What is the proper response to a small grease fire on the stove?

• A. Pour water on the grease to extinguish.
• B. Do not use water; turn off heat and cover with a metal lid or use a fire extinguisher.
• C. Move the pan outdoors to extinguish.
• D. Remove from heat and fan the flames with a towel.

Answer: (B)

When a grease fire starts, the safest move is to cut off the heat and smother the flames. The fire needs heat and oxygen to keep burning, so stopping the burner removes the heat source, and covering the pan with a metal lid (or a flat metal tray) blocks oxygen from reaching the flames, which often puts it out quickly. If you have a fire extinguisher designed for cooking fires and you know how to use it, you can use it from a safe distance to knock down the flames as well.

Pouring water on hot oil is dangerous because oil and water don’t mix. Water sinks beneath the oil, instantly boils, and explodes upward, splattering hot oil and making the fire explode or spread. Moving the pan outdoors or trying to blow it out with a towel also creates risk: moving hot oil can spill or splash, and a towel can feed the fire or catch fire itself by increasing oxygen.

So the best approach is to turn off the heat and smother the fire with a metal lid or use an appropriate fire extinguisher, and only evacuate and call for help if the fire grows beyond control.