Set-n-Forget cooker

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Bowin "Set-n-Forget" Deep Fryer with hood

The Set-n-Forget cooker is a commercial kitchen deep fryer developed in 1972. It is believed that this was the first-ever automated attempt at the deep fryer.

1 Background
2 Features
3 Technical data
4 Additional photographs

[edit] Background

The Set-n-Forget deep fryer was designed by the influential Australian racing car designer John Joyce of Bowin Cars fame. In the early 1970’s when the demand for racing cars declined in Australia, the Bowin Car company was forced to change its direction from Formula racing cars to commercial goods market. John Joyce believed that typical deep frying systems were wastful because they didn’t control portion size and in some cases drained poorly. He also felt it was costly for staff to be standing around tending to fried food, especially if they are letting a steak burn.

He hoped by automating the frying process he could eliminate some of these shortcomings. It is believed this was the first ever automated deep fryer invented and actively marketed for sale.

Unfortunately, the new type of automated deep fryer did not reach product uptake expectations and the Australian company ceased production of the machines in the mid to late 1970’s. Currently no documentation exists detailing the reasons the innovative concept failed to penetrate the commercial catering and kitchen markets.

Set-n-Forget Advertisement in the mid 1970's. The advertisement tries to demonstrate the shortcomings of typical deep fryer using baskets

Set-n-Forget Advertisement in the mid 1970's. Attempts to sell the benefits of an automated Deep Fryer approach

[edit] Features

Bowin "Set-n-Forget" Deep Fryer available in two sizes

Automatically controls portion size, temperature and frying times.
Each canister takes it turn to pass through the cooking medium, rotating as it goes to ensure agitation of the food and therefore even cooking of each serve. When perfectly cooked, the food is drained and the canister rolls into a holding section, within the food stays hot for at least eight minutes.
Cost of running is extremely low and the machine can produce up to 180 serves of chips per hour.