Expert: Carol Schlitt - 8/28/2006

Question
Hi Carol
I own a chipy van and it is quiet busy at times.I cook my sausages from frozen in a fryer a deep fryer.At times there is a big cue at my chipy and i cant cook the sausages quick enought. I was wondering if i can cook them fully and then heat them up again or is there any other way i can make them quicker. Thank you

Answer
Hi Donal,

I'm not familiar with the term "chipy" van but I assume you mean a portable van that has a self-contained kitchen that you take from location to location to sell food.

It is possible to pre-cook sausages and finish them off in the fryer for that "fresh-made" flavor.  You could pre-cook the sausages in the fryer, cool them down and hold them below 40 degrees F. (refrigerated) and then pop them into the fryer for a quick reheat (to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.)

When you pre-cook foods, the key is to then quickly cool them to 41 degrees for holding. Keeping potentially hazardous food such as sausage between 41 and 140 degrees F incourages the growth of harmful bacteria which could make your patrons ill.

I hope this has helped. Please let me know if you have further questions.

Carol C. Schlitt
Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness
University of Illinois Extension