Which liquid should never be used on a grease fire?

Which liquid should never be used on a grease fire?

• A. Water
• B. Milk
• C. Baking soda solution
• D. Ice

Answer: (A)

Grease fires involve burning oil, and water is not a safe option because oil and water don’t mix. When you pour water on hot oil, the water sinks through the oil and immediately turns to steam, expanding rapidly. That quick steam expansion blasts burning oil into the air, causing a flare-up that can spread the fire and burn you. The safer move is to remove the heat if you can do so safely and smother the flames by covering the pan with a metal lid or baking sheet, or by using an extinguisher rated for cooking fires. Liquids like milk or ice also bring extra liquid and can cause splattering, though not as violently as plain water. A baking soda solution can help smother a small flame by reducing the available oxygen, but for larger fires, rely on proper smothering or a suitable extinguisher.

Grease fires involve burning oil, and water is not a safe option because oil and water don’t mix. When you pour water on hot oil, the water sinks through the oil and immediately turns to steam, expanding rapidly. That quick steam expansion blasts burning oil into the air, causing a flare-up that can spread the fire and burn you.

The safer move is to remove the heat if you can do so safely and smother the flames by covering the pan with a metal lid or baking sheet, or by using an extinguisher rated for cooking fires. Liquids like milk or ice also bring extra liquid and can cause splattering, though not as violently as plain water. A baking soda solution can help smother a small flame by reducing the available oxygen, but for larger fires, rely on proper smothering or a suitable extinguisher.