Looks like water damage.

it's definitely not water damage. I just tried tub o' towels and removed most of the outline that looks like water damage but no there are the globs of grease and a general yellow that will take me a while to remove with tub o' towels. So any suggestions are still appreciated

Try a Mr. Clean magic eraser sponge.

I thought it looked like water damage, too. Especially because of the irregular shape. It would take a lot of high-heat, high-fat cooking, like using a wok all the time without turning on the vent/fan, to cause it to locate to that one point on the ceiling. I would assume the whole ceiling and wall must be covered in the stuff!!! YIKES!

If you really think it's from grease, you might check with a paint store (like Sherwin Williams) for more help and products to use. If that won't work, I would clean it using whatever de-greasing product/method you choose. Then use Kilz over the stain and repaint the ceiling and wall. If you are renting, did you point the spot out before signing your lease agreement and ask the landlord to repair it? Maybe that's where you need to start....

Nope we bought it :) The hubs and I are learning a lot from our first purchase.

If it really is just grease, I'd try some hot water with a few drops of dawn.

I am a DEEP FRYING person and this is EXACTLY what happens when you deep fry- I also had paint & wallpaper business, and did insurance jobs- I would suggest, Wash it down with TSP- tri-sodium-Phosphate- this is a white powder you dissolve in water, and then paint with KILZ Sealant- KILZ is referred to by many professionals as a Stain killer, but READ the can- KILZ is a BRAND, you need the STAIN BLOCKER. Betya' a lot of people answering this question are men that have never deep fried! I recently really monked up my daughters ceiling deep frying French fries a lot and I had installed decorative tiles in my own house on the ceiling that could be washed down! They also make a clear plastic film, for walls and I am going to try it on a newly painted ceiling to see if that protects without peeling the ceiling paint. Another tip on painting ceilings, most paint departments recommend FLAT paint for ceilings, I DO NOT USE FLAT PAINT- Contractors use it by the 5 gallon buckets, as it is the cheapest paint, to buy At least go with Eggshell or Satin, as you can actually wipe it down, Flat paint dissolves over time and with cleaning it. Some people have an issues saying the harder shellled paints show more flaws, however I rather deal with a smal flaw than a grease spot! Water soaks in from above, while grease dissolves into the paint from the top of the paint surface, while being vaporaized into the air. PS EVEN USING a VENT FAN Will do this to a ceiling, with someone who deep fires a lot- the very reason its better to have a Stove HOOD!