Chimney fire last Saturday taught me to clean ash trays more often

Was out at my uncle's place near Abilene running a pork shoulder when the offset started belching black smoke and flames shot out the top. Threw a wet towel over the stack opening and it killed the oxygen enough to settle it down, but I lost 20 degrees on the pit for 45 minutes. Anyone else ever had a grease fire catch them off guard like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

fiona_reed18h ago

A damp towel on the stack works every time... I keep one hanging on the handle now.

gray_smith6723h ago

Didn't used to think a wet towel would cut the oxygen that fast, but now I'm a believer after my neighbor did the same thing with his stick burner back in March? His firebox lit up like a blowtorch and he just dropped a damp rag over the stack, and it killed the flames in maybe 10 seconds. I'd always thought you needed a fire extinguisher or baking soda to deal with that kind of thing, but the towel trick is dead simple and doesn't mess up your bark with powder residue (plus it's right there on the counter anyway).