Why Does Deep Frying Produce Frothy Bubbles?

[thunderfvck]

I was just wondering a bit on deep frying. You see, I work at a restaurant and the damned deep frying is always making that loud crackly noise whenever water (or food, or whatever) is added to it and I got to thinking about it. So, just to set things straight, I'm guessing (and this is a LONG shot) that the oil is very hot and that's what heats the food up, etc. Nobel prize here I come. But what's with all the crazy frothy bubbles that appear once food is submerged? Is the oil so hot that it vaporizes the water and all the bubbles are actually generating steam?
Thanks.

 

[GCT]

It may be that when you drop the food into the oil that you cause a disturbance, a temporary increase in kinentic energy of the molecules, and thus the localized bubbling; which represents the molecules which surpassed the kinetic energy to rise to the top.

Also, chemical reactions take place between the food and the oil and I am guessing some gas is released in the process.

Another small factor is that in the process of taking up the oil volume bubbles are formed; in the oils attempt to engulf the food pockets of air are formed.

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[Chemicalsuperfreak]

Yes, it's steam. The oil in the fryer is roughly 350 degrees F, depending on what it's set to cook. This will instantly flash water into steam. I've heard that deep fat fried turkeys aren't all that greasy because their is so much steam coming out of it it forms a protective layer to prevent the grease from getting deep inside the tissue, although I'm sceptical about that.