If you used a fire extinguisher on your grill and are wondering how to clean grill after using fire extinguisher? Here’s what you need to do.
Things You’ll Need To Clean Grill After Using A Fire Extinguisher
Water
White vinegar
How to Clean Grill After Using Fire Extinguisher?
Fire extinguishers are used as a last resort for putting out grill fires. They can be effective for putting out flames, but they can also leave behind residue that is difficult to clean.
The heat from the fire can cause the grease to harden and liquefy, making it near impossible to scrape off. At the same time, the heat from the flames can create carbonized crusts on the surface of the grill.
So How to Clean Grill After Fire Extinguisher?
The mess caused by using a fire extinguisher can be hard to remove and the suggested cleaning methods depend on the type of extinguisher you used. You can clean your grill after using a fire extinguisher by using clean water to wash away any traces of fire extinguishing material, as long as it is not badly damaged.
The result of the fire extinguisher is a white, chalky residue that will not come off with soap and water. The white powder is sodium bicarbonate and other extinguishing agents, for instance, baking soda and other chemical substances under pressure.
Let this guide walk you through how to clean fire extinguisher residue from grill and get your grill back to normal.
Here is all you need to know about the types of fire extinguishers that can be used. The 4 Best Fire Extinguisher For Grill
Cleaning Grill after using a common household Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
A dry chemical fire extinguisher is traditionally used to put out fires and is commonly found in household kitchens.
It works by releasing a dry powder that smothers and cools the flames without scattering hot embers and ashes into other combustibles.
The most common dry chemical fire extinguishers use flame retardants such as sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate, as well as monoammonium phosphate.
The powder left on the surface of the grill will corrode it and destroy any metal grill surface, leaving behind a residue that needs to be cleaned up.
How to clean up fire extinguisher powder?
Below are the steps you need to follow to clean fire extinguisher residue from grill.
- The first step for fire extinguisher clean up is to prepare the area. Switch off the power to all cooking equipment and put on rubber gloves. You will have to wait until the grill has cooled to clean it out.
- To get started, you need to vacuum or sweep up all the loose debris.
- The best way to remove the chemicals from a fire extinguisher is by pouring 90% water and 10% white vinegar into it. Apply a solution of water and vinegar to clean both the inside and outside of the grill.
- If you’re cleaning a charcoal grill, wash the firepan with this solution. If you’re cleaning a gas grill, take out the lava heating rocks or ceramic briquettes and scrub them down with hot water and vinegar solution. Vinegar is a weak acid that will clear off any sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate residue left over from the extinguisher. After a few minutes, use a dry cloth to wipe the grill.
- In order to get rid of the monoammonium phosphate a residue from a fire extinguisher, mix a paste of baking soda and hot water. Apply it on the grill and wait for several minutes, then wipe off the area with a damp rag.
- Now give a gas or charcoal grill a final wash with soap and rinse it down with a garden hose. You can use fans to help the spot dry faster. Let the grill air-dry completely.
- If dishes, cookware, or clothing have dry chemical fire extinguisher residue on them, remove it first using a cloth before washing as usual in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Cleaning Grill after using Class K Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher
The Class K Fire Extinguisher is an excellent choice for fighting grease and fat fires which are often found in commercial kitchens.
When cooking oil or grease catches on fire, you can quickly put it out by using a Class K Wet Chemical extinguisher. These are made of potassium acetate, which creates a low-pH mist that cools the cooking surface and stops the flames.
If you’ve recently used a wet chemical fire extinguisher to put out a fire, it’s important to clean the grill right away.
It is easy to clean the grill after using a fire extinguisher and the best way is to wash off your grill with soapy water and a brush.
- First, turn off the electricity to all cooking equipment and put on a pair of long gloves. To clean the grill after using a fire extinguisher use a sponge or cloth to wipe away any foamy residue from the surface. Rinse the surface with hot, soapy water and make sure it’s dry.
No Grill Cleanup is Needed for Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher
While wet and dry chemicals are the traditional methods used to put out fires, Clean agent extinguishers are environment friendly and offer a safer alternative for putting out fires near sensitive equipment.
Clean agents won’t damage your grill and leave no residue behind, so you usually don’t require to clean grill after using a fire extinguisher.
Although the clean agent fire extinguishers from Chemical Safety Products are environmentally friendly, they can still leave behind residue.
It’s recommended you use a mild degreaser and clean the grill and surrounding area as thoroughly as possible so they do not pose a health risk.
Fire Extinguisher Dust On Food
Can you use a grill after fire extinguisher?
Food should be thrown away right away if fire extinguisher dust comes into touch with it.
Some of the chemicals used in various types of fire extinguishers might be deadly if swallowed.
Fire extinguishers, containing potassium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, or monoammonium phosphate, are typically considered non-toxic. But they can cause gastrointestinal irritation when ingested in large quantities.
While, fire extinguishers containing chemicals such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, or ammonium sulfate can be very toxic and should not be consumed.
Conclusion: How to Clean Grill After Using Fire Extinguisher
If you used a regular dry chemical, carbon dioxide, halotron, or wet fire extinguisher to deal with the grill fire at your party, you can continue on with the rest of your night. Because it is easy to clean up after using a fire extinguisher
After cleaning off all fire extinguisher residue, the kitchen must be disinfected & cleaned. Wash all dishes, cookware, and utensils that have been exposed to fire extinguisher residue. Dispose of any food that has come into contact with the fire extinguisher solution.
How Do You Quickly Put Out A Grill Fire Without A Fire Extinguisher
FAQ’s
Can you use a grill after using a fire extinguisher on it?
Once you have used a fire extinguisher to extinguish a grill fire it is important to thoroughly assess the situation before using the grill again.
After the fire has been extinguished, it is necessary to clean the grill to remove any residue from the fire extinguisher.
Check for any signs of damage, such as melted parts or warping, which could affect the grill’s performance or safety.
If there is significant damage or uncertainty about the grill’s functionality, it is recommended to consult the manufacturer or a professional before using the grill again.
Is it harmful to eat food that was affected or sprayed by carbon dioxide fire extinguishers?
The CO2 itself should be harmless, but I would be a bit uncertain about the potential for other gases in the extinguisher. If it is not pure, then there’s a chance that it can cause additional problems.
Leaving aside the composition of extinguishers (which should be closely matched to pure), they come out at high pressure.
This could cause problems with other goods, for example, dislodging them and throwing them on the food.
Carbon dioxide is not harmful and doesn’t leave any residue. Overall, I’d be fairly confident that it’s safe.
Does a fire extinguisher ruin a grill?
If you used a multi-purpose dry chemical, foam, or purple K dry chemical extinguisher to put out the fire on your grill, you’ll need to let it cool off fully before scrubbing it out.
Dry chemicals fire extinguishers can be more dangerous since they are corrosive and could cause health issues if ingested.
Follow these steps to clean your grill after it has been sprayed with a fire extinguisher.
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