How can you determine if oil is hot enough for frying?

The method of checking the shimmer of the oil or using a wooden spoon to see if bubbles form is a reliable indicator that the oil is hot enough for frying. When oil reaches the right temperature, it will start to shimmer, indicating that it is hot and ready for cooking. The presence of small bubbles forming around a wooden spoon inserted into the oil signifies that it has reached the ideal temperature for frying. This approach offers a visual cue that cooks can easily observe without the need for specialized tools.

While measuring the temperature with an infrared thermometer is a precise method, it is not as accessible in a typical kitchen setting. Adding a small piece of food to see if it sizzles is also a common practice, but it can lead to unpredictable results and may not always indicate the exact temperature. Similarly, observing the color of the smoke produced by the oil is not a safe or reliable method, as different oils have different smoke points, and waiting for smoke can lead to burning the oil and altering the flavor of the food.