smoke point
noun
variants
or smoking point
plural smoke points or smoking points
: the temperature at which an oil or fat (especially one used for cooking) begins to emit smoke
When choosing an oil, you want one with a higher smoke point than your cooking temperature … since surpassing the smoke point "can cause undesirable burnt aroma and flavors," says [Jason] Ginsberg, in addition to filling your kitchen with smoke.—
Laurel Randolph
Laurel RandolphCold-pressed oils have a smoking point of less than 300°F and should not be used for high-heat cooking.—Jane Salzgass Freiman
Jane Salzgass FreimanFilm the pan with peanut oil or canola oil (which have higher smoke points than other vegetable oils).—Harvey Steiman
Harvey SteimanExamples of smoke point in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Be careful not to heat it over its smoke point, which varies depending on whether it is refined or unrefined.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2025
Refined olive oil can sometimes work, but avoid extra-virgin, which usually has a lower smoke point.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025
Refined oils undergo processing to remove impurities, resulting in more neutral, stable fats with higher smoke points.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
Avocado oil has a high smoke point, which means this butter won’t burn when cooking over high heat.
—Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 4 June 2025
Add oil: Choose an oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil, and swirl to coat the pan.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
Another key feature of algae oil is its high smoke point of 535 degrees—the temperature at which oil begins to break down, release dangerous chemicals, and destroy its nutrients.
—Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
Coconut oil has a high smoke point (the temperature at which an oil or fat begins to produce smoke) and melts when heated.
—Health, 14 May 2025
While coconut oil has a high smoke point, overheating it during cooking may break down some nutrients.
—Health, 14 May 2025
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Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2025
Refined olive oil can sometimes work, but avoid extra-virgin, which usually has a lower smoke point.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025
Refined oils undergo processing to remove impurities, resulting in more neutral, stable fats with higher smoke points.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
Avocado oil has a high smoke point, which means this butter won’t burn when cooking over high heat.
—Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 4 June 2025
Add oil: Choose an oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil, and swirl to coat the pan.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
Another key feature of algae oil is its high smoke point of 535 degrees—the temperature at which oil begins to break down, release dangerous chemicals, and destroy its nutrients.
—Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
Coconut oil has a high smoke point (the temperature at which an oil or fat begins to produce smoke) and melts when heated.
—Health, 14 May 2025
While coconut oil has a high smoke point, overheating it during cooking may break down some nutrients.
—Health, 14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smoke point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smoke%20point. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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