Use the Salt Trick to Reduce Hot Oil Splashes While Cooking

Some of the best culinary creations involve heating oil for frying. While the end result is often delicious, the process of getting there can be anything but.

In a word, oil is unpredictable. But what if there was a way to ensure your dishes finished splatter-free every time? A TikToker, @brunchwithbabshas the solution. She suggests that before pouring oil into your pan, you should add a pinch of salt to coat the base.

This simple tip could save you (and your clothes and countertops) from the unfortunate experience of being splattered with oil. Like most cooked dishes hacksThe key to this simple trick lies in its science. The real cause of those pesky splatters isn’t the oil itself, but rather the steam created when hot oil interacts with evaporated water from the food.

Frying is ultimately just a form of dehydration. The moisture has to go somewhere; unfortunately, that “somewhere” is often right on your favorite peak. The salt will absorb some of this moisture. When less water interacts with the oil in the pan, the reaction between the oil and water decreases.

How to clean oil spills

No hack can prevent our all too frequent human errors. Accidents happen. Maybe you forgot to add salt, or maybe there was just too much moisture for the mineral to help absorb. Here’s how to clean up any oil spills that do occur.

To prevent spilled oil from staining your clothesthe faster you act, the better. Take a paper towel and immediately blot (do not stain) the site. Next, use your fingers to rub a small amount of dish soap (and baking soda, if you have it on hand) onto the area before throwing the clothes in the wash.

If cooking oil spoils your granite countertopsyou should immediately blot the area with a paper towel, but be careful in case it is still warm. Then gently use a microfiber cloth to wipe a solution of dish soap and warm water over the spill. Corn starch can work on particularly stubborn grease stains.

Splashing hot oil on the skin is never a fun scenario and can lead to some dangerous burns. As soon as the accident occurs, start running the affected area under cool (not cold) water. Keep it there for a few minutes and then dry it gently. Apply aloe vera or antibiotic ointment if available. Otherwise, cover it with sterile gauze and monitor it for infection. Seek medical attention in case of serious burns.

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