Kitchen Grease Fire: What to Do and What to Avoid
How to respond to a stovetop grease fire, what never to do and how to clean up smoke and residue afterward.
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- Give your city and ZIP code
- Say what happened and whether the fire is out
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Quick answer
Turn off the burner and slide a lid over the pan to smother the fire. Never use water or carry the pan. If the fire spreads or you are unsure, leave, close the door behind you and call 911.
Why it matters
NFPA reports that cooking is the leading cause of home fires, responsible for about 173,200 fires a year in the 2013 to 2017 period, roughly half of all home structure fires.
What to do
- Turn off the heat if you can do it safely.
- Cover the pan with a metal lid or a cookie sheet to cut off oxygen.
- Leave the cover on until the pan is completely cool.
- For a small fire, baking soda can help, but never use flour or other cooking powders.
- If the fire grows, get everyone out, close the door and call 911.
What not to do
- Do not pour water on a grease fire. It can cause the burning oil to spatter and spread the fire.
- Do not carry the burning pan outside or to the sink.
- Do not use a fire extinguisher unless you are trained and have a clear exit.
- For an oven fire, keep the door closed and turn the oven off.
After the fire
Even a small kitchen fire leaves smoke and greasy residue that can spread beyond the room. If you used a dry chemical extinguisher, clean up the powder promptly because it can be corrosive. For heavy residue, odor in other rooms or cabinet damage, see our kitchen fire restoration page.
Prevention
- Stay in the kitchen while frying or broiling.
- Keep towels and packaging away from burners.
- Clean grease from stovetops and vents.
- Keep a lid nearby when cooking with oil.
Sources and further reading
- NFPA Research: Home Structure Fires (2019), via the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office
- Ready.gov: Home fires
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