Which Fire Extinguisher?

[JCTex]

I want to carry 2: one in the front cabin where I can get to it quickly, and another in the back for my “kitchen”. I’ve heard to stay away from the popular dry chemical kind because over time the powder settles and cakes. I’m leery of the CO2 kind for health reasons. That leaves the AFFF, or foam, kind. What portable extinguishers do you think are best for overlanding and Jeeping.

Pebbledropper
2014 JKUR

 

[Johnston]

Check out Element fire extinguishers: https://elementfire.com/

 

[pluton]

There are some informative threads right here on Expo; Search "Fire Extinguishers"
What I think I've learned:
Common ABC dry chemical stuff from Home Depot contains ammonium phosphate, which will leave a stuck-on melted crust on whatever it hits that's hot, and also corrodes metal, including electrical equipment. However: It's very effective at putting out fires.
There is, if you look, a sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate dry chemical material that is rated a bit less effective, but doesn't melt into a crust or corrode your electrics. That'd be my choice for cheap and safe.
There is also the liquid chemical material, Halon (the best, but now, alas, only exists in recycled form, a bit more $$, and is very bad for various ozone layers) and the somewhat less-effective replacement for Halon, Halotron.
I've got 2 lb and a 5 lb Halotron units. I like the idea that it leaves no residue.
Be careful if selecting AFFF foam; Some formulations utilize the PFA group of chemicals, which are toxic, non-decomposing big league endocrine disruptors.

 

[southpier13]

in any selection, common recommendation is to have a 5#. evidently the 2 1/2# don't have enough "pa-zing" to get anything done worthwhile.

 

[Riptide]

I think I've written about them here before, but I am a huge Cold-Fire fan, for a lot of reasons. First, the mixture is plant-based, and gentle. You could spray it on a person, and not chemically burn their skin; that's huge in my book. Second, you can buy the concentrate, and refill your own extinguisher. So there 's no reason for you and your family not to try it out. You just have to have a way to repressurize with air up to 175 psi (I use one of those little tire compressors to do the final press-up). And third, it's a really effective fire fighter. It is used at a lot of NASCAR tracks, and it was the Marines that got Fire-Freeze to create an all-weather formula that's good down to -50F, so you can keep it in the vehicle without fear of freezing.

Check them out!

 

[nwoods]

Happy owner of a few Element Fire "sticks". Truly fantastic. a bit pricey, but worth it

 

[alanymarce]

Make sure you meet the legal requirements - for example, in Zimbabwe you have to have a fire extinguisher of 600 mL capacity. We had three of 500 mL each and were fined because we didn't have "a fire extinguisher of 600 mL capacity" (!).

 

[Ducstrom]

I bought the element ones. One for the camper, truck and wife's jeep. Haven't had to use them yet though, but I like the concept