Auto-Ignition of Cooking Oils

Abstract

The ignition of cooking oils plays a large role in the problem of residential fires. Past experiments were researched to give insight into the temperature ranges at which cooking oil will auto-ignite. Experimental procedures were designed to test the auto-ignition temperatures of liquid cooking oils, butter, and margarine. The auto-ignition temperatures were determined to be as follows: canola oil, 424˚C; vegetable oil, 406˚C; and olive oil, 435˚C. The flame point of canola oil was at 379˚C. The auto-ignition temperature for Smart Balance was 432˚C, and the butter did not auto-ignite.