Every home has a kitchen, and that means they’re also susceptible to fire. The kitchen is one of the most commonly found places for fires to start, as it’s usually filled with cooking oils, cleaning chemicals, grease traps, and other sources of ignition.
Thankfully, kitchen fires aren’t common—only about 3% of all home fires are started in the kitchen. However, when they do happen, having a fire extinguisher on hand and knowing how to use one quickly can help keep everyone safe and limit damage to property.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about fire extinguishers for kitchen, how to use them and tips and tricks.
Table of Contents
What is a fire extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher is a type of firefighting equipment that is designed to put out a fire. It is a chemical agent that is either a liquid, powder or a combination of both.
These extinguishers are designed to be used in the event of a fire and can be found in many homes. The majority of these extinguishers are rated to contain fires at specific levels of intensity, but there are also others rated for use in hazmat situations.
The majority of these extinguishers are powered by CO2, but some are powered by nitrogen. A fire extinguisher is typically rated for a specific level of fire intensity, such as ABC (A = Alarm, B = Burning, C = Critical). The level of fire intensity is used as a reference for how much fire a specific extinguisher can put out.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
There are a few different types of fire extinguishers, each designed for a specific purpose. These include dry chemicals, foam, and carbon dioxide extinguishers.
1. Dry chemical extinguishers contain a powder that reacts with the fire and stops it from burning. These are rated for fires at the lowest levels of intensity and are typically used to extinguish small fires, such as candles.
2. Foam extinguishers use a chemical that breaks down the fire into small, non-combustible particles. It then disperses the particles into the air, making them less of a threat to people and property. These are used in high-threat fires, such as those that involve a flammable liquid.
3. Carbon dioxide extinguishers use a chemical that reacts with the fire and turns it into a harmless gas. This makes it completely harmless to people and property. These are used for fires at the highest levels of intensity and are typically found in a fire station.
When should you use which type of fire extinguisher for Kitchen?
This depends on whether you have a dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. If you have a dry chemical extinguisher on hand, you should use it for fires rated at low levels of intensity, as those don’t involve a lot of water.
If you have a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher on hand you should use it in cases where a high-threat fire would endanger people or property, like the kitchen.
You can also use it in cases where a dry chemical fire extinguisher would be insufficient, such as if the fire involves flammable liquids. If you have a foam fire extinguisher on hand, you should only use it in cases where a dry chemical or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher isn’t sufficient, like if the fire involves flammable liquids.
How do you use a fire extinguisher?
Before you use a fire extinguisher, make sure it’s rated for the level of fire intensity at which you’re using it. If possible, check the type of extinguisher you have to make sure it’s rated for the level of fire intensity you’re dealing with.
Turn off the power source to all appliances nearby to prevent anything from spilling, such as water and grease, which can be sources of ignition.
Store extinguishers in a dry area and make sure they’re easy to reach and visible. You should also keep them in a place that’s close to the kitchen, so you can quickly move them if you need to.
When using an extinguisher, aim it at the base of the fire and press the button. Make sure to aim it at the base of the fire and not at the flames themselves. This way, you can put out the base of the fire and prevent it from reigniting.
Where to keep your fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher should be kept in a central location in your home, like in a basement or near the kitchen. This is so you can easily reach it if you need to. You should also keep the extinguisher in a visible area, so it can be quickly accessed.
Fire extinguishers should be stored in a dry, cool place, like a basement or garage, where temperatures are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
You should also make sure the area is well-ventilated, so no harmful gases can accumulate.
The best type of kitchen fire extinguisher for different types of fires
To choose the best fire extinguisher for your home, you should take the following factors into consideration:
- The fire level at which the fire extinguisher will be used
- The type of fire at hand
- The room in which the fire extinguisher will be placed
- Whether the home has a dry powder or CO2 fire extinguisher already
While there are several different types of fire extinguishers, the best type for your home will depend on the type of fires you’re likely to encounter and the damage that could occur if one were to break out.
For instance, if you’re likely to encounter kitchen fires that involve cooking oils, you should definitely keep a dry chemical extinguisher nearby. Dry chemical extinguishers are immediately effective at putting out oil fires.
Another type of fire you should keep a dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby is one that involves flammable liquids. These extinguishers quickly break down the flammable liquid into a harmless gas that won’t cause any damage.
Final Words: Protecting Your Home from Kitchen Fires
Fire is something that needs to be taken seriously, and can cause a lot of damage and loss of life if it happens in your home. Fortunately, most kitchen fires are very unlikely to occur, and they only happen between 3 and 5 times per 1,000 fires.
However, if one does start, you’ll want to be prepared and know how to use a fire extinguisher. Kitchen fires are difficult to extinguish, so it’s important to have a fire extinguisher nearby.
Remember that kitchen fires are very rare, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to use them, but it’s better to be prepared.
