Can you deep fry in a dutch oven
Can you deep fry in a dutch oven?

Can you deep fry in a Dutch oven? Yes, is the simple answer but there are a few more considerations you demand to make.

how to deep fry in cast iron
How to deep fry in cast iron

Given that the level of danger is increased when dealing with very hot oil, you need to consider whether this is the right course of action you are taking. If you are adamant that this is your only option, please proceed merely with extreme care.

If your Dutch oven is enameled, such as those fabricated by Le Creuset or Staub, and then you lot can use these without hurting the enamel in them. They can take the high heat.

Interestingly, Le Creuset land on their website that their Dutch ovens are not to exist used for frying, still there is plenty of testament from users of them doing then without whatever detrimental furnishings. This is down to the possibility of discoloration rather than the ability.

Staub on the other hand state that their Dutch ovens can be used for frying at a medium to high heat.

As with any bandage atomic number 26 Dutch ovens, it is e'er recommended that you lot heat them up slowly rather than on the highest heat setting. The same applies when heating the oil to the temperature you demand. This prevents scorching of the pan and allows for a steady oestrus which is all of import.


Can you deep fry in a Dutch oven?


Can you deep fry in a Dutch oven…How to fry in a Dutch Oven properly!

Safety considerations

Firstly, it is important that you consider safe. It is always recommended that yous have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen should the worst happen. It is all the more of import if y'all are open frying.

If y'all do non have one, then I would recommend that yous have a big tea towel or even a towel set to use should a fire break out. In this scenario, use a damp towel to identify it over the Dutch oven in case of fire. Never throw water on an oil burn. The results can exist catastrophic.

How loftier should I make full it with oil?

Firstly, your Dutch oven should be at least v inches deep. Ideally it will be at to the lowest degree a 6 quart Dutch oven. You will demand at least iii inches to deep fry successfully. In terms of oil, you will need at least 4 cups and perhaps up to six.

If you lot are not certain how high your oven is or the capacity, fill it with i/iii oil. This should get out enough of room for it to rise when the oil is placed inside safely.

deep frying in cast iron dutch oven
Deep frying in cast iron dutch oven

How exercise I know the temperature of the Dutch oven?

It is important that you fry at the correct temperature. If the temperature is also low, your nutrient volition cease up greasy as the food absorbs the oil.

Electric fryers are like shooting fish in a barrel, they tell you exactly what temperature the oil is and switch on and off as required. You do not have this luxury here.

Yous need a thermometer and meat thermometers are smashing for this job, as the punch is at the top and they are relatively long.

Accessories

Recall that Dutch oven does not come with any frying accessories to brand the job simpler. You volition either need to draft in other utensils or improvise…always remembering condom of grade.

Perhaps you may accept a steel basket that yous could lower into your oven or a pair of tongs. Whatsoever method yous choose, call back that the food needs to come out. The oil is hot so whatever method you cull, brand sure it is safe.


Related article

Want to know what the best Dutch ovens are?

All-time Dutch ovens


Tips for Dutch oven frying greatness

  • Always get out enough room for your food to float and movement effectually. This will deliver you better results.
  • You may exist frying several batches and so its of import you are patient. Wait until the oil heats support once you have removed the food and before you put in your next batch.
  • Heat your oil upwardly slowly, it tin can take up to 10 mins on a medium heat.
  • Y'all may want to reuse your oil. The way I store the oil for reuse is to wait until it cools right down, and so employ a funnel with a cheesecloth within it. This catches all the bits while I pour it into Tupperware. I can and so shop the clean oil for reuse.
  • If you want to exit your oil in your Dutch oven, frying an onion in it tin freshen it up.
  • Recollect to squeeze out or pat dry out whatsoever excess water.

How practice I deep fry in a Dutch oven?

It is important to follow the process in order to increase your prophylactic and make the experience more than efficient;

  • Place a cooling rack with some parchment paper to catch the oil next to the Dutch oven.
  • Estrus your oil for up to 10 mins, apply the thermometer to check the temperature. Employ a medium estrus, do not utilise a loftier heat thinking it will exist quicker. Information technology will be but the results volition non exist good.
  • The thermometer should be used in the center of the fryer. Information technology should read 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 177 C and 400 Fahrenheit, 205 C. Thinner foods can melt on a higher heat, thick foods need a lower heat otherwise the exterior volition cook before the within does.
  • Use a medium heat. If your oil is not getting hot, raise the estrus slightly until it does. Then return it to medium heat.
  • But put enough food in so that the food can float around freely. This volition requite y'all the all-time results and even cooking.
  • Leave your food in at that place until it is golden brown.
  • Remove your food safely using whatever method yous take chosen and identify information technology on the cooling rack.
  • Expect until the oil heats up again before yous fry a 2nd batch. Be patient!

Benefits of deep frying in a Dutch oven

  • Keeps rut at a nice even temperature.
  • Heat retention in cast fe backdrop.
  • If maintained, the interior will not discolor.
  • Consistently good frying results.
  • High sides hateful less splatter

Disadvantages of frying using a Dutch Oven

  • Not as safe as a covered electric fryer
  • Ovens tend to exist heavy so clean up afterwards tin can be bad-mannered
  • Can take some time to reheat oil back to temperature
  • Chance of enamel discoloring at high heat
  • Takes time to initially heat upward
  • Constant utilise of thermometer to ensure right estrus of oil

Alternatives to using a Dutch oven

The alternatives really depend on what you are frying. You lot could for example use a cast iron skillet. That selection carries its own risks as the sides are low just if you do not need too much oil, information technology could be used.

You should consider that it is a picayune riskier doing and so in a low sided pan.

The best alternative would e'er be an electrical fryer. They are safer as they are covered and they are very convenient for regulating temperature.


Verdict

Can yous deep fry in a Dutch oven…of grade, you can. It may result in a corking cooking experience but every bit nosotros described earlier, you demand to mitigate the risks and make sure you follow the correct process.

Failure to minimize the risks can be dangerous, just this is also the case for any cooking with oil.

If your Dutch oven is the only pan y'all have appropriate, employ it with confidence.

If you are looking to buy a new Dutch oven, have a look at our commodity on the best Dutch ovens. We accept done the research for y'all…the all-time buys for all budgets.


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It would be actually nice if you couldsharethis image onsocial media…information technology's just a couple of clicks for yous but it ways the world to me.

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Citations

Wikipedia