[jmagar]

A whole bucket might chill the oil sufficiently to reduce the risk... But I can tell you a single ice cube does make a mess, and a lot of noise.

First the cube sinks, so you won't be able to get it back easily if you want to abort. It rattles around the bottom of the fryer as it melts and then converts to steam. The bubbles of steam rise and splatter violently.

(I got in a bit of trouble that night, as the patrons could hear the commotion in the dining room.)