Book 9, Question 7
Why Does a Drop of Water Make Hot Oil Spit and Pop?
Water makes hot oil spit and pop because water turns into steam super fast! Water is heavier than oil, so it sinks and flashes into steam under the oil. The steam blasts hot oil droplets out of the pan, so only grown-ups should cook with hot oil.
More fun facts
- Hot cooking oil can get far hotter than 100 degrees Celsius, the temperature where water boils.
- Oil is less dense than water, so a drop of water sinks under the hot oil instead of floating on top.
- Under the hot oil, the water instantly flash boils into steam.
- Water expands to roughly 1,700 times its volume when it turns into steam.
- That sudden burst of steam flings hot oil out of the pan, which is the spitting and popping you hear.
- Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby so you can cover a pan if it catches fire.
Sources: fia.edu.au, usfa.fema.gov
Questions kids ask
What should you do if oil in a pan catches fire?
Never use water. A grown up should turn off the burner and cover the pan with a lid or baking sheet.