Air fryers are a great way to cook in an energy-efficient style but, like all appliances, care should be taken to use them safely!
General use
- Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. There is also a lot of good advice online on how best to use your air fryer.
- Always unplug your air fryer when it’s not in use. That way, it can’t be switched on accidentally.
- There are internal and external components of the air fryer that get really hot during cooking. Protect yourself by using oven gloves when handling the appliance and protect your worktop by placing hot baskets and lids onto a trivet or heat safe board/mat.
- Never place your air-fryer on a tea towel or other soft, flammable surface as this is a fire hazard.
- Don’t cook in a non-ventilated area or under over-counter cupboards. Pull the air fryer away from the wall and open windows if you don’t have an extraction fan.
- Don’t let the air fryer hot air ventilation openings blow into electrical outlets. You need to leave space around the air fryer for the vent to circulate. Use the ‘hand-span rule’ when using your air-fryer ensuring there is at least 5 inches or the average hand length, around the device for ventilation.
- Any odd smells like burning plastic should indicate a fault and should prevent usage.
- Some air fryers use what are known as ‘soft touch single sided membrane switches’ to control the device. These can perish over time and cause the machine to switch on without the user’s knowledge. Any switches or buttons on the device that appear sunken or damaged should indicate that the device should not be used and again, ensure device is unplugged!
Cleaning and care
- Always ensure that you use the correct products to clean your air-fryer, following manufacturers guidance; always read the instructions. Don’t use abrasive products when cleaning the air-fryer.
- Do not use steel mesh scrubbing pads on tempered glass surfaces as this can cause small abrasions to the surface which can reduce its effectiveness over time and lead to weaknesses as the fryer is internally pressurised.
- Always ensure that loose food particles, excess grease and oil are removed after cooking and the air-fryer is clean before use.
- Be careful not to drop or stress components of the air-fryer when cleaning. This could cause a dislodge of wiring harnesses, heating elements and other internal features which are carefully insulated by the manufacturer, which if loose could cause overheating.
This information is from the Air and Health Fryers | Electrical Safety First website.