Fire Blanket for Galley Safety

What a fire blanket does in a galley

A fire blanket for a galley is a compact layer of heat resistant fabric that starves a young flame of oxygen. In tight kitchens where space and airflow are constrained, removing oxygen is often faster and cleaner than using a dry chemical extinguisher. The blanket is pulled from a soft pouch by two tabs, then draped to seal the rim of a burning pan or to wrap around a person if clothing ignites. Because no residue is sprayed, you protect food prep surfaces, electronics, and soft goods from corrosive powder. For small pan fires and oil flashes, a properly placed blanket can end the event in seconds.

Fire blankets do not replace all suppression tools. They complement a class ABC or class K extinguisher and a working smoke alarm. Think of them as the quiet first move when a pan flares or a towel catches on the cooktop. If flames extend beyond the pan, or involve fuels other than cooking oils, switch to the appropriate extinguisher and exit if control is lost.

How to choose the right fire blanket for your galley

Selecting the right blanket starts with materials and verified performance. Most quality units use woven fiberglass for heat resistance, sometimes with a silicone coating that helps shed oil and makes the fabric less itchy to handle. Look for products tested to EN 1869, a common kitchen blanket standard, or equivalent listings from reputable labs. Check temperature tolerance and flame spread ratings and confirm the blanket edges are properly bound to prevent fraying under stress.

Materials and standards for fire blankets

Fiberglass brings high heat tolerance and dimensional stability, which is crucial when you press the blanket over a hot pan rim to seal out air. Silicone coated variants resist oil saturation and are easier to clean for reuse after minor contact with splatter. Standards such as EN 1869 focus on domestic kitchen use and give you confidence that material and packaging allow quick deployment. In marine environments, align your choice with guidance from established maritime safety practices and ensure the pouch can resist humidity and vibration.

Size, temperature rating, and packaging

Size matters. A common everyday blanket measures about one meter by one meter, which covers most small cookware. Larger options up to one and a half meters give better overlap on deep skillets or portable induction surfaces with oversized pans. Temperature ratings indicate short term exposure performance and are useful when deciding between single or double layer constructions. Packaging should feature a rigid or semi rigid front so the pull tabs release smoothly, with bold graphics that show the motion sequence. A wall mount pouch with a positive closure keeps the blanket clean yet instantly accessible.

Step by step deployment

When a pan flashes, turn off the heat if it is safe to reach the control. Using the tabs, hold the blanket up as a shield between you and the flame. Approach with your hands protected behind the top edge, then lay the blanket gently from the near edge to the far edge, sealing the rim. Do not throw the blanket or allow it to billow. Once the flame is smothered, leave the blanket in place for several minutes to ensure cooling. Never add water to hot oil. If clothing is on fire, wrap the person with the blanket and guide them to stop, drop, and roll while keeping the head exposed for breathing.

Storage, training, and maintenance for real readiness

Placement is as important as selection. Mount the pouch at chest height near the galley exit or along the approach path to the cooktop. You want a straight reach without stepping over a heat source. Avoid locations above the stove where heat could block access. In mobile galleys, use secure fasteners so the pouch does not become a projectile on rough roads or water.

Everyone who uses the galley should practice the motions. Rehearse pulling the tabs, shielding your hands, and sealing the rim. Review when to switch to an extinguisher and when to evacuate. For van and boat kitchens where space is tight, walk through scenarios with doors, drawers, and lids open to spot any pinch points. Set a reminder to inspect the pouch quarterly. Look for damage, contamination, or loose stitching. If the blanket contacts a fire, follow the manufacturer guidance for replacement. Keep instructions visible on the pouch and ensure lighting near the mounting point is adequate for night use.

A quick note on limits. Blankets are not intended for large fires, pressurized fuel leaks, or energized lithium cell thermal runaway. For battery related fires, isolate the device, use water to cool if safe and recommended by local guidance, and evacuate if heat or smoke grows. In any scenario where the fire outpaces your first response, prioritize people and exit.

Bringing proven galley safety into compact mobile kitchens

Compact kitchens in adventure vans and small campers deserve the same disciplined safety approach as a home or yacht. A thoughtfully placed blanket, matched extinguisher, and clear training give you layers of defense that are easy to live with every day. During a custom build or a targeted upfit, integrated storage for a blanket and extinguisher keeps gear visible, secure, and fast to reach. It also prevents clutter on counters, which reduces ignition risk around hot cookware.

At OZK Customs we plan galley safety into the design from day one. Our team routes hardpoints for secure pouches, selects compatible extinguishers for your cooking method, and confirms reach paths with you during the handoff. Whether you cook on induction, diesel, or portable propane, we will place your blanket for the shortest safe motion. Clients picking up in Northwest Arkansas can test their setup at Adventure Point and get familiar with daily use before heading out. If you are considering a new van or refining an existing platform, we can incorporate fire safety into a complete build or a focused interior upfit without changing your layout style.

Explore our recreational vans to see how we package compact kitchens for real travel. If you want a ground up plan, our custom build van path aligns safety, storage, and power with your routes. Shoppers comparing platforms can review mainstream vans that finance and then schedule a targeted upfit to dial in your galley.

Strong equipment plus smart placement makes the difference when seconds count. Bring your cooking style and your destinations and we will design the rest.

• Tell us how you cook and where you travel
• We will spec the right blanket, extinguisher, and storage
• Pick up in Fayetteville Arkansas and roll out fully prepared

Ready to integrate galley safety into a build you love? Submit the form and let OZK Customs plan and install your fire safety package as part of a complete build or a precision upfit.