Cooks: what did I DO?!

[Freedom]

I love to cook, have done for years. This morning for the first time EVER I had flames coming up from my pan, I was stunned! Scared the heck out of me, and I don't know what I did.

Making scrambled eggs. Put sunflower oil in pan, pan on gas ring to heat. Cracked 3 eggs into a cup, whisked, added a small amount of cold water and whisked again. Waited a bit; lowered heat under pan and added eggs. FLARE UP! It died right down, and the eggs cooked fine.

I swear I have done this a gaziliion times over the years. Anyone have ideas what happened? Thank you in advance.

[Randi]

I can't think of anything, other than... did you put more oil on than usual, or a different oil? Scary!

[Randi]

I can't think of anything, other than... did you put more oil on than usual, or a different oil? Scary!

Can you get this product over there? It's half butter, half oil.
http://www.arlafoods.dk/presse/karga...iver-flydende/

[Karen]

The oil was just overheated, that's all. All oils will burn, they just all have different burn points!

[pomtzu]

Yup - sounds like the oil was too hot for too long.

[Laura's Babies]

The oil was to hot and it flared up as grease/oil will when it is to hot...

A helpful hint is...if the oil starts to smoking, it is fixing to flame up on you..

[Karen]

Sandra, here's a good discussion of smoke and flash points for various oils:

http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/blog...g/smoke-point/