Air fryers have become hugely popular over the last few years as people discovered the convenience of the kitchen gadget. While they are loved for being easy to use, experts have warned that they don’t come without a risk.
They have made their way into the top three most-used appliances in UK kitchens, according to the Good Food Nation study, coming in just behind toasters and microwaves. But there are some common mistakes that can have some devastating consequences.
“If there was any doubt air fryers were here to stay, these latest figures show they are now a staple part of our kitchen set up,” said Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First.
To make sure people avoid some of the risks, the charity has issued some important advice on how to use an air fryer properly.
With fires being one of the main potential hazards, users should take particular care with this part of their food preparation. Good Housekeeping suggests applying it directly onto the food rather than into the unit’s drawer to prevent excessive smoke.
Safety advisers also say that build-up of oil and food can present a significant fire risk. Frequent cleaning will both mitigate this risk and enhance the taste of your food, the Express reports.
Luke adds: “Always register the product to make sure you are contactable in the event a fault is detected by the manufacturer. Never overfill your air fryer and never plug the appliance into an extension lead to avoid potential overheating.
“Make sure you keep your power cords away from hot surfaces to avoid damaging cables, which could pose a serious fire risk and always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to cleaning your device.”
Electrical Safety First advises people to check that their model is not among those being withdrawn or flagged for safety issues, including electrical shock and fire hazard concerns. Users can use the charity’s product recall checker to help with this.