The Science of Fry Cooking: Part 2 - The Reheat

By Dr. Emma Fryson, Renowned Fry Chef and Theorist

Back to Part 1: The Fundamentals

Reheating is not just a matter of tossing something into the microwave and pressing start. Oh no.

It's an art, a science, a dance of molecular reassembly.

The key to a perfect reheat is understanding the thermodynamics of heat transfer, the Maillard reaction, and the art of not burning the thing you're trying to reheat.

Here's a step-by-step guide to reheat like a pro:

  1. Preheat your environment (i.e., your kitchen) to the optimal temperature for reheat (i.e., 375°F or 190°C). This will ensure a smooth, even heat transfer.
  2. Place the item to be reheated (i.e., a leftover pizza) in a container that allows for maximum heat transfer (i.e., a metal tray with a non-stick coating).
  3. Apply the correct amount of reheat-ifying sauce (i.e., a drizzle of olive oil) to the item.
  4. Place the item in the preheated environment and allow it to reheat for the optimal amount of time (i.e., 2-3 minutes or until the crust is golden brown).

And that's it! With these simple steps, you'll be reheat-ing like a pro.

But wait, there's more! In our next installment, we'll be covering the advanced techniques of reheat-ing with a blowtorch.

Read Part 3: The Art of Torch Reheat