Why Aren't Class K Extinguishers More Common?

When you buy a fire extinguisher, you probably think you'll be covered for any type of fire, right? Not always.

The truth is most fire extinguishers are ABC fire extinguishers. That means they're good for:

Class A Fires: The most common type of fire. They involve ordinary combustible materials and are typically found in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Class B Fires: A specific type of fire that involves flammable and combustible liquids and gases. Unlike Class A fires, which are fueled by solid materials, Class B fires are fueled by substances that do not produce embers or ash.

Class C Fires: Involve energized electrical equipment as the fuel source. They are particularly dangerous because of the risk of electric shock.

ABC extinguishers will cover you with these, BUT, if you've got a Class K fire, an extinguisher not rated with K will act more like a flame thrower! If you checked the label on your extinguisher right now, there's a good chance it doesn't say ‘Class K’ anywhere.

What are Class K Fires?

Class K fires involve cooking oils and fats. Think vegetable oils, animal fats, or other flammable cooking media. These fires are fueled by cooking oils and fats in deep fryers, skillets, or other cooking appliances. When ignited, they burn at extremely high temperatures burning the oils and dangerous vapors that can spread the fire in seconds. Splash water on a grease fire and you'll cause a violent eruption that will spread the fire across your kitchen. Use a pressurized extinguisher and you actually push the fire deeper into the oils, potentially causing an explosion.

How do Class K Fires occur?

Your kitchen is ground zero for cooking fires. The fire triangle / fire tetrahedron is super clear. Heat + fuel + air = FIRE. A pot of vegetable oil heating on the stove, a deep fryer for game night snack, or a splash of oil or grease hitting a gas flame is all it takes fire to spread instantly. Add a little distraction, and you've got a fire hazard waiting to happen that ABC fire extinguishers can't handle. That's why you need a Class K fire extinguisher for fire suppression with these types of fires. 

Pro Tip:  Keep your range hood and stove clean to prevent grease build ups.

Now you might be thinking that it only happens in kitchens. But here's the thing, Class K fires are fueled by cooking oils and fats which can happen anywhere. If you live life on the road in your RV, boat or in the wild, you're actually driving your kitchen around. That's why A, B, C  & K fire extinguishers, like Element E50  are essential to have on board. 

RV Kitchen Fires

Your home on wheels comes with a kitchen and the confined space with limited airflow can make RV kitchen fires spread fast. One pot of overheated cooking oil can turn your vacation into a rolling fire hazard. That's why it's a good habit to avoid placing cooking equipment near curtains or other combustibles, and cleaning up spills immediately to reduce the risk of fires involving leftover grease.

Why A Class K Fire Extinguisher?

ABC fire extinguishers and other dry chemical agents work for some fires, but they're not the first line of defence for Class K fires. Traditional chemical fire extinguishers that are not rated for Class K are pressurized and can push the fire deeper into the oils and fats making the fire worse. This will spread the fire instead of stopping it. Don't even think about water. Water and oil don't mix which will spread burning droplets of oil around your cooking area, onto surfaces, or even onto you. 

Element is the Class K Fire Extinguisher You Need

The Element E50 isn't just another type of fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher is specifically designed to combat all the major classes of fires: A, B, C, AND Class K fires. It uses a clean and safe extinguishing agent that interrupts the chemical chain reaction of fire without the messy, corrosive residue of dry chemical fire extinguishers. It's lightweight, maintenance free, less than 11" long and an extremely portable fire extinguisher. It's ideal for your home, RV, off-road vehicles and ATVs. 

When it comes to fire safety, the right extinguisher is crucial. The Element E50 gives you fire protection that covers A, B, C & K fire  scenarios. Since Element requires no maintenance, it's always ready for almost any emergency.