Hot Pan Test - Need To Know

[waytallwhitey]

How it's done and how to interpret the results

Thanks!

[skyskijason]

SkySkiJason condensed version:

Smear a streak of VO in pan.
Place pan on stove, turn on HIGH.
When VO begins to smoke (about 350*F), it is ready.
Quickly add a couple tablespoons of VO.

BE CAREFUL, it can spatter hot oil on you and the vicinity and VO in excess of 500* can IGNITE. It can also leave an unpleasant smell in the kitchen and really piss off the spouse if ya make a mess or she finds out you used 'her' pan for testing your FUEL. (I do this outside using a 750 watt single burner 'hotplate' thingy I got a yard sale for $2 and a thrown-out frying pan)

If it spatters and crackles - basically any audible noise, its too wet for fuel. There is alot of debate about how many 'bubbles' are acceptable, but less is always better. FWIW, I have burned plenty of VO that had some bubbles in it (nothing audible) and saw little difference in filter or other performance. The PSD is fairly tolerant of wet oil due to lack of IP - but I don't press my luck!

[lancaster,pa]

SkySkiJason condensed version:

Smear a streak of VO in pan.
Place pan on stove, turn on HIGH.
When VO begins to smoke (about 350*F), it is ready.
Quickly add a couple tablespoons of VO.

BE CAREFUL, it can spatter hot oil on you and the vicinity and VO in excess of 500* can IGNITE. It can also leave an unpleasant smell in the kitchen and really piss off the spouse if ya make a mess or she finds out you used 'her' pan for testing your FUEL. (I do this outside using a 750 watt single burner 'hotplate' thingy I got a yard sale for $2 and a thrown-out frying pan)

If it spatters and crackles - basically any audible noise, its too wet for fuel. There is alot of debate about how many 'bubbles' are acceptable, but less is always better. FWIW, I have burned plenty of VO that had some bubbles in it (nothing audible) and saw little difference in filter or other performance. The PSD is fairly tolerant of wet oil due to lack of IP - but I don't press my luck!

Skyskijason,

Nice to know I'm not the only one having to be careful of using the wife's stuff and smelling up the kitchen. I'll be lookin at the next garage sale! - Patrick

[Clay]

If it spatters and crackles - basically any audible noise, its too wet for fuel. There is alot of debate about how many 'bubbles' are acceptable, but less is always better. FWIW, I have burned plenty of VO that had some bubbles in it (nothing audible) and saw little difference in filter or other performance. The PSD is fairly tolerant of wet oil due to lack of IP - but I don't press my luck!

Ditto this....

[Marv]

I guess I'll add that I've been using an electric griddle and have had good luck so far. Same deal on the bubbles and what's acceptable/not acceptable.

Good thing about the griddle is that you can set the temp and the light lets you know when it's ready.

[triplemoutdoors]

I guess I'll add that I've been using an electric griddle and have had good luck so far. Same deal on the bubbles and what's acceptable/not acceptable.

Good thing about the griddle is that you can set the temp and the light lets you know when it's ready.

I use a griddle too or should I say "used". I do not use the HPT much any more because my process has always passed with the exception of the first couple of times I tried it. It helps to have a good consistant supply of oil too. If the oil looks a little cloudy before I put it in the hot water heater I will do the HPT. The heat and cool down process always seems to clear up the oil and it always passes the HPT.

[Marv]

I use a griddle too or should I say "used". I do not use the HPT much any more because my process has always passed with the exception of the first couple of times I tried it. It helps to have a good consistant supply of oil too. If the oil looks a little cloudy before I put it in the hot water heater I will do the HPT. The heat and cool down process always seems to clear up the oil and it always passes the HPT.

That's pretty much the approach I'm taking now. I'll test occasionally, but usually I just pump it into the truck and roll.

Once I get other sources, I'll probably start testing more consistently again.

[HORSEMOVER]

+1 for the griddle. My wife "gave" me the griddle to just keep in the barn for hpt purposes. Something about her not using it after that nasty oil has been on there or something:chuckles:.

[greasyX]

I use my old camping gear (coleman stove and mess kit),so me and the wife still see eye to eye...............greasy

[Marv]

+1 for the griddle. My wife "gave" me the griddle to just keep in the barn for hpt purposes. Something about her not using it after that nasty oil has been on there or something:chuckles:.

Haha...yeah, I figured that's the response I'd get too, so I just picked one up at the store and never took it in the house. She's got her own to cook with, so I don't get yelled at for messing it up!

[HORSEMOVER]

Maybe I will have to buy her a new one someday - maybe X-Mas. No more flap jacks for me