BajaNomad - Oil temp for frying?

Oil temp for frying?

Santiago - 10-28-2012 at 08:51 AM

On our last trip there was a discussion on frying some chicken instead of grilling. OK, I pull out the cast iron skillet, fill it with canola oil. AND before you start saying this is the wrong oil, SWMBO will not use anything else because, and I quote, "It's better for you" - so don't even go there.
Anywho, I was asked where the cooking thermometer was - huh? Who does that? I just follow my mothers technique: turn on the heat to high and when the oil gets a little jiggley, test with a couple of drops of water and if they water-spider across the top, turn the heat to med-med/hi and start cooking. Do I really need an oil thermometer?

And this really speaks to a larger issue - ten years ago there were only two things that were needed: enough ice to cool the beer for tomorrow's fishing trip and enough gas for same. Everything else was very, very minor. Now I can't leave the driveway for a Baja trip with being asked if I packed enough toilet paper.

DENNIS - 10-28-2012 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago
Do I really need an oil thermometer?

Yes. 375 °
Get one, Jim. They don't cost much.

watizname - 10-28-2012 at 09:01 AM

Boy, oh boy. You hit the nail on the head with the "larger issue." Time was fishing gear, and coolers for the beer, was all you needed to pack. The rest just seemed to take care of itself. :cool:

Curt63 - 10-28-2012 at 09:14 AM

I fry at about 365.

Temperature is critical. Too high and you risk a fire or huge splatters. Too cold and you soak the meat with oil and have greasy food.

I like the digital thermometers with a probe at the end of a long (24") cord.

You might consider a little wire mesh scooper on a handle to remove all the little bits and pieces of loose batter.

After frying I salt the food.

Buen Provecho!

J.P. - 10-28-2012 at 09:27 AM

When frying fish we use the old kitchen Match test.
Throw a unlit kitchen match in the oil if it Ignited the oil is hot enough to fry with. :yes:

DENNIS - 10-28-2012 at 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P.
When frying fish we use the old kitchen Match test.
Throw a unlit kitchen match in the oil if it Ignited the oil is hot enough to fry with. :yes:

What's a kitchen match? :lol:

durrelllrobert - 10-28-2012 at 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P.
When frying fish we use the old kitchen Match test.
Throw a unlit kitchen match in the oil if it Ignited the oil is hot enough to fry with. :yes:

...and it adds that requisite sulphur flavor to everything you fry :lol:

luv2fish - 10-28-2012 at 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P.
When frying fish we use the old kitchen Match test.
Throw a unlit kitchen match in the oil if it Ignited the oil is hot enough to fry with. :yes:

How about the oil catches fire?? What is a " kitchen Match" ??

bkbend - 10-28-2012 at 10:46 AM

Use peanut oil, monosaturated like canola but better tasting and a higher smoking point. Heat till just starts to smoke then back off the heat a little. Add food to cook and temp will drop into that 365-375 cooking range.

Martyman - 10-29-2012 at 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bkbend
Use peanut oil, monosaturated like canola but better tasting and a higher smoking point. Heat till just starts to smoke then back off the heat a little. Add food to cook and temp will drop into that 365-375 cooking range.

Exactly- the oil needs to smoke.

Skipjack Joe - 10-29-2012 at 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago

And this really speaks to a larger issue - ten years ago there were only two things that were needed: enough ice to cool the beer for tomorrow's fishing trip and enough gas for same. Everything else was very, very minor. Now I can't leave the driveway for a Baja trip with being asked if I packed enough toilet paper.

You went without toilet paper 10 yrs ago? What did you use? Ocotillo branches aren't very absorbant.

Skipjack Joe - 10-29-2012 at 09:59 AM

Thermapen seems to be the cadillac of these thermometers. This one reads to 570 degrees. Not cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Splash-Proof-Super-Fast-Thermapen-Thermometer-Professional/dp/B002GIZZWM/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1351529760 &sr=1-1&keywords=thermapen

DENNIS - 10-29-2012 at 10:21 AM

I use a thermometer, but here are some alternate methods:

http://johndlee.hubpages.com/hub/Deep-Frying-3-Ways-to-Check...

Cypress - 10-29-2012 at 02:02 PM

A few drops of water in the skillet will let you know, when they pop and sizzle the oil is hot enough to fry.

Turkey Fryer

bajaguy - 10-29-2012 at 02:09 PM

Just go to Home Depot or Lowe's.....where they have their Turkey fryers.....thermometers usually are there with other frying supplies