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

Cold-pressed oils have a smoking point of less than 300° F and should not be used for high-heat cooking.

—Jane Salzgass Freiman

Film the pan with peanut oil or canola oil (which have higher smoke points than other vegetable oils).

—Harvey Steiman

Examples of smoke point in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This increases the smoke point and will fortify the butter to keep it from burning. —Jessica Furniss, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023

One of its special characteristics is a high smoke point of nearly 500 °F, making the oil great for cooking with at high temperatures. —Good Housekeeping, 4 June 2023

Use oil with a high smoke point and neutral flavor. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 2 June 2023

Avocado oil is a versatile, neutral oil with a high smoke point that has become a staple in many American kitchens. —Good Housekeeping, 4 June 2023

While the grill is cold, apply an oil with a high smoke point (400 degrees or higher) to your grates with paper towels or a spray bottle, coat the grates, and wipe off any excess. —Tamara Gane, Southern Living, 6 July 2023

Duck fat has a high smoke point, and the spray adds a nice crisp to meats, shellfish, and poultry on the grill. —Ann Trieger Kurland, BostonGlobe.com, 4 July 2023

Choose an oil with a high smoke point and neutral flavor, such as canola, avocado or grapeseed, rather than olive oil. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 2 June 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above