You've got a big pot of oil on the stove, some chicken or fries to deep fry, but no clip-on thermometer to tell when the temperature is just right. No problem. Your wooden spoon can clue you in on when it's time to add your food.
In a great guide to fearless deep frying, Food 52 notes that if you insert a wooden spoon into the oil, the oil will bubble around the stick when it's ready for frying. (Alternatively, you can use a popcorn kernel, which will pop somewhere between 325 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit—a tip Lifehacker reader Faslane offered when we mentioned a similar trick with a grain of rice).
Check out the full article for lots more tips on frying—wisely and safely.
Deep Frying Without Fear | Food 52