Air fryer ‘fire’ alert as people urged to make one check
People love their air fryers so much that they are not-so-quietly taking over kitchens across the world. But, people have been warned to take extra care that their beloved appliance doesn’t lead to a house fire.
A BBC survey found that the air fryer has quickly become a kitchen essential with more than half of British homes now owning one of the devices, with 58% of people using one – more than those using traditional ovens. It added that air fryers have become the third most-used appliance in UK kitchens after toasters and microwaves.
Air fryers work similarly to convection ovens, using a combination of thermal radiation and convection to cook food. However, the handy kitchen gadget that took the world by storm has a higher-speed fan, making the cooking process quicker than usual.
Inside an air fryer, a heating element throws out heat and a fan circulates the hot air around the food. This is what typically result in rapid heat that delivers crisp results, even with minimal oil.
It is this rapid heat and relative newness which is leading people to make major mistakes with their air fryer. In some cases, the issue could become life-threatening if a fire breaks out.
Like a lot of kitchen appliances, the air fryer comes with a fire risk. Most typically, the problem is due to overheating, as well as improper use or product defects. Some home cooks have even taken to social media to share a warning to others about pulling your appliance away from the wall a little to avoid a disaster.
One clip by Brian (@parkerblt3) said: “Quick PSA if you own an air fryer. We’ve had ours for two years, and you know those little vents in the back? I did not realise they were too close to the wall.
“It was starting to melt the wall. Just pull it off the wall so you don’t cause a fire!”
It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use good judgment about what you do with the air fryer, as a single mistake could result in a nightmare situation.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service issued some safety advice earlier this year after crews attended nine fires caused by an air fryer. Station manager Richard Booth told the BBC that, generally, air fryers are “very safe” to use thanks to their temperature control and timers, but people using them still need to be safe and take precautions.
One of the main recommendations made by the fire service is to keep your air fryer away from overhead cupboards. Simply pulling it out and into a more open area of the worktop can prevent the circulating air from getting trapped and causing it to heat up to dangerous levels.
Pull the air fryer away from the wall and open windows if you don’t have an extraction fan. Women&Home recommend using the ‘hand-span rule’ when using an air fryer – ensuring there is at least 5 inches or the average hand length, around the device for ventilation.
If a fire starts in your air fryer, you should:
- Turn off the appliance only if it is safe to do so
- Leave the property immediately and call the fire service
- Never attempt to fight the fire yourself
- Do not apply water to an air fryer fire
