How to Put Out a Grease Fire

In honor of Fire Prevention Week from October 3rd through the 9th let’s talk about a common household hazard, the grease fire. Even seasoned cooks may find themselves in sticky situations with grease. Grease fires are one of the hardest to put out, here are the best ways to attempt to put one out. 

1) Turn off the Heat Source
The first piece of action is to turn off the heat source. Seems like a no-brainer but when you find yourself in a high-stress situation you may forget even the most obvious solutions. After turning off the heat source, you may be tempted to remove the pot or pan. The best practice is to keep the pot where it is.

2) Use a Metal Lid to Cover the Pot or Pan
We all know fire needs oxygen to keep burning. Attempting to snuff out the flame is a great option to end the fire quickly. Make sure the lid is metal, glass may shatter and other materials may melt.

3) Use a Fire Extinguisher
We all have at least one fire extinguisher in our homes, a grease fire is a great time to use it! 

4) Other flame dousing options
If you can’t seem to find your fire extinguisher there are other dousing options. Water is NOT one of those options! Water will not stop a grease fire but baking soda or salt. In order to fully extinguish the flame, you will need a large quantity of baking soda or salt, it may be most efficient to use a lid or fire extinguisher. 

Different forms of grease have different flashpoints. It is important to note them: