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

Coconut oil has a high smoke point (the temperature at which an oil or fat begins to produce smoke) and melts when heated. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 4 Feb. 2025

Because of its high smoke point, avocado oil is incredibly versatile. —Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025

Both add great flavor and the olive oil ensures that the butter doesn’t burn in the pan (olive oil has a higher smoke point than butter). —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025

Refined oils generally have a higher smoke point than their unrefined counterparts. —Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 20 Dec. 2024

The smoke point is the temperature at which a fat begins to degrade. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Dec. 2024

Harmful molecules are rarely created from home cooking; oils seldom reach their smoke point for long periods. —Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 20 Dec. 2024

The smoke point reflects when an oil begins burning during cooking. —Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 20 Dec. 2024

Flax oil is highly nutritious but also has a low smoke point, which can lead to oxidation and bitterness when heated. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above