TIL pouring cold water on a grease fire is worse than I ever imagined

I was grilling burgers last Saturday in my backyard here in north Everett and the drip tray caught fire. Without thinking I grabbed a cup of water from my hose and threw it on there. The fireball shot up about three feet and singed my arm hair off. My neighbor Mike ran over with a baking soda box and dumped it on the flames. Took about 10 seconds to put out but my heart was pounding for the rest of the night. I learned that grease fires need oxygen cut off not dilution. Now I keep a metal lid and a box of baking soda right next to my grill at all times. Has anyone else made this mistake or am I the only dummy here?

2 comments

2 Comments

julia_miller2422d ago

People think they know how fire works until it's right in their face. It's a pattern I see all the time with basic stuff. Everyone thinks they'll react smart in an emergency but instinct just takes over. Then you get a painful lesson about how water and grease actually work together. Keep that baking soda close, it's one of those simple things that can save your day.

abby_wilson5121d ago

julia_miller24's got it right. People forget how fast instinct takes over and you're just reacting, not thinking. Keep that baking soda by the stove, not buried in the back of a cabinet.