'Oats Are Done!' A Lesson in Cooking Safely

by Rita-Lyn Sanders, Director of Marketing and Communication

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - (December 16, 2024)  I’m embarrassed to admit that more than once I have left something simmering on the stove, only to remember later and — panic stricken — returned to a boiled-over catastrophe, a gelatinous mass of goo, or in the case of boiling water, nothing but a very hot saucepan.

Then there was the time we had a real fire in our kitchen. This one turned me into a safety fanatic, and it wasn’t even my doing. My husband was baking brown bread — like they serve at Cheesecake Factory — and he wanted toasted oats for the top. Speaking from experience, I suggested it wouldn’t take long to bake them in the oven. Alas, he didn’t set a timer and went on to prepare the next ingredient. A *few* minutes later (who is to say when you’re quite distracted), I smelled something burning and saw a white tendril escape the oven.

“Uh,” I said. “I think the oats are done.” As I was nearby the wall oven, I pulled the door open and immediately wished I hadn’t. The big blast of air hit the hot, blackened oats, and they spontaneously combusted into flames. Orange fire reached out of the oven and licked the cabinet above. “Aaaagh!” I yelled. I closed the oven door and watched the flames calm down.

My husband rushed toward the oven with a potholder and made a move for the door. “Wait,” I said, “Keep it clos ... ” But it was too late. He pulled open the door and the flames leapt into life. As they renewed their dance, my husband grabbed the cookie sheet and carried the fiery cargo to the sink, where he tossed it in and turned on the water.

“Oats are done!” he proclaimed as steam rose to the ceiling. Lucky for us, the oats were the only thing damaged that day.

How, though, do fiery kitchen mishaps happen? Unfortunately, they can and do when the distractions of life take our focus away from seemingly ordinary activities like cooking. Mishaps can happen even when we’re paying attention!

So when you’re cooking and baking yummy holiday treats this month, consider these safety tips for celebrating a festive season.

• Do not leave cooking unattended! Stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on everything on the stovetop. If you have something in the oven, check on it frequently; set a timer as a reminder.
• Keep flammable items (potholders, dish towels, food packaging) away from the stovetop. Avoid wearing loose clothing that could catch fire.
• Keep the floor clear of any tripping hazards. Put pets in a room where they won’t risk getting underfoot.
• Stay alert while cooking on the stove.
• Exercise caution when handling hot liquids and foods. Pans and serving dishes can cause serious burns, as can steam or splashes.

What should you do if you do have a fire in your oven?

• Turn off the oven.
• Keep the door closed to contain the fire. This will deprive the fire of oxygen and help it burn out.
• Use a fire extinguisher if necessary. Make sure it’s rated for the kitchen. You may even want to get one that is rated for grease or oil fires.
• Call 911: If the fire doesn’t go out, leave your home and call emergency services.
• After the fire is out, open windows and doors to ventilate your home.
• Carefully open the oven door only when you’re sure the fire is out and won’t reignite.