Isn't it dangerous when..

Question

you cookin somethin on a gas stove and u add something to it and fire starts sort of 'erupting'? I'm watching a cookery programme right now on television and they put duck or something in a pan, and poured mustard and i think alcohol? and some cream.. but when they put the alcohol in, there was loads of flames and stuff

why does this happen and is it actually safe?

Answer 1

Ya its safe for some recipes.

they do that so........well i don't really know why.loooool.

but I know its ok.

Answer 2

yes its safe if you're careful and that is supposed to happen because alcohol is highly flamable.  

Answer 3

They do it on purpose. It's safe for those who know what they are doing, and the way they are supposed to do it.

Answer 4

oozo

Answer 5

the guys on the tv are professionals and to them it's safe. but i wouldn't advise you to try it at home

Answer 6

*~*~*alcohol is highly flammable. It is probably not a good idea to put your whole dosage of alcohol into your meal at once ( when on the fire ). You would want to put a little at a time. You might still experience some flames, but at least they won't be as severe. NO, it probably isn't safe for this to happen, but it does, so pour the alcohol/oil slowly and carefully at different times, and you should be finee =] sorry the answer was so long... hope this helped !! =] *~*~*~*~*

Answer 7

it could be dangerous if the cook does not know what they are doing. they often tip the pan into the flame to light the dish on fire,it can also be done with a long match.the link below shoes crepes suzzete made on an electric stove and she uses a match.

Answer 8

yes it is safe it is just burning the alcohol off the recipe and keeping the flavor

Answer 9

Flames erupt when alcohol get superheated.  It's the nature of alcohol, and the people on those cooking shows, and in restaurants are well trained and know exactly how much they can get away with and what they need to be careful of.  Any time you see certain dishes made: crêpes suzette, charries jubilee, flaming feta, and several main dishes, there is a burst of flames.  

On TV, you don´t see how many emergency people might be hovering off camera with fire extinguishers, nor how many takes it might have taken to get it right, without singeing the chef´s uniform, or whatever...though I doubt it happens often.

Oh, and Electric or gas, the alcohol gets super heated, and flames, either way.

Don´t try it unless you know what you are doing, having practiced with a teacher of some sort.

Answer 10

Its known as Flamb'e.

It burns a little of the alcohol off and imparts a little flavour.

In some restaurants the waiter will finish a dish at the table side using this method,over a spirit burner.

It often looks dramatic but is not overly dangerous.if reasonable care is taken.as the flash tends to last only a brief second and is usually remote from other highly inflamable material.

Perhaps the greatest danger is to ones hair,especially laquered, if you lean in to close.

Answer 11

This happens when you add pure alcohol to a dish. Once the alcohol is consumed or "burnt off" it won't burn anymore. It's normal, but you have to know what you're doing or it can be incredibly dangerous. It's called flambe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamb%C3%A9

Answer 12

It's called "showboating" just to get your attention it worked, just as you said it would.

Answer 13

It only burns for a short while if it is alcohol and is pretty safe, not like chip fires.

Answer 14

I prefer cooking with gas, it heats up instantly and turns off instantly. It just looks weird if you aren't used to it.

Answer 15

Yes it can be dangerous but not for show - it is about flaming off he alcohol content of whatever booze is added - leaving the flavour and the flamed taste.

Answer 16

yes it is safe unless u have a low ceiling right now im watching some essence of emeril show and he always does that but u have to no how to do it right.

Answer 17

Thats just for show =]

Answer 18

no if they added vodka it is ok  

Answer 19

Cooking is inherently dangerous for obvious reasons, but this extreme style of cooking not much more so than typical cooking. But it never hurts to have a large, handily assessable fire extinguisher!