You probably don’t clean this important part of your air fryer
Air fryers are excellent at cooking range of foodsand they are usually safe. Air fryers run on electricity, so there are no harmful air pollutants or gas leaks There’s no need to worry, and these powerful convection ovens don’t pose a major fire hazard as long as you keep them clean and don’t let them run unattended for too long. But there’s one part of the air fryer that almost no one cleans, and it can cause a dangerous buildup of food residue over time.
Read more: Making a whole chicken in the air fryer is the best cooking hack I’ve found all year
The underside of the air fryer’s body, where the heating coils are housed, is prone to food splatter and gunk. Some forum users Reddit’s air fryer sub have admitted that they ignore the annoying build-up, but that can be really dangerous. Cleaning it with a wet cloth every few weeks will reduce the chance of an air fryer malfunction and prevent the food you cook from becoming contaminated.
Below is a complete guide to air fryer safety, including how to clean and use it. For more information, learn how to make crispy bacon or the perfect cheeseburger in the air fryer.
Are air fryers dangerous?
The potential risk of an air fryer should not overshadow the many benefits of the mighty countertop oven. In fact, air fryers are generally safer than other cooking methods natural gas heatersthat have a flammable gas stream and an open flame. Two alarming studies also show that gas stoves can leak toxic gas when not in use, which can contribute to asthma in children.
When used correctly, air fryers Reduce fat and calories compared to frying or pan frying and are an excellent channel for this eat healthier. They can do that too save money on your energy bill if you use one instead of the wall oven, which takes more energy to heat and longer to cook food after it is heated.
But the key to air fryer safety is taking care of your cookware. While these handy appliances are usually incredibly safe, it’s important to keep them free of debris that can build up during cooking.
More air fryer recalls since 2021
But that doesn’t mean air fryers don’t pose a risk. Faulty wiring or user error can cause air fryers to overheat, burn the food inside or melt the machine itself, leading to several reported cases of kitchen fires and burns. No deaths have been reported to date.
One reason could be an influx of cheap air fryers, some as cheap as $20 or $30. A few of those cheaper brands have caused problems that have led to consumer recalls. Although you certainly don’t need to spend more than $100 on an air fryer – and Probably not — going too cheap can cause problems.
If you’re thinking of buying one, check out CNET’s complete guide to air fryersincluding how they work and what to look for when choosing a model. In this post I explain the possible dangers of using an air fryer and how you can reduce the risk of an air fryer-related fire in your kitchen.
1. Clean your air fryer basket after every use
Wash the entire air fryer basket with soap and water after each use. Avoid the dishwasher as it can damage the non-stick surface over time.
Air fryers are great for cooking chicken wings, mozzarella sticks (okay, not all air fryer food is healthy), and other snacks you’re craving. If you don’t add cooking oil or spray, you may end up with a puddle of oil or foil in the basket when you take the food out. That oil – and any other food residue – must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Leftover oil and small burnt pieces of food increase the risk of a fire in the basket.
The good news is that most air fryer baskets are non-stick coating 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 recommend hand washing. The blows your basket will cause on the inside dishwasher the non-stick coating can erode over time.
2. Clean the coils above the basket once a month
Clean the coils above the cooking basket of your air fryer for a safer kitchen and better-tasting food.
A less obvious, but equally important part of cleaning an air fryer is the coils and the area around them in the body of the fryer and above the basket. During cooking, oil, sauce and even bits of food can splash onto the coils. You probably won’t notice these deposits unless you tilt the air fryer backwards or turn it completely upside down.
When cleaning the inside of an air fryer, it’s best to avoid using soap, as any leftover soap can damage the food the next time you cook. And saturating it with too much water can potentially damage the functionality of the coils. Instead, use a damp scrub or the rough side of your sponge. If you do it often enough, it shouldn’t be difficult to get those coils clean.
Aside from reducing the risk of fire, cleaning this area will keep your air fryer humming along and cooking at optimal power.
3. Give the air fryer its own socket during use and then remove the plug from the socket
The safest socket is an empty socket.
Air fryers draw a lot of electricity and can cause an electrical fire. It is always best to unplug them when not in use. Some air fryers are quite quiet, so the air fryer does not keep running or is accidentally turned on by a passing cat or the curious hand of a toddler. (Plus, this can save you some money over time, as in Devices can still consume power even when they are turned off.)
Kitchen appliances, including toasters, air fryers and microwaves, should also be plugged directly into an electrical outlet rather than an extension cord or outlet extender because they provide more resistance to the flow of electricity. You should also avoid running your air fryer from an electrical outlet while other appliances are plugged in, especially those that are in use, as this can stress the circuits.
In reality: every electrical appliance can cause fire if there is a faulty electrical outlet or poor wiring. Call an electrician if you hear crackling or see sparks. Speaking of damaged electrical outlets, try to position your air fryer so that the hot air blowing out the back doesn’t hit an electrical outlet in your kitchen. Over time this can cause problems.
4. Do not fill the air fryer basket
If you’re having trouble getting the basket in because the food is piled so high, it might be time for a larger air fryer.
One thing you don’t want is food touching the hot coils during use or a lot of grease and sauce splashing onto the hot coils. To avoid this, do not overcrowd the cooking basket or pile food so high that you have to jostle or squash it to get the basket in. If you find yourself putting food in to cook the amount you need for you or the family, it might be time to spring for a larger air fryer.
5. Do not leave the air fryer running unattended
Make bacon in the air fryer, but don’t walk too far away while frying.
Air fryers get hot and hot quickly. As with any oven, do not walk too far from it when it is in use. Check for smoke or unusual odors, such as burning food or plastic. And always adhere to the cooking instructions.
Many ovens recommend cooking for only 20 minutes or less at a time at higher temperatures. Read your air fryer’s instructions carefully before diving in.
Do air fryer baskets contain harmful chemicals or PFOA?
Air fryer baskets are coated with the same chemicals as nonstick cookware. If you want to avoid non-stick altogether, you have plenty of options.
Most air fryer baskets are covered with a chemical nonstick surface. Depending on how old you are, you’ve probably heard of Teflon and might wonder if it’s safe. A chemical called PFOA used in the original Teflon was linked to cancer and was banned in 2014.
New and apparently safer materials such as GenX are now being used for nonstick cookware and air fryer baskets. There is still some skepticism and ongoing debate about the safety of nonstick products, but to date no major studies have linked the use of modern cookware to negative health outcomes in those who use nonstick or Teflon cookware. Although GenX, when consumed in larger quantities and when found in drinking water, has been considered toxic by the EPA.
If you want to avoid nonstick altogether, there are options for air fryers with nonstick baskets, such as this model. Most toaster ovens for air frying come with wire racks instead of baskets and are another good alternative to non-stick.
For more information about air fryers, read our beginner’s guide to air fryers and find out if an air fryer is cheaper to use than a large oven.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to use an air fryer basket with chemical nonstick coating?
You may have heard of the “Teflon flu,” but it’s generally safe to use chemical nonstick cookware these days. Teflon products made before 2014 contained a chemical called PFOA, and that was what would make people sick. Still, it’s best to make sure you buy your cookware from reliable suppliers. If you buy something from outside the US, you run the risk that that product still contains PFOA.
Why is it important to clean your air fryer after cooking?
When you cook something with the air fryer, especially food such as chicken wings or mozzarella sticks, an oily film may remain on the air fryer basket. If you don’t clean that up, there’s a small risk of your air fryer basket catching fire as you cook more food.
