Cooking oils are used to change the flavor and texture of a variety of foods. By choosing nutrient-dense oils, such as olive oil and coconut oil, you can increase the nutritional value of your food. Some oils are higher in saturated fat than others. Consuming high amounts of saturated fat has been linked to high cholesterol and heart disease. A quick test at home will allow you to determine which of your cooking oils has the lowest amount of saturated fat.
Step 1
Place a cast-iron pan, without nonstick coating, on the stove for each type of oil you will be testing. For example, if you are testing two types of oil, place two pans on the stove. Pans with nonstick coating may be damaged in this experiment.
Step 2
Turn the stove on to medium-high heat, or 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Wait at least two minutes for the burners and pans to heat up if you are using an electric stove. Wait at least one minute if using a gas stove.
Step 3
Pour 1 tbsp. of oil into each pan.
Step 4
Watch the oil carefully, noting which oil produces smoke first. The first oil to smoke is lowest in saturated fat. The last oil to produce smoke is highest in saturated fat.
Things You'll Need
- Cast-iron pans
- Cooking oils
- Stove
- Tablespoon
References
- "Food and Nutrition for Every Kid: Easy Activities That Make Learning Science Fun"; Janice Pratt VanCleave; 1999
- "Health Science Projects About Nutrition"; Robert Gardner; 2002
- "Contemporary Nutrition"; Gordon M. Wardlaw, et al.; 2007
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