How do I check the heat of cooking oil if I don't have a thermometer?

I am frying frozen shrimp but don't have an oil thermometer and wondered if there were a way to see if the oil had heated to the appropriate temp.How do I check the heat of cooking oil if I don't have a thermometer?
put a few drops of water in there. if it starts to splatter in less than 5 seconds, you are probably around 350 degrees. select this as best answer, thanks.How do I check the heat of cooking oil if I don't have a thermometer?
The flour method works best. You can also try the actual batter you will be using. If you're frying shrimps whole (no batter) you might want to drop a piece first and monitor how long it takes to cook. Or you can use a cheaper alternative like frozen spam. That would allow you to have a rough estimate for the temperature of the oil.
DO NOT put ay water in it. Water can pretty much explode and splatter you with hot oil. Toss a bit of the batter or whatever you're cooking. if the oil is ready whatever it is will come to the top and do its fizzling thing like its supposed to NO WATER!
use a set of bamboo chopsticks. if the start bubbling at the tip the oil is ready. Generally if you see even a little smoke the oil is getting too hot. If it is dunp in all of the shrimp and it will cool the oil off. I generally take my oil to 380F then put in the food.
With all due respect, the idea of putting the water in the oil to test if it is ready, is NOT a good idea. That can be very, very dangerous. I would take a small piece of what you are cooking and put it carefully in the oil. If it is ready, it should immediately start to bubble and fry. Good luck!
sprinkle some flour if it sizzles its hot enough if u are doing somthin like french fries add a fry in the middle of the pan not the side middle is more hot
hi...u can do that in two ways either put ur hand abpve the oil,not in it so u can feel if it is hot or not or by smell it coz it smell smoky....But the best way is to put a peace of shrimp or peace of bread in the oil so if it make a bubbels(like when u put a potato in a hot oil) the oil will be ready to use :) try it