How not to put out a grease fire
- Water: Your gut reaction may be to toss a whole lot of water on the flames, but that’s not the solution for grease fires. ...
- Flour and sugar: “Both are combustible and will cause the fire to grow rapidly,” Riviere says.
- Towels: Both wet and dry towels are big no-nos when it comes to grease fires. ...
Can you put out a grease fire with water?
Water: Your gut reaction may be to toss a whole lot of water on the flames, but that’s not the solution for grease fires. Pour water on the fire, and the oil could splash and the fire spread. Flour and sugar: “Both are combustible and will cause the fire to grow rapidly,” Riviere says.
How dangerous is a grease fire in a kitchen?
Grease fires are extremely dangerous because the fuel source (the grease) is a liquid, and easily splashed if you try to spray water on it. Grease fires burn very hot and can quickly spread to cabinets or other flammable areas of the kitchen. The most important thing you can do to prevent a fire in the kitchen is to stay put.
How do you Smother a grease fire?
You can smother a grease fire if it is still very small by putting a lid on the pan. This only works if the grease or oil just caught fire a few seconds before, because otherwise it is too dangerous for you to try to stick your hand near the burning pan to try to put a lid on it.
What should you not do if there is a fire?
Do not try to carry the fire outside. Trying to carry a pot or pan full of burning oil will just slosh and splash the grease fire. Treat burns only after the fire is contained or the building is completely evacuated. If clothes are caught on fire; STOP, DROP, and ROLL to extinguish them.
How to stop grease fire?
What to do if a grease fire in your kitchen?
What temperature should grease be when smoking?
How long does it take for grease to catch on fire?
Can grease cause a fire?
What can you not put on a grease fire?
In the event of a grease fire, NEVER do any of the following:NEVER move the pot. You could splash burning oil on yourself – or spread the fire.NEVER use water. Water and oil don't mix. ... NEVER pour baking products on the fire. ... NEVER attempt to smother the fire with flammable materials.
What 3 things should you avoid putting on a grease fire?
Don'ts of putting out a grease fire: Don't extinguish a grease fire with water or a wet towel. Don't use flour, baking powder or sugar to smother the fire. Don't remove the pan from the burner or place it in the sink. The oil may splash around and potentially burn you.
What do you put on grease fire?
To put out a grease fire in your kitchen, turn the heat off as soon as possible and cover the pan with a lid to cut off the oxygen supply. If the fire is small, pour salt or a whole box of baking soda onto the flames until they are extinguished.
Can you put salt on a grease fire?
You can use salt to put out a grease fire. In fact, along with baking soda, it is one of the best chemicals to use to put out a grease fire. A fire needs oxygen to burn. Salt smothers it, preventing it from reaching the oxygen, which extinguishes the fire.
Can I throw flour on a grease fire?
The vaporizing water can also carry grease particles in it, also spreading the fire. DO NOT Throw Any Other Baking Product on the Fire - Flour might look like baking soda, flour is combustible. and it won't react the same as baking soda. Only baking soda can help put out a grease fire.
Can you put water on a grease fire?
You should never put water on a grease fire, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
What is an incorrect way to put out a grease fire and why?
Never pour water on a grease fire! Never discharge a portable extinguisher into a cooking pan – it will spread the fire.
Why can't you put out a grease fire with water?
Do NOT pour water on the fire! Since oil and water do not mix, pouring water can cause the oil to splash and spread the fire even worse. In fact, the vaporizing water can also carry grease particles in it, which can also spread the fire. 4.
Does salt stop fire?
Salt will smother the fire almost as well as covering it with a lid, while baking soda chemically extinguishes it. But you'll need a lot of each--toss on handfuls with abandon until the flame subsides. Avoid using flour or baking powder, which can explode in the flames instead of snuffing them out.
Can you put baking soda on a grease fire?
4 steps to putting out a grease fire Turn off the heat source. If it's small and manageable, pour baking soda or salt on it to smother the fire. As a last resort, spray the fire with a Class B dry chemical fire extinguisher.
How do firefighters put out grease fires?
The fire department can safely put water on a grease fire because it is equipped to do so....There are a number of alternatives available:Put a lid on the pot. ... Use an ABC fire extinguisher.Use baking soda or similar that happens to be nearby.
Can sand put out a grease fire?
You can use sand or dirt to put out small fires. Never use water on an oil fire, because water will evaporate and carry burning grease particles.
What 3 things cause fires?
Oxygen, heat, and fuel are frequently referred to as the "fire triangle." Add in the fourth element, the chemical reaction, and you actually have a fire "tetrahedron." The important thing to remember is: take any of these four things away, and you will not have a fire or the fire will be extinguished.
Can a red fire extinguisher put out a grease fire?
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are red with a yellow label. It works by making chemical changes to burning oils, making them non-combustible. This type of fire extinguisher was specifically designed to be used on cooking oils and fats. In fact, it's the main extinguisher used for class F (cooking fats and oils) fires.
Can you use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire?
An efficient way to successfully put out a grease fire is by using a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers should be stored on every level of the home, especially in the kitchen.
How do you put out a grease fire on an electric stove?
1:081:55How to Safely Put Out a Kitchen Fire - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut the safest and most effective way to put out a grease fire is with a fire extinguisher. AndMoreBut the safest and most effective way to put out a grease fire is with a fire extinguisher. And captain Hamilton says when using a fire extinguisher. The word to remember is pass.
How to stop grease fire?
The best way to stop the grease fire is by smothering it. Keep a cooking or a baking sheet nearby, and cover the pan after you have turned off the heat. Covering the pan will cause the fire to consume what oxygen is left, allowing the fire to dwindle.
What to do if a grease fire in your kitchen?
It is also wise to keep a fire extinguisher ready in the kitchen for extreme situations, but if the fire becomes too much to handle, evacuate your home and call the fire department. While you can take steps to prevent grease fires in your kitchen, one of the most important ways to avoid becoming a statistic is the implementation ...
What temperature should grease be when smoking?
If you do notice the oil start to smoke, turn the heat down. Most oils can start smoking at around 450 degrees Fahrenheit and can ignite approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take for grease to catch on fire?
When cooking with oil, first it will boil, then it will smoke, and then it will catch on fire. It could take less than 30 seconds for the smoking oil to catch fire, so never leave your pot or pan unattended. Keep the grease at the recommended temperature.
Can grease cause a fire?
A grease fire can quickly make a turn for the worse if it spreads beyond the stove. If you do ultimately experience a grease fire, turn off the burner, but do not move the pan. Moving the pan could cause the fire to spread, growing faster and stronger.
What is the best way to put out grease fires?
Another common ingredient in your kitchen that may help put out grease fires, however, is salt. Salt has a very high melting point, and so some people suggest using it for smothering these fires in a similar was as you would baking soda.
How to smother a grease fire?
You can smother a grease fire if it is still very small by putting a lid on the pan. This only works if the grease or oil just caught fire a few seconds before, because otherwise it is too dangerous for you to try to stick your hand near the burning pan to try to put a lid on it.
How long does it take to put out a grease fire?
Call 911. Call 911 before the fire gets too bad. A homeowner only has 30 seconds to 1 minute to put out the fire before it is beyond their abilities, according to the CBS Early Show segment on fire safety (see below for the video).
What causes a fire in the kitchen?
These types of fires occur when oil or grease that you're cooking with on the stove (or even in the oven or grill) becomes too hot. First the oil will begin to smoke, and will then quickly catch fire.
Why do you not use a glass lid on a fire?
Further, do not use a glass lid to try to smother the flames because they can break due to the heat and pressure from the fire.
Why does grease ignite?
The grease or oil ignited in the first place because it got too hot. So turning off the heat source is a good first step, if you can do it safely. Remember though that oil and grease cool slowly, so just turning off the heat will not in itself be enough, especially once a fire has already started. 2.
What to do if you think you put out a fire?
Even if you think you have put out the fire the fire department still suggests that you contact them, because fires have been known to reignite. Better safe than sorry with your loved ones and possessions!
How to extinguish grease fire?
There are a number of ways to properly extinguish a grease fire —using a metal lid to cut off the oxygen supply, dousing it with salt or baking soda, draping a wet, but not dripping, rag over it— but the most important thing to remember is just don't pour water on it.
Why shouldn't you use water to extinguish a grease fire?
Why You Shouldn't Use Water To Extinguish a Grease Fire. Since water and oil don't mix, when you dump water on a grease fire, it sinks right through to the bottom of the pan and evaporates instantly, spreading flaming oil everywhere.
How to put out grease fire?
“The best way to extinguish it is by covering it with a metal lid or cookie sheet ,” he says. The lid acts as a shield for your hand. Hall suggests placing the bottom edge of the lid against the front lip of the pan and tilting it to cover the flames. This keeps the fire and splatters from burning you. Here are 10 little things that could be making your home a fire hazard.
How to keep grease from burning in a pan?
Here are 10 little things that could be making your home a fire hazard. It’s also possible to get rid of a grease fire with baking soda or salt.
What type of fire extinguisher is best for grease?
Of course, there’s always a good old fashioned fire extinguisher. Class B extinguishers are for flammable liquids, like oils or grease, and type K extinguishers are specifically designed for oil or grease fires, Hall says. Don’t try moving the pan away from the heat source, Hall warns, as the movement fans the flames.
What to do if a pan is on fire?
Similarly, don’t use a towel or other object to try and beat the flames out since they can spread the fire. If the fire spreads out of the pan, it’s time to call the fire department, Hall says. Make sure you know these 19 things firefighters wish you knew.
What is the leading cause of cooking fires?
Unattended equipment is actually the leading cause of most home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. If your cooking turns into a grease fire, don’t make a rookie mistake by using water to put it out—it’ll only make things worse.
How to keep grease fires from spreading?
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. Use a metal lid or cookie sheet to seal off air, or extinguish the fire with salt or baking soda. If you aren't sure what to do, or if the fire becomes out of control, call 911.
Why is grease fire dangerous?
Grease fires are extremely dangerous because the fuel source (the grease) is a liquid that can easily splash and spread, particularly if you dump water on it. They can quickly spread to cabinets or other flammable areas of the kitchen. Nearly 10% of residential cooking fires spread and cause significant damage to the home. 1
When Does Grease Catch Fire?
Leaving the stove unattended while cooking is a leading cause of home cooking fires.
How to extinguish grease fire?
However, note that you need large quantities of salt or baking soda to fully extinguish a grease fire. It's sometimes easier and more effective to quickly find a lid and cover the fire instead.
How to cut off oxygen from grease?
The easiest way to cut off oxygen to a grease fire is to cover it with a metal pan lid or baking sheet. Using metal tongs to put the lid in place can keep your arms and hands out of harm's way. Do not use a fabric oven mitt because the material may catch fire and you could get hurt.
Why is baking soda used in fires?
Baking soda is effective because it releases carbon dioxide when heated, which can smother the fire.
What to do if you can't smother a fire?
If you are unable to smother the fire with a lid, baking soda, or salt , it's time to reach for the fire extinguisher.
How to reduce the risk of a grease fire?
Tip: To reduce the risk of a grease fire, invest in a professional range hood. Check out our article ‘Do range hoods prevent grease fires?’ to learn more.
What is the best way to put out a grease fire?
You can use salt to put out a grease fire. In fact, along with baking soda, it is one of the best chemicals to use to put out a grease fire. A fire needs oxygen to burn. Salt smothers it, preventing it from reaching the oxygen, which extinguishes the fire. For larger fires, you may have to use a lot of salt.
Can cooking oil spontaneously combust?
Yes, but this is incredibly rare. Every oil has a smoke point, and most are around 400 – 450 degrees. But for oil to spontaneously ignite, it’d have to be almost twice as hot: around 700 to 800 degrees or more.
What is the best way to extinguish a fire?
To begin extinguishing the fire, baking soda is your best bet. This won’t work as well for large fires but it can work incredibly well with smaller fires.
What chemicals are used to contain fires?
Salt and baking soda are the go-to chemicals. Use your fire extinguisher for large fires that you struggle to contain.
What to do if baking soda isn't enough?
If baking soda isn’t enough and the fire is getting difficult to handle, use your fire extinguisher. Every kitchen has at least one, by law. It might be on the wall or in a cabinet. Next time you cook, make sure you locate yours in case of an emergency!
How hot does oil have to be to ignite?
But for oil to spontaneously ignite, it’d have to be almost twice as hot: around 700 to 800 degrees or more.
How to stop grease fire?
The best way to stop the grease fire is by smothering it. Keep a cooking or a baking sheet nearby, and cover the pan after you have turned off the heat. Covering the pan will cause the fire to consume what oxygen is left, allowing the fire to dwindle.
What to do if a grease fire in your kitchen?
It is also wise to keep a fire extinguisher ready in the kitchen for extreme situations, but if the fire becomes too much to handle, evacuate your home and call the fire department. While you can take steps to prevent grease fires in your kitchen, one of the most important ways to avoid becoming a statistic is the implementation ...
What temperature should grease be when smoking?
If you do notice the oil start to smoke, turn the heat down. Most oils can start smoking at around 450 degrees Fahrenheit and can ignite approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take for grease to catch on fire?
When cooking with oil, first it will boil, then it will smoke, and then it will catch on fire. It could take less than 30 seconds for the smoking oil to catch fire, so never leave your pot or pan unattended. Keep the grease at the recommended temperature.
Can grease cause a fire?
A grease fire can quickly make a turn for the worse if it spreads beyond the stove. If you do ultimately experience a grease fire, turn off the burner, but do not move the pan. Moving the pan could cause the fire to spread, growing faster and stronger.
