Tiffany Haney
Chip pan fires are the leading cause of home fire injuries in the UK, causing nearly 50 deaths and 4,600 injuries every year. A chip pan is a deep-sided cooking pan used for deep-frying chips in hot oil. The risk of chip pan fires is heightened when they are used in households with children and pets, by adults who have been drinking, or when they are left unattended. They can also start if the oil splashes or spills onto the hob. To prevent chip pan fires, it is important to never leave the pan unattended, to turn the handle to the side, and to ensure the oil level is below one-third full.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Oil gets too hot and catches fire
Oil getting too hot and catching fire is a common occurrence with chip pans, which are deep-sided pans used for deep-frying foods like chips. The oil used in chip pans can quickly reach extremely high temperatures, and if left unattended, it can easily catch fire. This is why chip pans are the leading cause of home fire injuries in the UK, with nearly 20 people killed or injured daily by chip pan fires.
There are several ways to prevent chip pan fires. Firstly, it is essential to never leave the pan unattended, even for a few seconds. Always stay in the kitchen while the chip pan is on the hob and never leave it unattended while answering the door or phone, or leaving the room, even briefly. It is also crucial to keep children and pets away from the chip pan while it is in use, as they may accidentally knock it over or come into contact with the hot oil.
Another way to prevent chip pan fires is to ensure that the oil level in the pan is below one-third full. This reduces the risk of the oil spilling or splashing, which can cause fires. It is also important to dry food before placing it in the oil and to avoid overfilling the pan with food, as this can cause the oil to spill over. Additionally, it is recommended to turn the handle of the pan to the side to prevent accidentally knocking it over.
If the oil or fat starts to smoke, turn off the heat immediately and do not add any food. Allow the oil to cool down before proceeding. Using a stove guard device, such as Airis, can also help prevent chip pan fires by detecting when the oil and pan's contents are heating up too quickly and automatically switching off the hob.
Nonstick Pans: To Oil or Not to Oil?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Oil spills or splashes onto the hob
To prevent this, never fill the pan more than one-third full of oil or fat. Always dry food thoroughly before placing it into hot oil. Wet food can cause the oil to spit or bubble up, increasing the risk of spillage.
If oil spills onto the hob, it can easily ignite if the hob is still hot. This is especially true if the hob has been left on accidentally, as many hobs lack thermostatic controls that would prevent ignition by lowering the temperature.
To prevent fires caused by oil spills or splashes, it is important to always stay near the cooker when cooking. Keep saucepan handles turned toward the centre of the stove to prevent pans from being knocked off the hob. Keep the hob clean to prevent a build-up of grease and fat, which can easily catch fire.
Removing Melted Chocolate from Metal Pans: Quick Tips
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pan is left unattended
Leaving a chip pan unattended is a surefire way to invite disaster. As the oil in a chip pan can reach temperatures of 400-500°C, it only takes a few minutes for a fire to get out of hand. In fact, chip pans are the largest cause of fires in the UK, causing over 4,600 injuries and 50 deaths per year.
When left unattended, a chip pan can easily be knocked over, causing hot oil to spill out and potentially ignite nearby flammable objects. Even if the pan is not knocked over, the oil inside can quickly heat up to the point of combustion, especially if the pan is left on a high heat setting.
If a chip pan fire occurs, it is essential to remember not to use water to extinguish it. Attempting to do so will cause an explosion of steam, fire, and hot oil, known as a "slopover". Instead, if the fire is still contained within the pan, it may be possible to extinguish it with a fire blanket or a Class F fire extinguisher. However, if the fire has spread or cannot be safely extinguished, the best course of action is to evacuate the building and call the emergency services.
To prevent chip pan fires from occurring in the first place, it is crucial to never leave the pan unattended when the heat is switched on. Additionally, it is important to keep the stove and oven clean and free of any flammable materials. Food should also be dried thoroughly before being placed in hot oil to prevent spitting.
While chip pans are a common cooking method in the UK and Republic of Ireland, they pose a significant fire risk. As such, it is recommended to switch to safer alternatives, such as oven-cooked chips or thermostat-controlled deep fat fryers.
Detecting Gas in Your Oil Pan: What to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Incorrect use of water to extinguish the fire
Chip pans, or deep fat fryers, are the leading cause of home fire injuries in the UK, with nearly 20 people killed or injured every day. The risk of chip pan fires is higher when they are left unattended, especially when used by adults who have been drinking or in households with children and pets.
Chip pan fires occur when the oil in the pan becomes too hot and catches fire. They can also start if the oil spills or splashes onto the hob. As cooking oil fats cannot be extinguished with water, attempting to do so can be extremely dangerous and is not recommended.
Using water to extinguish a chip pan fire is not advised as it can cause the burning oil to splash and spread, potentially leading to explosions. This is known as a "slopover", where the flaming oil is violently expelled from the container. Water should never be used to put out a chip pan fire, as it will only make the situation worse and cause the fire to spread.
Standard water extinguishers should be avoided as they can cause splashing and make the fire spread. Instead, small Water Mist fire extinguishers for household or kitchen use with F-class ratings can be used. These extinguishers dispense de-ionised water in microscopic droplets through a special nozzle, preventing splashing. This allows the water mist to fall gently onto the surface of the fire and cool the flames without causing the oil to splash.
If a Water Mist extinguisher is not available, it is crucial to evacuate the building and call the emergency services. Do not attempt to put out the fire with water, as it will only make the situation more dangerous.
Fixing a Leaky Oil Pan Bolt: Tightening the Seal
You may want to see also
Explore related products
No fire safety equipment in the home
Chip pan fires are the leading cause of injury from home fires in the UK. They cause severe burns and damage to homes. The risk of chip pan fires is considerable as hot oil can easily catch fire. Oil can overheat and burst into flames, and this can happen very quickly. The risk is higher in households with children and pets, or when the pan is left unattended.
If you do not have fire safety equipment in your home, the consequences of a chip pan fire can be devastating. Without a fire extinguisher or fire blanket, you will not be able to extinguish the fire effectively. Water must never be used to put out a chip pan fire as this will cause the burning oil to splash and spread, and may even cause an explosion. Therefore, if a chip pan fire occurs and you do not have the appropriate safety equipment, the best course of action is to evacuate the building immediately and call the emergency services.
While it is not a substitute for proper fire safety equipment, there is a product on the market that can help to prevent chip pan fires. The Airis stove guard uses smart technology to detect when the oil and pan's contents are heating up too quickly, and it will cut the power to the hob if necessary.
To reduce the risk of a chip pan fire occurring in the first place, it is important to follow safety precautions. Never leave a chip pan unattended, even for a moment. Do not fill the pan more than one-third full, and dry food before adding it to the oil. If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat immediately and wait for it to cool down.
In summary, chip pan fires are extremely dangerous and can cause severe damage and injuries. Without fire safety equipment, such as extinguishers and blankets, the fire may not be able to be extinguished, and evacuation becomes the only option. Therefore, it is crucial to have the necessary safety equipment in your home and to follow safety precautions to prevent chip pan fires from occurring.
Pan Am: A Short-Lived Series with Only One Season
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A chip pan is a deep-sided cooking pan used for deep-frying. They are commonly used in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Chip pan fires can occur when the oil in the pan becomes too hot and catches fire. They can also start if the oil spills or splashes onto the hob.
To prevent a chip pan fire, do not overfill the pan with oil, keep the oil level below one-third full, and never leave the pan unattended. Do not use a chip pan if you are feeling unwell or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If a chip pan fire occurs, do not try to put it out with water as this will cause the fire to spread or explode. Evacuate the building immediately and call the emergency services.
