Kitchen fire extinguishers: which one, where, and how

What is the best fire extinguisher for a home kitchen?

A multipurpose extinguisher labeled A-B-C. NFPA says to choose one that can be used on all types of home fires. It should be large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy that it is hard to handle. The Red Cross also recommends an A-B-C rating for home use. Look for the label of an independent testing lab, such as UL.

We do not rank brands here. Ratings and stock change, and a model name tells you less than its label. Check these five things on the box or the label instead:

• · Classes: A-B-C covers burning paper and cloth, grease and oil, and electrical fires. A B-C unit skips Class A.
• · A lab listing: the U.S. Fire Administration says to look for a "UL Listed" or "ULC Listed" label, or another national testing lab.
• · The rating numbers: bigger numbers mean more fire-fighting power. The next section explains them.
• · Weight: pick the largest one you can use safely and comfortably. Sizes and weights vary.
• · A pressure gauge or test button: the Red Cross says to use one to check the charge.

The lab label matters. In a 1998 project, staff at the Consumer Product Safety Commission tested home extinguishers. Units not listed to UL 711, the U.S. rating standard, could not put out fires of the size needed for a residential listing.

You may also see extinguishers sold just for the kitchen. Some are tested to UL 711A, a UL fire test for extinguishers meant for home cooking equipment. California rules require those to be marked "Residential Kitchen Fire Extinguisher" and "Special Purpose." Read the label to see which other fire classes, if any, it covers.

What does 2-A:10-B:C mean on a fire extinguisher?

The letters are the fire classes it is rated for. The numbers show how much fire it can handle. On a 2-A:10-B:C label, 2-A means its power on burning wood, paper or cloth equals 2.5 gallons of water. Each A unit is 1.25 gallons. 10-B means a non-expert should be able to put out about 10 square feet of burning liquid. C has no number. It means the agent does not conduct electricity.

These are the fire classes used in the U.S., as defined by the U.S. Fire Administration:

• · Class A: ordinary materials such as cloth, wood and paper.
• · Class B: flammable liquids such as grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paint.
• · Class C: live electrical equipment, such as appliances and anything plugged in.
• · Class D: burning metals. Often found in factories.
• · Class K: vegetable oils, animal oils and fats in cooking appliances.

The OSHA extinguisher guide uses 1-A:10-B:C as its example. That one has half the Class A power of a 2-A:10-B:C unit and the same Class B rating.

What is a Class K fire extinguisher, and do you need one at home?

Class K covers fires in cooking oils and fats inside cooking appliances. A Class K extinguisher sprays a wet chemical mist. The U.S. Fire Administration says these are often found in commercial kitchens, such as restaurants, cafeterias and caterers. For homes, NFPA and the Red Cross recommend a multipurpose A-B-C extinguisher instead.

A Class K fire is a fire in cooking oil or fat. In the UK and Europe the same kind of fire is called Class F. The UK Fire Industry Association says cooking oil fires involve very high temperatures and are very hard to put out with ordinary Class B extinguishers. That is why a separate class was created.

Four facts explain why Class K is mainly a business product:

• · NFPA 10, the standard for portable fire extinguishers, says extinguishers provided to protect cooking appliances that use oils and fats must be listed for Class K. Extinguisher maker Amerex quotes this rule (section 5.5.5).
• · OSHA says travel distance to a Class K extinguisher must not exceed 30 feet.
• · OSHA describes a placard that says to use the extinguisher on an appliance fire only after the fixed fire suppression system has gone off.
• · OSHA notes that the agent in many Class K extinguishers conducts electricity. So it is not a substitute for a C rating.

For homes, NFPA and the Red Cross recommend a multipurpose A-B-C extinguisher. We did not find a U.S. home safety guide that tells homeowners to buy Class K.

What fire extinguisher do you use on a grease or oil fire?

First, reach for a lid. NFPA says to slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. If you use an extinguisher, it must be rated for Class B, which covers grease and oil. A home A-B-C or B-C extinguisher has that rating. Class K units are mostly found in commercial kitchens. Never use water or a water extinguisher on grease or oil.

NFPA's cooking safety advice is to leave the pan covered until it is completely cool, because the fire could start again. For a deep fat fryer, OSHA says not to use a Class A extinguisher containing water or CO2. Our step-by-step guide to putting out a grease fire covers the lid method and why water makes it worse.

What size fire extinguisher do you need, and where should it go?

Pick the largest one you can lift, aim and use with ease. The U.S. Fire Administration says sizes and weights vary, so try the weight in the store if you can. A unit you cannot hold steady is no help.

Placement advice from NFPA and the Red Cross:

• · Install it close to an exit, so you fight the fire with your back to a way out.
• · Mount it high on the wall and away from heat sources. Do not put it right next to or above the stove.
• · Keep it where adults can reach it fast, and away from small children.
• · Keep it out of hot spots. The Red Cross says heat can make the contents less effective or drain the charge faster.

The home advice we found does not set a mounting height. Businesses do have a rule. A San Diego Fire-Rescue policy based on California rules says that for an extinguisher of 40 pounds or less, the top sits no higher than 5 feet off the floor. The bottom must be at least 4 inches up. You can use that as a guide at home.

What fire extinguisher should you get for an apartment?

The same kind as a house: a multipurpose A-B-C extinguisher you can handle. Rules for the building depend on your local code. The 2015 International Fire Code, a model code that states and cities can adopt, requires extinguishers in apartment buildings. It lets owners place fewer in common areas if each apartment has its own, rated at least 1-A:10-B:C. Ask your landlord what your unit has.

The rule above is quoted in a New York Department of State bulletin. Apartments fall under Group R-2 in the code. If your landlord supplied an extinguisher, ask who checks it and how often. If you buy your own, the same A-B-C advice applies. Mount it by your door or the kitchen exit, not over the stove.

How do you use a fire extinguisher?

Remember PASS. Pull the pin, with the nozzle pointing away from you. Aim low, at the base of the fire. Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. Sweep the nozzle from side to side. The Red Cross notes that most portable extinguishers empty in 8 seconds. If the fire does not die down right away, drop the extinguisher and get out.

1. 1. Pull the pin. This also breaks the tamper seal, per OSHA.
2. 2. Aim low, at the base of the fire.
3. 3. Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
4. 4. Sweep from side to side at the base until the fire appears to be out.

Then back away. OSHA says a fire that seems out can flame up again. Brands work in different ways, and there is no time to read directions in a fire. NFPA suggests reading yours now. Local fire departments and extinguisher dealers often run hands-on training.

When should you not try to fight a kitchen fire?

The U.S. Fire Administration says to use an extinguisher only if you can answer yes to all of these:

• · Have you alerted others in the building?
• · Has someone called the fire department?
• · Are you physically able to use one? It says young children and older adults should not.
• · Is the fire small and contained to one object, such as a pan or a wastebasket?
• · Are you safe from toxic smoke?
• · Do you have a clear escape route?

If any answer is no, get out and call 911 from outside. NFPA adds that the room must not be filled with smoke. It also says children should not be trained to use extinguishers. Their job is to get out and stay out.

Fighting the fire carries real risk. In NFPA's Home Cooking Fires report, more than half of non-fatal cooking fire injuries happened when people tried to control the fire themselves (2017 to 2021 data). For a fire inside the oven, keep the door shut instead. Our oven fire guide has the steps.

How do you check and replace a fire extinguisher?

The U.S. Fire Administration lists five checks:

• · Access: nothing blocks your way to it.
• · Pressure: if it has a gauge, the needle is not too high or too low.
• · Condition: the can, hose and nozzle are not damaged, dented or rusted.
• · Cleanliness: wipe off dust, oil or grease.
• · Service: some models must be shaken monthly. Others need a pressure test every few years.

The Red Cross says many models are made for one-time use and cannot be recharged. So replace a one-time unit after any use. Replace it, or have it professionally serviced, if it is low on pressure, damaged or corroded. Follow the maker's instructions for the rest.

Also check for recalls at cpsc.gov. In 2017, for example, the CPSC announced a recall of about 37.8 million extinguishers with plastic handles. They could clog or need too much force to discharge. A monthly look at your extinguisher fits well with your monthly smoke alarm test.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• · U.S. Fire Administration, Choosing and using fire extinguishers (page reviewed April 1, 2023)
• · NFPA, Fire extinguishers safety tips (read October 2026)
• · NFPA, Cooking safety (2020 to 2024 data, read October 2026)
• · NFPA, Home Cooking Fires report (September 2023, 2017 to 2021 data)
• · OSHA, Portable fire extinguishers eTool: extinguisher basics (read October 2026)
• · OSHA, Portable fire extinguishers eTool: extinguisher use (read October 2026)
• · American Red Cross, Fire safety equipment (read October 2026)
• · Amerex, Class K fire extinguisher product page, quoting NFPA 10 section 5.5.5 (read October 2026)
• · Fire Industry Association (UK), Fact File 99: Class F fires (October 2024)
• · California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Section 561.2 (UL 711 and UL Subject 711A)
• · New York Department of State, Technical Bulletin TB-3004-FCNYS, quoting 2015 International Fire Code Section 906.1 (2018)
• · San Diego Fire-Rescue, Fire extinguishers policy E-09-8 (mounting heights)
• · CPSC, Meeting log on residential fire blanket and extinguisher testing (January 13, 1998)
• · CPSC, Recall of fire extinguishers with plastic handles (November 2, 2017)
• · GE Appliances, Wall oven owner’s manual 49-80717 (April 2014)