The Smart Burner, a product aimed at reducing the chance of having a cooking fire, will soon be installed into 8 stoves at Veterans Manor Apartments located at 2900 St. Anthony Drive, Green Bay, WI. The Green Bay Metro Fire Department Benevolent Association purchased the Smart Burners in the hopes of assisting veterans.
The Smart Burner can turn any electric coil stove into a “fire-safe” appliance. The main concept behind this product is that it will shut off power to the burner when it reaches 662°F (this is more than hot enough to cook food). Many cooking fires are started when combustibles are placed too close to the stovetop or when someone leaves something unattended on the stove. When the Smart Burner shuts the burner off at 662°F, common items that may be too close to a stovetop, such as cotton and paper will not ignite even when placed directly on the burner plate when the burner is set on high. The burner also shuts off well before the ignition temperature of cooking grease (vegetable and animal oils and fats). The temperature of the burner plate is constantly monitored and when it falls below 662°F, power is then restored to the burner.
Mason Manor, a 152-unit apartment building overseen by the Green Bay Housing Authority, had every apartment retrofitted with Smart Burners in 2012. They have not had a cooking fire since the installation.
Annually, cooking is responsible for more than 158,400 home fires, 470 deaths, 4,150 injuries, and nearly one billion dollars in damages. The National Fire Protection Association also reports that 53% of all cooking fires start on the stovetop.
Please join us on Thursday, November 2nd at Veterans Manor (2900 St Anthony Drive, Green Bay WI) at 10:00 AM for a short demonstration and interview opportunities with GBMFD, Veterans Manor staff, and Green Bay Housing Authority personnel.
Contact Information:
Lt. Nick Craig
Green Bay Metro Fire Department
920.448.3280
nick.craig@greenbaywi.gov