Fire Blankets for Kitchens & Cooking Fires

Kitchens are among the most important places to consider fire safety. Hot cooking oil, frying pans, grills, electrical appliances and combustible materials can turn a small incident into a dangerous fire within seconds.

A fire blanket can provide an effective first-response option for certain small, contained cooking fires. However, not every fire blanket has demonstrated the same extinguishing performance, particularly when cooking oils and fats are involved.

This guide explains how fire blankets work in kitchens, what makes Class F cooking-oil fires different, how to use a suitable fire blanket safely and why independent testing matters.

Why Are Cooking-Oil Fires Particularly Dangerous?

Cooking oils and fats can ignite when overheated. Unlike a small fire involving paper or another ordinary combustible material, a cooking-oil fire involves extremely hot liquid that may splash, spread or reignite.

Under the European fire classification system, fires involving cooking oils and fats in cooking appliances are classified as Class F fires.

Never pour water onto burning cooking oil or fat. Water can rapidly turn into steam and violently eject burning oil, spreading flames and causing serious burns.

Never attempt to carry a burning pan outside or move it to a sink. Movement can cause burning oil to spill.

If cooking oil begins to smoke before ignition, switch off the heat and allow it to cool. Never leave frying food unattended.

Can a Fire Blanket Extinguish a Class F Cooking-Oil Fire?

Yes, a suitable fire blanket can extinguish a small, contained cooking-oil fire when the fire can be completely covered and the blanket is used correctly.

A fire blanket works by covering the burning area and restricting the oxygen available to sustain combustion. The blanket must also withstand the heat and remain in place while the cooking oil cools.

However, it is important to distinguish between a blanket that is described as fire-resistant and one that has successfully undergone an actual cooking-oil fire test.

Fiberglass fabric, material weight and heat-resistance claims alone do not prove that a finished fire blanket will successfully extinguish a Class F fire.

For this reason, independent testing of the finished product is particularly valuable.

What Independent Research Revealed About Fire Blanket Performance

In 2013, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) investigated fire blankets available to consumers in the Dutch market.

Of the 11 fire blankets tested for extinguishing performance:

• Four caught fire during the cooking-oil fire test.
• One additional blanket failed to extinguish the fire.
• Several products had deficiencies in construction or labelling.
• Some products that failed displayed references to EN 1869.

The authority concluded that mentioning EN 1869 on a product or its packaging did not guarantee that the fire blanket actually met the requirements of the standard.

This was a limited investigation conducted in 2013 under the earlier EN 1869:1997 edition. It does not establish the failure rate of fire blankets currently on the market.

Nevertheless, the findings demonstrate why buyers should look beyond marketing claims and consider independently documented fire performance.

Read the original NVWA fire blanket investigation (PDF, Dutch language).

DVM Fire Blankets: Independently Tested for Class F Performance

DVM International has commissioned independent testing of both its 1 × 1 m and 1.2 × 1.8 m conventional fire blanket series by TÜV SÜD according to EN 1869:2019.

Both sizes successfully completed cooking-oil fire tests relevant to Class F performance under the specified laboratory test conditions.

These results provide documented evidence of actual extinguishing performance rather than relying solely on material specifications or a manufacturer's statement of compliance.

DVM Fire Blanket 1 × 1 m

TÜV SÜD Test Report TC.26.04.002098

The DVM 1 × 1 m fire blanket series underwent independent testing, including successful cooking-oil fire-performance testing.

This compact size is intended for appropriate small fires, including suitable domestic cooking-pan fires that can be completely covered.

View the official TÜV SÜD 1 × 1 m test report, verification information and fire-test videos.

DVM Fire Blanket 1.2 × 1.8 m

TÜV SÜD Test Report TC.26.10.006260

The larger DVM fire blanket series has also undergone independent testing according to EN 1869:2019, including successful cooking-oil fire-performance testing.

The larger dimensions provide additional coverage for suitable applications, although a larger blanket does not make an unsafe or spreading fire safe to approach.

View the official TÜV SÜD 1.2 × 1.8 m test report, verification information and fire-test videos.

Important: These independent test reports demonstrate performance under specified test conditions. They do not guarantee successful extinguishing in every real-world fire scenario.

How to Use a Fire Blanket on a Small Cooking Fire

Fire safety authorities do not all recommend the same first-response procedure. Some advise evacuating immediately rather than attempting to extinguish a cooking-oil fire. Others describe the use of a suitable fire blanket for a small, contained pan fire when it is safe to do so.

Always follow local emergency guidance and the instructions supplied with the fire blanket. Never put yourself at risk to save property.

Where a fire is small, contained and safe to approach, the following general principles apply:

1. Assess the danger. Do not attempt to approach a spreading fire, intense flames or heavy smoke. Keep a clear escape route.
2. Switch off the heat if safe. Never reach across flames or burning oil to operate the controls.
3. Remove the fire blanket from its container. Hold the pull tabs and protect your hands behind the fabric, following the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Cover the burning area carefully. Place the blanket gently over the pan, ensuring complete coverage without disturbing or splashing the oil.
5. Leave the blanket in place. Do not lift it to inspect the fire. The oil must cool sufficiently to prevent reignition.
6. Seek emergency assistance. Follow local fire-service advice, including calling the emergency services and arranging a check for hidden fire spread.

If there is any doubt about whether the fire can be approached or controlled safely, evacuate immediately, close the door if safe and call the local emergency services.

For additional instructions, see our Step-by-Step Fire Blanket Use Guide.

Fire Blanket or Pan Lid: Which Should You Use?

Fire services often recommend covering a small burning pan with a suitable, close-fitting metal lid, provided this can be done safely without approaching dangerous flames or splashing hot oil.

A correctly fitted lid can help restrict oxygen and should remain in place until the pan has cooled completely.

A fire blanket offers another potential first-response method when it is suitable for the fire and the user can deploy it safely.

Neither method should be attempted if the fire has spread, the smoke is becoming dangerous or the user cannot maintain a safe escape route.

Where Should a Kitchen Fire Blanket Be Installed?

A fire blanket should be visible, accessible and positioned where it can be reached without moving towards a likely fire.

A location near the kitchen exit is often preferable to a position directly above the cooker.

Consider the following:

• Keep the blanket within easy reach but away from direct heat.
• Do not install it above a hob or deep-fat fryer.
• Make sure the pull tabs remain accessible.
• Keep the container unobstructed.
• Ensure household members or kitchen staff know where it is located.
• Keep the operating instructions visible and readable.

For shared kitchens, workplaces and professional facilities, consistent positioning and staff familiarisation are particularly important.

Are Fire Blankets Suitable for Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens?

Commercial kitchens may contain large fryers, substantial quantities of cooking oil, extraction systems, gas equipment and multiple heat sources.

These conditions differ significantly from a small domestic pan fire.

A conventional fire blanket tested according to EN 1869:2019 should not automatically be considered suitable for a large commercial fryer or a spreading cooking-oil fire.

Professional kitchens may require dedicated Class F extinguishers, fixed suppression systems, staff training and other protective measures based on a site-specific risk assessment and applicable local requirements.

In particular, German occupational safety guidance from DGUV advises against using fire blankets for commercial cooking-oil and fat fires.

For restaurants, hotels, catering companies and food-service operators, fire blankets should therefore be considered only as part of a broader fire-safety strategy and for applications within their documented limitations.

What About BBQs, Outdoor Cooking and Food Trucks?

Outdoor cooking introduces additional hazards, including wind, open flames, hot fat, gas cylinders and combustible materials.

A suitable fire blanket may help with an appropriate small, contained fire that can be completely covered, such as a fire involving a small cooking vessel.

However, conventional fire blankets should not be regarded as universal solutions for large barbecue fires, gas-cylinder fires, leaking fuel or rapidly spreading outdoor fires.

For food trucks and mobile catering operations, the equipment selection should reflect the cooking processes, available space, local regulations and specific fire risks.

Which Fire Blanket Size Is Best for a Kitchen?

DVM International offers two conventional fire blanket sizes, each available in protective storage options.

1 × 1 m Fire Blanket

The 1 × 1 m size is compact and suitable for many small domestic kitchen applications where the fire can be fully covered and safely approached.

Its relatively small storage dimensions make it practical for home kitchens, apartments and other locations where accessible emergency equipment is needed.

1.2 × 1.8 m Fire Blanket

The 1.2 × 1.8 m size provides a larger covering area and may be preferable where greater coverage is needed for an appropriate application.

Blanket size should be selected according to the intended use, the dimensions of the potential fire source and the manufacturer's instructions.

A larger blanket is not a substitute for appropriate specialist firefighting equipment.

Inspection, Maintenance and Replacement

A fire blanket may remain unused for years, but it must still be accessible and ready for deployment.

Check that:

• The storage bag or box is undamaged.
• The pull tabs are present and accessible.
• The instructions remain readable.
• The blanket has not been exposed to visible damage, contamination or unsuitable storage conditions.
• The product identification and relevant inspection records remain available.

DVM recommends periodic visual inspection, with the frequency adapted to the environment and applicable organisational procedures.

A fire blanket that has been used to extinguish a fire must be replaced. Conventional fire blankets are single-use safety products.

For practical resources, visit the DVM Documentation Centre for Buyers, Users and Inspectors.

What Should Buyers Look for in a Kitchen Fire Blanket?

When comparing fire blankets, consider more than price, fabric weight or the presence of a standard number on the packaging.

Useful questions include:

• Has the finished fire blanket been tested according to EN 1869:2019?
• Does the test documentation include actual cooking-oil fire performance?
• Was testing performed by an independent laboratory?
• Are the tested dimensions and product models clearly identified?
• Can the complete test report be reviewed and verified?
• Are operating instructions available in the required languages?
• Are the limitations and intended applications clearly explained?

DVM makes its independent TÜV SÜD test documentation available so that consumers, distributors and professional buyers can examine the evidence for both fire blanket sizes.

Not just claimed. Independently tested.

Conclusion: Choose Proven Performance, Not Just a Fire-Resistant Material

A suitable fire blanket can be valuable first-response equipment for certain small kitchen fires, particularly where cooking oils and fats create a Class F risk.

However, its effectiveness depends on the fire conditions, correct use and the actual performance of the finished product.

The historical NVWA investigation demonstrated that not all fire blankets offered reliable cooking-oil fire performance, even when some carried references to EN 1869.

DVM International has addressed the need for verifiable evidence by independently testing both its 1 × 1 m and 1.2 × 1.8 m fire blanket series through TÜV SÜD, including successful cooking-oil fire tests.

For consumers and professional buyers alike, documented performance, appropriate instructions and a clear understanding of limitations are essential parts of responsible fire-safety equipment selection.

References and Further Reading

1. European Committee for Standardization (CEN). EN 1869:2019, Fire blankets. European product standard for conventional fire blankets.
2. Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Factsheet brandblusdekens, 6 December 2013. Dutch investigation into fire blanket construction, labelling and cooking-oil fire performance. Original factsheet (PDF, Dutch).
3. Country Fire Authority (CFA), Australia. Using a Fire Blanket. Practical guidance on suitable small cooking fires, fire blanket positioning and safe deployment. Read guidance.
4. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Safety with Cooking Equipment. Guidance on preventing cooking fires and responding to small grease fires. Read guidance.
5. Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, United Kingdom. Kitchen Fires. Guidance on cooking-oil fires, pan lids, fire blankets and safe evacuation. Read guidance.
6. Netherlands Safety Region Noord-Holland Noord. Vlam in de pan. Dutch fire-safety advice explaining the importance of verified suitability for cooking-oil fires. Read guidance (Dutch).
7. TÜV SÜD. Test Report TC.26.04.002098, 9 June 2026. Independent EN 1869:2019 testing of DVM 1 × 1 m fire blankets. View report and verification.
8. TÜV SÜD. Test Report TC.26.10.006260. Independent EN 1869:2019 testing of DVM 1.2 × 1.8 m fire blankets. View report and verification.
9. DVM International B.V. Fire Blanket Documentation. Resources for Buyers, Users and Inspectors.