Air Fryer Safety 101: How I Keep My Kitchen and Home Fire-Free

CNET

22-05-2025

Air fryers are incredibly handy for whipping up quick, delicious meals -- whether it's busy back-to-school dinners or fast bites during a hectic workday. But with regular use, buildup of oil and food debris in the air fryer basket can turn this convenient appliance into a potential hazard. I've found without regular cleaning and maintenance, you risk smoke, unpleasant odors and even dangerous grease fires. Taking the time to care for your air fryer ensures it stays safe, efficient and ready for every meal.
One of the areas on air fryers that most people admit to ignoring when it comes time to clean it is the heating coils, housed inside under the hull. This spot is a prime place for grease splatter and gunk buildup. To prevent malfunctions, avoid fires and preserve the quality of your food, read on for a complete air fryer safety guide.
Want the perfect air fryer recipes? Learn how to make crispy bacon, the perfect cheeseburger or a whole chicken in the air fryer.
Key takeaways:
Regular maintenance is important: Consistent cleaning of the air fryer basket after each use and cleaning the heating coils monthly is essential to prevent grease fires, unpleasant odors and maintain the appliance's efficiency.
Consistent cleaning of the air fryer basket after each use and cleaning the heating coils monthly is essential to prevent grease fires, unpleasant odors and maintain the appliance's efficiency. Knowledge on grease fire safety is crucial: According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, in the event of a grease fire, never use water. Instead, use a kitchen fire extinguisher or cover the fryer with a metal lid and immediately call 911.
According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, in the event of a grease fire, never use water. Instead, use a kitchen fire extinguisher or cover the fryer with a metal lid and immediately call 911. General safety precautions: Air fryers are generally safe but require proper usage. Avoid using extension cords, use dedicated outlets, don't overcrowd the basket, and never leave the air fryer unattended while in use.
Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive
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Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive
Are air fryers dangerous?
The potential risk of an air fryer should not overshadow the mighty countertop oven's many benefits. In fact, air fryers are generally safer than other cooking methods, including natural gas stoves, which have flammable gas flow and an open flame. Two alarming studies also show that gas stoves can leak toxic gas when not in use and may contribute to childhood asthma.
When used properly, air fryers cut down on fat and calories compared to deep-frying or pan-frying and are an excellent conduit for eating more healthily. They can also 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 once heated.
But the key to air fryer safety is taking care of your cookware. While these handy pieces of equipment are usually incredibly safe, it's important to keep them clean of any grime that might accumulate while you cook.
Increased air fryer recalls since 2021
Consumer Product Safety Commission/SaferProducts.gov
But that doesn't mean air fryers don't pose any risks. 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. To date, no deaths have been reported.
One of the reasons could be an influx of cheap air fryers, some as cheap as $20 or $30. A few of those cheaper brands have caused problems leading to consumer recalls. While you certainly don't have to spend more than $100 on an air fryer -- and probably shouldn't -- as with any product, going too cheap could spell trouble.
If you're thinking of buying one, check out CNET's complete guide to air fryers, including how they work and what to consider when choosing a model. In this post, I'll explain the potential dangers of using an air fryer and how to mitigate the risk of an air fryer-related fire in your kitchen.
My 5 air fryer maintenance and safety tips
1. Clean your air fryer basket after every use
Wash the entire air fryer basket with soap and water after every use. Avoid the dishwasher, which can corrode the nonstick surface over time.
David Watsky/CNET
Air fryers are great for cooking chicken wings, mozzarella sticks (OK, not all air fryer food is healthy) and other crave-able snacks. If you don't add any cooking oil or spray, you might notice a pool of oil or film left in the basket when you lift out the eats. That oil -- and any other food bits -- should be thoroughly cleaned after every use. Residual oil and small burnt bits of food will increase the chance of a fire inside the basket.
The good news is that most air fryer baskets are nonstick , 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 suggest washing them by hand. The pummeling your basket will take inside the dishwasher can erode the nonstick coating over time.
2. Clean the coils above the basket once a month
Clean the coils above your air fryer cooking basket for a safer kitchen and better-tasting food.
David Watsky/CNET
A less obvious -- but equally important -- part of air fryer maintenance is cleaning the coils and the area around them inside the unit, just above the basket. During cooking, oil, sauce and even bits of food can spatter up and onto those coils.
You likely won't notice this buildup unless you tilt the air fryer back or turn it upside down completely, so it's worth spending a minute or two looking over your cookware to make sure it's in tip-top shape.
When cleaning the inside of an air fryer, it's best to avoid the use of soap, since residual soap could taint food the next time you cook. And saturating it with too much water could potentially damage the functionality of the coils. Instead, use a damp scrubby 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 lowering the risk of fire, cleaning this section will keep your air frying humming along and cooking with optimal power.
3. Give the air fryer its own outlet while in use and unplug it after
The safest outlet is an empty one.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Air fryers draw a large current and have the potential to cause an electrical fire. It's always best to unplug them when not in use. Some air fryers are rather quiet, so this also ensures the air fryer isn't still running or won't be accidentally turned on by a passing cat or the curious hand of a toddler. (Plus, this can save you some money over time, as appliances can still draw power even when they're turned off.)
Kitchen appliances, including toasters, air fryers and microwaves, should also be plugged directly into an outlet rather than into an extension cord or outlet extender, since they add more resistance to the flow of electricity. You should avoid running your air fryer through an outlet with other appliances plugged in, especially those in use, as it can put stress on the circuits.
In truth, any electrical appliance can cause a fire if there's a faulty electrical outlet or bad wiring. Call an electrician if you hear a crackling noise or see sparks. Speaking of damaged electrical outlets, try to position your air fryer so the hot air blowing out the back is not hitting an electrical outlet in your kitchen. Over time, this can cause problems.
4. Don't crowd the air fryer basket
If you're struggling to get the basket in because food is piled high, it might be time for a larger air fryer.
David Watsky/CNET
One thing you don't want is food touching the hot coils during use or loads of grease and sauce splattering up toward the hot coils. To avoid this, don't overcrowd the cooking basket or pile food so high that you have to jostle or squish it to get the basket in. If you find yourself jamming 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. Don't leave the air fryer on and unattended
Do make bacon in the air fryer, but don't walk too far away while it's cooking.
Getty Images
Air fryers get hot and they get hot fast. As with any oven, you shouldn't walk too far away from it while it's in use. Monitor for smoke or unusual smells like burning food or plastic. And always adhere to the cooking instructions.
Many ovens only suggest cooking on higher temps for 20 minutes or less at a time. Read your air fryer instructions carefully before diving in.
Air fryer baskets and harmful chemicals or PFOAs
Air fryer baskets are coated with the same chemicals as nonstick cookware. If you're trying to avoid nonstick altogether, you have plenty of options.
David Watsky/CNET
Most air fryer baskets are coated with a chemical nonstick surface. Depending on how old you are, you've probably heard about Teflon and may be wondering if it's safe. A chemical called PFOA used in the original Teflon was linked to cancer and banned in 2014.
New and purportedly safer materials such as GenX are now used for nonstick-coated cookware and air fryer baskets. There is still some skepticism and ongoing debate about the safety of nonstick, but to date, no major studies have linked modern cookware use to negative health outcomes in those who use nonstick or Teflon cookware. GenX, however, when consumed in higher quantities and when found in drinking water, has been deemed toxic by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
If you're trying to avoid nonstick altogether, there are options for air fryers without nonstick baskets, such as this model. Most toaster oven-style air fryers come with wire racks instead of baskets and present another good alternative to nonstick.
For more on air fryers, read our beginner's guide to air fryers and find out how much cheaper an air fryer is to run than a big oven.
Air fryer cleaning FAQs
Is it safe to use a chemical nonstick air fryer basket?
You may have heard of "Teflon flu," but it's generally safe to use chemical nonstick cookware nowadays. Teflon products created prior to 2014 contain a chemical called PFOA, and that was what would get people sick. Still, it's best to make sure you're getting your cookware from reliable vendors. If you buy something from outside of the US, you run the risk of that product still containing PFOA.
Why is it important to clean your air fryer after you cook?
When you cook something with an air fryer, especially foods like chicken wings or mozzarella sticks, an oily film can get left behind on the air fryer's basket. If you don't clean that up, there's a small risk that your air fryer basket will catch fire when you cook more food.
What's the easiest way to clean an air fryer?
We recommend cleaning your air fryer in three steps. Start by soaking up the oil inside or around the appliance. Then, remove the pan and the basket and wash them with some dish soap. Once washed, let these dry and wipe the heating element inside the air fryer.
How do I put out a grease fire?
According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, do not attempt to put it out with water. Water can cause the flaming oil to spread dangerously. The best ways to extinguish a grease fire are with a kitchen fire extinguisher or by covering the fryer with a metal lid. Call 911 immediately if a grease fire occurs.