Air Fryer Good at cooking Food TypeAir fryers are electric, so they don't emit harmful air pollutants or Gas leak Don't worry: These powerful convection ovens don't pose a major fire hazard as long as they're kept clean and don't run for long periods of time unsupervised. But there's one part of your air fryer that almost no one cleans, and it can build up dangerous food residue over time.
read more: Cooking a whole chicken in an air fryer is the best cooking hack I've found this year
The underside of your air fryer's body, where the heating coils are housed, is a place where food splatters and dirt can easily accumulate. Cleaning it with a damp cloth every few weeks will reduce the risk of your air fryer breaking down and prevent it from contaminating the food you're cooking.
Below you'll find a complete guide to air fryer safety, as well as how to clean and use your air fryer. To learn more, check out how to make crispy bacon and the perfect cheeseburger in your air fryer.
Are air fryers dangerous?
The potential risks of air fryers don't overshadow the many benefits of countertop ovens — in fact, air fryers are generally safer than other cooking methods. Natural gas stovethere is a flow of flammable gas and an open flame. Alarming research It has also been shown that gas stoves can leak toxic fumes when not in use, which can contribute to childhood asthma.
If used properly, Air Fryer It contains less fat and calories than deep-frying or pan-frying, Healthier Eating. Also, Save on your energy bills Using this instead of a wall oven will require more energy to heat and food will take longer to cook after it is heated.
Air fryer recalls on the rise in 2021 and beyond
But air fryers are not without risks: faulty wiring or user error can cause an air fryer to overheat, scorching food or melting the device, resulting in several reported cases of kitchen fires and burns. To date, no deaths have been reported.
One reason is the influx of cheap air fryers, some of which are as cheap as $20 or $30. Some of these cheaper brands have had problems that have led to consumer recalls. You don't need to spend $100 or more on an air fryer, but Probably shouldn't — Making it too cheap can cause problems.
If you're considering buying one, check out CNET's The Complete Guide to Air FryersLearn more about air fryers, including how to use one and what to consider when choosing a model. In this article, we'll discuss the potential dangers associated with using an air fryer and how to reduce the risk of an air fryer-related fire in your kitchen.
1. Always clean your air fryer basket after each use
Wash the entire air fryer basket with soap and water after each use, and avoid using it in the dishwasher as it can corrode the non-stick surface over time.
Air fryers are great for cooking chicken wings, mozzarella sticks (not all food cooked in an air fryer is healthy), and other tempting snacks. If you don't add any cooking oil or spray, you may notice a pool or film of oil remaining in the basket when you remove your food. That oil, and other food particles, should be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Residual oil and burnt food particles increase the chances of a fire starting in the basket.
The good news is that most air fryer baskets Non-stick A few vigorously scrubs with a sponge soaked in warm, soapy water will keep it clean and ready for the next use. Although some air fryer baskets are advertised as dishwasher safe, we recommend washing them by hand. The impact the basket receives internally can cause dishwasher Over time the non-stick coating can erode.
2. Clean the coils above the basket once a month
To make your kitchen safer and your food tastes better, clean the coils above your air fryer's cooking basket.
Less obvious but equally important areas to clean your air fryer are the coils and the area around them on the inside of the fryer and on the basket. During cooking, oil, sauce, and even food particles can splash onto the coils. You likely won't notice this buildup unless you tilt your air fryer back or flip it completely upside down.
It's best to avoid using soap when cleaning the inside of your air fryer, as any soap residue can stain your food the next time you cook it. Also, using too much water can impair the function of the coils. Instead, use a damp whipping stick or the rough side of a sponge. If you clean it frequently, it shouldn't be difficult to clean the coils.
Cleaning this area not only reduces the risk of fire, but it also helps ensure your air fryer runs smoothly and cooks with optimal power.
3. Provide a dedicated outlet for your air fryer while it is in use and unplug it after use.
The safest outlet is an open one.
Air fryers draw a lot of current and can cause electrical fires, so be sure to unplug them when not in use. Some air fryers are quiet, so you'll also avoid your air fryer being left running or accidentally turned on by a passing cat or the curious hands of a toddler. (Plus, it'll save you money in the long run.) Electrical appliances can still consume electricity even when they are turned off..
Kitchen appliances like toasters, air fryers, and microwaves should also be plugged directly into a power outlet, not into an extension cord or wall socket, which adds resistance to the flow of electricity. Also, avoid plugging your air fryer into an outlet that has other appliances plugged in, especially if they're in use, as this can strain the circuits.
In fact, Electrical appliances can cause fires If you have a faulty outlet or bad wiring, call an electrician. If you hear crackling noises or see sparks, call an electrician. Speaking of damaged outlets, make sure you position your air fryer so that the hot air blowing from the back of it doesn't hit any electrical outlets in your kitchen. Over time, this can cause problems.
4. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
If you're struggling to fit the basket because it's piled high with food, it might be time to buy a bigger air fryer.
You don't want your food to touch the hot coils while you're using it, or for a lot of oil or sauce to splash towards the hot coils. To avoid this, don't overcrowd the cooking basket or pile it so high that you have to push or squish it to get it into the basket. If you're overcrowding your food to cook the amount you need for yourself and your family, it might be time to buy a bigger air fryer.
5. Don't leave your air fryer on
Make bacon in your air fryer, but make sure you don't stand too far away from it while it's cooking.
Air fryers heat up, and they do heat up quickly. As with any oven, stay close to the fryer when it's in use, monitor it for smoke or strange smells like burnt food or plastic, and be sure to follow all cooking instructions.
Many ovens only recommend cooking at high temperatures for no more than 20 minutes at a time, so be sure to read your air fryer's instructions carefully before using it.
Do air fryer baskets contain harmful chemicals or PFOA?
Air fryer baskets are coated with the same chemicals as nonstick cookware, and if you want to avoid nonstick cookware altogether, you have plenty of options.
Most air fryer baskets are coated with a chemical non-stick coating—depending on your age, you've probably heard of Teflon and are wondering if it's safe. PFOA, the compound used in the original Teflon It was banned in 2014 after it was linked to cancer.
Newer, supposedly safer materials such as GenX are now being used in nonstick cookware and air fryer baskets. While there is still skepticism and debate about the safety of nonstick, to date, no major studies have shown a link between the use of modern cookware and adverse health effects in people who use nonstick or Teflon-coated cookware. However, GenX is considered toxic by the EPA if ingested in large amounts or found in drinking water.
If you want to avoid nonstick altogether, there are air fryer options with nonstick baskets. This model. largely Air Fry Toaster Oven It comes with a wire rack instead of a basket, which is a great non-stick alternative.
For more information about air fryers, Beginner's Guide to the Air Fryer and, Air fryers are cheaper to run than large ovens.
