Kitchen Fire Cleanup: What to Do After a Grease or Stove Fire
Short answer: After a kitchen fire, make sure the fire is fully out and the home is safe, then call your insurer and photograph the damage. Throw away food and medicine exposed to heat, smoke or soot. Clean greasy kitchen soot with a strong detergent, not a dry sponge, and don't use the stove or nearby outlets until they've been checked. Smoke that spread beyond the kitchen usually needs a professional.
Kitchen fires are often small, over in a minute or two, but they leave a big mess. Grease fires throw off sticky, oily soot that clings to cabinets, ceilings and walls, and smoke can travel through the whole house. If you used water or the fire department did, there may be water damage too. If the soot spread beyond the stove area, ReestorianPros can connect you with a local provider for fire and smoke damage restoration in Littleton.
This is general information. If a fire is burning, get out and call 911 first.
How to put out a kitchen fire
Fire safety officials give these steps for small cooking fires:
| Fire | What to do | Never |
|---|---|---|
| Grease fire in a pan | Cover the pan with a lid, turn off the burner and leave it covered | Pour water on it or carry the pan outside |
| Oven fire | Turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed | Open the door to check on it |
| Fire that's spreading | Get everyone out and call 911 from outside | Stay to fight it |
Citing NFPA data, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security says there were more than 158,000 home cooking fires a year from 2017 to 2021. It adds that more than half of cooking fire injuries happen when people try to put out the fire themselves. If you're not sure you can handle it, leave.
What to do after a kitchen fire
- Make sure the fire is out. If the fire department came, follow their instructions before going back in.
- Check gas and electrical safety. If you smell gas or hear hissing, leave and call the gas utility from outside, as the Red Cross advises. Don't reset tripped breakers; call an electrician.
- Ventilate. Open windows and doors when the weather is dry to clear smoke.
- Call your insurer. The Red Cross says to contact your agent and not discard damaged goods until an inventory has been taken.
- Document everything. Take photos and video of the damage before cleaning, and list damaged items.
- Throw out exposed food and medicine. See the table below.
- Protect the rest of the house. Close doors to other rooms and change HVAC filters if the system ran.
- Start cleaning, or call a professional if soot spread beyond the kitchen.
Soot, smoke odor or water damage after a kitchen fire? Call to reach a local fire damage provider.
Call (303) 879-0950What food to throw away after a kitchen fire
| Item | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Food, drinks and medicine exposed to heat, smoke or soot | Throw it away | The Red Cross advises discarding them |
| Refrigerated food | Throw it away if there was heavy smoke | University of Illinois Extension notes that refrigerator seals aren't airtight, so fumes can get inside |
| Canned food and jars near the fire | Throw them away | Extension notes heat can spoil food in cans and jars, and can split or rupture them |
| Food exposed to fire extinguisher chemicals | Throw it away | Extension says those chemicals can't be washed off food |
| Frozen food | Keep it only if it still has ice crystals | The Red Cross says frozen food with ice crystals can still be used |
| Pots, pans and utensils | Clean and keep | Wash in hot, soapy water, then soak 15 minutes in 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water, per Extension |
When in doubt, throw it out.
How to clean grease and soot after a kitchen fire
Kitchen fires usually leave greasy, smeary soot. Los Angeles County Public Health says not to use a dry sponge on this kind of soot, because it smears and spreads. Instead:
- Wear gloves and an N95 mask if you can.
- Vacuum loose soot with the nozzle held just above surfaces.
- Wash with warm water and a high-alkali detergent, then rinse thoroughly.
- Work from the floor up on walls and do ceilings last, as the Red Cross advises, to avoid streaks.
- Wash cookware and dishes in hot, soapy water.
- Clean cabinets inside and out. Empty them first, since smoke gets in through the gaps.
- Deodorize washable surfaces. The Red Cross mentions cold water with laundry detergent and a tablespoon of pure vanilla extract for smoke odor on kitchen surfaces.
Don't mix cleaning products. The Red Cross warns that some combinations create toxic fumes. If you notice a strong chemical smell or your eyes water, open a window and leave the room.
Can you use the stove and appliances after a fire?
| Appliance | Before using it |
|---|---|
| Stove or range that caught fire | Have it inspected; replace damaged burners, knobs or wiring |
| Range hood and exhaust fan | Clean grease from filters and ducts; check the fan |
| Microwave above the range | Check for heat damage to the case and cord |
| Refrigerator | Clean inside and out; check the cord and seals |
| Dishwasher and small appliances | Disconnect and check for damage, as the Red Cross advises |
| Outlets and switches near the fire | Have an electrician check them |
If gas lines, wiring or the range hood duct were damaged, the repairs may need a permit. Inside Littleton city limits, the city requires permits to repair or replace electrical, gas and mechanical systems, and contractors must hold a current city license.
Water damage after a kitchen fire
A fire extinguished with water, or by sprinklers or the fire department, leaves wet cabinets, flooring and drywall. Water also runs under cabinets and into the floor below. The Red Cross says drywall and insulation soaked by firefighting water should be assessed by a professional, since they may not dry out safely. The EPA says mold usually won't grow if wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours, so start drying quickly. See what drives water damage restoration cost for how drying and repairs are priced.
When does a kitchen fire need professional cleanup?
| Situation | Usually |
|---|---|
| Small pan fire, light soot on the stove and hood | DIY cleaning |
| Soot on cabinets, ceiling and walls in the kitchen | Professional cleaning is often faster and more thorough |
| Smoke odor in other rooms | Professional smoke cleanup and duct cleaning |
| Charred cabinets, drywall or wiring | Professional repair and rebuild |
| Water used to put out the fire | Professional drying |
| Anyone with asthma or breathing problems in the home | Lean toward a professional |
Kitchen fire insurance claims in Colorado
Fire is generally a covered peril on homeowners policies, but coverage limits, deductibles and exclusions vary. The Red Cross advises keeping damaged items until the claims adjuster has visited, keeping receipts for added living expenses and temporary repairs, and keeping copies of everything you give the insurer. Ask the adjuster whether smoke cleaning in other rooms and contents cleaning are included. Most fire claims also include some water damage from putting the fire out.
How to prevent kitchen fires
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security's cooking safety guide, which draws on NFPA data, lists simple habits that stop most stovetop fires before they start:
- Use a timer as a reminder to check food, and check simmering, baking and roasting food regularly.
- Stay home while cooking, and turn off the stove if you have to leave.
- Keep flammable items away from the stovetop, including oven mitts, utensils and food packaging.
- Clean grease and food residue from the stovetop and oven regularly.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.
- Turn pot handles inward so pans don't get knocked off.
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, and a working smoke alarm nearby.
- Never cook when drowsy or after drinking alcohol.
Local note: Kitchen fires play out differently around the area. In Lone Tree and other condo and townhome buildings, smoke and firefighting water can reach neighboring units. In Centennial and Highlands Ranch, open kitchens let smoke spread quickly into living areas. In Greenwood Village, larger kitchens with powerful range hoods may need hood and duct cleaning after a grease fire.
Related reading: For odor that lingers after cleanup, read how to get rid of smoke smell. For how repairs are priced, see water damage restoration cost in Littleton.
When should you call a fire damage professional?
Call a professional when:
- Soot covers cabinets, walls or ceilings beyond the stove
- Smoke odor reached other rooms or went through the HVAC
- Cabinets, drywall or wiring were charred
- Water was used to put out the fire
- You need a scope of work and documentation for an insurance claim
Kitchen fire in Littleton? Call (303) 879-0950 to reach a local fire damage provider.
Frequently asked questions
How do you put out a grease fire in the kitchen?
Cover the pan with a lid and turn off the burner, then leave the pan covered until it cools, as fire safety officials advise. Never pour water on a grease fire. If the fire spreads or you're unsure, get out and call 911.
What should I do if my oven catches fire?
Turn off the oven and keep the door closed so the fire runs out of air. If smoke or flames keep coming, leave the house and call 911.
What food should I throw away after a kitchen fire?
Throw away food, drinks and medicine exposed to heat, smoke or soot, as the Red Cross advises. Food in sealed cans and jars, and food in the refrigerator, may also be unsafe, because heat can spoil canned food and fumes can get past refrigerator seals.
Can I use my stove and appliances after a kitchen fire?
Not until they've been checked. The Red Cross advises disconnecting and checking appliances for damage before using them. A stove that caught fire, or wiring and gas lines near the fire, should be inspected by a qualified technician first.
Does homeowners insurance cover kitchen fire damage?
Fire is generally a covered peril under homeowners policies, but deductibles, limits and exclusions vary. Contact your insurer right away, photograph the damage and keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them.
Sources
- Indiana Department of Homeland Security: Cooking safety
- American Red Cross: Checking your home after a fire
- American Red Cross: Picking up the pieces after a fire
- University of Illinois Extension: Kitchen fires and food safety
- Los Angeles County Public Health: How to clean up smoke and soot from a fire
- EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- City of Littleton: Permits, Review Guides and Requirements
Related guides
How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell in a House After a Fire
Why smoke odor lingers after a fire, how to clean walls, fabrics and air ducts, and what not to try.
Water Damage Restoration Cost in Littleton: What Drives the Price
The factors that move a water damage restoration estimate, how line items work and how insurance handles the bill.
Kitchen fire left soot and smoke behind?
Call to reach a local fire damage provider for soot cleanup, odor removal and repairs.