Deep-frying is fun to do. It just has something. The typical Dutch snacks that taste delicious, the smell, the coziness, or just a nice quick bite. The deep fryer is a great invention.
What many people just don’t know is that the fryer fire is one of the most common causes of fire in the kitchen. Frying is easy, but it can also definitely be dangerous. If you didn’t already know, it’s definitely important to be aware of the dangers of deep frying. I’ll explain it to you!
Overheating
This is the most common cause of fryer fires. Overheating can occur because the fat you put in the fryer goes above the ignition temperature, this can cause it to catch fire.
In that case, the oil catches fire. However, some people deep fry without a deep fryer and do it with another pan. For any pan, when the oil gets above the auto-ignition temperature it catches fire, and then you get great risks of fire hazards.
How do you put out a deep-frying fire?
A deep-fryer fire is best fought with a grease fire extinguisher.
NEVER EXTINGUISH A DEEP FRYER WITH WATER! This is an absolute no-go. Many people know this, some don’t, but when there is a fire hazard, throwing water on grease is not a good combination, you can get stabbing flames from that. So just do this with a grease fire extinguisher. The surface of the pan will then be covered with a layer of foam.
The fat is not hot enough yet
Another possible fire hazard is putting snacks in the fryer while it is not hot enough. This can be particularly dangerous with frikandells. When bubbles appear then the oil is hot enough and so you can start frying.
How long can it be left on?
So how long can a deep fryer be left on? If the thermostat of the deep fryer is defective then the oil will continue to heat until it reaches its self-ignition point. Therefore, a deep fryer should never be left unattended when it is on. This can create a fire hazard. When you are done, always unplug the fryer.
Some people do leave it on the countertop overnight because they are cleaning it the next day. This is in any case not recommended because of caked-on dirt, but in addition some people leave the plug in. This is very unwise. When the thermostat is defective, you have a fire hazard. So always remove the plug after frying.
If you use anything other than a deep fryer for deep frying, throw the oil away immediately after frying.
Can a deep fryer explode?
Yes, this is another possibility you should be aware of. In fact, research has shown that when combined with too much water, a deep fryer can explode. French fries and snacks are often stored in the freezer, which means that there is still water with them because it is then covered with a layer of ice. That’s ice which gets back into the pan creating a danger of explosion.
When are you at extra risk?
When deep-frying starchy foods such as French fries, for example, acrylamide can be created. This is a harmful substance to humans at higher intakes. Not necessarily an additional risk, but something to watch out for. So inhaling the smoke for long periods of time can be unhealthy.
Most frying oil has an ignition temperature of 315 degrees Celsius, if the pan is left on the stove for long periods of time, whether it is a regular fryer or any other pan with oil and this temperature is used then the contents can boil dry and catch fire. These are the situations where you are at extra risk.
Can you deep fry outside?
During a social gathering, sometimes you want to deep fry outside. You can, but some pans don’t work as well at lower temperatures. Be aware of this and don’t turn up the temperature knob extra. If the temperature is too low then it is best to just put it inside because of fire hazards. During a hot summer day, when this is done most often, you will experience few problems, by the way.