Cooking with oil is common in homes and commercial kitchens alike, but it comes with serious fire risks. Oil fires, often caused by overheated pans or deep fryers, can escalate rapidly and become life-threatening if not handled correctly.
Knowing how to respond can save lives and prevent devastating damage. Here’s what you need to know about extinguishing an oil fire safely.
What Causes an Oil Fire?
Oil fires typically occur when cooking oil becomes too hot and reaches its ignition point. This is especially common when frying food and leaving pans unattended.
Unlike other kitchen fires, oil fires cannot be extinguished with water. In fact, pouring water on a burning pan of oil causes an explosive reaction, spreading flames and hot oil throughout the kitchen.
Step-by-Step: How to Extinguish an Oil Fire
If you experience an oil fire in your kitchen, follow these steps immediately:
1. Turn Off the Heat Source
If it’s safe to do so, switch off the stove or cooktop. This stops the fire from growing.
2. Do Not Use Water
Never, under any circumstance, pour water on an oil fire. It will cause the fire to flare up violently, endangering anyone nearby.
3. Smother the Flames
Use a metal lid or baking tray to cover the pan carefully. This cuts off the fire’s oxygen supply and helps smother the flames. Do not remove the lid until the pan has completely cooled.
4. Use a Fire Blanket
If a fire blanket is within reach, wrap it tightly around the pan. Fire blankets are specifically designed to suffocate small fires, making them ideal for kitchen emergencies.
5. Use a Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher (Class F)
If the fire is small and you have the correct fire extinguisher, you may attempt to put it out. For oil fires, you need a Class F extinguisher (or a dry powder extinguisher rated for cooking oil fires). Always follow the instructions and maintain a safe distance.
6. Evacuate and Call Triple Zero (000)
If the fire is spreading or you’re unable to control it within seconds, evacuate immediately and call emergency services. Do not put yourself or others at risk.
How To Prevent An Oil Fire
The best way to deal with an oil fire is to prevent one from occurring. Here are a few tips:
- Never leave hot oil unattended.
- Keep the cooking area clear of flammable items.
- Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature when deep frying.
- Keep a fire blanket or suitable extinguisher nearby.
- Make sure smoke alarms are installed and working.
Protect Your Property with the Right Fire Safety Equipment
At Fullworks Fire Safety, we provide homes and businesses with the right tools to stay prepared, fire blankets, extinguishers and more. Browse our stock and order online today. If you’re not sure what you need for your kitchen or workplace, we’re here to help. Contact us for advice.
How To Extinguish an Oil Fire Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use water to put out an oil fire?
No. Pouring water on an oil fire causes the oil to splatter and the flames to flare up violently. This can spread the fire and cause serious burns. Always smother the fire or use the correct fire extinguisher.
What type of fire extinguisher should I use on a cooking oil fire?
For oil fires, a Class F fire extinguisher is specifically designed to handle high-temperature cooking oils and fats. Some dry chemical extinguishers (rated for Class F) can also be effective, but only if you're trained and it's safe to do so.
Can I use baking soda or flour to put out the fire?
Baking soda can help in very small oil fires, but it’s not recommended as a primary method. Never use flour, as it is highly flammable and can make the fire worse.
Should I try to move the burning pan outside?
Absolutely not. Moving a burning pan is extremely dangerous and can result in spilled burning oil, serious injuries, and the fire spreading rapidly. Focus on turning off the heat and smothering the flames, never attempt to move the fire.
What should I do after extinguishing the fire?
Once the fire is out, do not remove any covers or blankets until the pan has fully cooled. Ventilate the area, and if you’re unsure whether the fire is completely extinguished, contact the fire brigade. Afterwards, inspect your fire safety equipment and replace anything used or damaged.
Fire safety involves everyone. Australia has to deal with more fires than probably anywhere else in the world due to the climate and when things go wrong, they go very wrong. We share some quite frightening statistics, but by having some fire safety knowledge and fire safety equipment available in your home could make the difference one day. We would hope you never need to use this knowledge and equipment, however, just in case, what is it you need?
Dry chemical powder (DCP) fire extinguishers are one of the most common fire extinguishers used in Australia. The reason for this is their ability to tackle many different types of fire, their effectiveness at fighting fires and also the low cost of DCP extinguishers available.
