Grease Fire - What do you do?

[Denholm]

You've stepped away from the kitchen for a few minutes while frying some chicken breasts. On your way back to the kitchen you smell something VERY crispy. You're thinking, "Those chicken breasts can't be done already!" Upon entering the kitchen you notice a slight flame emerging from the fryer in which the chicken breasts reside. Now the question raises itself to the upper echelon of your mind, "How do I extinguish this fire?" Should I use water, flour, or some other substance? Out of desperation to put out the flame which is starting to rise you grab a cup, fill it with water, and dump the water into the fryer.

After waking up in the hospital and hearing the doctor tell you about your neighbor's courageous method of rescuing you, you begin to wonder, "What went wrong, what happened?"

The first mistake in the above situation is that the imaginary human panicked. The person was placing pressure on themselves to put out the flame. The second mistake was spawned by the first, the inability to think. The person never gave themselves a chance to make a smart decision.

So what did happen? Upon placing water on the grease fire the water turned to vapor and practically exploded the grease upward and out creating a fireball and a massive geyser of scolding grease. This is because the water is more dense than grease and headed straight to the bottom of the fryer. As the water descends it continues to gain energy through the heat of the grease and the fryer. Eventually the majority of the water gains enough energy to simultaneously and instantly convert itself to gas. As this process occurs the water's gasses expand and end up pushing the grease up and out. This means the grease practically exploded!

The safe way to extinguish a grease fire is to turn off the heat to the fryer. Then dampen a rag remembering to ring it out as good as you can. Afterward cover the top of the fryer. Eventually the fire burns itself out due to a lack of oxygen. During this time do not attempt to move the fryer!

Here is a video demonstrating the dramatic effects of dumping water on a grease fire and how to extinguish the fire properly:

Downloadable:  http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ewjzijyzfmg
YouTube:        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wux85VAnChg

[skernsk]

I have a placed lard bombs in the firepit outside.  It's basically a large coffee can 3/4 full with Bacon grease.  Place it on the fire and let it melt and catch on fire.  Using a soup can taped to a broom handle .. dump a can of water on the sucker.  A nice 20ft flame comes off and a crapload of heat.

Trying that in the house .. would be very, very bad.

[Airscrew]

I learned along time ago how to deal with fires, especially kitchen fires. 
1.  Never leave the stove unattended
2.  Keep a lid for the pot or pan nearby and available
3.  Never throw water on a grease fire (or gas, oil, electrical)
4.  If your oil or grease is starting to smoke, you got it too hot, turn the heat down
5.  If a fire does start, use the lid, or baking soda, or the damp rag
6.  as soon as you cover the pot turn off the heat/fire to the pot or pan
7.  two words  -  Fire Extingisher,  every kitchen should have one
8.  Wait several minutes before you remove the pot/pan from the stove, and wait until the pan/pot has cooled before you remove the lid or rag.  The oil or grease can still be hot enough to reignite if it gets oxygen again.

[Denholm]

I have a placed lard bombs in the firepit outside.  It's basically a large coffee can 3/4 full with Bacon grease.  Place it on the fire and let it melt and catch on fire.  Using a soup can taped to a broom handle .. dump a can of water on the sucker.  A nice 20ft flame comes off and a crapload of heat.

Trying that in the house .. would be very, very bad.

I suppose that's one's introduction to bomb engineering?

Great tips Airscrew. I think it's time to invest in a Fire Extinguisher.

[Twister2]

I have put out many fires where in the investigation I found the remains of the towells that were used to try and put it out. Had they not panicked and used a wet towell they may have succeeded. However the best thing to use a tight fitting lid or an extinguisher. They now have a newer class of extinguisher called class k specifically designed for animal fat/grease ect. Dont forget to call 911 better to have the fire department come and not be needed then to have the house burn down. They will also take the time to remove any smoke from your home if you let them.

[Airscrew]

There maybe another film but another thing is the oven fire.   You come in the kitchen and see smoke coming out of the oven.  DO NOT just yank open the oven to rescue your dinner.  You might lose an eyebrow or two.  Turn off the oven and wait for it to cool down a little then treat like a stove fire.   When you do open the oven do it slowly and keep your face/head as far back as possible and watch for the flareup.  If it doesnt burn itself out then use your fire extingisher. 

[nirvana]

In the kitchen you're going to use a CO2 extinguisher for a class Bravo fire.

[GFShill]

I'd grab the extinguisher under the sink. My wife would probably just scream for me to come do something.

[rpm]

CO2 is effective, but I'd rather have a dry powder. A small CO2 bottle runs out FAST, big bottles are heavy and cumbersome. Dry chemical is light and lasts longer. The main thing is to know how to properly use a fire extinguisher. If you fan the flames with the extinguisher the fire carries away the chemical or CO2. Aim for the base of the fire and smother it.

[Chalenge]

CO2 is your friend! 

[cpxxx]

On this side of the pond, a very effective way of getting dead is to go to the pub, drink far too much and stagger home. At home, feeling hungry, you look for something to eat. Decide on chips (fries). Somehow you get the chip pan onto the hob, fill it with oil and chips. Then you lay down on the couch 'for a minute' and fall asleep. One of two things happens next, you wake up, see flames shooting out of the fryer, throw water on it and whoosh! Alternatively you don't wake up at all and the smoke gets you.

Kills lots of people every year.

I remember it happening to my Mother once, no she wasn't drinking, just distracted by us kids. Very calmly she just turned off the heat  and put the wet cloth over the pan. No drama. Good in a crisis, my Mother.

[DieAz]

baking soda lots of it, if no fire extinguisher is available.

[SIK1]

Panic, run out the door and locking it as I leave. So I can use the neighbors phone.

[Denholm]

Well, at least it doesn't leave your face scarred.