When this happened to us, we couldn’t get our cumbersome, old-fashioned fire extinguisher to discharge. The result: a ruined stove, oven and expensive cookware that we used to cover the flames to stop them from spreading and $10,000 worth of damage. If only we’d had a $20 Tundra Fire Suppressant.

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July 2007

Appliance Review / Kitchenware / Kitchen Gadgets

Tundra Fire Extinguisher

What Every Kitchen Needs, From First Alert

CAPSULE REPORT: Even if you have a fire extinguisher (or several home fire extinguishers), they may not be the solution you can count on when it comes time to put out the flames. Read our tale, then get a Tundra for your kitchen, car, workroom and anyplace where the sparks may fly.

We had a small kitchen fire at THE NIBBLE, and wished we’d had a Tundra Fire Extinguisher. Oh, we’d always kept a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, bracketed right next to the stove—actually, two of them. But few people actually “test drive” their fire extinguishers (and since we are New Yorkers without a yard, driveway, or other outdoor space to test them in), the thought had never crossed our minds.

Oh, we’d looked at our extinguisher and the instructions, but never tried to “pull the pin” to test-discharge it. Such a blast would have created quite a mess in our small kitchen (although not as much of a mess as we ended up with after the fire).

Then came the actual fire. With our braying smoke alarm even more stress to the situation, we pressed and pulled and couldn’t get either of our extinguishers to discharge (it was “user error”—our handyman, who arrived after the flames were out, was able to do it). Although we avoided a tragic outcome, we required a $10,000 replacement of our stove, oven and related cabinetry (if that sounds steep, we had an unusual pull-out stove that converted to countertop when not in use; it is no longer made), and ruined half a dozen beautiful pots which we turned over on top of the flames to contain the fire when we couldn’t get the extinguishers to work.

Evidently, we’re not the only ones who have problems working a fire extinguisher. The new Tundra fire extinguishing spray is designed for consumers looking for a safety product that is easier to handle during an emergency.

• It works just like any aerosol spray, so even a child will know how to use it.
• The size of a large aerosol can—nine inches tall and about 22 ounces—it is effective on common household fires including electrical, paper, fabric, wood and cooking oil.
• The firefighting agent in Tundra is biodegradable and easy to clean up. Once the fire is out and the area is cool, simply wipe the surface area with a damp cloth.
• The company claims that Tundra is four times more effective than traditional fire extinguishers on common household fires, and covers a surface area up to three times greater than a typical actuator (see the FirstAlert.com website for details).

Of course, a fire suppressant is only as effective as it is accessible. We keep our Tundra on the counter next to the stove at all times, so when a fire breaks out, valuable time isn’t lost looking for the aerosol can. It’s easy to keep on a shelf in the garage or workshop, next to the fireplace or grill, aboard a boat or RV, next to the Christmas tree and in any room in the home with candles or other potential fire hazards.

First Alert, the manufacturer, advises consumers to call the Fire Department and evacuate others from the premises before attempting to put out any fire.

We plan to buy a Tundra for everyone on our Christmas list, but don’t wait until then to safeguard your home. You can learn more about Tundra at FirstAlert.com.