What Happens to Oil in a Hot Pan?
In fact, it is not the oil that 'splats', but the water that gets into it. The temperature of heated oil can reach 160-180° C, while the boiling point of water is 100° C. When a drop of water enters such a hot environment, it instantly evaporates, leading to a sharp increase in volume.
The resulting steam literally pushes the oil away to occupy the optimal space for its temperature. One could say that the drop of water 'explodes'. It is this process of rapid boiling and evaporation of water that causes the oil to splatter or 'splat'.
To prevent the splattering of hot oil droplets, it is recommended to use special screens made of metal mesh.
