Air fryers are now the third most used cooking appliance in UK kitchens after toasters and microwaves
Experts have issued an urgent air fryer warning as new figures show the devices are now used more than conventional ovens in the kitchen. Figures from the Good Food Nation study found that air fryers are now the third most used appliance in British kitchens after toasters and microwave ovens.
Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First said: “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.” But consumers are being warned to ensure they are using the devices correctly to reduce their risk of an accidental fire occurring, with fires in the kitchen still accounting for a large percentage of overall electrical fires across the country every year.
Luke adds: “Air fryers have seen a huge surge in popularity in the last year, so as more of these items are used in homes, there is a risk we could see accidents involving these appliances if people don’t ensure they are using them safely.”
The charity has revealed the Do’s and Don’ts of air fryer use to ensure the millions of households using them do so safely.
“There are some vital steps you can take to protect yourself and save yourself a visit from the fire service,” Luke said. “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.
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“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.”
The charity is also urging consumers to check that their air fryer has not been subject to a safety notice or product recall. A handful of air fryers have been issued with a safety notice or product recall in recent years, with the dangers ranging from a serious risk of electric shock to fire.
Consumers can check if air fryer has been recalled using the charity’s product recall checker.
Electrical Safety First’s Do’s and Don’ts of Air Fryer Use:
DO:
- Keep the power cords away from hot surfaces
- Turn it off at the socket when it’s not in use.
- Ensure it’s on a level surface where it won’t accidentally be knocked off the counter.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using your air fryer.
- Keep an eye on your air fryer when in use, if you smell burning or hear any unusual noises coming from your machine turn it off immediately and contact the manufacturer.
- Always wait at least 30 minutes to clean it after use.
DON’T
- Put oil inside your air fryer.
- Immerse your fryer in water – this can increase the risk of the device short-circuiting when it is turned back on or, in the event water residue is still in contact with the device when in use again, increase the risk of electric shock.
- Overfill your air fryer – typically it should only be two thirds full.
- Plug your device into an extension lead which could risk overloading the socket.
Consumers can get more information on using their air fryer safely by visiting Electrical Safety First’s dedicated page to air fryer safety: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/product-safety/air-and-health-fryers
