Imagine you’re in the kitchen cooking a delicious dish when a fire suddenly breaks out. You get scared and realize it’s a grease fire― one of the most dangerous types of fire. 

Then, you see your fire blanket hanging on the wall. You wonder, do fire blankets work on grease fires? Is this sheet powerful enough against this vicious fire?

Tons of people have been asking the same questions, and we’re here to answer them today. Keep reading to find out if fire blankets work on grease fires. 

What Is a Grease Fire?

To better determine if fire blankets work on grease fires, let’s talk about grease fires first.

Grease fires are caused by cooking oil and fat. They start when cooking oil and fat reach their smoke point and catch fire. This happens when oil gets overheated or grease residue lights up. 

Unattended cooking is the top reason grease fires start. Leaving food frying or forgetting to turn off the stove causes millions of dollars in property loss annually. Plus, cooking oil, fat, and grease account for 45% of residential cooking fires, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

While grease residue isn’t the leading cause of grease fires, you have to be extra careful. We often ignore grease even though it can build up everywhere: walls, counters, vents, ovens, pots, and pans. If they are not regularly cleaned and reach a high temperature, the residue can ignite. 

The grease fire can then spread to other parts of your kitchen or house, making it harder to control. Grease fires can also spread quickly, especially if there’s grease nearby. They can also become intense since oils burn at extremely high temperatures. 

Why Are Grease Fires Dangerous?

A grease fire is dangerous because oil fuels it. Oil can splash and spread easily, reaching areas beyond where the fire started. While vegetable oil is not technically flammable because its flashpoint is higher than 100 °F, it is combustible and heats up quickly. Once it starts to smoke, it can catch fire as quickly as 30 seconds. 

In addition, there is a huge misconception about grease fires, which causes people to mishandle them. You see, many think that they can use water to put out grease fires. However, you should never use water to put out a grease fire. 

It goes down to one principle: oil and water don't mix. When you pour water into a pot of oil, the water goes to the bottom, becoming steam. As a result, the oil gets pushed out of the pot and breaks into tiny droplets. The droplets then mix with oxygen quickly and explode. This explosion can spread the flames, cause injuries, and reignite the fire. Similarly, using the wrong type of fire extinguisher (aka the water-based ones) can make the grease fire worse. 

Do Fire Blankets Work on Grease Fires? 

Yes, fire blankets work on grease fires. 

For one, they work by depleting the fire’s oxygen supply. Since oxygen is a component of the fire triangle, fire can’t continue burning without it. Oxygen is also the easiest component to remove because it’s harder to cool down a fire or remove the fuel (in this case, the oil). 

They also dissipate the heat and protect the user from being injured by the flames. The fire blanket’s inner layer insulates the fire and helps cool it down, while the outer layer keeps the flames away from your hands. 

Fire blankets can withstand high temperatures as well, allowing them to cover the fire without being burned. For these reasons, fire blankets can put out grease fires quickly. 

What Materials Make Fire Blankets Effective Against Grease Fires?

Fire blankets are made of different fire-resistant materials suitable for grease fires. These include fiberglass, aramid fibers, silicone, and wool. 

Fiberglass has a melting point of 2,480°F or 1,360°C, making it one of the most common fire blanket materials. It is also lightweight and flexible. Aramid fibers, such as Kevlar and Nomex, can withstand temperatures up to 500°C (932°F). They also have a high strength-to-weight ratio, making them durable and flexible.

On the other hand, silicone is commonly used as a coating to enhance a fire blanket’s fire resistance. It can withstand temperatures of up to 200°C (392°F) for 10,000 hours and up to 350°C (662°F) for shorter periods. Lastly, wool is an inherently flame-resistant material that can withstand temperatures up to 600°C. Despite being naturally flame-resistant, it has to be mixed with flame-retardant chemicals before use.

Are There Specific Types of Fire Blankets Designed for Grease Fires?

All fire blankets can put out grease fires. Any fire blanket can suffocate the fire and deprive it of oxygen as long as it covers the affected area and doesn’t have tears, holes, or other damage. 

If you're looking for fire blankets specifically designed for grease fires, you’ll see that all-purpose fire blankets do the job just fine. What matters most is that the fire blanket is in top shape and made from materials that can withstand high temperatures. 

While there might not be special grease fire blankets, a high-quality fire blanket like the Hero Fire Blanket is more than capable of putting out kitchen fires. Just keep it accessible and make sure everyone at home knows how to use it.

How to Use a Fire Blanket on a Grease Fire

Here’s how to use a fire blanket on a grease fire: 

1. Remove the fire blanket from its pouch by pulling the tabs down.
2. Unfold the fire blanket and roll its corners over your hands to protect them from the flames. You can also use fire protection gloves if you have enough time to get them. 
3. Walk slowly towards the fire and gently cover it with the fire blanket. Do not throw it to the fire since it might hit the oil and cause it to splash.
4. Leave the fire blanket in place for at least 30 minutes or until the fire dies.
5. Turn off the heat source when it’s safe to go near it. 
6. Let the oil cool down before moving the pot or pan.  

Can You Use a Fire Blanket if the Grease Fire Is Already Out of Control?

No, you can’t use a fire blanket if the grease fire is already out of control. Fire blankets are designed to put out small fires, not ones that should be dealt with by professionals.

In addition, a fire blanket is only effective if it covers the affected area. If a grease fire is out of control, it has probably spread to other areas, making it difficult to cover everything simultaneously. It’s also hard to go near the fire to use the fire blanket, so you better stay away from it. 

If the grease fire is out of control, evacuate your house immediately and call the fire department. 

Can a Fire Blanket Be Used With Other Methods on Grease Fires?

Yes, you can use a fire blanket with other fire safety tools.

For instance, you can use fire protection gloves to protect your hands while using a fire blanket to cover a grease fire. You can also use a fire spray on the debris after using a fire blanket. Doing this ensures that the oil won’t reignite. If you have a kitchen fire extinguisher nearby, you can use a fire blanket to prevent the fire from spreading while you get your fire extinguisher to finish the job. 

How Does the Size of the Fire Blanket Affect Its Effectiveness on a Grease Fire?

The size of a fire blanket affects its effectiveness against a grease fire. The blanket must fully cover the affected area to cut off the fire’s oxygen supply. If the blanket is too small, oxygen can reach the flames, and the fire will continue to burn. Using a fire blanket appropriate for the size of the fire makes sure that it can effectively smother the flames and prevent reignition. 

Can You Reuse a Fire Blanket After Using It on a Grease Fire?

Yes, you can reuse a fire blanket after using it on a grease fire. However, you can only use it if it’s not damaged after use. You should also follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. If the manufacturer says that you should discard it after a single use, do so. 

Conclusion

A fire blanket works on a grease fire by depleting its oxygen supply and dissipating heat. Oxygen and heat are two components of the fire triangle, so removing them puts out the fire.  A fire blanket also protects you from injuries as you put out a grease fire, making it a practical addition to your fire safety arsenal. If you’re looking for tools to protect you and your loved ones from nasty grease fires, check out our fire safety collection here. Stay prepared, hero!