Deep fryers are a fast and convenient way to prepare everything from French fries to doughnuts. But occasionally, you may notice a bad smell and wonder if there’s a problem.
Deep fryers naturally emit an odor as the oil cooks the food, and you may also notice a smell coming from the food itself. But if the deep fryer smells particularly bad, it could be because the oil is old or dirty. This odor can stink up the entire kitchen, and stay in the air for days.
Oil in a deep fryer can be used multiple times, depending on what kind of food you are cooking, but you are supposed to strain the oil regularly to remove small particles of food.
Changing the oil frequently also can reduce odor. Oil that seems thick, dark, or excessively smelly probably needs to be changed.
If the oil has a sour smell, it’s probably gone rancid. Rancid oil occurs because a chemical reaction causes the fat molecules to start breaking down. This is caused when it is fried at too high of a heat, is used too many times, or is just old.
How Do You Keep a Deep Fryer From Smelling?
Instead of waiting until the deep fryer begins to smell bad, you might want to take some preventative measures.
You can keep a deep fryer from smelling bad by choosing the right kinds of frying oils, changing the oil frequently, and cleaning the deep fryer between oil changes.
Choose a Neutral Smelling Oil
Most people use all-purpose vegetable oil for deep fryers because it cooks well and can withstand the high heat. It also has a neutral flavor and doesn’t alter the taste of whatever foods you are frying. However, other oils may have less odor.
Peanut oil is also a great choice for frying, though not all peanut oils are created equal in terms of odor. The four types are refined, unrefined, roasted, and cold-pressed peanut oil. Of the four, refined peanut oil has the mildest smell.
Canola oil also produces very little odor and is popular because it is inexpensive and neutral tasting.
If smell really bothers you, avoid lard or tallow. These animal fats are going to emit a stronger odor than plant-based oils.
Also, do not use olive oil, coconut oil, or flaxseed oil in a deep fryer, but not because of the smell. These oils have low smoke points, which means they can catch fire if they are heated at too high of a temperature.
Change the Oil Frequently
When the oil gets dark and starts to smell, it’s past time to change it. If you change it frequently enough, it won’t get that smelly.
Many factors should be considered when deciding how many times you can reuse the oil. The type of food you fry, the temperature you use, and whether you’ve filtered the oil can all make a difference in how clean and usable your oil stays between uses.
Here are some guidelines for how many times you can use the oil before changing it.
| Fish | 2 or 3 times |
| Fresh meat, especially when breaded | 3 or 4 times |
| Unbreaded foods like French fries | 6 or 8 times |
Logically, you can see that the smellier the food, the more often you should change the oil. Also notice that the food’s tendency to leave crumbs and other residues in the fryer can also affect the cleanliness and thus the smell of the oil.
Even those times when you don’t change the oil, you still need to strain it properly. The cooked food particles, especially if they are burned, can cause a smell.
To strain the oil, wait until it cools completely. Pour the oil through a filter and into a container that can be sealed. Store the oil in a darkened place until you are ready to use it again.
There are several things you can use for a filter. Some wire mesh strainers may be suitable.
The mesh has to be fine enough to catch the food participles but loose enough to let the oil through.
Other recommended filters are cheesecloth and coffee filters, but you will also see people recommending pantyhose, bandannas, or socks.
Clean the Deep Fryer between Oil Changes
After you’ve strained the oil, use the opportunity to give your deep fryer a good wiping down with soapy water. Between oil changes, scrub the deep fryer thoroughly.
Deep fryers can get sticky, baked-on oil on the outside, the rims, and the hinges of the lid. You’ll need something to scrape with and a bristled brush.
After wiping off as much as you can, use a plastic knife or scraper to scrape off any visible oil residue. Then, use the brush to get into small spaces.
Use a paste of baking soda; it’s just abrasive enough without harming nonstick surfaces. Apply it and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off. Baking soda is also a natural deodorizer.
Most deep fryers cannot be submerged in water. If you choose to soak your deep fryer before cleaning, fill the oil tub with hot water and vinegar.
How Do You Get a Deep Fryer Smell Out of the Air?
The smell of cooking food stimulates the appetite and makes your mouth water, but after the food is done cooking, lingering odors can be unpleasant and embarrassing.
You can prevent the bad smell from your deep fryer from stinking up your kitchen by using plenty of ventilation while frying. If the odor continues after you’re done cooking, you can help eliminate it by using vinegar, baking soda, or coffee grounds. You can also light a candle or bake cookies.
When using your deep fryer, open windows and doors, if possible, to ventilate the room. Place the deep fryer near the stove and turn on the cooking vent. You can also turn on any ceiling fans you might have near the kitchen.
Afterward, you can probably eliminate the odor by boiling vinegar and water in a saucepan. Mix 1 cup of water to 1 tablespoon of vinegar and let it simmer for a few minutes. It may seem counterintuitive to boil something smelly (vinegar) to get rid of something else that’s smelly (the frying), but it works.
You can also try boiling water infused with cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla, or lemon or orange peels.
It also helps to put small bowls of baking soda or coffee grounds throughout your kitchen and leave them there overnight. Both substances will absorb odors.
If you’re in a hurry, you can light candles. Odors are attached to oxygen molecules, which will be consumed by the flames of the candles. Both unscented and scented candles will work in the same way, but some people prefer having the bad smell replaced with the pleasant smell of a scented candle.
Finally, one way to remove bad odors from a kitchen is to create good ones. Try baking cookies, cupcakes, or bread.
Deep Fryers That Don’t Smell
All deep fryers are not created the same. Some have features that can reduce cooking smells and the accumulation of bad odors.
The T-Fal Odorless Deep Fryer claims to eliminate 74% of odors through a specially-designed filtration system that uses both an aluminum filter and charcoal filter. You’ll still have to regularly clean and strain the oil with the T-Fal, but many of the parts are removable and dishwasher-safe.
Another fryer with an oil filter is the Cuisinart CDF-200, although it does not advertise as low odor.
Finally, the Delonghi Roto electric fryer also has a filtering system.
Note that all three of these deep fryers also have lids. Closing the lid on a fryer reduces spatter and odor.