Tag: deep fat fryer fires

Chip Pan Fire Risks

Monday 22nd July 2024

Chip pans pose serious fire risks

Chip pans, or deep fat fryers, are the leading cause of injury from home fires in the UK. Nearly 20 people are killed or injured every day by chip pan fires. These cause damage to homes, and severe burns to users.

Why are chip pans dangerous?

Chip pans are dangerous because they use large amounts of heated oil to cook food. Fires can happen if the oil in the pan becomes too hot and catches fire. They can also start if the oil splashes or spills onto the hob. Either of these can happen very quickly, and are very difficult to prevent.

This is incredibly dangerous because cooking oil fats cannot be extinguished with water. Attempting to do so can cause the burning oil to splash and spread, and can even cause explosions. Watch this video to see what happens when water is added to a cooking oil fire.

The risk of chip pan fires becomes even higher when they are used in households with children and pets, by adults who have been drinking, or when they are left unattended.

Water Mist Extinguishers on Class F Fires

Do not try and put out a chip pan fire with a standard water extinguisher, as it can cause splashing. However, small Water Mist fire extinguishers for household or small kitchen use often have F class ratings. Because water mist extinguishers dispense de-ionised water in microscopic droplets through the special nozzle, they prevent splashing. This makes them suitable for use on hot cooking oil.

To extinguish a chip pan fire, apply the fine spray to the blaze in slow circular movements. This allows the curtain of water mist to fall gently onto the surface of the fire without causing the burning oil to splash and spread. The mist also cools the flames to extinguish the fire.

What to do if my chip pan catches fire?

Hot oil in chip pans can quickly catch fire

If your chip pan or deep fat fryer catches fire, do not attempt to put it out with water. Where you have a fire blanket or F Class fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and it the fire is still contained within the pan, you may attempt to extinguish the blaze.

If the fire has already begun to spread, or an attempt to safely extinguish it is unsuccessful, evacuate the building and call the emergency services immediately. Do not stop to collect your belongings – chip pan fires can spread very quickly and you may become trapped in the burning building.

How to use a fire blanket

  1. If you need to use a fire blanket, turn off the heat source if it is possible to do so.
  2. Pull the black dangling tapes downwards to release the fire blanket from its container.
  3. Wrap the corners of the blanket around your hands to protect them from the fire, then place the blanket over the object that is on fire.
  4. Leave the blanket in place until the fire is out and the object is cool.

Read more about how to use a fire blanket.

How to reduce the risk of chip pan fires?

The best way to reduce the risk of chip pan fires is not to use them at all – opting for oven cooked chips or using an air fryer is a much safer option. Particularly if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the safest option is to order takeaway chips.

If a chip pan or deep fat fryer is being used, here are some ways to mitigate the risks:

  • Read the instructions carefully – ensure you do not over fill the pan
  • Have a working heat detector in your kitchen, and working smoke alarms throughout your home to alert you to fire quickly – these should be tested regularly
  • Fit a Class F fire extinguisher – water mist or wet chemical units can be used on chip pan fires
  • Install a fire blanket in the kitchen

Ensure that the chip pan has the full attention of a responsible adult when in use – this equipment should never be used by children, or adults who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Improving fire safety in the home

Chip pans pose a significant fire risk, causing more than 20 fires a day in the UK alone. However, this is not the only way that home fires can start. To learn more about fire risks in your home, and how to reduce them, use our free Home Fire Safety Check tool. This quick survey provides personalised tips and advice tailored to your home and its occupants.

You can also read more information about cooking oil fires in our blog, or contact our friendly team on 0800 612 6537 for advice about the best fire-fighting equipment for your home.

Everything you need to know about cooking oil fires

Friday 1st March 2024

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking equipment is the leading cause of house fires, with unattended cooking being the primary culprit. Cooking oil fires, in particular, pose a unique challenge due to the intensity and rapid spread of the flames.

Cooking oil fires are difficult to extinguish if you don’t have the right equipment at hand. The powerful jet of some fire extinguishers could spread the oil fire. Using water to extinguisher oil fires can cause the fire to erupt violently. Therefore, it is important to have the correct equipment to tackle kitchen fires

Tackling Cooking Oil Fires at Home

How to put out a Cooking Oil Fire

Pan fires can be tackled with fire blankets and fire extinguishers. A water mist fire extinguisher is versatile, and therefore can tackle all types of kitchen fire including fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000 volts. A fire blanket is a good option for most domestic kitchens, as generally smaller amounts of oil are used. A fire blanket is placed over the pan fire to smother it and starve the fire from oxygen.

For larger deep fat fryers in your home, we would recommend a wet chemical fire extinguisher which holds a 25F rating. The wet chemical extinguisher is made specifically for tackling larger quantities of oil on fire.

Where to put a Kitchen Fire Extinguisher

In the case of cooking oil fires, having a fire extinguisher within easy reach can be a lifesaver. Mount the extinguisher in a visible and easily accessible location, away from the stove but still within close proximity to the cooking area. We recommend placing your fire extinguisher near the kitchen exit, ensuring a quick and unobstructed path to safety. Avoid placing it too close to potential fire hazards, such as curtains or wooden cabinets.

Tackling Cooking Oil Fires at Work

If you work in a commercial kitchen with deep fat fryers, a wet chemical kitchen fire extinguisher is usually recommended. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are specifically designed to put out cooking oil fires and therefore should be kept in kitchens for commercial use. The wet chemical fire extinguisher forms a foam blanket on top of the oil which stops the supply of oxygen, therefore extinguishing the fire. Fire blankets are also a useful addition in a commercial kitchen as they can be used on pan fires, cooking oil fires, waste basket fires and also clothing fires.

What to do in a Kitchen Fire

  • Stay calm
  • Turn off the heat source (if possible)
  • If the fire is not too big, use your fire extinguisher or fire blanket to try and extinguish the fire 
  • Call emergency services
  • Move anything else that could catch fire away from the burning oil if you can
  • Make sure children and pets do not come near the fire
A man cooking starts a cooking fire.

How can Cooking Oil Fires be Prevented?

To avoid cooking oil fires, never leave cooking unattended and pay attention to cooking pans and deep fat fryers at all times, especially when cooking with oil. Keep the area clean from grease buildup, as accumulated grease can be a potential fuel source for fires. In the event of a small grease fire, never use water to extinguish it. Instead, cover the pan with a fire blanket or use a fire extinguisher for kitchen fires. By adopting these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of cooking oil fires and enhance the overall safety of your kitchen.

For further advice on fire prevention in your home, complete the Home Fire Safety Check. Get personalised tips and a fire safety action plan to help you and your family to stay safe.