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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Got Grease?

11/23/2021 (Permalink)

The leading cause of kitchen fires is quite simply… cooking. Whether you are hosting or contributing this Thanksgiving, your kitchen will be heating up! Just make sure it doesn’t get too hot. SERVPRO wants you to know the warning signs and facts behind a grease fire. Chances are you will be cooking traditional Thanksgiving goodies that require ingredients like butter, extra virgin olive oil, and vegetable oil -- all of which could result in a grease fire.

What Makes a Grease Fire Different?

Grease fires can spark when certain spots of your cooking get too hot, indicated by smoke or bubbling oil. The leading cause of a grease fire is leaving the stove unattended, which can happen especially on a holiday like Thanksgiving when hosts are eager to catch up with relatives. 

If the stove slips your mind and you begin to see this bubble leading to trouble, here is how to defuse the situation. 

Spoiler alert: Water is NOT the answer. A grease fire can spread quickly because oil, grease, and fat are all liquids. Pouring water on a grease fire will not extinguish it, but instead, expand its surface area. 

How to Put it Out

So, if not water, how do you put out a grease fire? Smother the fire with a pot lid, baking soda, or salt. The first is the best option because you may need more baking soda or salt than you have on hand.

Remember, fire burns thanks to three factors: a source of heat, fuel, and oxygen. If you remove one factor, (like oxygen by placing a lid on the pot) you will stop the burn. 

If things get out of hand, don’t wait -- call 911. 


If a grease fire got too hot to handle this Thanksgiving, contact us for information about our professional fire restoration services.

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