Why does a fried turkey turn into a fireball?

Hook

Why and how does a fried turkey turn into a fireball? Every Thanksgiving, firefighters warn people about turkey fryers. Here's the science.

Oil

A turkey fryer heats a big pot of oil to around three hundred fifty degrees. That's way hotter than boiling water.

Water

The danger is water. When ice or water hits oil that hot, it instantly flashes into steam, and steam takes up far more space than liquid water.

Boil

That burst of steam blasts out of the pot and throws hot oil with it. A frozen or wet turkey can make the oil foam up and spill over the sides.

Fire

If that oil hits the burner flame below, it can ignite. Now there's a grease fire right next to a tank of propane.

Nowater

Never throw water on it. Water on a grease fire does the same thing, flashing into steam and spreading the burning oil.

Safe

Safety officials say thaw and dry the turkey completely, don't overfill the oil, fry outdoors far from buildings, and never leave it unattended.

Close

So turkey fryer fires happen when water meets hot oil, and the oil spills into the flame. ThatsWhyHow.