How to Safely Put Out a Grease Fire

Grease fires, which occur when oil or fat catches fire, burn very hot and can spread if not handled properly. They must be put out with the following steps in the correct order: Turn off the stove; cover the pot or fryer with a lid; then douse with baking soda, salt, or a fire extinguisher.

Jump to Key Takeaways.

1. Turn Off the Heat Source

If a pot catches fire, the first step is to remove the heat source. Turn off the burner, oven, or broiler. Do not move the pot, as this can cause the grease to spill, which may spread the flames.

If your grease fire is in the oven, leave the door closed. This deprives the fire of oxygen, which can help put it out.

2. Cover With a Lid or Metal Baking Sheet

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 cause a serious burn.

Avoid using glass or ceramic pan lids. The extreme heat of open flames can cause these materials to shatter.

3. Douse the Flames

Two pantry staples can help douse a small grease fire safely:

• Baking soda (NOT baking powder) is effective because it releases carbon dioxide when heated, which can smother the fire.
• Salt forms a barrier between the fire and the air. This prevents the fire from getting the oxygen it needs.

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.

4. Use a Class K Fire Extinguisher

If you cannot smother the fire with a lid, baking soda, or salt, it's time to reach for the fire extinguisher.

Each type 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.

The best fire extinguisher for a grease fire is a Class K. These are wet chemical extinguishers commonly found in commercial kitchens. They are designed specifically for cooking fires and work by forming a soapy foam on the surface of the fire that cuts off airflow. They also cool down the fire.

If you do not have a Class K extinguisher in your home, a Class B extinguisher (which uses dry chemicals) can also work.

Do not use a Class A-only fire extinguisher on a grease fire, as it is water-based. If you decide to use a multi-use fire extinguisher, it can be part A as long as it is also part B. For example, an ABC fire extinguisher would be effective and safe to use on a cooking fire.

If you use a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, take steps to clean up the residue properly. Residue can cause skin irritation and should not be inhaled, so wear gloves and a dust mask during clean-up. Vacuum or sweep up loose powder, and use a 1 to 1 solution of isopropyl alcohol and water to remove stuck-on residue.

When to Call 911

Fires can become out of control very quickly. If the grease fire is large or you are uncertain about your ability to extinguish a small fire, call 911 right away. Do not wait until the fire is out of control.

Emergency personnel will ask you a series of questions to assess the situation and can give valuable instructions to help you put out the fire yourself. If needed, they can also dispatch firefighters to your home.

Remember that the fire department can always return to the station if you can get the fire out before they get to you.

What Causes Grease Fires?

Grease fires are dangerous because the fuel source is a liquid that can easily splash and spread to cabinets or other flammable areas of the kitchen. Nearly 10% of residential cooking fires spread beyond the cooking vessel and can cause significant damage and burn injuries.

Oils and grease are highly flammable, so they can easily catch fire. Different oils burn at different temperatures (flash points), but every oil you can buy at the grocery store is capable of catching on fire if the temperature is high enough.

When cooking with grease, it’s important to know the warning signs that oils are getting too hot. Boiling and smoking are good indicators that it’s time to turn down the heat.

Oils heat very quickly. Once it starts to smoke, oil can catch fire in as little as 30 seconds.

How to Prevent Grease Fires

The best way to prevent cooking fires in your kitchen is to remove common fire hazards and to understand the flash points for the oils you use.

• Keep your eyes on the stove. When you're cooking, especially with oil and grease, pay close attention and don't walk away. When hot oils begin to boil and smoke, it's a sign they could ignite and start a grease fire.
• Don't overheat your oil. Cooking oils should be heated slowly. Do not exceed the flash point for the oil you are using. Use a cooking thermometer if you have one.
• Remove combustible materials from the area. Keeping your cooking space clean is important. Always wipe up when pots boil over on the stovetop and clean your oven if you have food or grease buildup. Keep kitchen items like paper towels and recipe books at a safe distance from burners and hot oil.
• Use a heavy pot and keep the lid within reach. If your cooking pot catches fire, there's no time to hunt for a lid. Keep the lid for your pot on the counter nearby when you're cooking, even if you don't think you'll need it.
• Know where your fire extinguisher is and how to use it. Having a fire extinguisher in the house won't make a difference if you don't know where it is or how to use it. Examine your fire extinguisher to know what type of fire it's designed for. Always keep a safe distance from the fire when using a fire extinguisher, and spray the fire from the side, so it blows away from you. Replace fire extinguishers as directed on their labels.
• Keep your cooking area clean. Spilled oil and grease can trigger a fire.

Key Takeaways

• If you have a grease fire in the kitchen, leave the pan and turn off the heat source.
• Take steps to cut off air to the fire by sliding a cover on top of the pan or using salt or baking soda.
• Never use water on a grease fire. Call 911 immediately if you don't know what to do or if the fire becomes out of control.