Deep Fry Oil

Learn about the different types of deep fry oil to make the best choice for your deep fried fish. When done successfully, a fish fry is one of the most delectable dishes you can make - and then serve to friends and family. The key features or attributes that are important to remember about deep fry oil are:
  1. Type of Oil or Source
  2. Type of Fat Present (Saturated, Monounsaturated, Polyunsaturated)
  3. Smoke Point - temperature at which the oil begins to smoke (burn and change its basic character)
  4. Most Common Use of Oils


Deep Fry Oil Characteristics

Type of Oil
Saturated
Mono Unsat.
Poly Unsat.
Smoke Point -- C / F
Uses
Canola
6%
62%
32%
242 / 468
F,B,SD
Almond
8%
66%
26%
221 / 430
B.S.F
Safflower
10%
13%
77%
265 / 509
C, SD, M
Sunflower
11%
20%
69%
246 / 475
C, SD, M
Corn
13%
25%
62%
236 / 457
F, B, SD, M
Olive - Extra Light
14%
73%
11%
242 / 468
ST, SF, F, C, SD,M
Olive - Extra Virgin
14%
73%
11%
190 / 374
C, SD, M
Olive - Refined
14%
73%
11%
225 / 437
ST, SF, C, SD, M
Olive - Virgin
14%
73%
11%
215 / 419
C, SD, M
Soybean
15%
24%
61%
241 / 466
C, SD, VO, M
Peanut
18%
49%
33%
231 / 448
F, C, SD, M
Rice Bran
20%
47%
33%
254 / 489
C. F, SD
Cottonseed
24%
26%
50%
216 / 421
M, SD, F
Palm
52%
38%
10%
230 / 446
C, Flvng, VO
Coconut
92%
6%
2%
177 / 351
B, Candy, Whipped Toppings
Chart Adapted From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking_oil; Different methods of testing can yield different percentages of fat and smoke points. These numbers of comparison are meant to be directionally correct and used as a guide and are shared according to guidelines at: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Be sure to use a fry thermometer to keep from burning the oil, and also keep the temperature of the oil at the proper level for frying,.


Frying Precautions

Deep Frying Oil can catch on fire - be careful to not spill it near the fire source.  This is very common when dipping large quantities of meat into a rather full container of hot oil.  As a rule of thumb, never fill your container more than half full of oil  In fact, although we are talking about frying fish, when frying a large object like a turkey, remember that object will displace a large quantity of hot oil.  Never just drop your basket of meat into the oil without realizing just how close to the top the oil is going to come.  If it appears to be ready to overflow, stop, stop, stop!  Allow your fish fry oil to cool down before trying to remove it from your fry pan.  Never dispose of your oil down the drain or in the street.  Find a collection center that recycles used fish fry oil - This can be recycled and used for among other things - BioDiesel.


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