Avoiding an oil fire?

missiontofitness
missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So I just had my first cooking scare tonight...apparently some olive oil got onto my coil burner, and caught fire. Luckily it burned out quickly, and I transferred my pan over to another burner. I've tried looking online, and the only tips I can find on what to do in an oil fire are for fires happening in a pan, and nothing specifically for fires occurring on a stove with coil burners. Just to be safe if this does happen again (because it scared the absolute bejeesus out of me), does anyone know what to do specifically for burners? I can't just throw a lid on it like it was a pan fire...and I feel like I shouldn't use one of my lids because they are glass, and not metal.

Also, what is the best way to clean oil off of a stove? I'm waiting for my burners to cool down before tackling this.

Oh, and in case you were wondering...what I was cooking came out awful and was inedible. Darn you internet, and telling me to try a recipe that is difficult to cook properly!

Replies

  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    Nada?
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Dump baking soda on it to put it out.

    I just use soap and water to clean oil off the stove.
  • RockstarWilson
    RockstarWilson Posts: 836 Member
    Olive oil has a low vaporization temperature, compared to other oils. On electric burners, it usually just burns off as you cook. You will only get a flame if there is a significant amount. A stove is all-metal, so unless there is enough fuel for the fire (say, ALL the oil dumps out of the bottle/pan onto the stove, or you haven't ever deepcleaned the grease off your range), you wont burn the house down.

    When using olive oil on an electric burner, dont use high heat, for the first fact above. And I would say the best way to not start an oil fire is to not spill the oil, and/or get a bigger pan.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    unplug the stove? turn off the power at the fuse box?
  • melissay28
    melissay28 Posts: 100 Member
    Dump flour on it. Don't use water or a towel!
  • CindyMarcuzAdams
    CindyMarcuzAdams Posts: 4,007 Member
    Put a bigger pot lid over the burner to starve it of oxygen. NEVER PUT WATER ON IT.
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    Dump salt on it. It will suffocate and go out.

    Also second the bigger pan suggestion.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
    Build up of cooking grease in the pans under the coils can be dangerous also. You can try and clean them but they are cheap to replace.

    I found a product at Home Depot. It's called Zep cleaner and degreaser. It's great stuff for that sticky kitchen grease that gets on the filter in your stove hood and all around the stove. Use gloves and rinse it well.

    Make sure you have a fire extinguisher near the stove that is intended for grease fires.

    Good luck and be safe. Never water on a grease fire!!!!
  • Kanohane
    Kanohane Posts: 112 Member
    Just keep flour close by, its the only thing that stops a grease fire except for an extinguisher....throw it on the flame...if its small enough. Lol I remember when I dropped a dish towel in the oven..I let it buuuuurn >_>;;; I think baking soda might backfire though...it may be like salt and salt will explode in a fire or heat....
  • Kanohane
    Kanohane Posts: 112 Member
    Dump salt on it. It will suffocate and go out.

    Also second the bigger pan suggestion.
    - For guy above me - Dawn detergent works just fine for cleaning grease....
    Oh dear god please do NOT put salt near flaming oil, unless you're going to quickly dump the whole container of salt on it....or that is a hospital visit waiting to happen...
  • RockstarWilson
    RockstarWilson Posts: 836 Member
    unplug the stove? turn off the power at the fuse box?

    for an oil fire? Electricity isnt the source. if you do that when your stove is on fire, you might as well just run.
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    Dump salt on it. It will suffocate and go out.

    Also second the bigger pan suggestion.
    - For guy above me - Dawn detergent works just fine for cleaning grease....
    Oh dear god please do NOT put salt near flaming oil, unless you're going to quickly dump the whole container of salt on it....or that is a hospital visit waiting to happen...

    Yeah....should have clarified that. Entire container of salt, like 1 pound of salt. It's what we were taught to do in kitchens.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    http://www.thekitchn.com/kitchen-safety-how-to-put-out-138233
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    I keep a container of salt away from the stove in an easy to grab area just in case of fires. it works most everytime to put out a small fire. paper towels do wonders in clean up.

    and yes use the whole container, it only cost less than a buck

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