As foodservice operators grapple with rising cooking oil prices, managing costs has become critical. Many operators instinctively turn to quick cost-cutting methods, like extending oil beyond recommended use or opting for less expensive oil. Unfortunately, these short-term strategies usually compromise food quality, causing off-flavors, inconsistent cooking, and increased grease absorption, ultimately disappointing customers and hurting profits.
The real solution to reducing oil costs lies not in shortcuts, but in smarter oil management strategies. By embracing advanced frying solutions, foodservice operators can significantly extend oil life, maintain consistent food quality, and sustainably reduce operating expenses.
3 Ways to Reduce Oil Costs
Frequent oil changes quickly escalate costs, while inefficient frying processes directly impact food quality, creating additional waste and labor inefficiencies. Instead of reacting to rising costs with short-term fixes, forward-thinking operators can implement strategic, long-term solutions that enhance profitability and customer satisfaction.
Here are three proven ways you can effectively reduce oil costs without compromising your output.
Use Less Oil More Efficiently
Consistent oil filtration significantly reduces waste and extends oil life, keeping food quality high. Advanced frying equipment with built-in filtration quickly removes particles that break down oil prematurely, with some filters taking as little as three minutes. This approach dramatically reduces the frequency of oil changes, maintaining food quality and cutting operating expenses. Equipment with built-in filtration, like Henny Penny’s open fryers, simplifies this critical task, streamlining kitchen operations and freeing up staff time for other essential duties.
Keep Oil in the “Sweet Spot”
Oil performs best in a narrow temperature range — what we call the “sweet spot.” Letting oil overheat, cool too much, or absorb contaminants (like moisture, salt, and debris) causes it to break down faster and shortens its lifespan.
Rapid heat recovery and efficient frying solutions maintain oil integrity and ensure consistent cooking results, returning oil to the ideal cooking temperature after each batch. Energy-saving features, such as automatic Idle Modes available on the Henny Penny Evolution Elite open fryer, reduce unnecessary heating during downtime, further extending oil life and reducing energy bills. The result? Oil that lasts longer and delivers better-tasting fried foods.
Extend Cost Savings and Quality with Oil Extenders
Oil extender additives can dramatically improve profitability by actively slowing oil breakdown. These solutions help preserve oil integrity, eliminating common quality issues like off-flavors, greasiness, or flavor contamination. By enhancing the stability of frying oil, operators not only save money through less frequent replacements but also deliver consistently superior food quality that enhances the customer experience and fosters repeat business.
Invest in the Right Equipment for Long-Term Savings
Lowering oil costs shouldn’t come at the expense of food quality or operational effectiveness. Instead, operators who adopt innovative oil management practices and advanced frying solutions position themselves for long-term success, with some reporting extending their oil life from an average of three days to an impressive 15 days or more. They benefit from substantially lower operating costs, improved efficiency, consistent quality, and greater customer satisfaction.
At PHT Systems, we understand the challenges foodservice operators face. We empower your operation with sustainable solutions tailored to your business needs. By partnering with us, you’ll receive guidance, training, and ongoing support designed to help you achieve consistent food quality, operational efficiency, and significant cost savings over the long term.
Ready to enhance your profitability through smarter frying solutions? Contact us today to discuss how strategic oil management can elevate your operation and sustainably grow your business.