How to Put out A Grease Fire on A Grill

Grill fires can happen instantly and can be one of the most dangerous events while cooking. People often think they know how to put out a grease fire on a grill, but if not done properly, it can cause more damage than good. 

This blog post will provide simple steps to help put out a grease fire on the grill quickly and safely.

How to Put Out a Grease Fire on a Grill

Can You Put out A Grease Fire on A Grill?

Grease fires on the grill can be a hazardous and panicking situation for any backyard chef, but it is important to know that grills have built-in safety measures to help prevent them. However, in some cases, a grease fire can still occur and require you to take action.

The best way to extinguish a grease fire on a grill is for the cook to cover the flames with an aluminum foil tent and turn off all the burners. As the smoke dissipates, more aluminum foil can be added if necessary.

Although water cannot be used as this will cause a dangerous splattering of hot oil and exacerbate the fire, it is also wise to keep fire-retardant materials such as baking soda nearby in case of an emergency. Taking proper precautions while grilling will hopefully help avoid any unpleasant mishaps.

Why Should You Put out A Grease Fire on A Grill?

Grease fires on a hot grill can be dangerous, not just for the person operating the grill but for anyone in the vicinity as well. Grease fires produce large amounts of heat and flames that will quickly spread when left unattended.

It is important to take steps to put out grease fires on grills promptly because they can cause severe damage to your grill appliance and even result in serious injury or even death if not properly managed.

Taking immediate action to smother a grease fire is essential – the best way to do this is by keeping an appropriate fire extinguisher handy and carefully smothering the flames with baking soda or another safe fire extinguishing agent.

Be sure that you always know how to safely handle a grease fire before attempting to operate a grill – it can be a life-saving skill!

7 Steps to Follow on How to Put out A Grease Fire on A Grill

Step 1: Turn Off The Gas or Heat Source 

If you are using gas or charcoal-fueled grills, make sure you turn off the fuel source first before attempting to put out the fire. If you’re using an electric grill, unplug it immediately. This will help prevent additional fuel from fueling the fire and keep it from spreading any further. 

Step 2: Cover The Flames With A Lid Or Foil 

Once the heat source is turned off, use a lid or heavy-duty aluminum foil to cover up the flames and smother them. Do not move the lid/foil away until all traces of smoke have dissipated completely; this could take several minutes, depending on how big the fire is.

Aluminum Foil to Cover Up the Flames

Never pour water onto a grease fire, as this could cause an explosion due to steam buildup and spread the fire even further throughout your grill area. 

Step 3: Use A Fire Extinguisher 

Use a fire extinguisher if the fire is too big and does not respond to your attempts at smothering it. Make sure you wear protective gear such as gloves and a face mask before attempting this. Fire extinguishers come in several varieties; make sure you use one specifically designed for grease fires on your grill. 

Step 4: Douse The Flame With Baking Soda 

Baking soda is an effective method of extinguishing flames that are still smoldering. Pour generous baking soda directly onto the flames and ensure it covers all the affected areas completely. The fire should go out as soon as the baking soda touches it. 

Step 5: Let The Grill Cool Down 

Allow your grill to cool down completely before cleaning up the mess or inspecting any damage that may have occurred due to the fire. Depending on the fire’s size, you may need several hours for this. Do not attempt any repairs until the grill is completely cooled off. 

Step 6: Clean Up The Mess 

Once the fire is extinguished, and the grill has had time to cool down, use a wet rag or sponge to clean up any debris left behind by the fire. This includes wiping away any remaining smoke residue and soot from your grill surface and surrounding areas. 

Step 7: Check For Damage 

Finally, inspect your grill for any damage that may have occurred due to the fire; if you find anything that looks suspicious or out of place, contact a professional repair service immediately so they can assess and fix the problem before it causes more serious issues down the line.

Inspect Your Grill for Any Damage

That’s it! You’ve now learned how to put out a grease fire on a grill. Just remember these steps, and you’ll be able to stay safe the next time your grill starts to flare up. Always keep safety in mind when using any appliance with heat and flames!

Things You Need to Know Before Putting out A Grease Fire on A Grill

Grilling is a great way to get together with family and friends, but unfortunately, potential kitchen disasters like grease or oil fires do happen. Before tackling a grease fire on the grill, it’s important to understand some basics regarding safety. As with any fire, it’s vitally important that you never pour water onto a grease fire.

This will cause the burning grease to splatter and can easily spread the flames further. Instead, reach for baking soda or salt when putting out the flames. This will work because these items help to smother the flames, so they are extinguished quickly without causing injury.

It’s also critical when putting out a grease fire that you turn off all of the burners in your grill and pay special attention not to move your grill as this could also cause aggravation of the flames. These tips can help ensure that grilling outdoors is fun and safe for everyone!

Benefits of Putting out A Grease Fire on A Grill

Putting out a grease fire on a grill can be a scary experience, but fortunately, there are effective ways to tackle it. The best way to address a grease fire is to cover it with a metal lid or baking soda, ensuring the flames are completely extinguished.

While this may seem counterintuitive, it prevents any additional oxygen from reaching the fire, causing it to extinguish itself quickly. Not only does this save time, but it also minimizes the danger of breathing in toxic smoke or having the flames spread beyond the grill.

additional oxygen from reaching the fire

Additionally, this method helps prevent damage to your property – such as scorching walls or clothes – and reduces the risk of getting burned by hurled sparks. Using these precautions is essential for keeping both you and your living space safe from unexpected mishaps when cooking with grease on your outdoor grill!

5 Common Mistakes People Make When Trying to Putting out A Grease Fire on A Grill

1. Not Smothering the Fire with A Lid

One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to put out a grease fire is not smothering the fire with a lid. This can allow the fire to spread and become out of control very quickly. So always make sure to cover the fire with a lid as soon as possible to smother it and prevent it from spreading.

2. Using Water to Extinguish the Fire

Another common mistake people make is using water to extinguish the fire. This can actually cause the fire to spread and become more difficult to control. Water will also cause the hot grease to splatter, which can be dangerous.

3. Using Flour or Baking Soda

While flour or baking soda may seem like they would be effective at extinguishing a grease fire, they are actually not very effective. These materials can actually cause the fire to spread and become more difficult to control.

4. Trying to Move the Pan

Trying to move the pan that is on fire is another common mistake people make. This can cause the hot grease to splatter and potentially ignite other items nearby. It is best to leave the pan in place and call for help instead of trying to move it yourself.

Trying to move the pan

5. Not Calling for Help

One of the most important things you can do if you have a grease fire is to call for help immediately. Do not try to extinguish the fire yourself if you are not trained in how to do so safely. Instead, call 911 or your local emergency number so that professionals can handle it properly.

Conclusion

Grease fires can be extremely dangerous if not addressed properly and quickly. These three steps should help ensure that any grease fires on your grill are put out safely and efficiently without causing too much damage or injury in your kitchen or backyard barbecuing area!

Remember, if you find yourself in over your head with a grease fire situation, don’t hesitate—to call emergency right away for assistance! Stay safe! Thanks for reading our post about how to put out a grease fire on a grill.

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Angela Ervin

Angela Ervin

Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.

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