You’ve done your research. You’ve selected the best deep fryer available, and now you’re ready to get cooking. But now you find yourself with one last question: what is the best oil for frying? There are so many different types of cooking oil to choose from! Luckily for you, the staff at At Least We Fried has put together a comprehensive guide to the best types of deep fryer oil.
What makes the best oil for frying?
There are more cooking oils than you can shake a corn dog at. Many oils that are great for some cooking tasks aren’t appropriate for deep frying, however. Every type of cooking oil has the same three attributes: smoke point, flavor, and price. We discuss all three attributes below.
Smoke Point
The smoke point of a type of oil is the most important factor because it directly relates to your safety. The smoke point is the temperature at which specific oil begins to emit visible, bluish smoke. Oils heated above their smoke point can dramatically affect the flavor of food, and if heated high enough above the smoke point a type of oil can cause a fire. Many oils commonly used in cooking like olive oil can’t be used in your deep fryer because of their low smoke points.
Flavor
Another important consideration is whether or not the oil you choose will alter the taste of your food. There are many oils with extremely high smoke points that are safe enough for any fryer. However, many of those oils have a distinct flavor. Avocado oil, for example, has a smoke point high enough that it is perfectly safe to use in your deep fryer. Unfortunately, avocado oil has a slightly nutty taste that will alter the flavor of your food.
The ideal frying oil will cook your food while leaving its flavor intact. That means an oil with a truly neutral flavor is your best option.
Price
Price is the third major consideration when choosing fryer oil. Obviously, your budget may vary, but there’s no reason to overspend on fryer oil. This is especially true when all of your disposable income should go towards deep fryers! (Editor’s Note: Don’t take financial advice from a blog about fried food)
Some oils with a good smoke point and neutral flavor are otherwise a poor option. For example, coconut oil has a high enough smoke point and a neutral flavor. It’s almost generally much healthier than other fryer oils. However, the cost of coconut oil is typically 5 – 10 times more expensive than other oils.
Best deep fryer oil
The best type of frying oil is a heated debate among enthusiasts but for our money,
we prefer peanut oil. Why is peanut oil great for deep frying? It has a smoke point of around 450 degrees Fahrenheit, has a neutral flavor, and is relatively inexpensive. What’s more, because of the low saturated fat it contains, peanut oil is healthier than many other options like shortening or lard. It’s these advantages that lead major restaurant chains like Five Guys Burgers and Fries to exclusively use peanut oil.
Snappy Pure Peanut Oil
The top-selling peanut oil on Amazon, this straight-forward oil is great for popcorn, deep fryers, or even frying turkeys. This 1-gallon jug provides enough oil for any non-commercial deep fryer.
LouAna Pure Peanut Oil
Bakers and Chefs 100% Peanut Oil
Can you reuse frying oil?
Yes, you can reuse deep frying oil. The biggest issue with reusing oil is that there is no hard and fast rule on how many times you can use the oil again. Luckily, it’s not difficult to determine if oil can be used again. Your oil will give off a few noticeable signs it needs to be replaced. First, oil that has come to the end of its lifespan will be dark and dirty look. The oil will also give off a gross, fishy odor that will be impossible to miss. You’ll also notice the oil will smoke at a much lower smoke point than normal. Once your oil exhibits these signs it’s time to replace it.
Want to know our top tip for reusing your fryer oil? Don’t throw away the container it came in and reuse that for storage. Funneling your used oil back into the original container saves you from needing additional storage, and obviously, it will be a perfect size.
How To Store Deep Fryer Oil
If you plan on re-using fryer oil you can store it for long periods of time under certain conditions. Stored properly, your oil will taste brand new months later. Stored incorrectly, however, your oil will give off a rancid taste and odor that will ruin your food. The key to storing deep fryer oil is to avoid exposure to air or sunlight.
The first step in re-using your oil starts with removing as much of the food debris from the oil as possible. Once your oil has cooled, strain it through a cheesecloth as you funnel it back into the original container. The cheesecloth will remove as many food particles as possible, which will extend the life of the oil.
Once the oil is strained, seal the container and find a cool, dark place to store it. The storage location can impact the life of your oil greatly. Storing the oil in a dark cupboard is fine for a month or less. Some deep fryers, including the T-Fal 8000, offer oil storage inside the fryer itself. Any longer than that and it is recommended to store the oil in a large freezer. Oil kept in a dark freezer should be good for up to 90 days.
What’s Next?
Looking for more tips now that you’ve got your oil selected? Check out our guide on how to use your deep fryer, see our top ten best deep fryers, or read our review of the best deep fryer on the market.
