Your stove is very much like a Diva. When it’s on, it needs lots of attention to be happy but can become vexed in the blink of an eye.

You’ll be working with your Diva often during the holiday gauntlet, (the time period between Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day), and keeping focused and avoiding distractions while cooking and baking is key to a problem-free relationship.  

Still, be prepared and ready for any flare-ups and you’ve won half the battle if not more.  Also, check and then keep the vent filters and collectors in your stove hood clean and free of dirt and grease as it builds up quickly with all the holiday cooking.  Highly recommend that you set up a schedule for cleaning them, that’s what the pros do.  Same for the stovetop and oven, keep them clean and free of debris.  

Then, of course, you should also know the 3 ways to put out a grease fire.

– NEVER use water on a grease fire.

1 – Put a lid on it.  Place a lid over the pan on fire and remove the heat source. This smothers the flames by cutting off the oxygen.

2 – Pour baking soda on it.  Yes, that handy versatile box of baking soda can also add firefighting to its long list of uses.  It also smothers the flames. 

3 – Use your fire extinguisher. Focus the stream on the center of the fire and sweep the area left to right and back until the fire is out. Sure you’ll ruin whatever was cooking but it’s much easier to replace a menu item than your house. If at any point the fire begins to get out of control leave immediately, close the door behind you as you exit, call 9-1-1