Marianne Martinez
Pan fires are dangerous and can cause severe damage and injuries. Around 60% of fires in residential homes start in the kitchen, with frying pans being a common cause. Pan fires can be prevented by staying in the kitchen while cooking with oil and keeping the temperature below 390 F (191 C) or 375 F (for animal fats). If a pan catches fire, do not leave it unattended, do not use water or a fire extinguisher, and do not move the pan. Instead, cover the pan with a lid or a damp dish towel to cut off the oxygen supply, turn off the heat, and let it cool. It is also important to have a family escape plan and a designated meeting place in case of a fire.
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What You'll Learn
Never leave a pan unattended
Kitchen safety is paramount, and fires can start in a matter of seconds, so never leave a pan unattended. Most pan fires occur within five minutes of turning on the heat source. It only takes a few minutes for an unattended, oily pan to catch fire. If you need to leave the room, get someone else to watch the pan for you. Keep your phone with you so that you don't have to go into another room to answer it, and make sure everything you need is within reach before you start cooking.
It is important to be aware of the dangers of hot oil igniting. Oils first start to boil, then they start smoking, and then they catch on fire. Most vegetable oils have a smoking point of around 450°F, while animal fats like lard or goose fat will start smoking at around 375°F. A thermometer can be used to monitor the temperature of the oil. If you see smoke or smell something acrid, turn down the heat or remove the pan from the heat source.
To prevent fires, it is recommended to use a deeper pan and only pour in the amount of oil you need. Avoid cooking at very high temperatures as the oil will be more volatile and flammable, and there will be a bigger ignition source. A safer temperature to cook at is 390°F (191°C).
If a fire does occur, do not use water to try to put it out. Water can cause the oil to splash and spread the fire. It can also cause a miniature explosion, resulting in major burns. Instead, cover the pan with a lid or a damp dish towel to stop oxygen from feeding the fire. Then, turn off the heat source and let the pan cool down. Do not attempt to move the pan as the burning oil could spill and spread the fire.
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Don't use a fire extinguisher
If you have a fire extinguisher, you may be tempted to use it, but you should refrain from doing so. Fire extinguishers require a firefighter or someone with adequate training to be present close to the fire to fight it. In the event of a fire, the occupant of the house should focus on leaving the premises safely rather than fighting the fire.
If the fire is in a pan, do not throw water over the flames. Water is denser than oil, so when it meets burning fat, it sinks to the bottom of the pan. The heat causes the rapid expansion of water into steam, and because of the confined space in the pan, the burning oil spews out with explosive force. The vaporized water then acts to spread the oil out, increasing its surface area and contact with oxygen, letting it burn more easily.
If the fire is electrical, do not use water. If it’s safe to do so, try to unplug the device first to stop the flow of power and production of heat.
If the fire is in a shallow pan, simply putting a lid on the pan can be enough to put the fire out safely. A fire blanket will also smother small frying pan fires if used properly and quickly. If you don’t have one, a slightly damp tea towel will work, although the UK government scrapped this advice in 2008. A very large quantity of bicarbonate of soda or salt can be used to snuff out flames, too. Don’t use flour, though; flour is flammable and will simply add fuel to the fire.
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Don't put the fire out with water
If a pan catches fire, it is important to not put the fire out with water. Water should not be used to put out a pan fire as it can cause the oil to splash and spread the fire. The water hitting hot grease or oil can create a miniature explosion and inflict major burns on the person who poured it. The vaporizing water can also carry grease particles, further spreading the fire.
If a hot pan is on fire, there is a safe way to put it out. Cover it, preferably with a lid. If you don't have a lid, use a damp dish towel. Both of these methods stop oxygen from feeding the fire. Use a metal lid, as glass will shatter. Turn off the heat source and let the pan cool down where it is. Do not attempt to move the pan, as the burning oil could spill and burn you or spread the fire.
To prevent a pan fire, use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil. Keep the temperature below 390°F (191°C). Oils will first start to boil, then smoke, and then catch on fire. Most vegetable oils have a smoking point around 450°F, while animal fats like lard or goose fat will start smoking around 375°F. If you see wisps of smoke or smell something acrid, turn down the heat or remove the pot from the burner.
If a pan fire breaks out of control, get out and call emergency services.
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Turn off the heat source
If you're dealing with a pan fire, it's important to act quickly and calmly. Here are some detailed steps to focus on turning off the heat source:
Do not attempt to move the pan: It's important to resist the urge to move the pan to a different location. Attempting to carry the pan outside or to another room can be dangerous and may cause the burning oil to spill, splatter, or spread the fire. Keep the pan where it is and focus on smothering the flames and cutting off the heat source.
Cover the pan with a lid: Once you've turned off the heat, cover the pan with a lid, preferably made of metal. This will deprive the fire of oxygen, helping to extinguish the flames. If you don't have a lid, use a damp dish towel to cover the pan. Make sure to use oven mitts or pot holders to protect your hands from any potential heat or flames when placing the lid or towel on the pan.
Keep the pan covered until it cools down: After placing the lid or towel on the pan, do not remove the cover until the pan has had sufficient time to cool down completely. This process may take several minutes, so be patient and monitor the pan to ensure the fire doesn't reignite. Once the pan is cool, carefully remove the cover, being cautious of any residual steam or smoke.
Address any remaining fire hazards: Even after successfully extinguishing the flames, it's important to tend to any remaining risks. Make sure to turn off any other burners or heat sources that may have been left on during the incident. Check nearby appliances and surfaces for any signs of fire or residual heat that could pose a continued risk.
Remember, safety should always be the top priority when dealing with a pan fire. Ensure that you have a fire extinguisher and a fire escape plan for your household.
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Have an escape plan
Having an escape plan is crucial in the event of a fire, especially one caused by a frying pan, which can quickly turn into a large fire. Here are some detailed instructions to help you create and execute an effective escape plan:
Identify Multiple Exits
Walk through your home and identify at least two exit routes from each room. If you have windows or doors that are blocked, clear them to ensure they can be easily accessed and opened as a means of escape. This is essential to provide multiple options for evacuation in case one route becomes blocked by fire or smoke.
Plan and Practice
Develop a detailed escape plan with your family or housemates and practice it regularly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends executing your emergency escape plan twice a year, including a nighttime drill. Draw a map of your home with marked evacuation routes, so everyone knows exactly what to do in an emergency.
Stay Low and Crawl
During a fire, smoke rises, so it's important to stay low to the ground to avoid inhaling smoke. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl under the smoke to increase your chances of safely reaching an exit.
Close Doors Behind You
As you evacuate, remember to close the doors behind you. Closing doors can help slow down the spread of fire and smoke, giving you and others more time to escape.
Never Return to a Burning Building
Once you have escaped to safety, do not go back inside. Call the fire department and inform them if someone is missing, but leave the rescue efforts to trained firefighters. Your safety is paramount, and re-entering a burning building puts you and others at risk.
Remember, having a well-thought-out escape plan and practicing it regularly can make all the difference in an emergency. It gives you the confidence and preparation needed to safely evacuate and protect yourself and your loved ones.
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Frequently asked questions
If a pan does catch fire, do not panic. Do not leave the pan unattended and do not try to move it. Cover the pan with a lid or a damp dish towel to stop oxygen from feeding the fire. Turn off the heat source and let the pan cool down.
Do not use water to put out the fire, as this can cause the oil to splash and spread the fire. Do not use a fire extinguisher, as the force can cause the burning liquid or oil to scatter. Do not throw any other baking products on the fire—only baking soda can help put out a grease fire.
To prevent a pan fire, avoid cooking at high temperatures. Oils will splatter more and become more volatile and flammable at high heat. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of your oil—you should not exceed 390°F (191°C).
Oils will first start to boil, then they will start smoking, and then they will catch on fire. If you see wisps of smoke or smell something acrid, immediately turn down the heat or remove the pan from the heat source.
If the fire gets out of control, get out of the house and call emergency services.
