Lincat Gas Fryers Compared: J5, J10, Opus 800 and DF4/P
Last updated: October 2026
In 30 seconds:
- Lincat makes four propane fryers that we stock: the J5 (from £1,699), the J10 (from £2,749), the Opus 800 OG8110/P (from £3,282) and the counter-top DF4/P (from £1,399).
- The J10 is the busy-kitchen choice. It has two separate 12-litre tanks, a 24kW heat input and a listed output of up to 46kg of chilled chips an hour.
- The DF4/P is the van and trailer choice. It sits on a counter, holds 8 litres of oil and Lincat calls it ideal for mobile operations.
- Order the propane version. Lincat’s manual says the J5 and J10 are not intended for conversion between gas types, so the gas you order is the gas you keep.
Most people choose a fryer by price. Then they find it will not fit the gap, or it needs a canopy they do not have.
Lincat’s Silverlink 600 and Opus 800 gas fryers are a widely trusted choice for UK pubs, takeaways, cafés and chip shops. This review compares all four propane models we stock: what each one fries, what it needs, and who should pick which.
Lincat gas fryers at a glance
| Spec | J5 | J10 | Opus 800 OG8110/P | DF4/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Free-standing | Free-standing | Free-standing | Counter-top |
| Width | 300mm | 600mm | 300mm | 450mm |
| Tanks and baskets | 1 tank, 1 basket | 2 tanks, 2 baskets | 1 tank, 1 basket | 1 tank, 2 baskets |
| Oil | 12 litres | 12 litres per tank | 14 litres | 8 litres |
| Chips per hour | 22.5kg | 46kg chilled | 32kg (listing) | 25kg chilled |
| Heat input | See note | 24kW | Not listed | 10.5kW |
| Price | from £1,699 | from £2,749 | from £3,282 | from £1,399 |
The J5 and J10 figures come from Lincat’s current installation manual and our listings. The DF4/P figures come from Lincat’s spec sheet. The Opus 800 figures come from our product listing, as we do not hold its gas manual.
Note on the J5: we have left out its heat input. Lincat’s manual and our listing give different figures, and we would rather show nothing than the wrong number. Its propane use is clear, though: 0.86kg an hour at full rate.
Lincat J5: the slim single-tank fryer
Quick specs
- Model: Silverlink 600 J5/P (propane)
- Width: 300mm
- Oil: one 12-litre tank, one basket
- Output: 22.5kg of chips an hour
- Propane use: 0.86kg an hour at full rate
- Thermostat: 110°C to 190°C
- Price: from £1,699
- View the Lincat J5 propane fryer
Best for
Pubs, restaurants and care homes that fry chips as a side, not as the main event. At 300mm wide, it slots into a gap beside a range or griddle.
What you get
A cool zone collects crumbs and cooking debris, so the oil lasts longer. The pilot lights with a piezo igniter, and a flame failure device and top temperature cut-out keep it safe.
Honest trade-off
One tank means one oil. If you fry fish and chips together, the flavours will mix. That is when the J10 earns its extra cost.
Lincat J10: the twin-tank workhorse
Quick specs
- Model: Silverlink 600 J10/P (propane)
- Width: 600mm
- Oil: two separate 12-litre tanks, two baskets
- Heat input: 24kW on propane
- Output: 46kg of chilled chips an hour, or 36kg frozen
- Propane use: 1.72kg an hour at full rate
- Thermostat: 110°C to 190°C
- Price: from £2,749
- View the Lincat J10 propane fryer
Best for
Takeaways, busy pubs and any menu with fish, chicken and chips on it. Two tanks keep flavours apart, and you can run one side when trade is quiet.
Why two tanks matter
Each side is its own fryer. Lincat’s manual even has the engineer set the gas pressure on each side separately.
That means chips can sit at one temperature while fish cooks at another. At the end of a rush, turn one side down to save propane and oil.
Honest trade-off
It burns twice the propane of the J5 at full rate. Fryers cycle on the thermostat, so real use is lower, but budget for a bigger gas bill.
Lincat Opus 800 OG8110/P: the heavy-duty single tank
Quick specs
- Model: Opus 800 OG8110/P (propane)
- Width and depth: 300mm wide, 800mm deep
- Oil: one 14-litre tank, one basket
- Output: 32kg an hour, per the listing
- Cooking area: 190 x 470mm
- Weight: 60kg
- Price: from £3,282
Best for
Fish and chip shops, smaller takeaways and fast food kitchens that fry all day. It is built for the heavy demands of a commercial kitchen, not an occasional side order.
What sets it apart
The burners heat the tank from outside, so the inside of the pan is clear and quick to wipe. Oil drains through a 28mm valve straight into a container, with no external pipe to attach.
It runs on a millivolt gas valve, so it needs no electrical supply. A gravity filtration accessory can be added later.
Honest trade-off
It costs nearly twice as much as the J5 for the same width. Our listing does not give its heat input or say whether the 32kg output is chilled or frozen chips, so compare it with care.
Lincat DF4/P: the counter-top fryer for vans
The DF4/P has its own full review, so here is the short version. Read our Lincat DF4/P propane fryer review for the detail.
- Width: 450mm, on a counter or a matching Lincat stand
- Oil: one 8-litre tank with two baskets
- Heat input: 10.5kW
- Output: 25kg of chilled chips an hour, or 16kg frozen
- Thermostat: 110°C to 190°C
- Price: from £1,399
Lincat describes it as ideal for mobile operations as well as cafés, pubs and restaurants. Two baskets in one tank let you cook two loads at once, but they share the same oil.
Our listing notes that the warranty is parts only when the DF4/P is used for mobile catering.
Which Lincat gas fryer should you buy?
- Chips as a side in a pub or café: the J5.
- Fish, chicken and chips in a takeaway: the J10.
- A chip shop frying all day: the Opus 800 or the J10, depending on space and budget.
- A food van, trailer or kiosk: the DF4/P.
If you run a van and want two separate tanks on a counter, compare our Infernus countertop twin-tank fryer review. For every propane fryer side by side, see our best LPG fryer buying guide.
What you need before you fry
- A propane supply at the right pressure. The manual lists a propane supply pressure of 37 to 50 mbar for the J5 and J10. On a 50 mbar supply, it calls for a governor to bring it down to 37 mbar.
- Extraction. Lincat says to site the J5 and J10 beneath an extraction canopy, with enough fresh air for the burners.
- A fixed floor for the J5. The manual says the J5 must be fixed to the floor with the brackets supplied. That is worth knowing before you plan a trailer around it.
- A qualified installer. Every gas fryer must be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer, using a hose suited to catering appliances.
- Space for draining. Allow the oil to cool below 55°C before you drain it, and keep a safe container ready.
The biggest mistake: ordering the wrong gas
The J5 and J10 listings offer both propane and natural gas versions. It is easy to pick the wrong one in a hurry.
Lincat’s manual says these fryers are not intended for conversion between gas types. So a natural gas fryer is not a quick fix for a propane kitchen.
Check the code before you order. The propane models end in /P, such as J5/P, J10/P and OG8110/P.
And use propane, not butane. Butane struggles in cold weather, and propane is the standard gas for UK commercial catering.
Looking after a Lincat fryer
Do not overload the baskets. The manual gives a maximum cooking load of 1.5kg per basket on the J5 and J10.
Filter the oil often and change it before it darkens or foams. Old oil has a lower flashpoint and is more likely to surge.
When the fryer is not in use, turn it to the pilot position. The oil lasts longer, and the fryer is ready to relight when you need it. Our guide on how to clean an LPG fryer and change the oil walks through the full routine.
FAQs
Which Lincat gas fryer is best for a takeaway?
The J10 suits most takeaways. It has two separate 12-litre tanks, so fish and chips never share oil, and our listing rates it at up to 46kg of chilled chips an hour. Busy chip shops may also look at the Opus 800.
How much propane does a Lincat J10 use?
Lincat’s manual gives 1.72kg of propane an hour at full rate for the J10, and 0.86kg for the J5. The burners cut in and out on the thermostat, so real use over a shift is lower than the full-rate figure.
What is the difference between the Lincat J5 and J10?
The J5 has one 12-litre tank and is 300mm wide. The J10 has two 12-litre tanks and is 600mm wide, with about double the chip output. Pick the J10 if you fry more than one type of food.
Can I convert a Lincat gas fryer from natural gas to propane?
No, plan on keeping the gas you order. Lincat’s manual says the J5 and J10 are not intended for conversion between gas types. Order the propane version, which ends in /P, for a propane supply.
Is the Lincat DF4/P suitable for a food van?
Yes. Lincat describes the DF4/P as ideal for mobile operations. It is a 450mm counter-top fryer with an 8-litre tank and two baskets. Note that our listing says its warranty is parts only for mobile catering use.
How hot does a Lincat gas fryer get?
The J5, J10 and DF4/P thermostats run from 110°C to 190°C. Each also has a top temperature cut-out that shuts the fryer down if the oil overheats.
How long is the warranty on Lincat gas fryers?
Our listings give 2 years parts and labour on the J5, J10 and Opus 800. The DF4/P also has 2 years, but our listing says it is parts only when used for mobile catering.
Can I buy a Lincat fryer on lease finance?
Yes. Orders over £1,000 can be spread on lease finance, so you buy the fryer and pay over time. All four Lincat gas fryers in this review are priced above that level.