Mayonnaise is an excellent edible creamy substance that is freshly produced and consumed right after preparation. It helps to add a creamy and buttery taste to many meals, and even though it is not everyone’s favorite, some people believe that it offers a little healthier option than butter.
However, given that you have never witnessed a burning mayonnaise sandwich does that make it non-flammable? Is mayonnaise flammable?
Generally, mayonnaise is a flammable substance! Since it is a kind of cooking oil (and most cooking oils can be volatile), you can consider mayonnaise flammable and combustible.
More on that later!
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What Is Mayonnaise?
Mayonnaise is a delicious spread comprising oil, egg yolk, and a little bit of either lemon juice or vinegar (depending on the variety).
You can produce enough types of mayonnaise products; all you need is time and patience. But, because of this article, our focus will be on the traditional egg-based variety.
Even though several versions of mayonnaise for vegans and cholesterol issues exist, there is no sufficient data to back up the possibility of their flammability.
So, we would assume that they are not as flammable as the egg-based mayonnaise or treat them as though they are as explosive as the typical mayonnaise.
Mayonnaise is generally a present-day invention and originated around the 18th century in France, even though the first emulsified sauce can be traced back to the 14th century. The emulsifying element in mayonnaise consists of lecithin, egg fat, and egg proteins.
And even though mayonnaise was first seen in the French regions, it has become a common spread worldwide and in almost all cooking traditions.
The ingredients ratio comprises about 80% oil, 8% water, 6% egg, and the remaining is either vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and in some cases, little sugar. It has a lot of calories, courtesy of all of its oil content.
Is Mayonnaise Flammable?
Yes, it is. As we mentioned earlier, since it is a type of cooking oil (and most cooking oils can be combustible), you can consider it flammable. However, it mostly depends on the temperature level.
In other words, unlike some other flammable oils, mayonnaise will need its temperature level to be very high before it can catch fire.
Still, it is dangerous to experiment with it, so it would be best to keep mayonnaise as far as possible away from naked flames or fire to avoid combustion.
When cooking in the kitchen, you should try to be wary of the mayonnaise coming in contact with the kitchen fire, as it will more likely than not catch fire.
Can You Burn Mayonnaise?
Of course, mayonnaise is very combustible. In other words, you can burn it. But, again, not only can mayonnaise burn, but if it comes in contact with your skin or clothes when it is burning, you can hardly quench it, and it might result in serious injuries. Again, this is because of the oil content in it.
So, as the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure; in other words, it would be best not to attempt setting it on fire in the first place.
And if along the line, it mistakenly catches flames, you can treat it in the same manner as another type of oil flames and deal with the fire if you are sure that you can.
Note that; you must not allow grease to come in contact with a burning mayonnaise, as it would worsen the whole scenario and even help clothes and other flaming objects stick to the burn, thereby resulting in even further severe damages.
However, if the burn becomes too intense, it would be best to contact the medical unit.
Is It Advisable to Burn Mayonnaise When Grilling?
It is not entirely advisable to burn the mayonnaise while grilling. Even though most sources like the Los Angeles Times encourage people to use mayonnaise during grilling, it also advises them to lightly brush the meat they want to cook and apply it to the potato salad, rather than dipping the whole of it into the mayonnaise.
By doing so, you are not burning the mayonnaise but preventing the meat from being glued to the grill rack, coupled with the fact that mayonnaise gives a fantastic taste when added to a potato salad.
But again, if you burn mayonnaise rather than improve the taste of your dish, it will result in injury. So, it is best to avoid it.
Does Mayonnaise Burn More Easily Than Butter?
No, mayonnaise doesn’t burn more easily and quickly than butter. This is because it has a slightly higher smoke point than butter. Therefore, applying mayonnaise to your grilled cheese sandwiches is preferable to putting it in butter.
What Is the Boiling Point for Mayonnaise?
Like the boiling point for the regular cooking oil, mayonnaise would boil at around 570 degrees Fahrenheit. But in most cases, its yolks tend to clot and cook through at about 190 degrees Fahrenheit, leaving nothing other than oil to boil off.
What Is the Flashpoint for Mayonnaise?
Mayonnaise does not have a particular flashpoint. However, it is determined by its smoke point, calculated at around 450 degrees Fahrenheit, although this depends on the specific type of mayonnaise or its nature.
So, it is not a bad idea to overlook this figure, as it may vary significantly with different varieties.