Question about a weird kitchen fire I put out last night

I was searing a big batch of scallops in my home kitchen and a rogue splash of oil hit the back burner coil, starting a small grease fire. I grabbed the box of baking soda from the rack and dumped it on, which worked, but it made a huge mess. What's the fastest way you've ever had to deal with a surprise flare-up?

2 comments

2 Comments

jamesmason10d agoTop Commenter

Honestly, glad you're okay, but just a heads up for next time, you should never use water or baking soda on a grease fire. Baking soda can work on a very small one, like in a pan, but throwing it at a burner can just spread the burning grease. The only safe move is to smother it by sliding a lid or a big cookie sheet over the pan and turning off the heat. For something on the burner itself, a fire extinguisher rated for kitchen fires is the real answer. That baking soda mess is a pain, but a spread fire is way worse.

leo_campbell10d ago

Never use baking soda" is a bit much, it's saved my butt on a stovetop flare-up before. You just have to dump a ton on it fast.