What temperature do I fry?

Question

What temp should I fry and how long if you know?
1.Chicken
2.Pork
3.french fries
4.fish

My fryer only gives temps not low med high etc.

Answer 1

1. 350-360ºF (lower end if it's got bones)
2. 350ºF
3. thin: 375ºF Thick: 340-350ºF.
4. 375ºF

Answer 2

I suggest you get a candy thermometer to monitor your real oil temperature. Just because something is set at one setting doesn't mean it will stay there. Ideally, you can achieve the best frying and the least absorption of oil at 365-375 degrees F.
However, remember that each time you add food to the oil, it will lower the temp, especially true with large items such as chicken breasts or a quantity of potatoes. Also make sure your uncooked breaded food is at room temperature, usually sitting on a rack for about 20 minutes.
Ultimately your temperature depends on which oil you are using. Personally I like peanut oil and then corn oil, in that order, for reasons that go beyond the scope of your question (health reasons.) They both have a smoke point of around 235 degrees C or around 440 degrees F. olive oil has a smoke point of around 375 degrees F. It is amazing to see Mediterranean cooks deep fry successfully with it, but they carefully keep the temperature down.
Lastly, the only exception in your group of foods is perhaps the french fries. The classic method, although a bit more time consuming is to give them a lower temperature blanch (350 degrees) before letting them rest and then, when ready to eat, a hot blast at 375 to finish and brown them properly. It is often a pain, but it yields a much better product.
If you are going to deep fry, please get a thermometer. Your food will thank you for it.
By the way, try cooking potato chips when they are still frozen: this prevents them from absorbing the oil.

Answer 3

ive never used a fryer.. I just throw it in the skillet on the stove top when the oil starts to pop...
but if you cant find, or dont have the instruction manual for your fryer, maybe you can look online for one.. and it will/should give you a basic cooking guide to start out with.. most cookers do...