma Pressure Smoker eliminates the need for constant labor while producing flavorful results in much less time.
Standard Features:
✨ Fast and easy operation increases productivity.
✨ Requires minimum kitchen space, and casters are standard, making the unit portable.
✨ Pressure smoking reduces shrinkage up to 40% over other methods.
✨ Smoke up to 45 pounds of ribs in under 90 minutes.
Get in contact with us today for a quote! #BetterBeBroaster
Apr 28
#FAQFryDay: Does Genuine Broaster Chicken offer training?
Yes! When you become an operator, you will have access to our training experts along with training materials and our national marketing team! We are here to help you each step of the way.
Apr 25
