Deep-Frying Safely

How to deep-fry safely

• By Cassie Best Working with hot oil can be a daunting method of cooking, and there are some key points to keep in mind to ensure you stay safe while working with sizzling vats. Follow our top tips for deep-frying safely to avoid accidents in the kitchen...

  

  While deep-frying can give delicious results, when it goes wrong the outcome can be disastrous. But by following a few simple rules, you can deep-fry safely and confidently...

  1. Use oil with a high smoke point. This is the temperature an oil can be heated to before it begins to smoke and burn. Rapeseed, sunflower and vegetable oil are all good choices.

  2. Use a large, wide, sturdy pan. Never fill the pan more than two-thirds full with oil as it may bubble up when food is added, and could spill over.

  3. Make sure you have a well-fitting lid close to hand in case the oil catches fire. If your pan doesn’t have a lid that fits, a large, flat baking sheet will do the job. 

  4. Check the temperature of your oil. If you have a food thermometer heat the oil to 160C for low, 180C for moderate and 190C for high. Avoid heating the oil any higher than this, as it may catch fire. If you don’t have a thermometer, test the oil with a cube of bread. It should brown in 30-40 seconds when the oil is at a moderate heat.

  5. Never put wet food in the fryer. Excess liquid will cause the oil to splutter which can cause injuries. Dry particularly wet food with kitchen roll before frying.

  6. Never leave a pan of hot oil unattended, it can take just a minute or two for the oil to overheat and catch fire.

  7. Turn pan handles away from the front of the cooker, to avoid knocking the pan off the hob.

  8. Keep the kitchen a child-free zone while deep-frying. Little hands can cause catastrophes when dealing with hot oil. 

  9. Remove food with a large slotted spoon or sturdy tongs, something that allows the oil to drain as you lift the food out.

  10. To dispose of the oil safely, leave to cool completely, pour into a jug, then back into its original bottle. Never pour the oil down the sink, unless you want blocked pipes! 

  What to do when deep-frying goes wrong

  • If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool down.
     
  • If the oil catches fire, turn off the heat and smother the flames with a lid, large baking tray or a fire blanket, or use a fire extinguisher if you have one.
     
  • Never spray the fire with water; this will cause the flames to spread.
     
  • Call the fire brigade as soon as it is safe to do so.