Photo: Kindel Media

What fire gets worse with water?

Water Makes Grease Fires Worse Never try to extinguish a grease fire with water. Throwing water on the fire can cause burning grease to splash, which can make the fire spread and potentially harm bystanders. It is dangerous to move a pan or pot of burning oil for the same reasons.

verywellhealth.com - How to Safely Put Out a Grease Fire - Verywell Health

Which zodiac is mysterious?

Scorpio. If there's one trait that's associated with Scorpio, it's mysteriousness. In fact, each of the experts we consulted named them the most...

Last updated Jun 1, 2019

Do rich people rent or own?

A 2018 study from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University also found that high-earners were increasingly renting. The number of...

Last updated Apr 30, 2022

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Grease fires happen when oil, grease, or fat on a stovetop, oven, or deep-fat fryer gets hot enough to ignite. These fires burn very hot and can spread if not handled properly. The instructions for how to put out a grease fire must be followed in this exact order: Turn off the stove. Cover the pot, pan, or fryer with a lid. Douse the fire with baking soda, salt, or a fire extinguisher—never water. This article helps you understand the causes of grease fires, how to put them out, and how to prevent them from starting. It also lets you know when it is time to call 911 to prevent harm to yourself and your property.

When Does Grease Catch Fire?

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 injuries. Leaving the stove unattended while cooking is a leading cause of home cooking fires. 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. Smoke points for common oils can range from 320 degrees Fahrenheit to 520 degrees Fahrenheit. 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, and once it starts to smoke, oil can catch fire in as little as 30 seconds. Cooking is the leading cause of household fires and injuries, and nearly half of all home cooking fires are caused by fat, grease, or oil.

How to Put Out a Grease Fire

Even when taking proper precautions, accidents can happen. If you're cooking with oils and a grease fire ignites in the pan, knowing the correct steps can be the difference between a ruined dinner and a kitchen engulfed in flames. Fires require three key elements: a heat source, fuel, and oxygen. Removing either of these components will help the fire go out. The steps below will guide you through safe ways to extinguish small, confined grease fires in your home. Water Makes Grease Fires Worse Never try to extinguish a grease fire with water. Throwing water on the fire can cause burning grease to splash, which can make the fire spread and potentially harm bystanders. It is dangerous to move a pan or pot of burning oil for the same reasons.

Turn Off the Stove

If you’re cooking and a pot catches fire, the first step is to remove the heat source. Turn off the burner, oven, or broiler. If your grease fire is in the oven, leave the door closed. This deprives the fire of oxygen, which can help put it out.

Cover with a Lid

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

Why is my birthday a trigger?

Potential Causes and Reasons “For others, birthdays can come during times when they are going through something difficult.” He adds that if someone...

Last updated Feb 26, 2018

What crystal attracts wealth and money?

If you want to bring wealth into your life, crystals that attract money are a great starting point. Pyrite. Citrine. Green Jade. Malachite. Tiger's...

Last updated Mar 21, 2022

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Douse the Flames

The warning to never use water to put out a grease fire is worth repeating, especially since your urge may be to take a burning pot to the sink and turn on the faucet. Instead, you can reach for two pantry staples to help douse a small grease fire safely: Baking soda is effective because it releases carbon dioxide when heated, which can smother the fire. 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. Though baking soda and salt effectively put out grease fires, other powdered ingredients can worsen fires. Flour and baking powder are highly combustible and can explode in extreme heat. Do not use them (or any boxed mixes that contain them) on a grease fire.

Use the 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 air flow. 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 after everything is said and done. Recap 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.

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.

How do I stop waking up scared?

This includes: Physical activity. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself in the morning, especially if you are dealing with an...

Last updated Feb 17, 2022

Is insecurity a mental illness?

When one deals with generalized insecurity for a long period of time, however, the doubt and negative feelings experienced may have a significant...

Last updated Jul 14, 2021

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

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

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.

Make sure you're staying safe in the kitchen by:

Keeping your eyes on the stove. When you're cooking, especially with oil and grease, don't walk away and pay close attention. 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. Removing 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 items like paper towels and recipe books at a safe distance from burners and hot oil. Keep a lid handy. 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. Knowing 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.

Summary

Fires in the kitchen can be scary and dangerous. Because half of all cooking fires are grease fires, it's important to know how to prevent them and how to handle them safely if they occur. 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. Do not ever use water on a grease fire. It's wise to have a class K fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure that you (and others in your home) know how to use it properly. Call 911 immediately if you don't know what to do or if the fire becomes out of control. Keeping your cooking space free of combustibles and monitoring your pans closely is very important.

verywellhealth.com - How to Safely Put Out a Grease Fire - Verywell Health

What organ produces energy in the body?

Mitochondria Mitochondria have a role in nearly every mechanism and process within the human body. Every known function requires the energy...

Last updated Aug 16, 2021

Is purple a girl's color?

Is purple a “girl color” or “boy color?” Purple is traditionally a “girl” color. In fact, women often pick purple as their favorite color while...

Last updated Jul 6, 2022

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Does your birth month affect your IQ?

First, it might be reassuring to parents that, at least when skills are measured at a young age, month of birth doesn't appear to have a major...

Last updated Apr 28, 2022

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

What should you not do while manifesting?

4 Common manifesting mistakes Expecting instant results. Lacking clarity in what you want. Remaining rigid in your desired outcome and pathway to...

Last updated May 13, 2021