Product recalls of popular air fryer brands — such as Insignia in March 2024 — have put a spotlight on the safety of the devices themselves, particularly the risks of fire or burns.
Don’t worry. Despite the failings of a few specific brands, air fryers are safe to use in general, assuming you have a properly functioning machine and follow some basic safety steps.
Wash the entire air fryer basket with soap and water after every use. Avoid the dishwasher, which can corrode the nonstick surface over time.
Air fryers are great for cooking chicken wings, mozzarella sticks (OK, not all air fryer food is healthy) and other crave-able snacks. If you don’t add any cooking oil or spray, you might notice a pool of oil or film left in the basket when you lift out the eats. That oil — and any other food bits — should be thoroughly cleaned after every use. Residual oil and small burnt bits of food will increase the chance of a fire inside the basket.
The good news is that most air fryer baskets are nonstick so all it takes is a few vigorous scrubs with a warm soapy sponge to get them ready for the next session. Some air fryer baskets are advertised as dishwasher-safe, but I suggest washing them by hand. The pummeling your basket will take inside the dishwasher can erode the nonstick coating over time.
The safest outlet is an empty one.
Air fryers use a good amount of voltage and thus have the potential to cause an electrical fire. It’s always best to unplug them when not in use. Some air fryers are rather quiet, so this also ensures the air fryer isn’t still running or won’t be accidentally turned on by a passing cat or the curious hand of a toddler. (Plus, this can save you some money over time, as appliances can still draw power even when they’re turned off.)
Kitchen appliances, including toasters, air fryers and microwaves, should also be plugged directly into an outlet rather than into an extension cord or outlet extender since they add more resistance to the flow of electricity. You should also avoid running your air fryer through an outlet with other appliances plugged in, especially those in use, as it can put stress on the circuits.
In truth, any electrical appliance can cause a fire if there’s a faulty electrical outlet or bad wiring. Call an electrician if you hear a crackling or see sparks. Speaking of damaged electrical outlets, try to position your air fryer so the hot air blowing out the back is not hitting an electrical outlet in your kitchen. Over time, this can cause problems.
Do make bacon in the air fryer, but don’t walk too far away while it’s cooking.
Air fryers get hot and they get hot fast. As with any oven, you won’t want to walk too far away from it while it’s in use and monitor for smoke or unusual smells like burning food or plastic. And always adhere to the cooking instructions.
Many ovens only suggest cooking on higher temps for 20 minutes or less at a time. Read your air fryer instructions carefully before diving in.
