Grease Fires

A grease fire can start quickly and spread across a kitchen in seconds. Even if the flames are put out fast, the damage may include burned cabinets, smoke residue, soot, odor, appliance damage, wall and ceiling damage, and contaminated personal property.

Grease fires are different from some other kitchen fires because burning oils and fats can create sticky residues, heavy smoke, and difficult odors. Cleanup may require specialized fire restoration methods, especially if smoke spread beyond the kitchen.

This guide explains what to do after a grease fire and how to document the damage for your insurance claim.

Common Causes of Grease Fires

Grease fires may be caused by:

• Cooking oil overheating
• Food left unattended
• Frying pans or deep fryers
• Grease buildup on stovetops
• Grease buildup inside ovens
• Flare-ups from cooking meat
• Spilled oil on burners
• Grease reaching an open flame
• Range hood or vent contamination

Never use water to put out a grease fire. Water can cause burning grease to splatter and spread.

Step 1: Make Sure the Fire Is Out

Safety comes first.

If there is active fire or smoke, call emergency services. After the fire is out:

• Do not use damaged appliances.
• Do not turn on range hoods or HVAC systems if they may spread contamination.
• Keep children and pets away from the area.
• Avoid touching soot, residue, or burned materials.
• Ventilate only if safe and appropriate.
• Wait for professionals if there is electrical, gas, or structural concern.

If a fire extinguisher was used, document the extinguisher residue as part of the cleanup.

Step 2: Document the Scene Before Cleaning

Before wiping surfaces or throwing anything away, take photos and videos.

Document:

• Stove, oven, pan, fryer, or appliance involved
• Burned cookware
• Burned cabinets or counters
• Range hood and vent area
• Smoke staining
• Soot on walls, ceilings, and surfaces
• Greasy residue
• Fire extinguisher residue
• Damaged appliances
• Damaged food, dishes, and cookware
• Odor-affected rooms
• Soft goods such as curtains, rugs, and upholstery

Take wide photos of the kitchen and surrounding rooms, then close-ups of specific damage.

Step 3: Identify the Type of Damage

Grease fires can cause multiple types of damage at the same time.

Look for:

• Flame damage
• Heat damage
• Smoke damage
• Soot damage
• Greasy residue
• Odor contamination
• Fire extinguisher residue
• Appliance damage
• Electrical damage
• Cabinet damage
• Wall and ceiling staining
• HVAC or vent contamination
• Damaged personal property

Damage may extend beyond the area where flames were visible.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company

Report the fire to your insurance carrier promptly.

Provide:

• Date and time of the fire
• Cause of fire, if known
• Location of fire
• Whether emergency services responded
• Areas affected by flame, smoke, soot, or odor
• Photos and videos
• Whether cleanup or mitigation is needed
• Any damaged personal property

Ask your carrier whether they need to inspect before cleanup, demolition, or repairs begin.

Step 5: Avoid Improper Cleaning

Grease fire residue can smear, stain, or spread if cleaned incorrectly.

Avoid:

• Wiping soot with wet cloths
• Painting over smoke residue
• Using household cleaners on all surfaces without guidance
• Washing affected textiles without documenting them
• Running HVAC systems before inspection
• Discarding damaged items without photos
• Assuming the damage is limited to visible burn marks

Fire restoration contractors often use specialized cleaning methods for soot, grease residue, smoke odor, and extinguisher residue.

Step 6: Request Professional Cleaning or Restoration

Depending on the severity of the fire, you may need a fire restoration company.

Professional services may include:

• Soot cleaning
• Degreasing
• Odor removal
• Cabinet cleaning
• Appliance cleaning or evaluation
• Contents cleaning
• Textile cleaning
• HVAC or duct cleaning
• Sealing or painting after proper cleaning
• Removal of unsalvageable materials

Ask for a detailed estimate and scope of work by room, material, and service.

Step 7: Inspect Appliances and Electrical Systems

Grease fires may damage appliances and nearby electrical components.

Have qualified professionals inspect:

• Stove or cooktop
• Oven
• Range hood
• Microwave
• Nearby outlets
• Wiring
• Light fixtures
• Exhaust fans
• Small appliances
• Built-in appliances
• Electrical panel if there was a larger event

Do not continue using appliances until they are confirmed safe.

Step 8: Document Personal Property Damage

Kitchen fires often damage belongings beyond the building itself.

Document:

• Cookware
• Dishes
• Utensils
• Small appliances
• Food
• Pantry items
• Curtains
• Rugs
• Furniture
• Electronics
• Cleaning supplies
• Items stored in cabinets or drawers

For each item, note whether it can be cleaned, restored, or replaced.

Step 9: Track Additional Living Expenses if Needed

If the kitchen is unusable or the home has heavy smoke odor, you may have additional expenses.

Track:

• Hotel or temporary housing costs
• Meals if you cannot cook at home
• Laundry costs
• Cleaning services
• Storage
• Transportation
• Pet boarding, if needed

Keep receipts and explain why each expense was necessary.

Step 10: Review the Insurance Estimate

When your carrier provides an estimate, review it carefully.

Check whether it includes:

• Fire cleanup
• Smoke and soot cleaning
• Grease residue removal
• Odor treatment
• Cabinet repair or replacement
• Appliance evaluation or replacement
• Wall and ceiling repairs
• Painting after proper cleaning
• Contents cleaning
• Food loss, if applicable
• Loss of Use expenses, if applicable

If odor or residue remains after initial cleaning, additional work may be needed.

Common Questions

Is grease fire damage covered by homeowners insurance?

Many homeowners policies may cover sudden and accidental fire and smoke damage, but coverage depends on your policy, the cause of the fire, exclusions, and carrier review.

Can I clean a grease fire myself?

Small events may be manageable, but soot, grease residue, extinguisher residue, and odor can require specialized cleaning. Improper cleaning may make damage worse.

Does smoke damage count if there was little flame damage?

It can. Smoke, soot, odor, and residue may be part of the claim even when flames were limited.

What if I used a fire extinguisher?

Document the extinguisher residue. Cleanup of extinguisher powder may be part of the restoration scope.

Why This Matters

Grease fires can look small but create widespread smoke, soot, residue, and odor issues. Proper documentation helps show that the damage includes more than the burned pan or stove area.

A strong claim should capture flame damage, smoke movement, residue, odor, affected contents, and any professional cleaning needed to restore the home.

Related Topics

You may also want to review articles about:

• Kitchen fires
• Protein fires
• Smoke damage
• Fire damage
• Appliance damage
• Personal property documentation
• Loss of Use
• Claim documentation