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At Home > Kitchen Safety

Deep Fat Frying

In some parts of Scotland, 1 house in every 10 will have a kitchen fire in the next 10 years. And deep frying – using fat or oil – is the biggest risk, causing around 9,500 fires a year in the UK. But that doesn’t have to happen.

If you must use a deep frying pan:
  • Never – ever – deep fry with fat or oil when you’ve been drinking alcohol
  • Never fill the pan more than one-third full of fat or oil
  • Never walk away – not even for a few seconds – when the pan’s on the heat
  • Turn the pan handle to the side so the fat or oil doesn’t get spilled by accident
  • Make sure chips are dry before putting them into hot fat or oil
But the best way to avoid having a fire is to use a thermostat controlled, electric deep-fat fryer:
  • They’re not that expensive – especially when you count the cost of a fire
  • They look smart and they’re compact
  • They’re safer to use – the safety cut-out (the thermostat) controls the temperature of the fat or oil

If you must use a deep frying pan and it catches fire:

  • Never try to move the pan
  • Never throw water over the pan
  • Phone the Fire and Rescue Service, even if you think you’ve put the fire out
  • If you can, turn off the heat
  • Then put a damp towel over the pan to smother the flames

But if you can’t put out the fire right away:

  • Get out of the kitchen
  • Close the door
  • Phone the Fire and Rescue Service

And it’s not just Deep Frying Pans that are a risk when you’re busy cooking

  • Never walk away from the grill pan when it’s under the heat
  • Never dry tea towels or cloths on – or above – the cooker
  • Never trail electrical flexes near cookers
  • Never put any metal objects inside microwave ovens
  • Switch off electrical appliances like washing machines and dishwashers at the mains
  • Always clean grill pans when you’ve been cooking fatty food
  • Turn all pan handles to the side so they’re not spilled by accident