I've read and heard that it's dangerous to cook with olive oil on medium-high heat. Is this true?

Question

I've read and heard that it's dangerous to cook with olive oil on medium-high heat. Is this true?
I've read also that it releases toxic radicals, which is why it's smells funky when it's heated in a pan like that.
I'm planning to make a hummus later, which requires me to heat up olive oil.

Is this stuff true about olive oil, though? Please help. Thanks!

Answer 1

I don't know if it is dangerous but I know that you can't heat olive oil real hot. I use it all the time for sauteing, but only under low-medium heat.

Answer 2

No heating olive oil is not dangerous. It is only dangerous if you heat it to a broil, and it steams up and boils over the pan. It is safe to heat as long as you don't get it too hot. Medium high heat is ok, but if the oil broils over turn the heat down. If it hits the burner when it broils over it can catch fire. If this happens put a cover over the pan or pot, and put it out with a properer fire extinguisher.

Answer 3

LIGHT olive oils can be used for HIGH-HEAT frying, because
the filtration process for this light-style oil also gives it a higher smoke point than regular olive oil.

Whereas regular olive oil is better suited for LOW- to MEDIUM-HEAT cooking, as well as for many uncooked foods such as salad dressings and marinades.

The Facts: Excessively heating olive oil will evaporate the alcohols and esters which make up its delicate taste and fragrance. Heating olive oil will not change its health aspects, only the flavor. Use a cheaper olive oil which doesn't have much flavor to begin with if you want to fry with it, add a more flavorful olive oil after cooking or at the table.

Olive oil is a great oil for cooking. Strong flavored olive oils can be used for frying fish or other strong flavored ingredients. A mellow late harvest Mission variety oil could be used in baking a cake. Olive oil has a high smoke point, 410 degrees F, and doesn't degrade as quickly as many other oils do with repeated high heating. Use a variety of healthy vegetable oils when preparing food and incorporate a good extra virgin olive oil when you want its health benefits and wonderful Mediterranean flavor.

For more info on cooking w. OLIVE OIL...
go here:

http://web.foodnetwork.com/food/web/encyclopedia/termdetail/0,7770,4171,00.html

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Answer 4

Cooking oils (including olive oil) may give off fumes which increase the risk of cancer if heated to too high a temperature.

Answer 5

I use olive oil all the time and have never heard of this nor have I ever had a problem.

Answer 6

I never heard this before but I'm sure they are mistaken, you can cook olive oil any way you want.

Answer 7

Im pretty sure its ok if you heat it up. A lot of recipes that I use ask to heat up olive oil so i think you'll be ok!!!

Answer 8

no that isnt tru u can fry with olive oil like chicken and stuff so it obviously isnt true...

Answer 9

i always use olive,,, never had a prob before
good luck