Flammability is the ability of a combustible material with an adequate supply of oxygen (or another oxidiser) to sustain enough heat energy to keep a fire going after it has been ignited. Nonpolar and polar molecules want nothing to do with each other. • Pour on Baking Soda – If the fire is contained and small, baking soda will extinguish grease fires. “Because the pan is already at a really high temperature if the oil is on fire, when you pour water into it, the water is going to hit the pan and instantaneously boil,” Dr. Biberdorf explains. Grease Fires - What to Do When They Happen and How to Prevent Them. Why can't water be used in a fire extinguisher? How to Build a Better Fire in Your Fireplace. This fire extinguisher contains PKP, which is a dry-chemical fire suppression agent and it’s 4 to 5 times more effective than CO2 and twice as effective as baking soda against class B fires, like grease fires. So when you throw water onto a grease fire, the water sinks below the oil and is flash-boiled to steam by the intense heat, which blows the oil out like a small explosion. Burning oil is very hot. View Larger Image; Did you know that today is national Gin and Tonic day? • Use a Class B Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher – In case the fire has got big, use the fire extinguisher as your last resort. Author has 187 answers and 701.2K answer views Grease floats in water, so the water will instantly sink to the bottom of the grease, but because of the heat the water evaporates and rises up, carrying with it little droplets of grease that burst into flames as soon as they make contact with the fire. Use a fire extinguisher. This is why a constant supply of oxygen is essential for a fire to sustain itself. When water turns to steam, it increases in volume about one thousand times. “That slight difference in density is enough to make them separate,” she says. ELI5: Why does water make a grease fire worse rather than put it out? Grease fires are caused by cooking oil that becomes too hot. Only baking soda and salt will work. The answer boils down to basic chemistry, says Kate Biberdorf, Ph.D., a chemistry lecturer and director of demonstrations and outreach for The University of Texas at Austin. To understand why you get a big ball of flame from your "demonstration" we have to examine what is taking place. Water and grease/oil do not mix, plus for some chemically based reason water dropped into water explodes. If burned, cool the first- and second-degree burned areas with cool running water for a minimum of 10 minutes. but it will become lots of little drops with a lot of surface area. Grease fires, for example, can actually spread faster when doused with water. You could splash burning grease onto yourself and other things throughout your home, making the fire worse than it already was. An apron, dishtowel, or other flammable fabrics will NOT smother the fire, but may fan or spread it. Hot water, certain skincare products, fragrances, and more may cause atopic dermatitis symptoms to flare up. Never use flour, which can explode or make the fire worse. Grease fires are very common occurrences. Pouring water onto oil that has caught fire can cause the oil to almost erupt, exploding out of the pan and scattering in all directions, taking the fire with it. from a garden hose) only make it worse: the flame grows astronomically and the whole thing gets even hotter. You’ve likely heard the expression “opposites attract.” That applies to polar molecules: The positive end of a water molecule, for instance, wants to bond with the negative end of another water molecule. First, the grease is heated up on a stove or fire. Again with the oxygen, the 1 part of it in water will feed the fire rather than dampen it, making the situation more dangerous than it originally was. the oil is hot or is on fire Never throw water on a grease fire; it makes it worse. Water: In some cases, water is not the best fire extinguisher. The components of a nonpolar molecule are evenly distributed, so it doesn’t have an overall positive or negative charge. You must only put out these fires with powder, foam, or carbon dioxide extinguishers to cut off the fire… Throwing water on a grease fire is actually the worst thing you can do. However, attempts to extinguish such a magnesium fire with conventional water (e.g. Moving the pan could cause the fire to spread, growing faster and stronger. Favourite answer. Our pages are filled with helpful tips and information about the topics that most of us face in our everyday lives. If the pan seems unsteady, do not use the pan or add water to it until the problem has been resolved. No. First, the grease is heated up on a stove or fire. Water can actually do three things with fire: Feed it, not affect it, or quench it, depending on the fuel. Steps . • Get Out and Call 911 – And if even that doesn’t work, … Flour Does flour put out a fire like salt and baking soda? 1. Get Breaking News Delivered to Your Inbox You need a fire extinguisher that can handle grease fires: It … Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large wet cloth. First, Never pour water on a grease fire. Let’s investigate and dive into the causes and solutions to these smelly water issues. “So it’s going to go from a liquid to a gas in less than a second.”, The water molecules turn to steam. Never throw water on a grease fire. Why does my gas grill flare up? Water is made up of two elements, hydrogen and oxygen. Water can splash and spread drops of burning oil, making grease fires bigger. This thread is archived. Don’t swat at a fire with a towel, apron, or other clothing. “I always have a metal or glass lid ready if I’m cooking with grease,” she adds. A molecule is polar when it has a positive charge at one end and a negative charge at the other. It only takes minutes for an unattended pot of oil to catch fire, so never turn your back on it! If a grease fire does erupt on your stove, turn off the heat right away. That will cut off its oxygen supply and help smother the flames, Dr. Biberdorf says. Throw lots of baking soda or salt on it. Plus you’re likely to harm your pellet smoker grill and get things wet that shouldn’t get wet including pellets. According to the National Fire Protection Association: deep fryer fires cause an average of 5 deaths, 60 injuries and more than $15 million in property damage each year. Be sure the towel is not dripping wet! Do not use water. The grease is extremely hot and will instantly super-heat the water, causing an explosion that will spread the fire and can be very dangerous to you. One of the most important things to remember is to never pour water onto a grease fire. As for dropping water … That’s wrong because water and oil don’t mix. Second: Close the door or lid to cut off the oxygen supply. From my experience, grill grease fires happen often when I cook meat. One rule: Never try to put it out with water, according to the NFPA. The contents may spill, burn you and spread the fire. The following ingredients should NEVER be used to put out a grease fire: Water – will splash back and will spread drops of hot oil, making the fire worst and will injure people standing around. (see Tips) Start evacuating everyone from the building. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The fire point of canola oil, for example, is 371 C (700 F). When the magazine “Popular Science” tried to demonstrate this, they set their cameraman’s gear on fire. We focus on safety and maintenance issues with regard to your home, auto, apartment, motorcycle, boat, small business, finances and more. Make Sure The Pan Is Seated Securely Inside The Cooker. If a grease fire does erupt on your stove, turn off the heat right away. A grease fire isn't like a regular fire, and trying to put it out the same way can make it worse. Water does help spread grease fires because as soon as it comes in contact with the boiling grease, it starts to boil violently (think of what happens when water gets into hot oil when you're frying something). Hot water is an even worse idea because heat (as in the temperature kind) can make the burning sensation feel more intense. Treat burns only after evacuating the building. Carefully pour a good amount of baking soda onto the grease fire. Do not use water on a grease fire. Chief Scientist Carl Nelson shows us what NOT to do when you have a pan of grease on fire. A grease fire can quickly make a turn for the worse if it spreads beyond the stove. - Never touch or attempt to carry a flaming pot. If your cooking oil does ignite, turn off the flame and cover the pan with a lid as quickly as possible, the NFPA recommends. There's no reason to wait, and the fire department can always go back to the station if you are able to get the fire out without help. A water mist, if very fine, can be used to extinguish grease fires, because the mist does not cause such large splattering, but unless you have a water mist extinguisher, which is doubtful, do not try this. best. Fires spread extremely fast and can overwhelm victims in minutes. ; Call 911.There's no reason to wait, and the fire department can always go back to the station if you are able to get the fire out without help. If a fire ever gets out of your control, evacuate your home, call 911 and let the professionals take care of it, the NFPA says. Then it turns into steam and the steam expands splashing the oil everywhere. Use a fire extinguisher. If you should find yourself confronted with a fire of this type, NEVER try to put the fire out by throwing water on it. (This is very effective, quick and easy!) “It physically flings the grease out of the pan and shoots fire everywhere.”, Picture the steam escaping from a boiling pot of water, she explains. Just like water, it creates steam that leads to an explosion of flames. Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large wet cloth. Major no-no! Water will make the whole matter much worse. Magnesium powder burns extremely well and reaches temperatures of 2500°C. This causes spattering of the grease at least, and an explosion if its violent enough. (iStock) Anyone who has ever taken a bite of a super hot pepper knows that finding quick relief from the pain is difficult. And because water is denser than oil, it sinks right to the bottom of the pan — underneath the grease fire, Dr. Biberdorf explains. “Now attach a small fire to every single water vapor molecule. Life can surprise you with unexpected challenges. It could be ignited, making matters worse. It may be counterintuitive, but water can make a grease fire worse. Don't drink water after eating that spicy pepper. Cover the flames with a metal lid or cookie sheet. Do not use water on a grease fire. Cover the flames with a metal lid or cookie sheet. My Water Smells Like Sewage. One more thing to consider, she adds: Water boils at a lower temperature than oil does. 70% Upvoted. Deep-frying turkeys has become increasingly popular, but the new tradition is a recipe for holiday tragedy. This quick demonstration, with powdered coffee creamer, demonstrates why there are sometimes terrible explosions in factories that make harmless food like sugar and flour. Lean meats and vegetables rarely start a gas grill grease fire. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire. Removing the lid too early could cause the fire to start again. Découvrez comment nous utilisons vos informations dans notre Politique relative à la vie privée et notre Politique relative aux cookies. NEVER attempt to smother the fire with flammable materials. A busy kitchen can be a dangerous place indeed, with many hazards, including sharp … Your question illustrates why you should never pour water on a grease or oil fire (or into hot oil or grease). Grease fires are caused by letting oil get too hot, so the best way to prevent them is to never leave your kitchen unattended. It’s very dangerous.”. If the fire is small, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the burner. Treat burns only after evacuating the building. And, while drinking in moderation isn’t going to cause you a whole lot of harm… If you do choose to indulge, here are a few things you should know to help you enjoy the day and minimize the effects. This water does not dissolve in oil, because we all know oil and water do not mix (And a grease fire is no time to make a vinaigrette!). This causes the oil to break into thousands of tiny droplets. Most of the time water will extinguish a fire, but there are some situations where water can make a fire worse by spreading it, such as a grease fire on a stove, or a puddle of fuel burning. Most grease fires happen during the holidays, especially Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Do NOT use water: You should never use water on a grease fire, because it can splash and spread the grease, causing the fire to become even bigger. “Essentially, a grease fire will immediately ‘jump’ to any other sources of fuel, which in this case is oil on your counter.”. Reason #1: Density Density is the ratio of mass to volume, or how tightly particles are packed together. Yahoo fait partie de Verizon Media. When the aroma of dirt, grime and waste strikes your water supply, the smell can be appalling and insufferable like a busy city street after heavy rainfall. As the water makes contact with the grease and vaporizes, it can carry small particles of grease with it, helping spread the fire. share. More than 50 percent of cooking fires are caused by grease, cooking oils or fats, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Once the fire is out, let the pan cool for a long time, the NFPA advises. Also, never pick up a pan that has flaming contents. WHY NOT TO USE WATER. In short, the combination of oils, fats, and heat. Never throw water on a grease fire. Flour should NEVER be used to extinguish a grease fire. Density is the ratio of mass to volume, or how tightly particles are packed together. Water boils at 212 degrees F (or less as altitude increases). 8 comments. And as they do that, they take the grease with them,” she says. A Class D fire … “When you put together something nonpolar, like oil, and something that’s very polar, like water, they end up completely separating and being pushed apart from each other,” Dr. Biberdorf says. Especially fatty meat. Car Maintenance Tips to Help Keep Your Vehicle ... Types of Smoke Detectors: Knowing the Difference, Why Water Can Make a Grease Fire Worse | The Allstate Blog, https://www.allstate.com/blog/why-water-can-make-grease-fire-worse-im/, More than 50 percent of cooking fires are caused by grease, cooking oils or fats, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Pour autoriser Verizon Media et nos partenaires à traiter vos données personnelles, sélectionnez 'J'accepte' ou 'Gérer les paramètres' pour obtenir plus d’informations et pour gérer vos choix. The grease begins to overheat, produces smoke, and — before you know it — it catches on fire. Water can splash and spread drops of burning oil, making grease fires bigger. How Can Excess Water Make Fire Worse? Oil or grease molecules, on the other hand, are nonpolar, she explains. When I fry chicken, I turn the oil temperature up to 365 degrees F, and I expect that your bacon grease is probably that hot. Only damp. Never use flour, which can explode or make the fire worse. The most important thing to remember: Never, ever use water to put a grease fire out, as it can make the problem worse. One of the most important things to remember is to never pour water onto a grease fire. Whether you’re preparing a holiday meal or a quick snack, you should know what to do if a grease fire starts in your kitchen. “It hits that very hot pan and immediately turns that water into steam and creates the fireball,” Stowe says. You’ve probably heard the expression “oil and water don’t mix.” This is the first step to understanding why water makes a grease fire worse, Dr. Biberdorf explains. And oil floats on top of water. Hydrogen is flammable, but oxygen is not. Oil heats up faster than water because it has a lower specific heat capacity. There are many types of fires that water would actually make worse, such as electrical fires and certain chemical fires. “They literally are doing everything they possibly can to minimize touching.”. The combination of … Whether you’re preparing a holiday meal or a quick snack, you should know what to do if a grease fire starts in your kitchen. Call 911. Using water on a grease fire will spread the fire! Oil smokes before it burns, so if you see your pan start to smoke, take it off the heat before it has a chance to catch fire. Welcome to The Allstate Blog! Please recognize that a particular tip may not be effective in every circumstance and that taking preventive measures cannot guarantee any outcome. Flour and sugar make grease fires worse! Throw lots of baking soda or salt on it. Damp Towel. “Any time you see grease on your kitchen counter, you should try to wipe it down in order to avoid a ‘jumping fire,’” she warns. This site is developed in conjunction with Allstate.com and The Allstate Insurance Company. Oil has a density between 0.91 and 0.93 grams per milliliter, Dr. Biberdorf explains, while water has a density of 1. Oil has a density between 0.91 and 0.93 grams per milliliter, Dr. Biberdorf explains, while water has a density of 1. If you do ultimately experience a grease fire, turn off the burner, but do not move the pan. 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