Burgers and Fries

[Chetlaham]

Does anyone else make home made burgers and fries? I love shoe string fries. The burgers are simple, cheese with Kuhne pickles, slivered onions, 90% ketchup, 10% mustard and a soft ballpark bun. Cold water or sprite. Makes for a filling comfort meal.

 

[circlew]

I rarely make hamburgers at home, and only when I cook out on the charcoal grill. I don't eat HB's very often due to health issues.
If I make French fries at home, it's in the oven. The last time I deep fried them was in July 1973. I remember that because they caught fire, and did over $5000. in mainly smoke damage. My parents were very displeased with me. So was my sister, as she had left her bedroom and closet doors open, and all her clothes had to be cleaned. If I have fried food, it comes from a restaurant.

 

[Chetlaham]

Heat must have been to high or the oil had a low smoke point. I use Canola Oil or Soybean Oil making sure it does not get past 375*F. Never leave unattended. Even on a setting like 4 oil left on the burner for say half an hour can reach its smoke point. Monitor your temps and make sure heat input equals heat output. Once you try fried food you never go back taste wise.

 

[circlew]

"never leave unattended" That's unfortunately what I did. Took out the fries that were done, left the rest to cook. Saw my neighbor girl Carol on her porch, and went over to talk to her about the pool. She saw smoke coming out the kitchen window, and by the time we got back, the pan of grease was aflame. Put a larger fry pan over it to extinguish, and set it on a cold burner. Kitchen ceiling and wall above range was black by then.