Instructions

1. Fill a large, deep pot with oil. There isn't a rule on how much oil to use unless you have a specific recipe. Just fill the pot and make sure there's enough oil to cover whatever you're deep frying. Use vegetable or canola oil --- any oil that doesn't have a strong taste.

2. Place the pot on the stove and turn the temperature knob to the highest temperature. Sporadically measure the temperature with the thermometer. Heat the oil until it hits 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Cover a plate with a paper towel. The towel will absorb excess oil from the item you're cooking while it cools.

5. Lower the temperature knob on your stove once the oil hits 325 degrees Fahrenheit. You'll need to keep the temperature constant, so keep an eye on the thermometer. Oil burns at around 400 degrees, so be careful not to let it get too hot. However, the food won't cook correctly if the oil cools too much.

6. Place the item you want to deep fry on a long spoon. Lower the spoon into the oil gradually to avoid oil splashes. Release the item into the oil by tilting the spoon until the food falls off, and then lift the spoon from the oil.

7. Wait until the outside of the item you're cooking turns golden brown. Keep an eye on the clock to see how much time has passed. Remove the item carefully with the long spoon once it turns brown.

8. Place the item on the paper towel-covered plate. Cut it open to see if it has cooked the entire way through. If the food hasn't fully cooked, return to the oil until it does.

9. Place the remaining items you wish to deep-fry into the oil, one by one with the spoon. Fry them for the same amount of time it took for the test item to cook through.