 Passover Kitchen Aluminum, Foil, Fire and Fusion Safety Alert
By: Chani at JewishPress.com
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Aluminum foil and vessels made of aluminum foil, as well as aluminum pots, pans, and utensils, under certain conditions, can vaporize, explode, and burst into flames if placed in direct and constant contact with gas range flames or very hot electric burner heating elements or very hot ceramic glass cooktops. Aluminum foil, or any other metal object, can explode if heated in a microwave oven, and aluminum foil can fuse to some oven floors and racks. Fire Protection Engineer, Rick Channa, of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, explains that all of these sources of heat easily reach or exceed the ignition temperature of aluminium: 1,200 degrees farenheit (648 degrees celsius). Electric burners (known in some regions as "hot plates") heat to 1,200 degrees farenheit (648 degrees celsius) and ceramic glass cooktops and gas ranges generate temperatures upwards of 1,472 to 1,832 degrees farenheit (800 to 1,000 degrees celsius). Mr. Channa emphasizes that leaving anything (burning oil or greasy foods, for example) in unattended pots and pans over very hot heat sources is dangerous. In fact, it is a major cause of kitchen fires. He advises that consumers should change the aluminum foil lining drip pans every few months or when ever bits of food, liquids, grease and the like have fallen or spilled on them. Additionally, care must be taken that any aluminum foil linings not block the flow of gas or touch heating elements. Although occurring less frequently, forgetting to place food into aluminum foil vessels or aluminum pots and pans and then leaving them in direct contact with very hot sources of heat also is a cause of kitchen fires, adds Mr. Channa. Aluminum foil manufactuers print warnings (appearing below the round glue dots underneath carton flaps) advising consumers to not line oven floors or racks with their product. and to follow oven manufacturers' instructions. Mr Channa points out that aluminum foil can fuse to some oven surfaces. No satisfactory method exists to remove it. To learn more about these and other household safety topics consult manufactuers' printed instructions and safeguards. Additionally, view the Aluminum Association's website: (www.aluminum.org), and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website: (www.cpsc.gov/publicinformation/safety) or call them at (800) 638-2772. Have a Kosher, happy and safe Passover.
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