Fried foods have become a part of our daily lives. We find ourselves eating some or the other fried item from French fries to Mexican bread rolls, once in a while. However, working with hot oil can be risky, and if not taken proper care of, you risk burning yourself. And believe me, oil burns hurt a lot.
But the good news is you can protect yourself while frying your favorite food. In this article, we will talk about the best frying tips that will keep you safe while getting your dish cooked properly. Let’s get started.
1 – Use the Right Frying pan
The most important tip for safe frying is using the right frying pan. If you don’t have a good quality frying pan, your food quality will degrade over time, and the risk of injury will increase. One of the best frying pans is the Salter Megastone Frying Pan. It is 100% PFOA-free. PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) is a probable cancer-causing synthetic chemical ingredient found commonly in non-stick frying pans. Plus, it doesn’t require much maintenance.
2- Choose the Right Oil
We recommend using an oil with a high smoke point. It refers to the temperature oil can be heated before it burns and leaves smoke. For frying, saturated and monosaturated oils are the best as they have a high smoke point. You can also choose oils that are rich in polyphenols or antioxidants as they are less damaged even at higher temperatures. These oils are olive oil and rapeseed oil. You can even Google the smoke point of each type of oil that you use.
3- Wear Proper Attire
Well, this cannot be stressed enough. Proper attire is a must when frying foods. By proper attire, we mean full clothes or chef aprons. This will protect you if the oil splatters over you. However, most people avoid this tip as they’ve been cooking for years and feel that the oil will never splatter. But it is vital to take precautions. You can also consider wearing oil-resistant cooking glasses to protect your eyes.
4- Keep Water Away
Oil and water are enemies. Not literally, but even a drop of water in hot oil will lead to splatter, and it will burn your skin. It is also crucial to ensure that the food you are about to fry is not wet. Even if it is moist, use a paper towel to dry it completely before you put it in the frying pan. Also, avoid using water to clean the frying pan when it is hot.
5- Use Oil in the Right Quantity
Excess oil can also increase the risk of splatter, which further increases the risk of injury. Even when deep frying foods, it is recommended to put 1.5-2 inches of oil or 4 cups of oil. However, if you have a small pan, the amount of oil will decrease significantly.
6- Never Leave the Pan Unattended
When frying foods, never leave the pan unattended, even for a minute. It just takes a few seconds for the oil to overheat and catch fire. This will not only affect the quality of the food but also increases the chances of burns. In extreme cases, the kitchen will catch fire.
General Safe Frying Tips
- Install a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. It is recommended to keep it near the exit so you can use it while leaving the kitchen.
- Keep first aid in your kitchen for minor burns and injuries.
- Write emergency numbers in your kitchen, including that of a fire station and hospital.
- Install fire and smoke detectors, so you’ll know if anything happens when you’re not in the kitchen.
- Avoid touching the pan with bare hands or putting the pan near any combustible thing.
- Keep kids out of the kitchen when frying foods.
Conclusion
We all love fried foods. However, when cooking them, it is crucial to take extra care. This will prevent the food from burning and keep you safe from injuries. Even if you have years of cooking experience, it is crucial to follow the safety tips.
