Never cook in something that you do not have the lid for...

This happened to the person who lives above my apartment. I went in there hearing a commotion and saw flames shooting 5 feet in the air (luckly it had really high ceilings). The lady had put it in the sink and poured water on it, creating Greek fire. She said what do I do and I asked her to put the lid on it and hold it down. She did and the fire stopped after a few seconds. She asked how I knew that would stop it and I said that all fires need air. She also asked why the water made it worse but I do not think she understood that you can not put out oil with water and the mixture actually makes it burn more. She said she tried to put sugar on it but I have never heard of that before except that you could use sand to cut off the air. I think sugar is for chemical fires or to help heal your own burns. Ever burnt your tong and put sugar on it and you know what I mean.

Glad to hear that everything worked out ok but remember these rules for the future:

  • oil will instantly catch on fire if its temperature gets to high
  • never cook a large amount of oil at maximum temperature
  • if cooking something submerged in oil never have the cover on (this increases the temperature too much)
  • Placing something very cold in hot oil will cause an explosion
  • The fastest way to put the fire out it to remove the heat source and the oxygen.
  • If deep frying over a stove watch the oil at all times and ensure the temperature is not too high.
  • Ideally have a temp probe to ensure the oil does not get close to the temperature of combustion.
  • oil does not need to be in the presence of grease or any other matter to start a fire, only heat

Remember only you can prevent pants fires!