Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience will be closed Monday, March 16, for a day of staff learning and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Frialator Deep Fryer, circa 1946

01

Artifact Overview

This stainless steel Pitco Frialator with twin baskets was one of the "tools of the trade" for short-order cooks in diners and cafes of the mid-20th century. J.C. Pitman and Sons, a hotel and restaurant equipment manufacturer, invented this device in 1918, as an improved way of deep fat frying over earlier fry pans and French Fry pots.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Deep fryer

Date Made

circa 1946

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

85.105.5

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal

Dimensions

Height: 23 in
Width: 14 in
Length: 23 in

Inscriptions

On door: PITCO/ FRIALATOR On plate inside door: J. C. PITMAN & SONS, INC./ LYNN, MASS./ SERIAL NO./1B80319CP/ B.T.U. RATING PER BURNER/ 32000/ MODEL NO./ 12/ U.S. PATENT NOS. 1,630,309/...
Frialator Deep Fryer, circa 1946