Handling Grease Fires

9/17/2018 (Permalink)

A grease fire can lead to a total loss in the kitchen.

A grease fire happens when the cooking oil becomes too hot. When the oil heats up, the oil starts to boil and then eventually it’ll start smoking then catch on fire. Animal fats will start to smoke around 375*F and vegetable oils have a smoking point of 450*F. Whenever you’re heating oil for any reason, make sure you stay in the kitchen. Always keep a lid and clip a thermometer to the side so you always know the temperature of the oil.

If the worst happens and a grease fire does form, make sure to do the following:

• Turn the Heat Off - Don't try to move the pot. You might accidentally splash yourself or your kitchen with burning oil. And that would be bad.
• Cover the Pot with a Metal Lid - Fire cannot exist in the absence of oxygen. With the lid on (and the heat off), the fire should quickly consume all the oxygen and put itself out. Use a metal lid since glass will shatter.
• Spray the Pot with a Fire Extinguisher - This is your last resort, as fire extinguishers will contaminate your kitchen. Still, it's better than the alternative if the fire is getting out of control.
• Get Out and Call 911 - If the fire does break out of control, don't try to be a hero. Get out and find a phone to call 911.

Now that we understand how grease fires start and what to do to prevent them, hopefully you’ll never be in a situation where you have to use this information. If it unfortunately happens, do the steps to ease the fire and call the cleaning experts at SERVPRO of Corpus Christi East right away! We will work nonstop to make sure it looks “Like it never even happened.”