WO1989004130A1

WO1989004130A1 - Cooking filter

Info

Publication number: WO1989004130A1
Application number: PCT/AU1988/000428
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harry Matsoukas
Original assignee: Harry Matsoukas
Priority date: 1987-11-03
Filing date: 1988-11-03
Publication date: 1989-05-18
Also published as: GB9009697D0; CN1036322A; GB2230179A; GB2230179B; HK109094A

Abstract

The present application relates to filters and in particular to filters for use in deep-fat fryers. The filter comprising a frame (1) having sides (2) (3) (4) (5) and a base (6), said sides and base comprised substantially of a fine mesh (7) adapted to permit the ready ingress and egress of oil, and to trap even very small particles of food within said frame and adapted to form a neat spigot fit within the deep-fat fryer.

Description

COOKING FILTER

The present invention relates to filters and in particular to filters for use in deep-fat fryers. Deep-fat frying of food has been known for thousands of years and is an integral part of Chinese cuisine.

Whilst the equipment has changed over the years; from wood stoves to, gas, electrical and lately infra-red cookers; a basic problem with this type of cooking still remains. When food is placed in the oil, invariably some particles of food remain in the oil when the food itself is removed. These particles contaminate the oil and reduce its usable life.

Large particles which float, can be skimmed from the surface by means of a long-handled sieve, which the operator uses to skim up such particles.

Smaller particles sink to the bottom of the deep-fat fryer. The commonly used method of removing such particles is to, at the end of the day, drain out the hot oil and to filter it through an external filter before returning the oil to the deep-fat fryer. Sometimes the oil is not returned but simply thrown away. In any event, the oil deteriorates and must be thrown away after, at most, five days usage. In practice the outlet becomes blocked with the smaller particles and has to be unblocked, by inserting a piece of wire such as a bent coat hanger into the outlet which is then jiggled about to free the blockage.

Because the deep-fat fryer has just been turned off, an operator can often burn or scald his hand, through touching the hot metal, when trying to unblock the outlet.

In addition the smallest particles neither float nor sink but adhere around the sides of the deep-fat fryer and have to be manually removed before the filtered oil is returned to the deep-fat fryer. Once more the risk, of burn or scald injuries, to the operator is high. There is known a disposable filter which is fitted around the cooking basket and thrown away after use. Because of the need to firmly secure the disposable filter to the cooking basket before cooking and because such filters are messy to remove from the hot basket after cooking, they are not commonly used. In U .S. Patent 4, 702 ,827 th ere is descri bed a portable filter trolley. In large kitchens this expensive portable filter trolley removes the oil, filters it and returns it to the deep-fat fryer.

However, the problem is simply shifted from the deep-fat fryer to cleaning the portable filter.

The present invention seeks to substantially overcome the above problems by providing a simple, inexpensive and novel filter preferably for use with deep-fat fryers.

In one broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a filter comprising a frame having sides and a base, said sides and base comprised substantially of a fine mesh adapted to permit the ready ingress and egress of oil, and to trap even very small particles of food within the said frame.

Preferably the fi lter forms a neat fit with the deep-fat fryer. The present invention will be further described with reference to two preferred embodiments of the invention as shown in the attached drawings in which; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of embodiment A;

Fig . 2 is a side view of embodiment A; Fig. 3 is a plan view of embodiment A;

Fig . 4 is a perspective view of embodiment B;

Fig . 5 is a side view of embodiment B;

Fig . 6 is a plan view of embodiment B. In Figs. 1 to 3 is shown filter "A" for use in a WALDORF deep-fat fryer. Filter A comprises a frame 1 of stainless steel having sides 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 and a base 6. To these sides and base is affixed, by known means, a fine wire mesh 7 having 60 holes per linear inch, approximately 37% open space. There is a reinforcement strip 15 on base 6 for supporting mesh 7.

Handles 8, 9 are attached to the top of sides 2 and 4 to permit the easy removal of the filter A from the WALDORF * deep-fat fryer. In Figs. 4 to 6 is shown filter "B" for use in a

ZANUSSI deep-fat fryer. Filter B comprises a frame 1' of stainless steel having sides 2', 3', 4' and 5' and a base 6". To these sides and base is affixed, by known means, a fine wire mesh 7' having approximately 60 holes per linear inch, approximately 37% open space. Reinforcement strips 15' on base 6' suport mesh 7'. There are also hooks 11 for attachment to the ZANUSSI fryer.

Handles 8', 9' are attached to the top of sides 2' and 4' to permit the easy removal of the filter B from the ZANUSSI deep-fat fryers.

Additionally there is provided a drainage tray 10 on which cooking the baskets (not shown) can be tapped to release excess oil.

In use, the filters of the present invention fit neatly in spigot fashion inside the deep-fat fryer.

Cooking baskets, (not shown) are placed within the filter frame and cooking takes place as normal.

Testing of the filters took place over a number of months as outlined in the following working examples, with the surprising result that the working life of cooking oil could be increased by up to 80% without any significant decrease in the cooking efficiency of the particular deep-fat fryer.

The best results of the tests were with a ZANUSSI electric deep-fat fryer. TEST 1

In an electric deep-fat fryer, ZANUSSI * embodiment B was tested for 3 months. The deep-fry cooker was used between the hours of 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. 5 days per week. The chef expressed great satisfaction with the invention and found it prolonged the working life of the cooking oil and he was able to get an average 8 days usage instead of the normal 5 days usage of oil without the filter B. Moreover the filter was found not to interfere with the cooking of foodstuffs or the operation of the deep-fat fryer. TEST 2

In high production electric deep-fat fryers, the filters were tested for one month in a busy restaurant and we re found most s ucce ssf ul. TEST-- 3.

In a WALDORF * gas deep-fat fryer embodiment A positioned in a university cafeteria the filter was tested during busy periods. The chef obtained seven days usage of oil instead of five days, with the filter in position (ie. 40% saving in oil). During high-peak load times it was found that the filter slowed the cooking time but this was not considered significant by the chef. TEST 4

Tests have been undertaken over a period of weeks with a MOFFAT * infra-red deep-fat fryer with excellent results.

In conclusion the filters were found very successful with infra-red and electric fryers with an extension in oil life of 60 to 80%, and successful with gas fryers giving an extension in oil life of 40%.

The advantages of the present invention are as follows: a) a simple and inexpensive filter that can readily be removed for cleaning. b) use of the filter results in a lighter, cleaner, cooking oil having a prolonged life. c) an improvement in the flavour and quality of the food cooked. d) a marked reduction in the risk of worker injury. e) substantial cost savings result from the prolonged life of the oil and also from the man-hours which would normally be spent in cleaning deep-fat fryers, and maintenance of present filter systems.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications both in design and materials used can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS :

1. A filter comprising a frame having sides and a base, said sides and base comprised substantially of a fine mesh adapted to permit the ready ingress and egress of oil, and to trap even very small particles of food within said frame.

2 . A filter as claimed within claim 1 adapted to form a neat spigot fit within the deep-fat fryer.

3. A filter as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the mesh size is 60 holes per linear inch, 37% open space.

4. A filter substantially as herein described with reference to the attached drawings.

5. A method of cooking food by deep-fat frying comprising the use of a filter as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims, with a known deep-fat fryer.