Fire Pans: Safe Or Not?

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with most of these fires starting in a frying pan. Even if you're a careful cook, accidents can happen. If a pan does catch fire, there are several steps to take to stay safe. Firstly, do not tackle the fire yourself or try to move the pan. Do not throw water over the fire as it could create a fireball. Instead, turn off the heat source if it is safe to do so, leave the room, close the door, alert others, and call the emergency services.

Don't leave a pan unattended

Leaving a pan unattended on the stove is unsafe. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and frying pan fires often start within five minutes of turning on the heat source. It only takes a second for an unattended, oily pan to catch fire. Pans with non-stick coatings should never be left empty and heating on the stove, as the coating can vaporize into a toxic gas.

If you need to leave the stove, ask another responsible adult to watch it for you. Keep your phone handy, and make sure everything you need is within reach before you start cooking. Establish a kid-free zone of three feet around your stove, and keep the area clear of flammable items like towels and paper.

If a pan does catch fire, do not try to tackle the fire or move the pan. Do not throw water over the fire, as this could create a fireball. Instead, smother the fire with a lid or a damp dish towel, turn off the heat source, and let the pan cool down.

Remember, always stay in the kitchen while food is cooking, and never leave a pan unattended. By following these safety tips, you can help keep yourself and your home safe from fire hazards.

Don't use a fire extinguisher on a pan fire

It is important to know what to do when your pan catches fire, as cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Even the most careful of cooks can have accidents, so it is good to be prepared. Here are some reasons why you should not use a fire extinguisher on a pan fire:

Fire Extinguishers Can Cause the Fire to Scatter

The force of the extinguisher can cause the burning liquid or oil to scatter, injuring those nearby and causing more damage. The fire extinguisher will only create more harm if used on a stovetop fire.

There Are Safer Methods to Put Out a Pan Fire

If you have a fire in a pan, the best way to put it out is to cover the pan with a lid. If you don't have a lid, you can use a damp dish towel. Both methods will stop oxygen from feeding the fire. Then, 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.

Fire Extinguishers Are for Other Types of Fires

Fire extinguishers are helpful for spot fires, such as if a candle on the counter sparks or is knocked over, spreading flames to nearby surfaces. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen for these types of fires, but do not use it on a stovetop fire.

Water Can Also Cause a Miniature Explosion

Just like a fire extinguisher, pouring water on a pan fire can be dangerous. The water hitting the hot grease or oil can cause a miniature explosion and inflict major burns.

Prevention Is Key

Of course, the best way to deal with a pan fire is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Never leave a frying pan unattended—most pan fires occur within five minutes of turning on the heat source. If you need to leave the stove, ask another responsible adult to watch it for you. Keep your phone handy and have everything you need for your recipe within reach before turning on the heat. Always turn off heat sources as soon as you finish using them.

Don't put the fire out with water

A fire in the kitchen can be a scary experience, and it's important to know how to respond to prevent a small problem from turning into a deadly one. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and they often start in a frying pan. If a pan catches fire, there are a few things you should not do.

Firstly, do not try to tackle the fire yourself or move the pan. Moving the pan can cause the burning oil to spill and spread the fire or cause burn injuries. Even after the fire has been extinguished, do not move the pan as splattering oil can still cause injuries and spread the fire.

Secondly, do not pour water over the fire. This is because oil and water do not mix. When water is thrown onto a burning pan of grease, it immediately goes to the bottom of the pan, reaching the extremely hot surface. This causes the water to rapidly turn into steam, expanding to 1700 times its original size. This pushes the oil out of the pan, and since the oil is already on fire, this creates a fireball or explosive effect. This can also inflict major burns on the person pouring the water.

Instead of using water, there are a few other ways to put out a fire in a frying pan. One way is to cover the pan with a lid or a damp dish towel to stop oxygen from feeding the fire. You can also use a fire extinguisher, baking soda, a cooking sheet, or smother the burning pan. Once the fire is out, turn off the heat source and let the pan cool down.

In addition to these specific precautions, there are a few general guidelines to follow to prevent and respond to kitchen fires. Firstly, never leave a frying pan unattended. Most frying pan fires occur within five minutes of turning on the heat source. If you need to leave the stove, ask another responsible adult to watch it for you. Also, always turn off heat sources when you are finished using them. Before leaving the house, double-check that all heat sources, especially those in the kitchen, are turned off. Lastly, do not panic. Make sure you are informed about how to use your appliances, respond to common kitchen fires, and locate your safety equipment. Have a family escape plan and an agreed-upon meeting place in case of emergency.

Don't forget to turn off the heat source

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and these fires often start in a frying pan. A forgotten burner or overheated oven can start a fire long after you are too far away to stop it. Therefore, it is important to turn off the heat source as soon as you are finished using it. Even if you are going to use the same burner again later, turn it off while you are preparing or chopping ingredients.

Before you leave the house, double-check all heat sources, especially in the kitchen, to ensure they are off. It is easy to get sidetracked and forget about the pot of water you set to boil or the oven you preheated. But an overflowing pot or an oven that stays on and unattended for hours can easily cause a fire.

If a pan does catch fire, it is important to turn off the heat source if it is safe to do so. However, never try to move the pan, as the burning oil could spill and burn you or spread the fire. Instead, cover the pan with a lid or a damp dish towel to stop oxygen from feeding the fire, and let it cool down.

Don't panic

First, do not try to tackle the fire yourself. Do not move the pan, as this could cause the burning oil to spill and spread the fire or burn you. Turn off the heat source if it is safe to do so, but remember that turning off the heat will not put out the fire. The fire will continue to burn as long as there is fuel (such as oil or grease) in the pan.

Second, do not throw water on the fire. Water can vaporise instantly when it comes into contact with hot oil, expanding up to 1500 times its volume and causing a fireball or explosion. This can result in serious burns and spread the fire. Instead, cover the pan with a lid or a purposely-designed fire blanket to cut off the oxygen supply to the fire. If you don't have a lid or fire blanket, use a damp dish towel to cover the pan.

Third, leave the room, close the door, and warn others. Call the fire emergency services (911 in the US and 999 in the UK).

Remember, the best way to prevent panic in an emergency is to be informed and prepared. Make sure you know how to use your appliances, what to do in common kitchen fire situations, and where your safety equipment is located. Have a family escape plan and a designated meeting place outside the home in case of a fire.

Frequently asked questions