Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Geezer on 24/07/2011 03:23:54

Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Geezer on 24/07/2011 03:23:54
Some people make chips by deep frying them twice. Once to soften them, then they remove them from the oil for a few minutes then fry them a second time at a higher temperature to brown them.

I think this might result in a higher fact content compared to chips that have only been fried once. Might this be true?

(BTW, "chips" = French fries.)
Title: Re: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: RD on 24/07/2011 04:31:08
May be other health considerations other than fact fat content ...

Quote
Acrylamide also occurs in many cooked starchy foods and is of concern as a possible carcinogen. Acrylamide was accidentally discovered in foods in April 2002 by scientists in Sweden when they found the chemical in starchy foods, such as potato chips, French fries, and bread that had been heated (production of acrylamide in the heating process was shown to be temperature-dependent). It was not found in food that had been boiled or in foods that were not heated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylamide
Title: Re: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Geezer on 24/07/2011 05:53:22
Please don't bother me with facts  [;D]
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Don_1 on 24/07/2011 12:07:43
It does appear to be that reheated oil results in trans fats, but would this be the case where the period between the residual oil on the chip cooling and being reheated is so short? Anyway the chips have a far better texture when double fried.
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Geezer on 24/07/2011 16:53:39
I was wondering if it makes them "inhale" more oil. While they are frying, all those nice little bubbles are water coming out of the spud (I know this is true because my glasses steam up). When they cool down, might oil get drawn in to replace some of the water?

Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: CZARCAR on 24/07/2011 17:39:34
i guess the first dip/cooling would result in a grease coating on the chip so its better sealed for the second dip/final fry & contain better the water in the chip?
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: imatfaal on 25/07/2011 09:49:12
Some people triple-cook them!  My favourite feeding trough in the smoke insist its the only way - once parboiled, one deep fry, cool and quick dip to reheat and crisp off.  The chef said it is the best way to get fluffy inside - yet crisp outside.  Absolutely great chips - gotta be full of bad stuff tho!  I think the reheating is more likely to convert poly-un to saturated fat
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Airthumbs on 25/07/2011 12:03:30
I only use oven chips as they avoid the oil completely.....  [;D]
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: imatfaal on 25/07/2011 12:48:34
I only use oven chips as they avoid the oil completely.....  [;D]

They kinda avoid the taste of chips as well
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: CZARCAR on 25/07/2011 17:42:04
I only use oven chips as they avoid the oil completely.....  [;D]

They kinda avoid the taste of chips as well
add MSG
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Airthumbs on 25/07/2011 17:52:12
They kinda avoid the taste of chips as well

Better then the taste of a heart attack   [;D]
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Geezer on 25/07/2011 19:26:37
Eweoooo - I might have to try the parboiling idea. Thanks!
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: CZARCAR on 25/07/2011 19:37:18
& i thunk what if u let chips dehydrate in a frostfree fridge prior to frying?
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Geezer on 26/07/2011 00:21:34
& i thunk what if u let chips dehydrate in a frostfree fridge prior to frying?

Wouldn't that take the water out? I think the idea is to keep the water in so they are nice and creamy in the inside. The trick is no achieve that without them becoming soggy.
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Don_1 on 26/07/2011 08:11:59
& i thunk what if u let chips dehydrate in a frostfree fridge prior to frying?

So far as I recall, fresh potato does not freeze well, suffering from frost bite. However, if par boiled, they can be frozen. I have a feeling that this is the method employed by the industry for frozen uncooked chips.
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Airthumbs on 26/07/2011 18:14:50
Fish and chips, mmmmmmm
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Geezer on 27/07/2011 20:47:54
Tried parboiling for ten minutes.

The chips ended up with a very crisp outer shell, but the insides seemed to have shrunk. The outer surfaces of the chips were slightly concave. Perhaps they lost too much water?

I'll give it another shot with a five minute boil. (For reference, altitude here is 2,000 feet.)
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Don_1 on 28/07/2011 08:11:38
Ten minutes might have been a bit too long even for quite a fat cut chip and certainly for the skinny French fry. I would have gone for 5 minutes for a fat cut steak chip. After draining off the water, give them a good shake in the saucepan.

What spuds were you using? King Edward, Maris Piper, Rooster & Sante are reckoned to be the best for chips, failing that Desiree is a good 'all rounder'.



I'd give it a go myself, but I only have to get the frying pan out and 'er indoors pounces. There's only one way a frying pan get's used in the abode..... (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesmilies.com%2Fsmilies%2Fsilly%2Ffryingpan.gif&hash=9888e9ff2bdb9669746c64653f625d83) (http://www.thesmilies.com)
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Geezer on 28/07/2011 19:04:25
You're right Don. I tried just over four minutes last night with much better results. They tasted similar to roast potatoes and the combination of crunch and softness was pretty good.

The variety is a bit of a mystery. They are yellow, and were grown in California, which is a bit ridiculous as I live in Idaho - the center of the potato universe.

I have to complete all experiments in the next few days before Mrs G returns. I may be able to extend that a bit if I use the fryer outside so the place doesn't smell so much like a chippie.
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: CZARCAR on 28/07/2011 20:52:32
doesnt lard have a higher burning point?= higher frying temp
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Don_1 on 29/07/2011 08:03:44
Lard??????? (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fsurprised%2F5.gif&hash=940d25ac0bbbcda8defb6d168f2ed830)

OMG, you can't even mention lard, you'll have the health nutters going berserk.


(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fwhisper%2F1.gif&hash=db918971f030faf40b08885a7e90d2fe)"Take cover, someone used the 'L' word!" (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fscared%2F5.gif&hash=11693cffecee1ecfa482056cad7e962d)
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: imatfaal on 29/07/2011 10:05:36
Forget lard - that's for whimps.  In my old chippy in leeds (where I was a chronically unhealthy student) they used to use beef dripping for frying chips - marvellous
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Don_1 on 29/07/2011 15:28:30
Beef dripping?????

LOOK OUT, the animal rights freaks are coming..... and the health freaks...... and the eco freaks ......... and....... and.......(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fmarching%2F1.gif&hash=b09a93bfd0203f1b3015a338b421edf3)

I'm outtta here! (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smileyshut.com%2Ffree-scared-smileys-366%5B1%5D.gif&hash=aa2f3c25ddd9dba4561115f445fc7db7)
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: CZARCAR on 29/07/2011 16:21:57
breastmilk is best 4 babies? maybe human fat is healthiest 4 frying.
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: imatfaal on 29/07/2011 16:36:56
the first rule of fight club is dont talk about how we make our chips
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: CZARCAR on 29/07/2011 17:09:09
parboil in breastmilk & fry in human fat?
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: imatfaal on 29/07/2011 17:55:49
mmmm!
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Bored chemist on 29/07/2011 20:42:35
breastmilk is best 4 babies? maybe human fat is healthiest 4 frying.

Nope, because we are top level predators our fats tent to contain rather high concentrations of persistent organic pollutants like DDT. I once read that average Americans were not fit for human consumption because of this. Though the levels may have dropped a bit, I'd still go with olive oil.
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: Geezer on 30/07/2011 03:51:02

I once read that average Americans were not fit for human consumption because of this.
 


You better include a lot of average UKnians. The UK was awash in DDT too.
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: CZARCAR on 30/07/2011 15:27:54
breastmilk is best 4 babies? maybe human fat is healthiest 4 frying.

Nope, because we are top level predators our fats tent to contain rather high concentrations of persistent organic pollutants like DDT. I once read that average Americans were not fit for human consumption because of this. Though the levels may have dropped a bit, I'd still go with olive oil.
olive oil was/is popeyes GF & she didnt have much fat
Title: Are once fried chips healthier?
Post by: CZARCAR on 31/07/2011 16:47:16
try patting chips dry with a paper towel be4 frying?