Question

Why is oil preferred for frying and not water?

Answer 1

Oil is preferred for frying and not water.
Because for frying, the following conditions are necessary:
(i) The maximum temperature that can be reached by the frying liquid should be high. For this, the boiling point of the liquid should be high and oils have a greater boiling point than water.
(ii) The temperature of the frying liquid should rise rapidly. This is possible if the specific heat is less. Oils have less specific heat than water.
(iii) The frying liquid should not wet the substance which is to be fried. Oils do not wet the frying substances.
Therefore, oils are preferred to water as they satisfy all the above conditions.