How does the carrot in deep fryer trick work? So I just heard about putting a carrot in the deep fryer so as to pick up the burnt junk and keep the oil clean for longer. I tried it. It works! Now I'm wondering how it works, and what other veggies or whatnot can be substituted in place of the carrot?
As to the science behind why this works, I can only guess.

However, as to other things you can try for this trick, I managed to find some references from old cookbooks about using slices of potato for clarifying their deep-fryer oil. Other suggestions were a slice of bread or lemon peel. Weird — but interesting.

The Young Woman's Journal, Volume 12 (1901)



Mrs. De Graf's Cook Book (1922)



Olive Oil: From Tree to Table (2007)


  When you have finished frying, clarify the oil by frying a piece of bread, a strip of lemon peel, or a slice of potato in it.