How to Put out a Grease Fire
Evaluate safety., Turn off the heat on the stove., Put something on top of the pot to remove its oxygen source., If the grease fire persists, throw baking soda onto it.The baking soda cuts off the oxygen supply., Use a chemical fire extinguisher on...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Evaluate safety.
The safety of you and your family is far more important than the safety of your house.
If the fire is still small enough and contained in one pot, it is safe to put it out yourself.
If it is already spreading to other parts of the kitchen, get everyone assembled outside and dial for emergency services.
Do not place yourself in the way of harm. -
Step 2: Turn off the heat on the stove.
This is your first priority, given that a grease fire needs heat to stay alive.
Don't try to move the pot.
You might accidentally splash yourself or your kitchen with burning oil.
If the grease fire is unruly or you feel like you have enough time, put on some oven mitts to cover susceptible skin.
That way, any spattering grease isn't likely to hurt you if it does come in contact with your hands. , Before doing this, if your clothing is flammable or dangling, remove it.
The following items are suitable for placing over the pot:
Place the lid of the pot back on with an oven mitt.
The easiest way to smother a grease fire is to cover it with a pan lid.
With the lid on (and the heat off), the fire should quickly consume all the oxygen and put itself out.
Do not use glass lids; they can break from the extreme heat of open flame.
Place a cookie sheet over the lid. , Baking soda will put out small grease fires, but won't work as effectively on larger ones.
It will take a large amount of baking soda to get the job done. , If you have a chemical fire extinguisher on hand, it's plenty fine to use it on your grease fire.
Although it can contaminate your kitchen, it's a good idea if the extinguisher is the last line of defense between you and a burned down home. , Call emergency services if you're too afraid to go near the fire or don't know what to do.
Do not risk life and limb to save a kitchen. , This is the number one mistake many people make with a grease fire; it will only succeed in making things worse.
Water and oil don't mix.
In this case, their mixing will create a disaster.
Because water is heavier than oil, it immediately sinks to the bottom of the pan. (Water and oil are not soluble.) There, it becomes super heated and evaporates quickly; this evaporation expands rapidly, pushing and splattering the burning out in all directions., You’re likely to fan the flames and spread the fire.
Don't place a wet towel over a grease fire to snuff out the oxygen, either. , Flour might look like baking soda, but it won't react the same.
Only baking soda can help put out a grease fire. , Another common mistake people make is trying to move the pot with the grease fire over to another location, perhaps outside, where the fire isn't likely to do as much damage.
This is a mistake.
The act of carrying out the burning oil can cause it to spill, potentially burning you or any other flammable object it comes into contact with , It pays to be aware.
Most grease fires happen when someone steps out for a "moment" and completely forgets about the burner heating the oil to oblivion.
Stay in the kitchen to avoid this fate.
You should be able to smell the acrid grease before it lights up into a conflagration. , Cooking with a lid both contains the grease and cuts it off from its would-be oxygen supply.
Of course, a grease fire can erupt with the lid still on the pot, but it's less likely to happen. , Keep an eye on the oil as it's heating.
Again, if you see wisps of smoke or smell something acrid, immediately turn down the heat or remove the pot from the burner completely.
The oil won't immediately catch fire once it starts smoking, but smoke is a danger sign that it's well on its way to getting there. -
Step 3: Put something on top of the pot to remove its oxygen source.
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Step 4: If the grease fire persists
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Step 5: throw baking soda onto it.The baking soda cuts off the oxygen supply.
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Step 6: Use a chemical fire extinguisher on the grease fire.
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Step 7: Wait for the pot to cool and the fire to go out before touching.
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Step 8: Never throw water on the grease fire.
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Step 9: Don’t swat at a fire with a towel
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Step 10: or other clothing.
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Step 11: Do not throw any other baking product on the fire
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Step 12: such as flour.
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Step 13: Do not move the pot with the grease fire anywhere.
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Step 14: Whenever you're heating oil or grease
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Step 15: stay in the kitchen.
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Step 16: Use a heavy pot with a lid.
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Step 17: Clip a thermometer to the side so you know the temperature of the oil.
Detailed Guide
The safety of you and your family is far more important than the safety of your house.
If the fire is still small enough and contained in one pot, it is safe to put it out yourself.
If it is already spreading to other parts of the kitchen, get everyone assembled outside and dial for emergency services.
Do not place yourself in the way of harm.
This is your first priority, given that a grease fire needs heat to stay alive.
Don't try to move the pot.
You might accidentally splash yourself or your kitchen with burning oil.
If the grease fire is unruly or you feel like you have enough time, put on some oven mitts to cover susceptible skin.
That way, any spattering grease isn't likely to hurt you if it does come in contact with your hands. , Before doing this, if your clothing is flammable or dangling, remove it.
The following items are suitable for placing over the pot:
Place the lid of the pot back on with an oven mitt.
The easiest way to smother a grease fire is to cover it with a pan lid.
With the lid on (and the heat off), the fire should quickly consume all the oxygen and put itself out.
Do not use glass lids; they can break from the extreme heat of open flame.
Place a cookie sheet over the lid. , Baking soda will put out small grease fires, but won't work as effectively on larger ones.
It will take a large amount of baking soda to get the job done. , If you have a chemical fire extinguisher on hand, it's plenty fine to use it on your grease fire.
Although it can contaminate your kitchen, it's a good idea if the extinguisher is the last line of defense between you and a burned down home. , Call emergency services if you're too afraid to go near the fire or don't know what to do.
Do not risk life and limb to save a kitchen. , This is the number one mistake many people make with a grease fire; it will only succeed in making things worse.
Water and oil don't mix.
In this case, their mixing will create a disaster.
Because water is heavier than oil, it immediately sinks to the bottom of the pan. (Water and oil are not soluble.) There, it becomes super heated and evaporates quickly; this evaporation expands rapidly, pushing and splattering the burning out in all directions., You’re likely to fan the flames and spread the fire.
Don't place a wet towel over a grease fire to snuff out the oxygen, either. , Flour might look like baking soda, but it won't react the same.
Only baking soda can help put out a grease fire. , Another common mistake people make is trying to move the pot with the grease fire over to another location, perhaps outside, where the fire isn't likely to do as much damage.
This is a mistake.
The act of carrying out the burning oil can cause it to spill, potentially burning you or any other flammable object it comes into contact with , It pays to be aware.
Most grease fires happen when someone steps out for a "moment" and completely forgets about the burner heating the oil to oblivion.
Stay in the kitchen to avoid this fate.
You should be able to smell the acrid grease before it lights up into a conflagration. , Cooking with a lid both contains the grease and cuts it off from its would-be oxygen supply.
Of course, a grease fire can erupt with the lid still on the pot, but it's less likely to happen. , Keep an eye on the oil as it's heating.
Again, if you see wisps of smoke or smell something acrid, immediately turn down the heat or remove the pot from the burner completely.
The oil won't immediately catch fire once it starts smoking, but smoke is a danger sign that it's well on its way to getting there.
About the Author
Joshua Gray
Committed to making practical skills accessible and understandable for everyone.
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