How to Prevent and Handle a Kitchen Grease Fire
A kitchen fire can break out in an instant and quickly become a dangerous situation. Since kitchens contain flammable materials, high-temperature appliances, and cooking oils, they are one of the most common places for fires to start. Knowing how to respond and having the right fire safety equipment can mean the difference between a minor incident and a disaster.
In this article, we will focus on the causes of cooking oil fires and the ways to prevent and handle them.
It is important to highlight that cooking oil fires are extremely dangerous and are the most frequent cause of household fires in our country.
Common Causes of Kitchen Fires
Understanding what causes kitchen fires can help prevent them. When oil or grease overheats, it can instantly ignite. The most common causes include:
Cooking at high temperatures: Overheating oil, butter, or other fats can lead to ignition.
Unattended cooking: This is the number one cause of kitchen fires. Leaving food cooking without supervision is extremely dangerous.
Faulty thermostat in electric frying appliances (e.g., deep fryers): Malfunctions can cause excessive heating.
How to Safely Handle a Cooking Oil/Grease Fire in the Kitchen
If oil catches fire:
Immediately turn off the heat source (electricity, gas, etc.). This helps contain the fire and aids in extinguishing it.
DO NOT use water! Water will cause the fire to erupt violently, potentially causing injury and spreading the flames.
Use the Firexo sachet. It's very easy to use—simply place it into the flaming pan, and the fire will be extinguished within seconds.
Use a Class F fire extinguisher, which is specifically designed for cooking oil and fat fires, or a Firexo extinguisher, which is suitable for all fire categories.
Cut off the oxygen supply to the fire: Use a metal lid or a damp cloth to cover the flames and stop the oxygen flow. In this case, you must be extremely careful, as oil fires are often very large and pose a high risk of burns.
Use a fire blanket: A fire blanket can extinguish a small grease fire. Be especially cautious when using it and make sure you are properly trained. The handle of the cooking pan should not be facing toward you, to avoid accidentally tipping it over. Also, make sure to protect your hands and head (see the following video) to prevent burns.
If the fire grows and is no longer manageable, evacuate the area immediately.
In any case, prevention is always better than cure, so make sure to install a smoke or heat detector in your kitchen. In a follow-up article, we will go into detail about detectors, their use, and their importance.
