How to Put Out a Grease Fire
Fire needs three things to burn. Heat, Oxygen, and Fuel. A fire will keep growing until one of those is removed.
The safest way to extinguish a grease fire burning in a pan is to remove the oxygen.
In the following order,
- Put on oven mitts to protect your hands.
- Get the lid that fits the pan and ‘slide’ it across the top of the pan to smother the flames. Or, use a cookie sheet and slide it over the top of the burning pan.
- Shut off the burner to stop adding heat.
- Leave the pan alone, don’t move it, and don’t remove the lid until it has cooled completely.
Other secondary methods to put out a grease fire
Use a class B or BC or ABC fire extinguisher.
‘First Alert’ Kitchen Fire Extinguisher
Note: Fire extinguisher’s release a-lot of pressure, so if you do use one, start at a distance away and move towards the fire, rather than locating the nozzle directly near the burning grease. Otherwise it could tip the pan and spread the burning grease if sprayed too close to the grease fire.
You could also…
Carefully pour or sift a liberal amount of baking soda onto the grease fire.
Soak a towel under the faucet, wring out the excess dripping water, and drape over the burning grease pan to smother it.
Things NOT TO DO to put out a grease fire
DO NOT move or carry the pan outside, it will fan the flames and risk spreading.
DO NOT douse the grease fire with water, or milk, etc…
If you do, it will explode into a fireball.
DO NOT throw flour on to a grease fire because flour is combustible.
NBC TODAY Show: Kitchen Fire Safety
Example of water on a grease fire, Extinguished by using a wet towel
