These fires burn very hot and can spread if not handled properly.
When Does Grease Catch Fire?
Nearly 10% of residential cooking fires spread beyond the cooking vessel and can cause significant damage and injuries.
Henrik Sorensen / Stone / Getty Images
Oils and grease are highly flammable, so they can easily catch fire.
When cooking with grease, its important to know the warning signs that oils are getting too hot.
Boiling and smoking are good indicators that its time to turn down the heat.
How to Put Out a Grease Fire
Even when taking proper precautions, accidents can happen.
Fires require three key elements: a heat source, fuel, and oxygen.
Removing either of these components will help the fire go out.
The steps below will guide you through safe ways to extinguish small, confined grease fires in your home.
Water Makes Grease Fires Worse
Never take a stab at extinguish a grease fire with water.
Turn off the burner, oven, or broiler.
If your grease fire is in the oven, leave the door closed.
This deprives the fire of oxygen, which can help put it out.
Using metal tongs to put the lid in place can keep your arms and hands out of harms way.
Do not use a fabric oven mitt because the material may catch fire, and you could get hurt.
Avoid using glass or ceramic pan lids.
The extreme heat of open flames can cause these materials to shatter.
Its sometimes easier and more effective to quickly find a lid and cover the fire instead.
Though baking soda and salt effectively put out grease fires, other powdered ingredients can worsen fires.
Each pop in of fire extinguisher is designed for different types of fires.
Every tank is marked with a letter to designate which kinds of fires it should be used on.
Do not use a Class A-only fire extinguisher on a grease fire, as it is water-based.
For example, an ABC fire extinguisher would be effective and safe to use on a cooking fire.
Recap
Small, contained grease fires can usually be handled without assistance from the fire department.
Always avoid splashing burning grease by moving the pan or using water.
This can keep the fire from spreading.
Call 911
Fires can become out of control very quickly.
Do not wait until the fire is out of control.
If needed, they can also dispatch firefighters to your home.
Don’t overheat your oil.Cooking oils should be heated slowly.
Do not exceed the flash point for the oil you are using.
Removing combustible materials from the area.
Keeping your cooking space clean is important.
Keep items like paper towels and recipe books at a safe distance from burners and hot oil.
Keep a lid handy.If your cooking pot catches fire, there’s no time to hunt for a lid.
Examine your fire extinguisher to know what jot down of fire it’s designed for.
Replace fire extinguishers as directed on their labels.
Summary
Fires in the kitchen can be scary and dangerous.
If you have a grease fire in the kitchen, leave the pan and turn off the heat source.
Do not ever use water on a grease fire.
It’s wise to have a class K fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
check that that you (and others in your home) know how to use it properly.
Call 911 immediately if you don’t know what to do or if the fire becomes out of control.
Keeping your cooking space free of combustibles and monitoring your pans closely is very important.
Lincoln County Government.How to put out a grease fire.
U.S. Fire Administration.Cooking fires in residential buildings (2017-2019).
Kendal Reagan Nutrition Center, Colorado State University.Cooking with fats and oils.
National Fire Protection Association.Reporter’s guide: all about fire.
City of Austin.Cooking Safety.
Federal Emergency Management Agency.Choosing and using fire extinguishers.
National Fire Protection Association.Fire Extinguisher Types.
