Fried foods without oil: The Radiant Fryer
by: Taly Weiss September 21, 2008
Here’s a trend that might be the demolition of fast food as we know it: Fried foods minus the oil. Sounds just about impossible, but I kid you not. Scientists and inventors Kevin Keener of Purdue University and Brian Farkas of North Carolina State University devised an oven that can cook food that is generally fried, but without using the oil. The ‘Radiant Fryer’ oven “emits wavelengths of radiant energy to cook food according to precise instructions. It works best with pre-shaped food such as chicken patties, fish sticks, and donuts, or any food that has a specific shape. Many times, fried foods are fried in oil twice - once before being frozen and shipped to a restaurant or grocery store (called “par-fried”), and once more when a chef prepares them for eating (called “refried”). The oven would eliminate the need for refrying, which could cut 50% of the oil, fat, and calories compared with conventional fryers.” The oven does not only work in a speedy manner, producing the desired foods within one-two minutes, but is also a safer form of cooking, since it eliminates the use of boiling oils which can burn the chef or cooker.
Due to fast food chains and greasy grub, obesity is on the rise in many countries around the globe. This trend can help solve a major health problem that is becoming more and more prominent in western civilization and hopefully restore some good cooking and eating habits amongst the designers of the food industry and us chefs at home.
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Trend Original: Kevin Keener of Purdue University and Brian Farkas of North Carolina State University
Trend Spotter: InventorSpot