How to Extinguish Grease Fires
Do you know how to put out a grease fire? I was at a friend’s house when this knowledge came in handy. We cooked a few burgers and then set the grill to self clean. Minutes later, a grease fire was beginning to engulf the grill.
Grease Fire Information
Grease fires occur when oil or grease gets hot enough to ignite (728° F). Grease fires are extremely dangerous. They can spread quickly and burn very hot. Never pour water on a grease fire. Water will only splash the grease causing it to spread.
Putting Out a Grease Fire
Don’t hesitate to call 911. It’s better to make the call then regret it later. Act quickly. Grease fires are fast so be decisive. The key to putting out a grease fire is eliminating the oxygen source. This can be accomplished a few different ways. Begin by turning off the fuel source (if accessible).
- Cover the fire. Find something non-flammable like a lid to cover the fire. It’s got to be something that will sufficiently cut off the air supply. Glass lids will break from high temperatures.
- Baking Soda. You can also smother the fire with baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda liberally until the fire is out.
- Fire extinguisher. Use a good Class B fire extinguisher (available from Amazon for $20.78). This method is very effective but will ruin food and contaminate your kitchen. At least you’ll still have a kitchen. Make sure your extinguisher is stored someplace easy to access.
Never attempt to carry the fire somewhere else. It will spread too easily and you can become seriously injured. Remember to STOP, DROP, and ROLL if you (or your clothing) catch fire.
My friend turned off the grill burners and removed the propane tank. Next, he quickly grabbed their fire extinguisher. The extinguisher was small and didn’t completely do the job. We finished off the fire with baking soda while he borrowed another extinguisher from a neighbor. It was a scary moment.
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What do you think? Where is your extinguisher?
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6 Responses to How to Extinguish Grease Fires
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September 4th, 2008 10:34 am
Oh my.. I don’t even know if we HAVE one. I’d better go get one right now!
September 4th, 2008 11:29 am
Great post, thanks Ethan. We’ve got an extinguisher but I didn’t hear about baking soda!
September 4th, 2008 5:35 pm
It’s not something I think about much. We’ve got a small extinguisher but I’m not sure it would last against even a small fire. Glad you found it helpful.
September 4th, 2008 10:01 pm
Yikes!!!
Before we even closed on the house, we bought all new fire extinguishers because I didn’t want to take them out of our old house which hadn’t sold yet, and convenient fire extinguishers and working smoke/fire detectors are a serious priority for me. We have one in our kitchen pantry, in the 2nd floor hallway, in the 3rd floor attic storage room, in the basement, and in the garage. I did have on in my car until SOMEone (”Abuela, I didn’t touch it, I SWEAR!!!”) pulled the ring on it and it discharged in the emergency kit.
September 5th, 2008 9:07 am
@Leslie, You are prepared! I think we could all take a page from your book. Kinda funny about the car though. I’m imagining an extinguisher flying around filling your car….
September 29th, 2008 11:19 pm
[...] by fires that start while cooking on decks. After reading a friends blog the other day about a grease fire they had on their grill I thought I’d take the time to remind folks of the dangers that [...]