How to Stop a Grease Fire!

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

Once you start cooking, you should stay close as it only takes a few seconds for grease to reach unsafe temperatures!

Cooking can be very therapeutic for people as they can learn about different cultures through trying new recipes or styles of cooking. One type of cooking has a greater risk of creating a fire than others: frying food. Fire departments around the nation respond to, on average, 172,000 fires a year caused by cooking activities. Let’s go step by step on what you should do if you encounter a fire in your kitchen while cooking. Most cooking accidents escalate when rash decisions are made. This is the time to keep calm and focus on the following steps.

Removing The Oxygen

There are multiple ways to remove oxygen from a fire that will help extinguish it before it grows. Removing oxygen is critical in extinguishing a fire as oxygen supports the chemical processes during a fire. When a grease fire burns, it reacts with the oxygen from the surrounding environment, releasing heat and creating smoke and gas.

Cover the Pan

You can cover the pan with a flat cooking sheet or put the lid on top of the pan. By removing oxygen, you replace it with carbon dioxide, which is inflammable and denser than air.

Throw Baking Soda on Flame

Another way you can stop a fire is by throwing baking soda on top of the flame. When you add baking soda to fire, it releases carbon dioxide, which, as mentioned before, is denser than air.

When in Doubt Use a Fire Extinguisher

If you don’t have the time to do the previously listed strategies, you can always use a Class K fire extinguisher. This type is a wet chemical that takes the temperature of the fire and creates a barrier between the oil and fire.

If the fire grows out of control, please don’t try and put it out on your own. Please call the emergency phone number, 911, to get help before it grows to other parts of the home or business. No amount of property damage is worth putting your life in danger because if you face any damage, please call your local SERVPRO is here to help!