Dear Sun Spots: We have a large, turkey fryer pot for deep frying a whole turkey. Peanut oil is used in the fryer. A large amount of oil is needed and I’m wondering if I must throw the oil away after frying a turkey or is it safe from a health standpoint to keep the oil for a few more cookings?

The oil is pricey, as you need a large quantity. – No Name, Rumford.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots has learned that if done properly you can get several deep fat fryings from your oil. According to www.goaskalice.columbia.edu, understanding the temperatures at which oil begins to decompose will help avoid this. The optimal temperature to fry foods at is 190 degrees centigrade (375 degrees Fahrenheit). If you heat oil to a temperature that is too high, it produces smoke fumes. The following oils have the following smoke point temperature in centigrade:

safflower oil 265 degrees

sunflower 246 degrees

soybean 241 degrees

canola 238 degrees

corn 236 degrees

peanut 231 degrees

sesame 215 degrees

olive 190 degrees

lard 183-201 degrees

Each time you use the oil, the smoke point becomes lowered. This is due to foreign matter in the oil, salt, exposure to oxygen and light, length of time the oil was heated, number of times the oil was reused. When oil becomes deteriorated, it appears dark and thick and may have an off odor. Smoke appears before it reaches 190 degrees. To reuse oil safely, you might want to follow these tips:

• Strain it through a few layers of cheesecloth to catch any food particles.

• Shake off excess batter from food before frying.

• Use a good thermometer when frying foods.

• Turn off the heat after you are done cooking. Exposing the oil to prolonged heat accelerates rancidity.

• Don’t mix different types of oil.

• Store oil in a cook, dark place.

• Avoid iron or copper pots or pans for frying oil that is to be reused. These metals also accelerate rancidity.

Dear Sun Spots: This is in response to Helene Decker of Oxford regarding her record player:

If she cannot have it repaired, I have a very nice Zenith, AM and FM radio, record player and eight-track player that I would be willing to sell at a very good price. It is in perfect condition. I can be reached at (207) 897-2603. – No Name, Jay.

Dear Sun Spots: In response to those seeking replacements or somewhere to purchase Stanley broom products:

I was a Stanley products dealer, and I still have some products. I can be reached at 143 Mill St., Apartment 403, Auburn, ME 04210-5664, (207) 782-6662. – Rita Caron, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: Can you please give me the address of the head person who runs the JJ Nissen bread stores? I have a question to ask them. Also, a while back, a lady wrote asking if anyone had a walker with wheels for sale. I have one to sell. I didn’t get her phone number. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, contact Kevin Clements, at Interstate Brands (they own JJ Nissen), P.O. Box 8000, Biddeford, ME 04005.

Regarding your second question: Contact No Name, No Town at (207) 782-8519.

Dear Sun Spots: We at St. Martins de Porres wish to thank everyone who helped and participated to help make our harvest fair a huge success.

During the year, if you are downsizing or getting rid of items of no use to you, we will gladly accept your donations. For more information and pickup arrangements please call (207) 786-4690. – No Name, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like to have the Megabucks numbers for Feb. 23, 2002, and March 19, 2003. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: The numbers for March 19, 2003, are 05-13-18-22-23-34 Bonus – 37. Unfortunately you will need to contact the Maine State Lottery for the February 2002 numbers, (800) 452-8777. Those numbers are no longer posted on the Web site and you would have forfeited any prize money – if you had a winner – since tickets expire one year after the drawing.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments.

There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows.

Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Inform Us section under Press Release.

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