Grease fires and protein fires
A grease fire leaves heavy, oily soot on the range hood, cabinets and ceiling. A protein fire, from food left burning on the stove, leaves a thin yellowish film that is hard to see but carries a strong, persistent odor through the whole house.
What the cleanup covers
Kitchen cleanup focuses on degreasing and removing residue from every surface, inside and out, then dealing with odor.
- Degreasing of cabinets inside and out, walls and ceilings
- Cleaning of range hood, filters and nearby fixtures
- Cleaning of countertops, backsplash and hard contents
- Cleanup of fire extinguisher powder
- Odor treatment for protein and grease smoke
- Cleanup of water used to put out the fire
Fire extinguisher residue
Dry chemical extinguishers leave a fine powder that spreads widely and can be corrosive to metal over time. Clean it up soon after the fire. Contractors vacuum and wipe it from surfaces and appliances.
Food and contents
Discard food that was exposed to heat, smoke or extinguisher powder, including items in open containers in nearby cabinets. Dishes and cookware can usually be cleaned.
Before the call
Make sure the fire is fully out and the appliance is off at the breaker or gas valve. Do not wipe greasy soot with water, and leave appliance and electrical checks to the right trade.
Questions
Will the contractor replace damaged cabinets?
No. This service covers cleanup. Replacing cabinets, counters or appliances is a separate project.
Why does the house smell when the kitchen looks clean?
Protein residue is nearly invisible and spreads through the house. It often needs cleaning beyond the kitchen and deodorization to remove the odor.
Is a small stovetop fire worth a call?
If residue or odor has spread beyond the stove, or an extinguisher was used, a contractor can explain what the cleanup involves.