Buzz
Grease fires often occur when cooking oil becomes excessively hot. Just a few moments of inattention can cause an oil-filled pan to ignite, so always stay vigilant! If a grease fire breaks out on your stove, immediately turn off the heat and use a metal lid or baking sheet to cover the flames. Never pour water on a grease fire. If the fire seems to be getting out of control, alert everyone to evacuate the house and call the fire department.
Steps
Extinguishing the Fire
Assess the severity of the fire. If the fire is small and confined to the cooking pan, you can safely put it out yourself. If the flames have spread to other areas of the kitchen, you need to alert everyone to evacuate and call the fire department. Do not put yourself in danger.
- Call the fire department if you are too scared to approach the flames or unsure of what to do. Do not risk your health and safety just to save the kitchen.
Turn off the stove immediately. This is the top priority action when a fire requires heat to continue burning. Leave the oil pan in place and avoid moving it, as there is a risk of hot oil splashing onto you or spreading around the kitchen.
- If time permits, put on oven mitts to protect your skin.
Cover the flames with a metal lid. Fire needs oxygen to burn, so it will essentially extinguish when deprived of air. Place a metal lid or baking sheet over the flames. Avoid using glass lids, as they can shatter when exposed to heat.
- Do not use ceramic lids, bowls, or plates to smother the fire, as these materials can explode and cause dangerous splatters.
Sprinkle baking soda on small fires. Baking soda can effectively extinguish small grease fires but is less effective for larger ones. You’ll need a significant amount, so pour an entire box of baking soda onto the flames until they are fully extinguished.
- Table salt also works. If salt is readily available, you can use it as a quick alternative.
- Avoid using baking powder, flour, or anything other than salt or baking soda to put out the fire.
Use fire extinguishing chemicals as a last resort. If you have a Class B or K dry chemical fire extinguisher, it can be used to combat grease fires. These chemicals can make a mess and are difficult to clean, so only use them when no other options are available. However, if it’s the final solution before the fire spirals out of control, don’t hesitate!
Avoid dangerous actions
Never pour water on a grease fire. This is the most common mistake people make when trying to extinguish a grease fire. Water and oil do not mix, so pouring water on the fire can actually cause it to spread.
Avoid using towels, aprons, or other fabric materials to smother the flames. This action will only fan the fire and cause it to spread. The fabric itself can also catch fire. Additionally, do not use a wet towel to cover the flames to cut off oxygen.
Do not throw any baking ingredients into the flames. While flour and baking powder may look similar to baking soda, they do not have the same effect. Only baking soda and table salt are safe and effective for extinguishing grease fires.
Do not attempt to move the oil pan or take it outside. This is another common mistake that people make, as it may seem logical in the heat of the moment. However, the oil can spill during movement, causing burns and igniting other flammable materials.
Preventing grease fires
Never leave a pan of oil unattended on the stove. Unfortunately, most grease fires occur when people walk away, even for a moment. However, oil can ignite in less than 30 seconds. You should never leave a hot oil pan unsupervised on the stove.
Heat oil in a heavy pot with a metal lid. The lid helps prevent oil splatters and can cut off the oxygen supply. Flames may still flare up when the lid is on if the oil is too hot, but this is a rare occurrence.
Keep baking soda, table salt, and a baking tray nearby. Make it a habit to have these items within reach when cooking with oil. If a fire breaks out, you’ll have at least three tools to extinguish it immediately.
Attach a thermometer to the pot to monitor the oil temperature. Learn the smoke point of the oil you’re using, then use a thermometer to track the oil’s temperature while cooking. Turn off the heat when the oil approaches its smoke point.
Watch for smoke and be alert to burning smells. If you notice smoke or a burning smell while heating oil, immediately turn off the stove or remove the pot from the heat. Oil won’t ignite instantly when it starts smoking, but smoke is a warning sign that it’s nearing its flash point.
What you'll need
- Metal pot lid or baking tray
- Baking soda or table salt
- Oven mitts (optional)
- Class B or K dry chemical fire extinguisher (optional)
