Deep Frying on a Blackstone or Other Gas Griddle

[fzxdoc]

I'm wondering if I could deep fry on a Blackstone, just firing up one or two burners and putting the CI skillet or Dutch Oven on it. Seems like it would be safer than over a direct flame. Anybody done that?

I know Polarbear777 puts his CI Dutch Oven directly over the SnS on his kettle but if, heaven forbid, the pot foamed over, or splattered a big dollop of oil, it could get scary pretty quickly for me. I'd hate to burn the house down. I guess the key is to work carefully all the time.

Also, my grills and smokers are on my Trex-covered back deck, which I try to keep clean using grill mats, but splatters seem to want to land everywhere but the mat. I'm thinking that the grease splatters would land on the Blackstone cooktop instead.

Meathead mentioned that he is working on an outside deep frying setup, but I haven't seen anything as yet.

Kathryn

[Troutman]

I've been using my propane fired deep fryer for years. It comes with a variety of pot sizes from small to large for turkeys and crap boils. Even have a fry basket for the smaller vessels. They aren't very expensive, had mine so long I don't even remember what I paid for it.

As to your deck, you know me I'm all about the clean work area. I just went to HD or Lowe's and got some of those big rubber like entry mats and put them under my cookers. If there is a spill they hose over pretty well. And if they get too gunked up, just replace. Can get them on sale pretty reasonably.

[DavidNorcross]

Like the looks of that fryer. What brand is it?

[fzxdoc]

DavidNorcross, it looks to be from this site:
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/out...ith-side-table . I'm looking at it too. That $40 price tag and the side table for stabilization are attractive features.

Thanks, Troutman . Again. You're always saving my bacon on one thing or another.

Kathryn

[HouseHomey]

Those burners I believe are 15,000 btu's and I'm not certain what type of recovery time you can muster. Good question, Spinaker Steve B

[MBMorgan]

Kathryn ... you could probably do it but, depending on the size (and specifically the area of the base) of your frying pot, it would likely be pretty inefficient. The 36" Blackstone has a 720 sq. in. griddle and advertises 60000 BTU total ... which works out to roughly 83.3 BTU/sq. in. You'll also want to consider whether your frying pot has a sufficiently flat (and smooth) bottom surface so that you maximize conductive heating.

Have you perhaps considered a portable induction cooktop instead as a no-flame alternative to grills, griddles, and propane burners in general?

Mike

[fzxdoc]

I did think about it, and have yet to try it outside. I tried my induction burner inside with a Copper Chef dutch oven and it was a disappointment. That was most likely due to the thin-walled Copper Chef pot, not the induction burner. I'll try it outside with my CI dutch oven and see what happens.

Thanks, Mike.

Kathryn

[Histrix]

I've tried using a skillet on my 22" Blackstone. Was dissapointed.

Getting the griddle surface hot enough to really transfer much heat to the pan really screwed up the seasoning on the griddle surface.

I agree with MBMorgan - when I need a burner for frying I'll keep use one of my portable induction burners on my prep table.

[allsid]

I was thinking portable induction cookers too. Mine is way underpowered for deep frying but I recently saw an interesting post from the local culinary school where they were using them at stand-alone cooking stations. It made me think if you had 2-4 good ones, you may not even need a stove anymore. Could be a really interesting way to set up a kitchen, both indoor and outdoor.

[fzxdoc]

I'll have to try my portable induction burner outside, Histrix, and see how it goes. Thanks. Thanks for the insight about the Blackstone too.

Kathryn

[Polarbear777]

Direct over coals and also direct over a 60,000btu kahuna propane burner is the only way I go.

Yes if it spills over it would be exciting but can remotely switch off the propane or close the lid on the grill and I have a full fire extinguisher near my work area. I keep the DO lid handy too. My area is all stone pavers.

That said a 7 qt or large DO is heavy and unlikely to tip and if you leave plenty of headroom you don’t have to worry about spillovers. I usually have it half full.

I dont know know how much power the black stone can put out and if that would be enough.

Any of these options beats beats doing it inside.

[fzxdoc]

I agree that deep frying outside is the way to go. I've looked at dedicated in house fryers but they're too small and don't have the recovery. I want to use my CI pans, so will try the induction burner with them and see.

Thanks for the info.
Kathryn

[Polarbear777]

There has to be induction burners with real power out there.

[SmokeyGator]

Get the grillbox accessory. Then yea.

[jgreen]

I have used the turkey fryer like Troutman but I probably would not put it up on my deck.

[HouseHomey]

Ernest posted the induction burner he uses, induction is a good choice for you right needs. Here at work we have about a dozen or so that are used often and with great success.

Kathyrn that is certainly an an option and they are super efficient but then you are back to the pot size question.

Im at work now but not in the kitchen today, if I'm able I'll see if I can get a shot.

[fzxdoc]

Thanks, @HouseHomey.
K.

[Ernest]

Works so beautifully with smallish skillets/ pots. I can get oil up to 400 degrees

[fzxdoc]

Hmmm, the operative word here being smallish, Ernest . I'm looking more at using a 6 qt dutch oven. That might be too much for an induction burner. But what the hey, I'll give it a go.

Thanks,
Kathryn

[RonB]

I've been using my propane fired deep fryer for years. It comes with a variety of pot sizes from small to large for turkeys and crap boils. Even have a fry basket for the smaller vessels. They aren't very expensive, had mine so long I don't even remember what I paid for it.

As to your deck, you know me I'm all about the clean work area. I just went to HD or Lowe's and got some of those big rubber like entry mats and put them under my cookers. If there is a spill they hose over pretty well. And if they get too gunked up, just replace. Can get them on sale pretty reasonably.

I am anxious to hear how the crap boil turned out. That's probably one I will never try though...

[Steve B]

Hmmmm wondering if it would taste like chicken 🐓😮

[HouseHomey]

👆👆he said crap. Hehehe💩

[Thunder77]

I was going to comment on that. I KNEW someone would beat me to it!!

[RonB]

Kathryn - if you are thinking of doing your fryin' outdoors now, why not just get a dedicated fryer? They you would have the capacity you are looking for, and something designed to do what you want.

These fryers are probably at the top of my MCS list, but my wife thinks fried foods are evil, so no chance of getting this by her...

https://cajunfryer.com/product-category/cajun-fryer/

[Steve B]

Ron. I have one and it’s a beast. I got the FF2-R.
It holds 5 gallons of oil. fzxdoc if,as RonB said you want a dedicated outdoor fryer than this is your cooker.

[Steve B]

Oh and Kathryn you’ll Want to get the double basket as well.

[fzxdoc]

RonB and Steve B , how do you get the oil out of those fryers? Is there some sort of spigot? And what about cleaning?

Thanks!

Kathryn

[HouseHomey]

Who needs a a sedan? We will sell you that military style Hummer, don't you worry.😀

[RonB]

Steve has one, so he can better speak to cleaning, but there is a spigot on the front of each model for draining the oil.

[Polarbear777]

Could always go with this. Would seem to deliver the power and control you’d need for any frying.

Of course there have to be others out there that have the power without the crazy tight control this one has, unless you are willing to sell you entire cooking fleet and then some.

https://polyscienceculinary.com/products/the-control-freak

[fzxdoc]

Wowza, Polarbear777 , $1800 is a bit out of my price range, but you're right, there must be others out there in a more affordable range. Thanks for the link.

K.

[Polarbear777]

I found several 1800W ones on amazon for 70 bucks or so.

Of course that’s power consumed not any measure of efficiency or output.