How do you stop a fire cooking in a pan?

• A. Pour water on it.
• B. Use an oven mitt to clap a lid on, move the pan off the burner, and turn off the stove; you can also use salt or baking powder.
• C. Ignore it and keep cooking.
• D. Move the pan to a hot plate.

Answer: (B)

Smothering the flames and cooling the heat source is the safest way to stop a pan fire. If you can do so safely, slide the pan off the burner and turn the stove off, then carefully cover the pan with a metal lid or baking sheet using an oven mitt to protect your hand. The lid blocks oxygen and lets the fire die down as the pan cools. In a pinch, you can sprinkle salt or baking powder over the flames to smother them. Avoid using water on a grease fire, as it can cause a dangerous flare-up, and don’t try to move a burning pan if flames are large—get help if the fire can’t be controlled.