How To Put Out A Grease Fire – Cooking does not present a lot of danger though you might experience some cuts or little burns. However, at times there can be accidents in the kitchen, including grease fire. Grease fire occurs, and your cooking oil boils beyond the average temperature.
To prevent such incidences, use metallic pans, and cover with a metallic lid since glass will shatter while cooking. You can also use a thermometer to measure the temperature of your cooking oil.
Please stay in the kitchen to monitor the oil as it is heating. If you see smoke, turn off the source heat. Alternatively, you can remove the cooking pan from the fire. Even though the oil cannot catch fire when it starts smoking, the smoke can be dangerous. Do the following in case your oil catches fire:
Turn off the source of heat
Instead of removing the pot, turn off the source of heat since removing the pan, you can accidentally splash yourself with the burning oil, and it can burn you. You can only remove the pot after it has cooled down, and the source of fire is off.
Use a Metal Lid to Cover the Pot
Notably, fire requires oxygen to exist. This implies that when the oil is overheated, and smoke is seen, it can quickly burn if there is enough oxygen supply. Covering your pan with a metallic lid makes the fire consume the available oxygen then put itself out. Do not use glass lid since it will shatter.
Pour Baking Soda on the Pot
Baking soda is a suitable fire extinguisher since it extinguishes grease fires instantly. However, baking soda works best when the fire is little, implying that putting out massive grease fire will require a large amount of baking soda.
Spray Chemical Fire Extinguisher on the Pot
This can be your last resort, do not use this approach before trying the ones mentioned above since fire extinguishers can contaminate your kitchen; however, if things get out of control, fire extinguishers.
What Happens When You Cannot Put Out the Grease Fire?
At times you might not be successful in putting out the grease fire if this is the scenario then do the following:
Get out, ensure that everyone leaves the house as soon as possible to prevent loss of lives. A grease fire can turn out to be catastrophic, do not be heroic to fire; instead, take safety precautions, and leave the house.
Close the kitchen door. This is significant in helping to contain the fire in one place. Leaving the room open might result in the fire spreading throughout the house.
Call Emergency Services, if the fire persists call 911 as they will come to your rescue and put out the fire using fire extinguishers. Avoid entering the house until the fire is completely contained and put out by the firefighters.
What to Avoid While Putting Out Grease Fire
Avoid using water to put out the fire since it can result in the splashing of the oil hence escalating the fire. Avoid carrying the pot outside. Moving the pot might result in the splashing of oil, therefore, escalating the fire further. Avoid throwing other baking products on the fire, and you can only use baking soda to put out the fire.