How to Put Out a Burning Grease Pan
Most fires in the home start in the kitchen, and most cooking fires are grease related. Oils that get too hot, past the point of boiling, can easily catch fire, and this dangerous situation is responsible for hundreds of deaths and millions of dollars worth of property damage per year. You have only seconds to respond, and improperly trying to extinguish a grease fire actually makes matters worse. Just one cup of water can double the flames almost instantaneously. Prepare your kitchen and change your habits to have minimal risk, and train yourself how to react should a grease fire start so you do not injure yourself, or risk your home or family. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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React quickly but don't panic. You have about a minute, at most, to react when you see the flames catch, but you can still prevent disaster. You need to deprive the flames of oxygen to prevent them from growing out of control.
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Keep a metal lid to your pan always near at hand. If a fire should ignite, carefully slide the lid onto the pan.
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Turn off the burner immediately after the pan is covered to remove the heat source. Once it has a lid secured, you may move it steadily off the burner.
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Allow the pan to cool completely. Do not lift the lid right away because the oxygen could cause the fire to reignite.
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Use baking powder in the absence of a lid. Not all baking products put out a grease fire; flour will not be effective. Be aware, however, that it takes a lot of baking powder to extinguish the fire.
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Use the proper fire extinguisher in case you don't have a lid or enough baking soda. Extinguishers with the label "ABC" can extinguish all sorts of fires and are dry or chemical based. A water based extinguisher will actually compound the problem.
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Tips & Warnings
Never leave pans unattended while cooking. Fires can catch unexpectedly and can escalate to a life-threatening situation within seconds.
Keep the area around your stove clear of clutter. This reduces the flammable material that could ignite from a grease fire, making the situation even more dangerous.
Do not use a wet towel, or any other type of moisture-rich alternative. Water of any sort will make the fire worse, not put it out.
In general, household fire extinguishers are meant for smaller fires. If things are out of control, get to safety immediately and call the fire department for help.
References
- Photo Credit Burke/Triolo Productions/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
