I had my first grease fire today

[midnight armadillo]

I was deep frying some homefries tonight in my 10" cast iron skillet. The boiled potato chunks were in a colander, and I scooped from the bottom and dumped a spoonful into the oil. Water caused the oil to start bubbling really high and spattering everywhere. I put my handy splatter screen over the pan - which drew the high oil bubbles over the edge of the pan, sort of by capillary action. Well, enough oil pooled under the heating element to ignite. I hastily moved the bubbling pan to the other side of the stove.

Damn, but oil fires are tough to extinguish. I put out 1/2 of it with some baking soda but didn't have enough to completely smother it. Thinking back, I did have a pound of salt on hand, that would have worked too, but that didn't occur to me. I ended up putting a saucepan lid over the burner which cut enough oxygen for the flames to go out. For the rest of the cook session I had to contend with some horrific oil smoke, ugh. I think it's a good thing I am not the sort to panic in a crisis!

The homefries were excellent, incidently.

[katusha]

1. glad it didn't spread and you're ok

a cool head is the best defense in the event of a fire my mom always says.

on a lighter note:
THEY HAVE COOL YO GABBA GABBA ICONS!!!!THIS IS HUGH!!111!!
seriously, me and my daughter are completely hooked on the show.

[troubleinwinter]

2. Ohmygosh!

Scary! I've had a couple over the years.

I think it's GOOD that you mentioned the pot lid. It WORKED for me, and beats fumbling around in the pantry for a box of soda or salt, which are never enough volume.

Yer in trouble though. Yer probably gonna get a lecture from the stinky clown about fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. Our Fire Marshall

did a presentation for the residents in this area, and the first thing he said was, "Get rid of your home fire extinguisher." He said they had to deal with so many fires that had gotten out of hand while people fumbled with their home extinguishers, that they strongly advise against them.

I'm so afraid of hot oil, I have never deep-fried anything. A wok is as close as I choose to get.

But, boy, that's a scary story. I'd hate to have to clean up after that one. I'm glad it went well.

[Warpy]

4. Pot lids are the real way to go for any grease fire

because they'll work, no matter what. As you found out, you don't even need much of a seal to smother a fire. It's best to leave the lid on until the area cools down, though, as it can reignite if you supply oxygen too soon.

As somebody who does a fair bit of Chinese cooking, grease fires R me. I've never had to use the fire extinguisher near the stove, though, because that lid is always right there.

I guess this was your baptism by fire. I'm glad you survived it, and yes, that smoke DOES STINK!

[elleng]

5. I keep large salt container at stove.

.

[Tab]

6. Well, you did right reaching for the baking soda

Water is never a safe way to put out kitchen fires, which are normally fueled by grease. Suffocate the things, like with a box of Arm & Hammer. I guess a lid would do too, if it could cut off enough. So, you did well. I'm glad it didn't get worse.

I keep boxes around just for this reason. I've only needed them twice in the last 10 years, but when you need them, it's damn good to have them. Stuff like that can get out of control Real Quick. So I've only reached for them twice, but each time I was glad to know they were there.

[hippywife]

7. Oh, man!

So glad you came outta that unscathed. I have yet to deal with that. I try to be as careful as possible but I know shit happens.

:hug:

[midnight armadillo]

8. Thanks all! I had a fire extinguisher on the counter

I didn't want to use it since it would have ruined dinner...but it was there just in case!

[Stinky The Clown]

9. I'd say you acted well

Water into hot oil's a bitch! My guess is, we'll never do **that** again!

I'm glad you skirted disaster and managed to still have a good meal. Please circle today on that diary you keep in your head and mark it "LUCKY" in big, bold, indelible letters.

Mmmmkay?

[Tesha]

10. so glad you're ok

I'm so afraid of grease fires, if Mr T want something fried, he has to make it.

[Lucinda]

11. I'm glad you and the homefries survived.

That's some calm, quick thinking on your part!