A California manufacturer has come up with a device that cuts oil consumption by fryers in half. The OilFresh 1000 is a frying oil refining catalytic device designed to prolong the freshness of oil used for deep frying.

The OilFresh 1000 is a flat, semi-permanent, vertical insert, made of an advanced nanoceramic material that inhibits the thermal polymerization (molecules lumping together) of frying oil by de-clustering the oil molecules. The results, says its manufacturer, include quicker frying time, reduced oil content in fried foods, crispier texture, and lower costs.

"Our oil sales rep noticed that we'd had a sudden drop in oil consumption from an average of 15 5-gallon cans down to 7 cans a week," said Steve Fujii, owner of Ebisu Sushi in San Francisco, "and with great concern, he asked me if our business wasn't doing well. I was happy to tell him that it was quite the opposite--our oil lasts longer now, so we simply don't need to replace it as often."

shortening is the most popular frying oil in the foodservice industry due to its good shelf life. With OilFresh, says the manufacturer, restaurants can easily migrate to zero trans fat oil (non-hydrogenated oil like genuine vegetable oil) without extra cost burden. (photo OilFresh)