Cooking fires cause an estimated $444 million in property loss annually, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Ovens are among the leading causes of kitchen fires. While scary, oven fires can be prevented and contained. 

To help you prepare, we’ll explain how to prevent and put out an oven fire. 

Causes of Oven Fires

1. Dirt
2. Oven malfunction
3. Grease in the oven
4. Unattended cooking
5. Ingredients bubbling over
6. Flammable items in the oven

While the oven helps contain the fire, the flames can still spread to other parts of your house. So, you must understand the most common causes of oven fires to help you prevent them. Here are the most common causes of oven fires. 

Dirt

A dirty oven causes an oven fire. Little bits of food and vegetable oil tend to accumulate in the oven. If the food debris builds up enough, a fire can start. So, clean your oven regularly to prevent food buildup. 

Oven Malfunction

In many cases, oven malfunction causes an oven fire. Electric ovens have parts that can malfunction and cause sparks, resulting in a fire. 

So, keep your oven in good condition by having it checked by a professional at least once yearly. If you think your oven has a problem, have it inspected by a professional as soon as possible. 

Grease in the Oven

House fires often start in the kitchen. Grease fires may be the most common, but oven fires also happen often. 

Baking, roasting, and broiling fatty food can start a grease fire. The fat or oil used can splatter as it heats up. If the grease lands on the hot parts of the oven, it can ignite and cause a fire. 

Unattended Cooking

Unattended ovens are one of the leading causes of oven fires. So, you must never leave your oven (or any appliance, for that matter) unattended while you’re cooking. 

Ingredients Bubbling Over

Another cause of an oven fire is a dish bubbling out of the pan. If you overfill the baking pan, the ingredients might rise and spill as the dish bakes.

This often happens while baking cakes, muffins, and casseroles. When the food hits the hot parts of the oven, an oven fire can start. 

Flammable Items in the Oven

Some people store items in their ovens when they’re not in use. However, you shouldn’t do this because you might forget those items. And when you preheat your oven, the things inside might explode and start a fire. 

Similarly, you shouldn’t use your oven for other purposes, like drying non-food items and heating your house. 

In addition, only use oven-appropriate dishes and pans. If you want to line a pan, only use parchment paper because wax paper can ignite.

How to Prevent an Oven Fire

1. Make sure your oven is clean and in good condition.
2. Don’t leave the oven unattended while using it.
3. Cover food that might spill. 
4. Install fire sprinklers in your kitchen.
5. Monitor cooking temperatures.
6. Use a timer.
7. Keep a fire prevention kit near your oven.

Knowing how to prevent an oven fire is crucial in preventing kitchen fires. Here’s how to prevent an oven fire: 

1. Make sure your oven is clean and in good condition.

Have your oven serviced at least once a year. Clean any food debris after cooking as well. Thoroughly clean your oven to eliminate grease that might ignite the next time you turn your oven on. 

2. Don’t leave the oven unattended while using it.

Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of kitchen fires. Avoid falling asleep and drinking alcohol if you’re using the oven because they make you less alert. If you need to leave, ask someone else to watch the oven. 

3. Cover food that might spill. 

Use a cover or splatter guard to prevent food from splattering inside your oven. It will also make cleaning your oven easier. 

4. Install fire sprinklers in your kitchen.

Here are the basics of a fire sprinkler system: they automatically react to heat and don’t require you to be in the room to stop the fire. They also require light maintenance and must only be replaced once every five years. 

5. Monitor cooking temperatures.

Always check the temperature of the food you’re cooking in the oven. Use a probe thermometer to do this safely. You should also know the flash point of the oil you’re using, which is when the oil becomes hot enough to ignite. 

6. Use a timer.

Set a timer in case you get distracted. It also helps if you remove food earlier than expected because it alerts you to turn the oven off after taking the food out.

7. Keep a fire prevention kit near your oven.

You must use the right tools when an oven fire occurs. Remember, using the wrong fire extinguisher type can make the fire worse. 

Here are the items you must include in your oven fire prevention kit: 

• Fire spray
• Fire blanket
• Fire protection gloves
• Smoke mask

How to Put Out an Oven Fire

1. Don’t open the oven. 
2. Turn everything off.
3. Use the right tools. 
4. Open the windows.
5. Call 911 if you can’t put out the fire. 

While prevention is always better than cure, you have to act quickly once an oven fire occurs. Here’s how to put out an oven fire:

1. Don’t open the oven. 

Fire thrives on oxygen, so there’s a chance that it’ll go out on its own. So don’t panic and don’t open the door. 

2. Turn everything off.

Next, turn off and unplug the oven and nearby appliances immediately. This prevents the fire from spreading to other appliances and outside your kitchen.

3. Use the right tools. 

There’s a good chance that grease caused the oven fire, so using water can make things worse. So, grab a fire extinguisher or fire spray for the next step.

4. Open the windows.

If the fire dies on its own, open the kitchen windows and doors first. Then, put on a smoke mask and let the smoke clear before opening the oven door. 

If the fire didn’t die on its own, carefully open the oven door only if you see small flames. Then, use a fire spray or extinguisher to put out the fire. Otherwise, do the next step. 

5. Call 911 if you can’t put out the fire. 

If the fire doesn’t die on its own and you see huge flames inside the oven, take all family and pets outside and call 911. 

How to Clean an Oven After a Fire

1. Remove the damage from your oven. 
2. Clean the inside of your oven.
3. Clean the outside of your oven. 

You must clean the oven thoroughly after an oven fire, only after a professional inspects it. Here’s how to clean an oven after a fire: 

1. Remove the damage from your oven. 

Remove any charcoal, ash, and other debris from the oven. Doing this makes fire damage cleanup easier. 

2. Clean the inside of your oven.

A commercial oven cleaner is the best way to clean your oven after a fire. But if you don’t want to buy one, you can make a cleaner at home by mixing the following to form a paste:

• 1 lb baking soda
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon salt

Then, remove the racks from your oven. Using a spatula, cover the metal or glass surfaces with the paste. Close the oven and leave it overnight. The paste should harden by morning.

Once the paste is hard, use a rubber spatula and a warm, wet cloth or paper towels to loosen the paste. Then, wipe off the paste with the dirt. Your oven should look brand new after this. 

3. Clean the outside of your oven. 

You can use a commercial oven cleaner or a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and water to clean the inside of your oven. 

Spray the mixture on the outside, avoiding any electrical parts. Then, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe the outside of your oven. Lastly, use a dry cloth or paper towel to remove leftover moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if your oven catches on fire?

Here’s what to do if your oven catches on fire:

• Don’t open the oven. 
• Turn everything off.
• Use the right tools. 
• Open the windows.
• Call 911 if you can’t put out the fire. 

Will an oven fire burn itself out?

Yes, an oven fire can burn itself out. Fire thrives on oxygen, so closing the door can help put out the fire. An oven fire will usually burn itself out since it’s not getting oxygen.

What causes oven fire?

Here’s what causes an oven fire:

• Dirt
• Oven malfunction
• Grease in the oven
• Unattended cooking
• Ingredients bubbling over
• Flammable items in the oven

What is the most common cause of oven fires?

Leaving your oven unattended while using it is the most common cause of oven fires. According to the Fire Department of New York, unattended cooking accounts for 33% of home fires. An oven fire can occur when you leave food unattended in the oven. 

Conclusion

Keep your home safe from oven fires by having a fire prevention kit nearby. Complete your oven fire kit by getting fire safety items from Prepared Hero now!