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In any fried food shop, pizzeria or other business that prepares fried food, a fryer is a must-have: a piece of equipment you simply cannot do without. Fryers come in various sizes, as countertop or floor-standing models, with a single tank or two tanks. In this article we compare two types of fryers with different power sources, the professional electric fryer and the professional gas fryer, from an Italian catering equipment brand that is a byword for quality: Fimar. The similarities and, above all, the differences between the two types will help you make an informed choice about the equipment you need to work well, boost your productivity and serve quality fried food that delights your customers and keeps them coming back, perhaps bringing others who want to try your cooking.
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Professional electric fryer: features and how it works
A professional electric fryer uses electric heating elements immersed in the oil, which heat up quickly and keep a constant temperature throughout frying. It is a very common type of fryer in small food businesses because it is easy to use and very practical to install: it needs no gas connection, just a mains supply and a suitable power socket.
Strengths and weaknesses
The strengths of an electric fryer are:
- Easy installation: all you need is a suitable power socket and enough space, and anyone can install it completely safely.
- Precise temperature control: electric elements make it very easy to adjust the oil temperature and keep it constant during operation, giving you better control over cooking.
- Compact size: it is often more compact than a gas fryer, takes up less space and is easy to fit into smaller kitchens, especially as a countertop fryer.
Its weaknesses include:
- Slower heat-up time: although efficient, it takes longer to heat the oil than gas models, and therefore frying takes longer overall.
- Cost of electricity: as electricity can be more expensive than gas, an electric model may increase running costs, especially for businesses that fry in large volumes.
Advantages and disadvantages of the electric model
By buying a professional electric fryer you gain these advantages:
- Safety: there is no risk of gas leaks, which makes them safer to use, especially in enclosed spaces.
- Ease of use: they need no special technical arrangements for installation, so they are accessible even to people unfamiliar with industrial equipment.
But unfortunately they also come with disadvantages:
- Higher energy consumption: compared with gas, electricity tends to cost more, which affects running costs in the long term.
- Not suited to high volumes: they may not be powerful enough to handle very high or continuous frying volumes in larger operations.
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Professional gas fryer: features and how it works
A gas fryer runs on gas, using burners placed under or around the frying tank to heat the oil. It is generally more powerful and faster at heating large quantities of oil, which is why it is the preferred choice for high-output restaurants and for kitchens where fried food is central rather than a marginal or occasional activity.
Strengths and weaknesses
A gas fryer also has many strengths that make it worth choosing:
- More power: as mentioned, a gas fryer can heat oil much faster than an electric one.
- Lower running costs: natural gas or LPG is generally cheaper than electricity, so choosing gas reduces running costs, especially where the fryer is used intensively.
- Suited to large volumes: thanks to their greater capacity and power, these fryers are perfect for kitchens that need to fry large quantities of food continuously.
But it has just as many weaknesses:
- More complex installation: it requires a connection to a gas supply which, if not already in place, means more complex and costly installation work. You may also need a qualified gas engineer to check that the installation is completely safe and that there are no risks in use.
- Less precise temperature control: although gas fryers heat up faster, temperature control can be less accurate than with electric models, especially without a digital thermostat. The risk of excessively high temperatures that burn the food, or of unstable temperatures that lengthen cooking times and leave food greasy and heavy, is much greater than with an electric model.
Advantages and disadvantages of the gas model
By buying a gas fryer you secure the following advantages:
- Efficiency: fast oil heating and the ability to maintain high temperatures make gas fryers the best choice for anyone who needs continuous, reliable performance.
- Lower running costs: as gas is generally cheaper than electricity, it saves on energy costs, especially in high-volume production.
Unfortunately you also face the following disadvantages:
- Greater technical complexity: installation requires access to a certified gas system, which may mean additional investment.
- Maintenance: gas fryers may need more frequent maintenance to ensure safety and efficiency, especially with older installations.
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Some Fimar electric and gas fryers to choose from
Here are some Fimar twin-tank fryer models whose features offer a range of solutions for the needs of different food businesses, thanks to their variety of capacities, heating methods and safety features.
Fimar professional electric countertop fryer, 8+8 litres – Model FR88N
The Fimar FR88N is a professional electric countertop fryer designed to maximise productivity, with two 8-litre tanks that can be used 
independently thanks to twin thermostats. Built entirely in AISI 304 stainless steel, this fryer has removable chrome-plated wire mesh baskets and heat-insulating plastic handles for safety and comfort in use. The FR88N has a heating system with stainless steel elements, protected by a safety thermostat with reset button. The heads and elements are also removable, making cleaning and maintenance easier. This fryer reaches 180°C in about 18 minutes, with an estimated frying time of about 7 minutes.
Fimar professional electric countertop fryer, 8+8 litres – Model FR88RN
The Fimar FR88RN is a professional electric countertop fryer similar to the FR88N, but with one extra feature: it has safety drain taps to make emptying the oil easier. In this model too, the body, tanks and lids are made of AISI 304 stainless steel, with removable chrome-plated wire mesh baskets and heat-insulating handles and knobs. Like the FR88N, this fryer has two tanks, each with its own thermostat for independent use. The stainless steel elements and heads are removable, making maintenance easy and safe. The FR88RN reaches 180°C in about 18 minutes, with a frying time of about 7 minutes.
Fimar professional electric countertop fryer, 4+4 litres – Model FR44N
The Fimar FR44N fryer is a more compact version with two 4-litre tanks, designed for small and medium-sized businesses that need efficiency in a limited space. This model is also built entirely in AISI 304 stainless steel, with removable chrome-plated wire mesh baskets and heat-insulating handles for safe, practical use. The FR44N has stainless steel heating elements and a safety thermostat with reset button. As with the other models, the heads and elements are removable, making maintenance simpler and more thorough. The twin thermostats allow the tanks to be used independently, giving you versatility when preparing fried food.
Fimar professional gas countertop fryer, 10 litres – Model SF10DM
The Fimar SF10DM is a professional gas countertop fryer with a 10-litre capacity, perfect for businesses that need speed and power. This model has a solid AISI 304 stainless steel body, with tanks and worktop in 1.5 mm (15/10) thick stainless steel for strength and durability. The fryer runs on gas (natural gas or LPG, using the kit supplied) and uses tubular stainless steel burners with a turbulator system that optimises combustion and increases efficiency by up to 50%. The thermostat has 7 settings, allowing the temperature to be set between 110°C and 190°C; ignition is piezoelectric, and a thermocouple safety valve protects against accidental overheating. This model reaches 190°C in about 10 minutes and comes with a drain tap and a large basket. The SF10DM gas fryer offers twin thermostats for independent use of the tanks, increasing operational flexibility.
Which fryer is right for you?
Electric fryers are ideal for small and medium-sized food businesses that do not need to fry continuously and have no gas supply. They are perfect for delis or venues that fry moderate quantities in limited spaces, and their easy installation makes them suitable for anyone who wants a flexible, ready-to-use solution. If you run a small or medium-sized business and do not need to fry large quantities of food continuously, an electric fryer is probably the best choice: easy installation, compact size and precise temperature control make it perfect for venues with moderate output and limited space.
Gas fryers are the best choice for restaurants, fast food outlets and industrial kitchens with high demand for fried food. They are perfect for anyone handling large volumes of work who needs powerful, fast equipment. They are also particularly suitable where gas is cheaper than electricity, delivering long-term savings. If you run a high-volume business, such as a restaurant or fast food outlet, where speed and efficiency are essential, a gas fryer is the most suitable option: with more power and lower energy costs, these models are ideal for anyone who fries large quantities of food on a regular basis.
Choosing a fryer with 2 tanks rather than 1, whatever the power source, is the best option when space is not too tight and you want to be able to fry different foods at the same time, independently of each other.