What should you turn off if there happens to be a fire in your oven?

Author: Ahmad Mohr  |  Last update: Monday, March 16, 2026

What you can do to extinguish the fire is to remove the heat source. Turn off the oven and let it cool down as much as possible when a fire is inside it. With no more power and limited oxygen, the fire will eventually dwindle. Wait until the fire completely dies out.

What to do if there's a fire in your oven?

If food catches fire in the oven, turn off the heat immediately and allow the fire to burn out on its own. If it does not go out on its own, call 911 and leave your home. If the fire does go out, open your windows and carefully open the oven door to remove the hot pan.

What do you do when a flame starts in the oven?

Turn off the oven (and open the breaker for the stove if it is electric). DO NOT open the oven door! It should burn itself out rather quickly. Even if you have a fire extinguisher, do not open the door. The in-rush of fresh air can cause a huge flair-up.

Will an oven fire go out on its own?

Whatever is burning in the oven is the fuel source—opening the door will feed it more oxygen. With the door closed, the fire could go out on its own. If you can do it safely, shut off and unplug the oven. While you're doing that, unplug any other nearby electrical appliances or devices.

Can you put out an oven fire with water?

The big no-no in most kitchen fires is to douse them with water, since the majority of cooking-related fires involve either grease or electrical appliances. Water will often only make a grease or electrical fire worse. Instead, you want to smother them, depriving the fire of oxygen and, hopefully, putting it out.

#179 Cleaning After an Oven Fire

How do I turn off the fire in the oven?

Turn off the oven and let it cool down as much as possible when a fire is inside it. With no more power and limited oxygen, the fire will eventually dwindle. Wait until the fire completely dies out. Only after the fire is gone should you open the nearest window or two to let the smoke out of the house.

Can salt put out a fire?

Pour baking soda or salt onto the fire.

This method works best for a small fire, since you'll need enough salt or baking soda to cover the fire completely. You can always spray the fire with a Class B or Class K fire extinguisher, though this should be a last resort since it will contaminate your kitchen.

How to stop a stove fire?

Remove the oxygen.

Get the lid that fits the pan and 'slide' it across the top of the pan to smother the flames. Or, use a cookie sheet and 'slide' it over the top of the burning pan. Shut off the burner to stop adding heat. Leave the pan alone, don't move it, and don't remove the lid until it has cooled completely.

How long is it safe to leave the oven on?

It's never a good idea to leave your oven on all night. Not only can it be dangerous but it's a waste of gas. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure to turn your oven off right away and take safety measures to avoid disaster.

Will flour put out an oven fire?

While sometimes baking soda can extinguish a small grease fire (though not if the fire is too overwhelming), flour cannot and should not be used. Due to chemical risk of contaminating your kitchen, putting out a grease fire with your fire extinguisher should be the last resort.

Why is my oven flame so high?

If the burner or oven flames are too high; for example, touching or above the grate, or are uneven, this could be an indication that the Range or Cooktop was improperly converted from a natural gas to an LP (Liquid Propane) gas use.

Is it normal for an oven to smoke when self-cleaning?

Smoke and burning or oil smells may emanate from the oven during self-clean. This is normal. The amount of smoke and odor during self-clean varies and is usually a result of food or grease residue left in the oven before starting the cleaning process. Grease on the broil element can cause smoke.

What is the first thing you should do if you discover a fire?

Activate the first fire alarm you see and try to help others to evacuate the building. Close doors behind you to help prevent the fire from spreading. Follow the evacuation procedure if you're at your workplace or follow the escape route signs if you're a visitor. Listen to instructions given by the Fire Marshal.

Can you still use a microwave after it catches on fire?

Is it safe to use a burnt microwave after cleaning? In most cases, yes. Make sure the cord and plug are still in good condition. Give the microwave a trial run after cleaning.

Can baking soda put out a fire?

Instead, you can reach for two pantry staples to help douse a small grease fire safely: Baking soda is effective because it releases carbon dioxide when heated, which can smother the fire. Salt forms a barrier between the fire and the air. This prevents the fire from getting the oxygen it needs.

Are oven burns serious?

Oven and stovetop cooking burns are common, with victims ranging from novices to expert chefs. And while most burns are trivial enough for at-home care, some may pose a serious health issue.

What if I forgot to turn off the oven?

The ovens are an insulated metal cavity. As long as it heats today (meaning enough heat didn't get out to trip the high limit thermostat) it's perfectly fine and wouldn't hurt anything at all.

Do ovens shut off after 12 hours?

Most ovens and ranges with touch pad clock controls will automatically shut off after 12 hours. The benefit of this is the peace-of-mind and energy savings if the oven is accidentally left on. Models with no clock or timer do not have automatic shutdown.

Can leaving the oven on for too long cause a fire?

This is a very bad idea. A gas oven may emit carbon monoxide, while an electric oven can overheat and start a fire if it's on for too long.

What to do if the oven catches fire?

An oven fire can be dangerous, but there are things you can safely do to prevent a disaster.
  1. Step 1: Leave the Oven Closed. ...
  2. Step 2: Turn the Oven Off. ...
  3. Step 3: Grab Your Extinguisher. ...
  4. Step 4: If the Fire Is Out, Ventilate Your Home. ...
  5. Step 5: If the Fire Isn't Out—Call Emergency Services.

How do you calm a stove fire?

To cool down an overfiring stove, you will need to reduce the airflow by partially closing the air vents, reducing the oxygen intake. This will slowly lower the temperature as your fire's oxygen supply depletes, calming the fire and bringing your stove down to a more appropriate temperature.

How do I turn off fire?

When at all feasible, try to suffocate a fire by smothering it with the most suitable sort of fire extinguisher, water, or a covering substance like earth. A carbon dioxide extinguisher or a fire blanket can be used to remove oxygen from the area around the fire.

Will a wet towel put out a fire?

Using a wet towel to put out a grease fire seems like an easy fix, but it isn't. It's not just ineffective; it's also hazardous. You see, grease fires burn at a much higher temperature than boiling water. For instance, vegetable oils commonly used in cooking have flashpoints twice to thrice as water.

Why doesn't California use ocean water?

Sea water, in theory, could be used to help a fire. But, its salty components can do more harm than good, which is why firefighters typically avoid using it unless absolutely necessary. Salt is corrosive, and it can damage metal equipment, including critical equipment in water dumping planes and fire pumps.

Does salt burn out fire?

Salt doesn't burn in a fire, which means it can be poured directly onto the flames of a small kitchen fire and used to smother it by depriving it of oxygen. If a frying pan catches on fire, pouring salt over it can get it under control fast.

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