Frequently Asked Questions

What does REFRY do? We filter the used cooking oil in your fryers and test its quality on-site using the VITO Oil Filtration System and the VITO FT-440 Oil Tester. The FT-440 measures Total Polar Materials (TPM), the industry standard for oil quality — so you never replace your oil too early or push it past its useful life. Cleaner oil lasts longer, cuts waste, saves money and improves your food.

Every visit also includes a complimentary vacuum-clean of your fryer, removing debris and sludge to keep both your fryer and your oil cleaner.

How long does a visit take? Around five minutes per fryer. You'll need to switch the fryer off and give us clear access for up to ten minutes per fryer. We work around your service to avoid slowing your kitchen down.

Will my fryer be too cold to use afterwards? No. We filter the oil at approximately 180°C, so it stays close to frying temperature throughout. Because the process is quick, your oil needs little or no reheating before you're back to full service.

How often do you visit? We visit on Mondays and Fridays — either side of your busy weekend, when oil takes the most punishment. How often we filter depends on how heavily you fry, and your free trial helps us work out what's right for you.

As a guide: if you change your oil about once a week, we filter on alternate weeks so your oil lasts two weeks instead of one. At each visit we filter and quality test the oil, plus we perform a vacuum clean of your fryer removing all debris and sludge.

How much does it cost? We filter your oil at £12 per filter — no tiers, no contract, no VAT. How many filters you need depends on how heavily you fry, and the free trial helps you work that out.

REFRY Ltd is not VAT-registered, so the price you see is the price you pay.

Is there really a free trial? Yes. New customers get a free one-week trial — two filtering days (Monday and Friday) — tailored to how you fry. It includes the oil-quality test and fryer vacuum-clean, so you can see exactly how your oil performs.

There's no obligation — if it's not right for you, you simply stop, with nothing to pay. And if one week isn't enough to tell, we can arrange a second free week to help you decide. If you continue, your first month is paid in advance, then monthly thereafter.

Do I need to sign a long contract? No. There's no long-term commitment. Either side can end the service with 24 hours' written notice. If you cancel, the service continues until the end of the month you've already paid for.

Can I change how often you come, or add a fryer? Yes. Just give us at least 24 hours' written notice. Price changes start from the next month, and we can usually add extra fryers sooner if we have space.

What happens if I miss a visit? If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice, or we can't access your fryer when we arrive, the visit is counted as completed and isn't rescheduled. With more than 24 hours' notice, we'll try to find another slot in the same week. If we ever miss a visit, we'll reschedule or credit it against your next month.

How much will I save? Most kitchens save between £450 and £900 a year on oil and labour alone. Replacing one weekly oil change with filtering saves around £37 a month (about £450 a year); if you change twice a week or run two fryers, that roughly doubles to around £75 a month (about £900 a year). Figures are based on a 20L change of rapeseed oil at £29.99 plus about an hour of staff labour per change.

Savings vary by kitchen — fryers holding 18–25 litres typically see the best results, and lighter or heavier use will save more or less. We're also a new business, and our service may not suit every kitchen, so the free trial is there to show you before you commit. All figures are honest estimates to help you decide, not guarantees.

Can you service any kitchen? We can service fryers used for general cooking (meat, fish, dairy, gluten, mixed allergens). We cannot service fryers used for allergen-free, gluten-free, coeliac-safe, vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher food. Allergen traces can remain inside equipment and cannot be fully removed between jobs. If your kitchen makes any of these claims, the service isn't suitable.

Do you certify my oil or food as allergen-free or halal? No. We do not certify any fryer, oil or food as allergen-free, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher. Managing allergens and dietary claims remains your responsibility.

Will I lose any oil during filtering? Possibly a small amount. Heavy sludge or debris cannot always be fully extracted, so the returned oil may be slightly less than what came out. You may need to top up the fryer using your own oil. We don't carry replacement oil.

What does the oil-quality test tell me? The VITO FT-440 gives a TPM (Total Polar Materials) reading — the industry-standard measure of frying-oil quality. As oil is used, it naturally breaks down through heat, water and oxygen, creating polar compounds: degradation products that make oil darker, thicker and less effective for frying. We give you a reading on each visit, but deciding when oil has reached the end of its life is always your decision. The test is guidance, not a safety pass — if in doubt, change the oil.

What if my fryer gets damaged? We take care with your equipment. If you believe damage has occurred, please tell our operative before they leave so we can inspect it together. Damage not raised before we leave cannot be attributed to us later.

Which areas do you cover? We serve takeaways, cafés and small kitchens across Chingford, Woodford, Highams Park and nearby areas. Contact us to check if you're on our route.

How do I book? Visit refry.co.uk to book your free trial week. We'll confirm your fryer details and arrange your first visit.