Can you use water on a grease fire? No, you must never use water on a grease fire. Water makes a grease fire much worse by causing the burning oil to splatter everywhere, spreading the flames rapidly. This article explains simple steps to safely put out a grease fire in your kitchen and keep your family safe. Knowing fire safety kitchen rules is vital.
Why Grease Fires Happen and How to Stop Them
Grease fires start quickly. They happen when cooking oil or fat gets too hot. This is often on the stovetop or in a deep fryer. When the oil smokes, it is close to catching fire. If it gets hotter, whoosh, you have a fire. Fires need three things: heat, fuel (the grease), and oxygen. To stop grease fire safely, we must take away one of these things.
Common Causes of Kitchen Fires
Most kitchen fires begin small. They grow fast if you do not act right away.
- Too high heat setting.
- Leaving food cooking unattended.
- Grease buildup on the stove or exhaust fan.
- Placing flammable items near the heat source (like paper towels or oven mitts).
Step-by-Step Guide to Extinguishing a Grease Fire
When a fire starts, stay calm. Panic makes things worse. Follow these steps to deal with putting out pan fire situations quickly.
Step 1: Turn Off the Heat Source
This is the very first thing you must do. If you can safely reach the knob, turn the burner off. This cuts the heat supply. This is key to smother kitchen fire efforts. Do this first, even before you grab a lid.
- Move slowly and carefully.
- Do not move the pan or pot. Moving it can spill the burning grease.
Step 2: Smother the Flames with a Lid or Cookie Sheet
Fire needs air (oxygen) to burn. If you cover the pan, you take the air away. This is the best way to smother kitchen fire.
- Find a metal lid or a metal cookie sheet that is bigger than the pan opening.
- Slide the lid or sheet over the pan slowly. Do not drop it on top. Sliding prevents splashing hot grease.
- Leave the lid on. Do not peek! Wait until the pan is totally cool.
Step 3: Use Baking Soda (For Small Fires Only)
If the fire is very small and just starting, you can use baking soda on grease fire. Baking soda releases carbon dioxide when heated, which helps smother the flames.
- You need a lot of it—an entire box or more.
- Dump the baking soda directly onto the flames.
- This works best for small fires in a shallow pan. It usually won’t work well for large or tall flames.
Important Note: Do not confuse baking soda with baking powder or flour. Flour and baking powder can actually make the fire worse.
Step 4: Use a Fire Extinguisher (As a Last Resort)
If the fire is growing, the lid trick failed, and you cannot safely leave the kitchen, use a fire extinguisher. For fire extinguisher type for grease fire, you need a specific one.
- Look for an extinguisher rated Class K or Class B. Class K is best for commercial kitchens, but Class B works on flammable liquids like grease.
- A standard ABC extinguisher might work, but it can sometimes spread grease if used incorrectly because of the pressure. Use the P.A.S.S. method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
- Only use this if the fire has not spread beyond the pan. If the flames are high or spreading, evacuate immediately and call emergency services.
What To Do If The Fire Spreads
If the fire jumps from the pan to the cabinets or walls, do not try to fight it yourself. Your safety is more important than your belongings.
- Get everyone out. Yell “Fire!” to alert others.
- Close the kitchen door behind you if you can do so safely. This slows the fire’s spread.
- Call 911 (or your local emergency number) from a safe spot outside.
Crucial Warnings: What Never to Do
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Mistakes with grease fires can be fatal.
Never Use Water on Grease Fire
This is the biggest mistake people make. If you pour water onto burning grease, the water sinks below the oil. The water instantly turns to steam. This steam expands rapidly, throwing small droplets of flaming oil everywhere. This is called a flash-over. It turns a small pan fire into a large room fire instantly. Never use water on grease fire.
Never Try to Move the Burning Pan
Even if the fire seems small, lifting or carrying the hot, burning pan risks serious burns to yourself and spreading the fire across your floor or countertops. Let it burn out where it is, after you cut the heat and cover it.
Never Use Flour or Other Powders
As mentioned before, things like flour, sugar, or baking powder are fine powders that can explode when mixed with fire. They act like fuel. Only use baking soda on grease fire if the fire is tiny.
Advanced Techniques and Safety Checks
For those who want to be extra prepared, here are more details on how to handle stovetop fire situations effectively.
Comprehending Fire Classes
Fires are categorized by what is burning. Knowing this helps you choose the right tool.
| Fire Class | What is Burning | Appropriate Extinguisher Type |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper) | Water, ABC |
| Class B | Flammable liquids (gasoline, grease, oil) | BC, K (Best for grease) |
| Class C | Electrical equipment | CO2, ABC |
| Class D | Combustible metals (rare in homes) | Special dry powder |
| Class K | Cooking oils and fats (kitchen specific) | Class K (Wet Chemical) |
For the kitchen, you are mainly concerned with Class B and Class K situations. A fire extinguisher type for grease fire is typically Class K or Class B.
Maintaining Your Kitchen for Fire Prevention
The best way to handle a grease fire is to prevent it from starting. These kitchen fire safety tips are simple to follow.
Keep Surfaces Clean
Grease buildup is fuel waiting for a spark.
- Wipe down your stove and backsplash often.
- Clean your range hood filter regularly. A clogged filter can easily catch fire from rising heat.
Watch Your Heat
Know your equipment and the smoke point of your oil.
- If the oil starts smoking, turn the heat down right away. That is a warning sign.
- Use timers when you are cooking, especially when deep-frying or simmering for long periods.
Have Equipment Ready
Make sure the right tools are easy to grab in an emergency.
- Keep a metal lid next to your stove.
- Keep a Class K or ABC fire extinguisher in an easy-to-reach spot, but not directly above the stove (heat could make it explode if it gets too hot).
Practicing Safe Cooking Habits
Good habits make for a safe kitchen. These practices help you know how to handle stovetop fire emergencies before they happen.
Staying Alert While Cooking
Never leave cooking food unattended, especially if you are frying or broiling. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove. Fires double in size every minute they go unchecked.
Safe Cooking Gear
Make sure your clothing is safe. Loose sleeves or dangling apron strings can catch fire easily if they brush against a hot burner. Wear close-fitting clothing while cooking.
Handling Hot Oil Safely
When heating oil, add food slowly and gently. Never put frozen food directly into hot oil; the water content can cause dangerous splattering even before the oil reaches its smoking point.
What if the Fire Spreads to the Oven?
Oven fires are slightly different from stovetop fires. If you notice flames inside the oven:
- Close the oven door immediately. Do not open it to look.
- Turn the oven off.
- If the fire doesn’t go out within a few seconds, evacuate and call for help.
Opening the door feeds the fire fresh oxygen, causing it to flare up violently. Putting out pan fire methods like using a lid won’t work inside an oven.
Responding to Electrical Fires in the Kitchen
Sometimes what looks like a grease fire is actually an electrical fire, perhaps from a faulty appliance plugged in near the stove.
If you suspect an electrical fire:
- Never use water. Water conducts electricity and you risk severe shock.
- If safe, unplug the appliance or turn off the circuit breaker for that area.
- Use a Class C or ABC extinguisher.
Knowing the difference between Class B (grease) and Class C (electrical) helps you choose the right response for kitchen fire safety tips.
Summary of Actions for Grease Fires
To recap the simple, life-saving steps for a putting out pan fire event:
| Action | Purpose | Safety Note |
|---|---|---|
| Turn off heat | Removes the heat source. | Must be done safely. |
| Cover with lid on grease fire | Cuts off oxygen supply. | Slide the lid on slowly. |
| Use lots of baking soda | Smothers tiny flames. | Only for very small fires. |
| Use Class B/K extinguisher | Chemical smothering. | Only if fire is growing and you are safe. |
| Evacuate | Protects life. | Call 911 from outside. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use salt on a grease fire?
Salt works similarly to baking soda because it is a dry, non-flammable substance that can help smother a very small fire. However, you need a massive amount of salt, often more than you have readily available in a kitchen emergency. Baking soda is generally more effective due to its chemical reaction when heated.
What if the fire is already big?
If the flames are higher than your waist, spreading to walls or cabinets, or you cannot safely reach the stove to cover it, do not attempt to fight the fire. Immediately exit the home, ensure everyone else leaves, close the kitchen door, and call emergency services from a safe location outside.
Should I try to move the burning pot outside?
No. This is extremely dangerous. Moving a pot full of burning oil carries a high risk of spilling the flaming contents, leading to severe burns and spreading the fire to floors, counters, or yourself. Let the fire die out where it started after cutting the heat and smothering it.
Why does the smoke detector go off during normal cooking?
Smoke detectors often go off due to steam or light smoke from searing meat or boiling water. If it’s just smoke, you can wave a towel near the detector to clear the air. If it’s actual fire smoke, follow the steps above immediately. Regular cleaning of detectors is part of good fire safety kitchen maintenance.
Is it safe to leave the oven on low while I run out for a minute?
No. Never leave any heat source running unattended. A minute is long enough for oil left on a burner to overheat and ignite. Always turn off burners and the oven if you leave the room, even briefly.