A small grease or oil fire can quickly grow and spread out of control. Be proactive and before you start the skillet, make sure you have the lid to the pan or a baking sheet nearby in case of fire. If a fire does start, the metal lid or a metal baking sheet can be used to cover the pan and cut off oxygen to the flames.
A couple additional tips to note:
- Turn off the burner, especially if using a gas stove. This will reduce the temperature of the pan and reduce the risk of the fire spreading.
- DO NOT USE A GLASS LID! Some pans come with a glass lid which can be helpful for keeping an eye on food when cooking but adds another danger if trying to put out a fire. Glass shatters when heated to higher temperatures, which is ineffective for cutting off oxygen to the flames and poses a danger for lacerations.
- Make sure the lid fits tightly on the pan! If it is too big, oxygen can still reach the flames. If it is too small, it may not fully cover the fire.
- Once the lid is on the pan, leave it on and do not peek! Wait until the smoke starts to subside and you do not see or hear the fire.
- Avoid moving the pan until you know the fire is out! Moving a pan that is on fire is the fastest way to spread the fire to other areas of the kitchen.
