How to Extinguish a Grease Fire & Other Safety Tips

Grease fires are particularly dangerous, as they can escalate quickly and are often improperly handled. The National Fire Protection Association published findings in 2023 that cooking was the leading cause of home fires and the second leading cause of home fire deaths from 2017 to 2021. 

Understanding how to extinguish a grease fire is essential for protecting your home and loved ones. Plus, learning how to prevent kitchen grease fires from occurring in the first place is also crucial information to be aware of.

Below, we explore the top causes of grease fires, how to put out a grease fire, and we cover the necessary steps to protect your loved ones and home if one should occur.

What Causes Grease Fires?

A grease fire occurs when cooking oil or fat ignites too hot. Knowing how to stop a grease fire is essential since grease fires can escalate rapidly. Common causes can include:

• Overheated Oil: When cooking oil reaches its smoke point, it breaks down and creates smoke. Left unattended, it can reach the ignition point and burst into flames.
• Leaving Cooking Unattended: An unattended stove with a pot or pan with oil can overheat and catch fire in minutes.
• Adding Water to Hot Oil: Adding water or ice to hot oil can cause it to splatter and ignite. Water turns to steam instantly upon contact with hot oil, spreading the flames.
• Oil Spills: Oil that spills or splashes onto the stovetop, burners, or other heating elements can ignite easily.

How To Prevent a Grease Fire

While it’s essential to know how to extinguish a grease fire in emergencies, it’s best to prevent it from happening in the first place. These tips can help keep your kitchen safe:

• Don’t Leave the Stove Unattended: Never leave the stove unattended when cooking with oil, as oil can reach dangerous temperatures and ignite quickly. 
• Keep Flammable Items Away from the Stove: Keep flammable items like dish towels, paper towels, and wooden utensils safely from the stove. 
• Maintain a Clean Cooking Area: Regularly clean grease buildup on nearby surfaces to prevent them from catching fire if they come into contact with a heat source.
• Consider the Oils You Use: Different oils have different smoke points. If you want to cook recipes that require high cooking temperatures, use oils with higher smoke points. 
• Keep Pot Handles Turned Inward: Turning pot handles inward prevents accidental bumps or spills, preventing spills and hot oil splashing.

How To Put Out Grease Fires

If a grease fire starts, acting quickly and safely is paramount. Here’s how to stop a grease fire safely: 

1. Do Not Use Water: Never try to extinguish a grease fire with water, as it turns to steam and carries burning oil droplets, increasing the flames.
2. Turn Off the Heat Immediately: If you can safely access the stove, turning off the heat source can help prevent the fire from growing.
3. Smother the Fire: If the fire is small, carefully place a metal lid or baking sheet over the pan to cut off the fire’s oxygen supply. You can also use baking soda to smother the flames. 
4. Use a Fire Extinguisher Designed for Kitchen Fires: Use a Class K fire extinguisher, which is designed for kitchen fires involving grease, and aim at the base of the fire.

After a Grease Fire: What’s Next?

Once the fire has been extinguished, it’s time to assess the fire damage and begin the recovery process:

• Assess Fire Damage: Inspect the affected areas for damage, such as severe smoke and soot buildup, which can harm your home and health.
• Check Appliances and Electrical Components: Call a qualified electrician to assess nearby appliances and electrical outlets before using those appliances again.
• Contact a Property Restoration Team: Smoke and soot can leave harmful particles in your kitchen that can’t be fully removed with regular cleaning. An experienced property restoration team can handle soot cleanup while addressing other property damage affected by the fire. 

Experienced a Grease Fire? Trust Restoration 1 of Cape Cod with Your Property’s Fire Damage

Kitchen grease fires are among the most common and dangerous household fire hazards, but with the right knowledge and preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk. These steps can help protect your home and ensure your kitchen remains a safe place for cooking.

In case of fire damage, let the certified restoration technicians of Restoration 1 of Cape Cod bring your property back to its original condition. We are a trusted property restoration company that works efficiently and effectively to help you recover and restore your home. Contact us for emergency fire damage restoration.