What to do after a grease fire in the oven?

Author: Mrs. Claudie Rolfson PhD  |  Last update: Friday, August 8, 2025

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 I clean my oven after a grease fire?

To clean your oven after a fire, use baking soda and water to scrub away the burnt residue. Follow up with vinegar for an extra tough cleaning job! Finally, dry off the outside of the oven and you are good to go. When a fire takes place in your kitchen, it's important to be prepared for the aftermath.

What is the first thing to do in a grease fire?

Cover the Pot with a Metal Lid - Fire cannot exist in the absence of oxygen. With the lid on (and the heat off), the fire should quickly consume all the oxygen and put itself out. Use a metal lid since glass will shatter. Pour on Baking Soda - Baking soda will extinguish grease fires, but only if they're small.

Will a grease fire go out on its own?

The oven fire should go out on its own if you leave the oven door closed, but it the fire gets out of control, use a Class C fire extinguisher. This will help smother the oven fire and help put it out.

What should you do if your oven catches fire?

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.

How to Safely Put Out a Kitchen Fire

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

👉 Turn off the oven to remove the source of fuel and heat. 👉 Wait for the fire to go out. 👉 Open windows to ventilate the smoke. Most of the time this will be all that is needed, however if at any time you feel unsafe do not hesitate to call 911.

How do you make an oven burn go away?

Self care
  1. Prevent further harm. Move away from whatever caused the burn. ...
  2. Cool the burn. Hold the area under cool — not cold — running water for 10 to 20 minutes. ...
  3. Remove rings or other tight items. ...
  4. Apply lotion. ...
  5. Bandage the burn. ...
  6. If needed, take a pain reliever.

Is it safe to sleep in a house after a grease fire?

Yes, it's dangerous to sleep in a house after a fire. Even small fires contain soot and smoke particles, which linger in the home. You should, therefore, wait until the fire department says it's safe to return to your home before sleeping there again.

How serious is a grease burn?

Pain is not serious. Second-degree burns: Stronger pain accompanied by redness, swelling, and blisters affecting deeper layers of the skin. Third-degree burns: Skin will appear charred or white and the pain is severe. Third-degree burns always require immediate medical attention by professionals.

What should never be done with a grease fire?

Don'ts of putting out a grease fire:
  1. Don't ‌extinguish a grease fire with water or a wet towel.
  2. Don't use flour, baking powder or sugar to ‌smother the fire.
  3. Don't ‌remove the pan from the burner or place it in the sink. ...
  4. Don't move the pan into the sink, even if the fire is smothered.
  5. Don't remove the lid from the pan.

What is the most important rule of a grease fire?

In the event of a grease fire:

If the fire is out of control, the most important thing to do is to call 911 and get everyone outside. Do NOT pour water on a grease fire. Water can cause the grease to splash onto yourself or kitchen surfaces and spread the flames. Do NOT fan the fire with a dry or wet cloth.

Will a wet towel put out a grease 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.

Will grease burn off in the oven?

The highest cooking temperature for most ovens is around 400-450 degrees. That is definitely hot. However, the self-cleaning cycle will heat your oven to 600 degrees or higher, and in some cases will sustain temperatures of 1000 degrees to burn off grease and food particles.

What not to use after a house fire?

After a house fire, do not make an attempt to use any electrical appliances, it might ignite another fire and cause further damage.

How to get rid of grease fire smell?

How Can I Get Rid of the Grease Fire Smell?
  1. Maintain ventilation to the outside.
  2. Pour distilled vinegar in bowls, and place around the vicinity to capture odors.
  3. Wash all affected accessories immediately (pillows, clothes, etc.).
  4. Sprinkle dry baking soda in affected areas to absorb the smell.

Should I go to ER for grease burn?

When to go to the ER for a burn. If the burn is more than three inches, is covering the hands, joints or face and there is little to no pain, seek emergency care. Burns that require care from specialists may appear dry, leathery and be white, black, brown, or yellow in color.

Will a grease fire burn out on its own?

If oil in a pan catches fire, slide the lid from front to back over the pan. With the lid on (and the heat off), you are removing the fire's oxygen source and it'll burn out on its own.

How do you tell if a burn is 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree?

Determining Burn Depth
  1. 1st Degree (Superficial Burns): Signs & Symptoms: Erythematous, lack of blisters, dry, and sensitive. ...
  2. 2nd Degree (Partial Thickness Burns): Signs & Symptoms: Moist and weepy, pink or red in color, blisters present, blanches to pressure, and very painful. ...
  3. 3rd Degree (Full Thickness Burns):

How to air out a house after a fire?

Bring in fresh air

Air out your indoor spaces as much as possible by opening windows and doors. If you have minimal smoke smell/damage inside your home – and the area outside smells worse – don't take this step.

How long does it take for burnt smell to leave the house?

Otherwise, it may take time, but the smell will eventually go away. How long does burnt smell last in a house? Often, a burnt smell will only last for a few hours or days. But there are instances where the burnt smell can attach to fabric and upholstery, lingering there for weeks.

Can you eat food after grease fire?

Discard all food that has been near a fire. Food exposed to fire can be damaged by the heat of the fire, smoke fumes, and fire-fighting chemicals. These fumes and chemicals cannot be washed off. These include: • Foods stored outside of the refrigerator, such as bread, fruits, and vegetables.

How long does oven burn pain last?

If you have a minor burn, you may start to feel better in a few days. A second-degree burn may hurt for 1-3 weeks. If you have a serious burn that damages your nerves, you may not have any pain.

Should I put Vaseline on a burn?

You may put a thin layer of ointment, such as petroleum jelly or aloe vera, on the burn. The ointment does not need to have antibiotics in it. Some antibiotic ointments can cause an allergic reaction. Do not use cream, lotion, oil, cortisone, butter, or egg white.

What does a 2nd degree burn look like?

Second-degree burns (also known as partial thickness burns) involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful.

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