From avoiding burning delicious food to avoiding fire hazards, knowing the flammability of the cooking ingredients is very important. And when it comes to oil, it’s really common to get concerned.
So, is canola oil flammable?
Yes, canola oil is flammable when heated beyond a certain temperature. It has a flash point of 619o Fahrenheit which is lower than most other cooking oils. When canola oil is heated, exposure to fire can cause a fire or explosion. So, you have to maintain some precautions. For example, keeping the stove on medium heat and using the appropriate pot while cooking with canola oil.
To know more about the flammability of canola oil and how to handle it, keep reading.
Is Canola Oil Flammable?
At regular temperatures, the Canola oil is not flammable. However, as a cooking oil, it is flammable when heated with around 435o F. And the flammability is higher than many other types of cooking oil including rice bran oil and peanut oil.
Flammable materials are kinds of stuff that can easily catch fire. And they also ignite when exposed to an open flame, spark, or heat source.
Cooking oils are composed of a high percentage of hydrogen and carbon and have a lower flashpoint. As a result, they are usually flammable while heated.
To compare the flammability, you must know these three determinant factors:.
- Smoke Point: Temperature at which oil begins to smoke.
- Flash Point: Temperature at which oil vapors ignite.
- Fire Point: Temperature at which oil vapors continue to burn.
Here are the flash, smoke, and fire points of some common cooking oils.
| Oil Type | Smoke Point (˚F) | Flash Point (˚F) | Fire Point (˚F) |
| Coconut Oil | 385 | 563 | 626 |
| Palm Olein | 446 | 615 | 666 |
| Canola Oil | 400 | 619 | 662 |
| Corn Oil | 455 | 617 | 670 |
| Cottonseed Oil | 450 | 606 | 680 |
| Soybean Oil | 464 | 626 | 680 |
| Peanut Oil | 446 | 633 | 680 |
| Rice Bran Oil | 444 | 615 | 695 |
| Lard | 464 | 626 | 680 |
So, The canola oil has a flash point of 619 degrees Fahrenheit and a fire point of 662o Fahrenheit. Although this is lower than some cooking oil, canola oil is more flammable than most cooking oils.
Can Canola Oil Explode?
Under normal conditions, canola oil will not explode. However, there is still a chance for canola oil to explode in certain conditions.
Explosions generally occur when there is a buildup of flammable vapors or gasses in a confined space. Of course, there has to be an ignition source which in our case is the stove itself.
When you heat the canola oil too much, especially while deep-frying, it can go up to its smoking point. As a result, when the fire of the stove is exposed to the fume, the oil catches on fire.
Sometimes, when the oil is extremely hot, and it suddenly comes in contact with water, there can be an explosion. The fire risk is higher when you are cooking in a poorly ventilated confined place.
Safety Precautions While Using Canola Oil
Canola oil is a very healthy cooking oil. So, you might want to use the oil even if it is flammable. So, if you must use canola oil, you should at least follow the safety precautions mentioned below.
- Use an appropriate pot that isn’t too big for your stove. Also, make sure the pot properly sits on the stove. This helps you avoid accidental oil spilling and tipping over.
- Keep the kitchen well-ventilated. If your kitchen has windows, keep them open. Otherwise use an exhaust fan, kitchen hood, and air purifier.
- Heat the oil gradually over medium to medium-high heat. Don’t put the stove on high heat while using canola oil.
- Use a food thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil. This will help prevent overheating and reaching the oil’s smoke point.
- Make sure your cookware and food are dry before adding them to the oil. Don’t add frozen food directly to the hot oil.
- Store Canola oil in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keep the oil tightly sealed to prevent oxidation.
- Lastly, make sure to abide by the local government’s rule of disposal of the oil.
That’s how you can decrease the risk of fire hazards while using canola oil.
Low Flammable Cooking Oil Alternative Of Canola Oil
Some low flammable cooking oil alternatives of canola oil are avocado oil, rice bran oil, lard and sunflower oil.
More or less, all cooking oil is flammable. However, due to the higher flammability of canola oil, you may want to switch to less flammable alternatives. Here are some options for you.
Avocado Oil:
Avocado oil has a higher smoke point of 520 °F. So, it is less flammable than canola oil. The higher smoke point also ensures its nutrition would be intact even in a higher temperature.
Avocado oil is full of unsaturated or good fat. And it has very low levels of saturated fat and cholesterol.
Rice Bran Oil:
Rice bran oil has a higher smoke point and fire point than canola oil. Those points are 444o and 695o F respectively. So, it will be less likely to catch on fire. So, it is a good alternative to canola oil for cooking or frying at a high temperature.
Lard:
Lard is another good alternative to canola oil when you need to cook at a very high heat. It has a higher smoke point, flash point, and fire point than canola oil. Those points are 464o F, 626o F and 680o F respectively.
However, lard contains 40% of saturated fat and is not considered very healthy for your heart.
Sunflower oil:
Sunflower oil has a smoke point of 232°C or 450°F which is higher than the canola oil. So, it is more suitable for deep frying, sauteing, and stir-frying than canola oil.
This lightweight low saturated fat oil is also very healthy to eat. These are the less flammable alternatives of canola oil you can try.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Will Canola Oil Burn In The Oven?
If the temperature of the oven is lower than the flash point of canola oil, the oil won’t burn. The flashpoint of canola oil is 619 degrees Fahrenheit. If you set the oven temperature more than this, the canola oil will burn in the oven.
Is Coconut Oil Flammable?
Yes, coconut oil is one of the most highly flammable cooking oils. It has a smoke point of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. So it frequently catches fire when you keep it near any heat source. Coconut oil is not recommended for deep frying or stir-frying.
Is Garlic Flammable?
Yes, garlic is one of the most flammable spices. It contains natural oil and garlic oils has a flashpoint of only 115.0 °F. If you keep the garlic for even 10 seconds on an open flame, it will burn and pop.
Conclusion
Here goes the discussion on is canola oil flammable or not. To avoid possible risks, it is better to use other available alternatives of canola oil. However, as it is a healthy cooking oil and you really like it, be very careful while dealing with it.
My discussion is now over. Have a great day and be safe!
