Oil fires occur because cooking oil is too hot. An unattended pan of oil can catch fire in just a few minutes. So, don't let you leave it! If an oil fire occurs on the stove, turn off the stove immediately. Cover the fire with a baking sheet or metal lid. Never throw water on an oil fire. If the fire is out of control, ask everyone to get out of the house and call the fire department.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Extinguishing Fire
Step 1. Evaluate the severity of the fire
If the fire is low and still in the pot, you can safely extinguish it yourself. If the fire starts to spread to other parts of the kitchen, ask everyone to get out of the house and call the fire department. Don't harm yourself.
Call the fire department if you are afraid to approach a fire or don't know what to do. Don't risk your life and body to save the kitchen
Step 2. Turn off the stove flame immediately
This is the first priority to do because oil fires need heat to keep burning. Keep the pot on the stove and don't move it because the oil could accidentally spill on you or the kitchen.
If you have time, you can put on oven mitts to protect your skin
Step 3. Cover the fire with a metal cover
Fires need oxygen to burn, so they will go out if you cover them with metal. Place a baking sheet or metal lid over the heat. Do not use a glass cover because it can break if exposed to fire.
Also avoid ceramic covers, plates, and bowls to put out the fire. Ceramics can explode and scatter into dangerous flakes
Step 4. Pour the baking soda over low heat
Baking soda can extinguish small oil fires, but is not effective for large fires. You will need a large amount of baking soda to do this. So, take a box of baking soda and pour all the contents in until the fire goes out.
- You can also use salt. If you can get to it faster, just use salt.
- Do not use baking powder, flour or anything other than baking soda and salt to extinguish an oil fire.
Step 5. Use a chemical fire extinguisher as a last resort
If you have a Class B (liquid fire) or K (kitchen fire) chemical fire extinguisher, just use this tool to extinguish oil fires. Since chemicals make the kitchen dirty and difficult to clean, only use this option as a last resort. However, if this is the last line of defense to prevent the fire from spreading out of control, feel free to use it!
Method 2 of 3: Avoiding Bad Handling
Step 1. Do not pour water on an oil fire
This is a major mistake that people often make when dealing with oil fires. Oil and water don't mix, and when you pour water on an oil fire, the fire will spread.
Step 2. Do not hit the fire with an apron, towel, or other cloth
This will actually fan the fire and spread it out. The fabric itself can also catch fire. Also, do not place wet towels on oil fires to remove oxygen.
Step 3. Do not put other baking ingredients on the fire
Baking powder and flour may look similar to baking soda, but they don't have the same effect. Only baking soda and salt can handle oil fires safely and effectively.
Step 4. Avoid moving the pan or taking it outside
This is another mistake that people make too often and may seem reasonable. However, moving a pan of flaming oil can cause it to spill, which could expose you and other flammable objects to the flames.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Oil Fires
Step 1. Do not leave the stove unattended when you are cooking with oil
Unfortunately, most oil fires occur when a person leaves a cooking pot for a short time. An oil fire can occur in less than 30 seconds. Never leave hot oil.
Step 2. Heat the oil in a heavy pan with a metal lid
When cooking with oil, use a saucepan with a lid to block the oxygen supply. If the oil is hot, a fire may still occur even if you have the lid on, but this is much less likely.
Step 3. Keep the baking soda, salt, and baking sheet around the stove
Get in the habit of placing these items in easy-to-reach locations when you cook with oil. When an oil fire occurs, you will have at least 3 different items to put it out immediately.
Step 4. Stick a thermometer to the edge of the pan to monitor the temperature of the oil
Find out the smoke point (the temperature at which the oil begins to smoke) for the oil you're using, then use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil as you cook. When the temperature is close to the smoke point, turn off the stove.
Step 5. Watch for smoke and watch out for strong odors
If you see a plume of smoke or a strong odor when you cook with oil, immediately turn off the heat or remove the pan from the stove. While the oil doesn't burn immediately after the smoke begins to appear, the smoke is a warning sign that the oil is close to burning.
