How to Put Out a Grease Fire: 4 Crucial Steps

 

Why Knowing How to Put Out a Grease Fire Can Save Your Life

Knowing how to put out a grease fire requires immediate, correct action. Here’s what to do:

1. Turn off the heat source – Switch off the burner but do not move the pan.
2. Smother the flames – Slide a metal lid or cookie sheet over the pan to cut off oxygen.
3. Use baking soda or salt – For small fires, pour large amounts directly on the flames.
4. Use a Class B or K fire extinguisher – Only if you can do so safely.
5. Evacuate and call 911 – If the fire spreads or you feel unsafe.

Never use water on a grease fire. It will cause the burning oil to explode and spread the fire.

Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires, with grease fires being the most common type. They happen when cooking oil gets too hot, passes its smoke point, and ignites—which can occur in under a minute. The difference between a minor incident and a devastating house fire is knowing the right steps and avoiding the wrong ones, like using water.

I’m Ryan Majewski, General Manager at Certified Water & Fire Restoration. For over a decade, I’ve helped homeowners in Houston and Dallas recover from fire damage. I’ve seen how knowing how to put out a grease fire correctly prevents catastrophic loss.

What to Do Immediately: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Put Out a Grease Fire

When a grease fire starts, your goal is to remove one element of the fire triangle: heat, fuel, or oxygen. The next 60 seconds are critical.

Step 1: Turn Off the Heat Source

Your first action is to cut off the heat. This stops the oil from getting hotter and helps break the fire triangle.

• Stay calm and turn off the burner immediately. Whether your stove is electric or gas, switch it off.
• Do not move the pan. This is the most critical rule. Moving a pan of burning oil can splash and spread the fire across your kitchen, floor, and onto you, causing severe burns. Keep the pan exactly where it is.

If the fire is in your oven, close the oven door and turn it off.

Step 2: Smother the Flames to Cut Off Oxygen

With the heat off, your next step is to remove the fire’s oxygen supply.

• Grab a metal lid or cookie sheet that will completely cover the pan.
• Slide it over the top of the pan to create a seal. Do not drop it, as this can splash the burning oil.
• Leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool. Do not peek. Lifting the lid reintroduces oxygen and can cause the fire to reignite. Wait at least 15-20 minutes.
• Never use a glass lid. The intense heat can cause it to shatter, exposing the fire to more oxygen.

Step 3: Use Common Kitchen Items for Small Fires

For very small, contained fires, a couple of kitchen staples can work. This method is only for flames that have just started and are confined to the pan.

• Baking soda: Pour a large amount generously over the flames. Baking soda releases carbon dioxide when heated, which smothers the fire. You will need a lot; a light dusting is not enough.
• Salt: A large quantity of salt can also smother a small fire by creating a barrier between the fuel and oxygen.

These items work because they don’t react violently with hot oil. However, if the fire is larger than a few inches or you have any doubt, skip this step.

Step 4: Know When to Evacuate and Call 911

Knowing when to abandon the fight and evacuate is the most important fire safety skill.

Evacuate immediately if:

• The fire is spreading beyond the pan to cabinets, curtains, or other items.
• The flames are large (higher than a foot) and too dangerous to handle.
• You feel unsafe for any reason. Trust your instincts.

When you evacuate:

• Get everyone out and stay out. Do not stop to grab any possessions.
• Close the door behind you as you leave the kitchen and the house. This can slow the fire’s spread.
• Call 911 from a safe distance (e.g., across the street). Tell the dispatcher you have a kitchen fire and provide your address. Do not go back inside for any reason.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid: What NEVER to Use on a Grease Fire

In the panic of a kitchen fire, reaching for the wrong solution can turn a manageable situation into a disaster. Avoid these common and dangerous mistakes.

Why You Should Never Use Water

This is the most important rule: never, ever use water on a grease fire.

Because oil and water don’t mix, the water sinks below the hotter, less-dense oil. The water instantly vaporizes into steam, expanding explosively (up to 1,700 times its original volume). This “steam explosion” launches a fireball of burning grease upward and outward, splattering across your kitchen, ceiling, and anyone nearby. A small pan fire becomes a rapidly spreading inferno. This demonstration video clearly shows the violent reaction.

Other Household Powders That Fuel the Fire

While baking soda is safe, other common kitchen powders are extremely dangerous. Do not confuse them.

• Flour, sugar, and baking powder are combustible. Instead of smothering the fire, they act as fuel and can cause a dust explosion. Throwing flour on a grease fire can create a dangerous fireball.

Only baking soda has the right chemical properties to release fire-suppressing carbon dioxide. The other powders will only make the fire worse.

The Dangers of Moving the Pan or Using a Wet Towel

Fight the instinct to move the burning pan to the sink or outside. Moving a pan full of burning oil is incredibly risky. The slightest jostle will splash burning grease, spreading the fire and causing severe burns.

Similarly, do not use a towel to smother the flames. If the towel is even slightly damp, the moisture will cause the same steam explosion as pouring water on the fire. A dry towel is also a bad idea, as the fabric itself will likely catch fire, adding more fuel. The only safe way to learn how to put out a grease fire is to keep the pan stationary and use a dry metal lid or a proper fire extinguisher.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Kitchen

While smothering a fire is the first line of defense, having the right fire extinguisher provides a crucial backup. Using the wrong type can make a fire worse, so it’s important to understand the different classes.

Understanding Fire Extinguisher Classes: B vs. K

For kitchen fires, two classes are relevant: Class B and Class K.

Fire Extinguisher Class	Type of Fire	Description	Best For	Residential Use
Class B	Flammable Liquids & Gases	Fires involving flammable liquids like grease, oil, gasoline, or propane.	General kitchen fires (grease, alcohol, gas).	Yes, often combined with Class C (BC) or A (ABC).
Class K	Cooking Oils & Fats	Specifically designed for fires involving vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in commercial cooking appliances.	Deep fryers, commercial kitchens, very large grease fires.	Less common in homes, but highly effective for grease.

Class B extinguishers work on flammable liquids, including cooking grease. Class K extinguishers are specialized for cooking oils and fats, using a chemical agent that creates a fire-suppressing foam (saponification) and helps cool the oil to prevent reignition. While Class K is required in commercial kitchens, a Class B-rated extinguisher is sufficient for most homes.

The Best Fire Extinguisher for Home Kitchens

For home use, you have several good options. Keep one within easy reach of your cooking area, but near an exit—not right next to the stove.

• A multipurpose ABC extinguisher is the most common choice for homes. It handles Class A (wood, paper), Class B (grease, oil), and Class C (electrical) fires, making it highly versatile.
• A Class B or BC extinguisher is also an excellent choice for the kitchen, as the “C” rating means it’s safe for electrical fires.
• Fire suppression blankets are a simple, effective alternative for small pan fires. You just drape the blanket over the flames to cut off oxygen. They are reusable and don’t create a mess. You can find more home fire extinguishers that are often sold with blankets.

How to Properly Use a Fire Extinguisher

Remember the acronym PASS to use an extinguisher correctly.

• Pull the pin. This will break the tamper seal.
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is where the fuel source is.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly to release the agent.
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side across the base of the fire until it is completely out.

Stand six to eight feet away and sweep carefully to avoid splashing the burning grease. If you use your extinguisher, it must be recharged or replaced.

Prevention: The Best Way to Fight a Fire is to Not Have One

The most effective way to handle a grease fire is to prevent it from ever starting. Most kitchen fires are preventable with a few simple safety habits.

Safe Cooking Practices to Prevent a Grease Fire

• Never leave cooking food unattended. This is the single most important rule. Unattended cooking is a leading cause of kitchen fires. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.
• Stay alert. If you are tired, have been drinking, or are distracted, avoid cooking with oil.
• Heat oil slowly on a medium setting. High heat can cause oil to reach its ignition temperature very quickly.
• Keep a metal lid or cookie sheet nearby every time you cook with oil. This ensures you are prepared to act instantly.
• Add food to hot oil gently and slowly to prevent splattering. Pat food dry before adding it to the pan, and never put frozen food directly into hot oil.

For more on this topic, see our guide on The 5 Most Common Causes of House Fires in Houston and Dallas and How to Prevent Them.

Kitchen Maintenance and Fire Safety

A clean kitchen is a safe kitchen. Grease buildup is fuel for a fire.

• Clean your stovetop and oven regularly to remove flammable grease residue.
• Clean or replace your range hood filters frequently, as they collect a large amount of grease.
• Keep flammable items away from the stovetop. This includes dish towels, paper towels, food packaging, and curtains.
• Test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries annually. Ensure you have alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. Our Fire Safety Tips to Prevent House Fires guide has more information.

Understanding Cooking Oil Smoke Points

Every oil has a smoke point, the temperature at which it begins to smoke and break down. Once an oil is smoking, it is close to igniting. If you see smoke or smell a sharp, acrid odor, your oil is too hot. Turn off the heat and carefully remove the pan to let it cool.

Common Cooking Fat	Approximate Smoke Point
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil	350°F
Butter	350°F
Lard	370°F
Vegetable Oil	400°F
Canola Oil	400°F
Peanut Oil	450°F
Safflower Oil	450°F

Source: Cooking with fats and oils

After the Flames Are Out: Dealing with Fire and Smoke Damage

Once the fire is out, the cleanup process begins. Even a small kitchen fire can leave behind damage that requires proper attention.

How to Clean Up After a Small, Contained Grease Fire

If the fire was small, contained to the pan, and extinguished without a chemical extinguisher, you may be able to handle the cleanup.

• Ventilate the area by opening windows and using fans to clear out smoke and odors.
• Assess the surrounding area for heat damage, scorch marks, or soot on walls, ceilings, and cabinets.

If you used a fire extinguisher, you’ll have a chemical residue to deal with. This powder can be corrosive and requires specific cleaning methods. See our guide on Fire Extinguisher Cleanup for safe removal instructions.

Understanding Smoke and Soot Damage

The smoke and soot from a fire often cause more widespread damage than the flames. Grease fires create a particularly stubborn protein fire residue—a greasy, yellowish film with a strong odor that is very difficult to remove with household cleaners.

Other types of smoke include:

• Wet Smoke (from low-heat fires): Sticky, smeary, and has a powerful odor.
• Dry Smoke (from high-heat fires): Powdery soot that gets into porous surfaces and HVAC systems.
• Toxic Smoke (from synthetic materials): Contains hazardous contaminants and leaves a black, smudged residue.

Lingering smoke and soot are not just unpleasant; they pose long-term health risks of smoke inhalation. Thorough, professional cleanup is essential for your family’s safety.

When to Call for Professional Fire Damage Restoration

DIY cleanup is not always sufficient. Call for professional help if you encounter any of the following:

• The fire spread beyond the original pan. Smoke and soot can travel into walls and ventilation systems, causing hidden damage.
• There is widespread smoke residue, sticky soot, or the greasy protein residue mentioned above.
• There is any structural damage to walls, electrical systems, or support structures.
• A persistent smoke odor remains after your initial cleaning. Professionals use techniques like ozone or hydroxyl generation to eliminate odors at a molecular level.

At Certified Water & Fire Restoration, our Fire and Water Damage Contractors specialize in restoring homes after grease fires. We have the equipment and expertise to handle structural cleaning, HVAC restoration, and advanced soot and odor removal to ensure your Houston or Dallas home is safe and clean.

Your Next Steps for a Safe Kitchen

You now know the essentials of how to put out a grease fire: turn off the heat, smother the flames with a metal lid, and never use water. Prevention is even better: always stay in the kitchen when cooking with oil, keep the area clean, and have a lid or fire extinguisher ready.

If a fire does happen, the aftermath of smoke and soot can be more damaging than you realize. The greasy, stubborn residue from a cooking fire and the microscopic smoke particles that penetrate your HVAC system and walls require professional attention to ensure your home is truly safe and free of lingering odors and health hazards.

This is where Certified Water & Fire Restoration can help. We’ve seen countless kitchen fires in the Houston and Dallas areas and know exactly what it takes to restore your home properly. Our team uses specialized equipment to identify hidden damage, remove toxic residues, and eliminate persistent smoke odors.

We proudly serve Houston, Dallas, Irving, and Plano with 24/7 emergency services and a 60-minute response time. We work directly with your insurance company so there are no upfront costs to you, and we back our work with a 2-year warranty. Our goal is to get your life back to normal as quickly and safely as possible.

If you’ve experienced a kitchen fire and need help, contact us for expert fire damage restoration. We’ll be there in 60 minutes or less, ready to help.