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You might love cooking, but it is not as easy a task as it may appear to be. There are several challenges that you may encounter while working in the kitchen. Often, it happens that you either run out of some ingredients or have leftovers in the fridge. There are several hacks that can help you with your crises.
One of the troublesome incidents that happens in the kitchen is when you temper spices or add food to the oil for frying without it reaching the right temperature. There are several recipes that require you to determine that the oil you’re using is at the appropriate temperature. In such cases, a kitchen thermometer comes in handy. For the unversed, a kitchen thermometer helps in measuring the temperature of different foods and even oil. In most Indian households, there is no kitchen thermometer, but there are several ways to identify the exact temperature.
This article will provide you with some ways by which you can determine the right cooking temperature for the oil. Take a look:
- Wooden Spoon Test
This is one of the effective ways to check oil temperature without a kitchen thermometer. To perform this test, all you need to do is immerse the tip of the wooden spoon into the oil and observe the reaction. If bubbles form around the spoon and gradually float to the surface, the oil is hot enough for frying. If the bubbles form too vigorously, this means the oil is too hot.
- Popcorn Kernel Test
This is another effective test for gauging oil temperature without relying on a kitchen thermometer. Drop a single popcorn kernel into the oil. If the kernel immediately begins to spin and pop, the temperature of the oil is perfect for frying. The popcorn kernel with pop is just like it does in the kadai or a pressure cooker. If this reaction doesn’t take place, it means that the oil is too low or too high. The quick reaction of the popcorn indicates that the oil temperature is good enough to produce crispy and evenly cooked fried food.
- Dough Test
A dough test is a simple and effective way to check the oil temperature. This can be achieved by pinching off a small piece of dough and dropping it in the oil. If the dough begins to sizzle and bubbles form around it, it indicates that the oil is hot enough. However, if the dough comes up and browns quickly, this means that you need to reduce the temperature as the oil has become too hot. Ensure consistent frying temperature for perfectly cooked treats. Apart from dough, you can also use a small amount of batter to check the oil temperature.
- Bread Test
Bread is something that is available in the kitchen most of the time. Do you know that bread can be used to check the oil temperature? It is an effective method to check the right temperature of the oil. The method involves dropping a small piece of bread into the heated oil. As soon as the bread hits the hot oil, it swiftly absorbs heat and begins to fry. If the temperature is ideal, it would not take more than 60 seconds to brown. However, if it takes long enough to brown, the oil is not hot enough.
- Visual Cues
Lastly, it is one of the prominent indicators to gauge oil temperature without a kitchen thermometer. All you need to do is observe the change in the behaviour of the oil carefully. As it heats, the oil will gradually begin to shimmer, which will lead to the development of a wavy surface texture. Eventually, wisps of smoke will start to rise from the oil. Make sure the oil does not reach beyond the smoking point, as it will burn the oil. Adjust the temperature accordingly.
