Deep Frying - 3 Ways to Check the Oil Temperature Without a Thermometer

Have you ever looked at a recipe that called for oil to be heated to 350 or 370 or whatever for frying and wondered how, without a deep frying thermometer, you can possibly know when the oil is hot enough for frying?

Well, I certainly have.

Here are 3 ways to test the temperatures of oil for deep frying to see if it’s ready that don’t require an oil safe thermometer.

How to Test Oil Temperature

Deep frying is normally done at between 360 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit and the following methods are designed to indicate when the oil reaches this temperature point

1. Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a wooden chopstick. When the oil has preheated, dip the handle of a wooden spoon or a chopstick into the oil. If the oil starts steadily bubbling, then the oil is hot enough for frying. If the oil bubbles very very vigorously, then the oil is too hot and needs to cool off a touch. If no or very few bubbles pop up – then it’s not hot enough.
2. The old Joy of Cooking method – drop a 1 inch square of bread into the oil. If it takes 60 seconds to brown, then the oil is at 365.
3. The Cooks Illustrated Method – drop a single kernel of popcorn into the oil as you heat it. The kernel will pop as the oil reaches between 350 and 360 degrees. (Remove the kernel, eat it, and start frying)

Remember that no matter what temperature you start at, overcrowding the pan will result in a dramatic temperature drop and oily food – so don’t spend a lot of effort ensuring the correct temperature only to waste your effort by dumping in a mountain of frozen French fries, for example!

As a last resort – buy a deep fry thermometer!

Seriously, you’ll never regret picking up instruments of measurement in the kitchen and so just you need an instant read thermometer for checking roasts and BBQ, you might as well get an deep fry thermometer for perfect crispy and non-greasy fry-ups every time!