Molly Ayala
Oven fires can be terrifying and destructive, and they are a common occurrence in residential settings. They can be caused by user errors, appliance malfunctions, or even something as simple as cake batter spilling onto the oven floor. While it may be your first instinct to open the oven door, this will only feed the fire oxygen and cause it to grow. Instead, it is recommended to shut the door, turn off the oven, and unplug it if possible. If the fire is in the oven, it will likely burn out on its own. However, if the fire is on the stove, you can try to smother it with a pot lid or baking soda, or use a fire extinguisher. It is important to keep a fire extinguisher in your home and to know how to use it properly. Remember, water should never be used to put out an oven fire, as it can make grease and electrical fires worse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Keep the oven door closed to limit oxygen supply, turn off the oven and unplug it if possible |
| If the fire spreads | Use a fire extinguisher, not water (which can make grease and electrical fires worse) |
| After the fire | Open windows to let smoke out, clean the oven thoroughly, check for structural issues and broken wires |
| Prevention | Keep the oven clean, cover dishes that might overflow, avoid distractions while cooking, keep flammable objects away from the heat |
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What You'll Learn
Don't use water on an electric oven fire
An electric oven fire can be a terrifying and stressful situation. It is important to know what to do and what not to do to prevent the fire from spreading and causing further damage. One of the most important things to remember is to never use water to put out an electric oven fire. Here are several reasons why you should not use water on an electric oven fire:
It can spread the fire: Oven fires are often caused by oil or grease. When water is introduced to a grease fire, it can cause the fire to spread rapidly. The water will instantly vaporize due to the high temperatures, propelling the burning grease into the air and causing the fire to expand and intensify. This can turn a small kitchen fire into an explosive inferno, leading to more severe injuries or a full-scale house fire that is difficult to control.
Risk of electrocution: Electric ovens and other electrical appliances nearby can pose a risk of electrocution when water is used to extinguish the fire. Water is a conductor of electricity, so throwing water on an oven fire could put you or anyone nearby in danger of electric shock.
Making it worse: Water is not effective in fighting oven or stove-top fires. In fact, it can make the situation worse, especially with grease, oil, and electrical fires. These types of fires are already dangerous, and using water can exacerbate the problem.
Alternative methods: Instead of using water, it is recommended to use a fire extinguisher to put out an oven fire. A standard fire extinguisher can be used in most home fire situations. Additionally, shutting off and unplugging the oven and any nearby electrical appliances can help reduce the chances of the fire spreading. If the fire doesn't go out on its own, it is crucial to evacuate the house, call the fire department, and avoid re-entering until it is safe to do so.
Remember, in any fire situation, your safety is the top priority. Do not risk your well-being by attempting to fight the fire unless it is safe to do so.
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Keep the oven door closed
Keeping the oven door closed is a crucial step in containing an electric oven fire. By limiting the oxygen supply, you can effectively starve the fire and prevent it from spreading. Here are some important reasons why keeping the oven door closed is essential:
Firstly, an oven is a confined space, and by keeping the door closed, you restrict the fire's access to oxygen, causing it to eventually burn out. Fire thrives on oxygen, and opening the door will only feed the flames and make the situation worse.
Secondly, while your first instinct might be to open the oven door, perhaps to check on the fire, doing so can be detrimental. The fire could be dying down, and opening the door will only give it new life. It is best to trust that the fire will burn out on its own and resist the urge to check on it.
Additionally, if you have an electric oven, opening the door could increase the risk of electrocution. Water should never be used to extinguish an oven fire, especially one involving grease, as it will only spread the flames. Water is a conductor of electricity, and using it around electric appliances can be extremely dangerous.
Lastly, keeping the oven door closed buys you time to take other necessary actions, such as shutting off the oven, unplugging it, and any nearby electrical appliances. These steps can help reduce the chances of the fire spreading and causing further damage.
Remember, the most important thing during an oven fire is to remain calm and focus on containing the fire by depriving it of oxygen.
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Unplug the oven and other appliances
If you have an electric oven on fire, do not panic. It is important to act quickly, but you should not open the oven door as this will feed the fire with oxygen. Instead, keep the door closed so that the fire can burn itself out.
If you can do it safely, shut off and unplug the oven. Unplugging the oven will remove the heat source, which is essential as fire needs a fuel source and heat to continue. If the oven cannot be unplugged, shut off the kitchen's electric circuit breaker. While you are doing this, unplug any other nearby electrical appliances or devices. This will reduce the chances of the fire spreading and causing further damage.
If the fire is inside your oven, all you need to do is turn off the power and wait for it to burn out. However, if the fire is on your stove, you can try to extinguish it by clamping a pot or pan cover over it to smother it, using a generous amount of baking soda, or using a Class A fire extinguisher.
Remember, it is not safe to use water on an oven fire, especially if the fire involves grease or electrical appliances. Water will often only make a grease or electrical fire worse.
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Use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire
If an electric oven fire breaks out, your first instinct might be to douse it with water. However, this is not advisable as water conducts electricity, and the oven is likely plugged into a power source. Water will also cause grease and oil fires to spread, making the situation worse.
If the fire is contained inside the oven, you should turn off the power supply and keep the oven door closed. Starved of oxygen, the fire will eventually burn out.
However, if the fire spreads, you should be prepared to use a fire extinguisher. Keep one within easy reach, but stored safely away from children and pets. A standard fire extinguisher can be used in most home fire situations. However, for kitchen fires, it is best to use an ABC-rated extinguisher. The A stands for ordinary combustibles like wood and paper, B means it can be used for liquid fires like grease and gasoline, and C means it is rated to combat electrical fires.
When using the extinguisher, stand eight to ten feet away from the fire and follow the PASS protocol: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger, and Sweep side to side.
If the fire is too large to handle, or you are unsure about using the extinguisher, evacuate the house immediately and call the fire department.
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Clean your oven regularly to prevent fires
Oven fires can be terrifying and destructive, and they are common in residential settings. Grease buildup, in particular, can ignite and cause a fire. To prevent this, it is important to clean your oven regularly by removing food debris, grease, and spills. Use oven liners or aluminium foil on the lower rack to catch drips and spills, and replace or clean them regularly to prevent a buildup of flammable materials.
It is also important to keep the area around your oven clean to avoid grease buildup. Many basic items used in the kitchen, such as potholders, paper towels, plastic containers, curtains, and oven mitts, can easily catch fire if placed near a heated stove. These items must be stored in a safe location away from the stove and oven.
In addition to regular cleaning, proper maintenance of your oven is crucial. Treat your oven to annual maintenance by an appliance technician. After a fire, it is especially important to thoroughly clean the oven, as leftover residue can start another flare-up. If the job seems like too much to handle, call a fire damage restoration company.
By keeping your oven clean and well-maintained, you can significantly reduce the risk of oven-related fires and protect your home and loved ones.
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Frequently asked questions
Do not open the oven door as this will feed the fire oxygen. Turn off the oven and keep the door closed. The fire should burn itself out. If it doesn't, use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Do not use water as this can be dangerous around electrical appliances.
Keep the oven clean and avoid leaving it unattended when in use. Do not leave the oven on and unattended for extended periods. Keep flammable objects away from the oven and stove, and avoid wearing draping clothes while cooking.
Open the windows to let the smoke out. Clean the oven thoroughly and inspect it for any damage. If there are broken electric wires or other issues, it's best to have a professional take a look at it.
Electric oven fires are commonly caused by electric wires, electric surges, or improper use of the oven. Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of oven fires, as grease and oil can quickly cause a flame when they come into contact with the oven surface.
