My Air Fryer Safety Routine: Here's How to Keep Your Kitchen and Home Fire-Free
Although a light wipe can be good enough after every use, there are some areas that users tend to ignore. One area that a lot of people admit to ignoring is the heating coils, which sit inside under the hull. Grease splatter and gunk buildup occur very easily in this area. Read on for my complete air fryer safety guide if you want to avoid malfunctions, prevent fires and preserve the quality of your food.
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 use. 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
Click to unmute
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Next playlist item
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
19:24
Loaded :
1.04%
00:00
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
19:24
Share
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background
Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background
Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
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 food. 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 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 because 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, as 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 before 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
5 Expert Tips for Making Reading Time the Best Part of Your Child's Day
After a summer of obligatory reading lists and extra screen time, getting your kids to crack open a book might seem impossible. Here's what experts say. After a summer filled with outdoor play, screen time, and relaxed routines, getting kids back into the habit of reading can be a challenge. For many families, the transition from summer break to the school year brings a renewed focus on academics, but rekindling a child's love for reading goes beyond homework assignments. This is especially important given that kids' reading skills are at historic lows and even some elite college students can't read full books. With summer reading wrapping up and back-to-school in the fall, it feels like a good moment for this topic. Whether your child lost interest in books over the summer or just needs a gentle nudge, Parents spoke to five experts for practical tips and creative ideas to help you raise a reader, not out of obligation, but out of genuine excitement and enjoyment. Finding Their Niche Charlie N. Holmberg, WSJ bestselling author, thinks that a big part of getting kids interested in reading is to emulate a love of reading. Not only to be seen reading, but to share what you're reading. 'I'll often share interesting things in my reading with my husband, so why not share them with my kids, too? We like to share highlights of our day at the dinner table, and I think the twists and turns of current stories make for a great highlight.' For Holmberg, raising a kid who loves reading also means understanding exactly what your kids like to read. 'My son has recently gotten into the typical middle-grade novels and will crack them open before bed, but my daughter doesn't connect with those. She's not a big lover of books—reading and writing are her least favorite subjects in school. But through some trial and error, I've learned she loves nonfiction books, especially ones with photos, graphics, and other visuals. Finding titles at the store or the library with subject matter she's presently showing interest in makes a big difference, too. Last year it was rocks and minerals, this year it's astrology and feathers.' Lastly, Holmberg thinks it's great for kids to have their own library cards and have opportunities to pick out their own books, as well as take responsibility for those books. That sense of ownership and independence places value not only on the books themselves, but on the identity of being a reader. Don't Skip Read Alouds Marisa Ware, MSEd, literacy specialist and consultant to Charge Mommy Books, understands that weaving reading into daily life can feel challenging, especially for busy parents, but there are many small, meaningful ways to do it. 'Reading aloud at bedtime, sharing articles on topics their kids are curious about, listening to audiobooks together, or keeping a book or magazine in the car.' She suggests during the summer to avoid letting reading become a chore. Research indicates that allowing students to choose their own reading materials significantly benefits their reading motivation, comprehension, and overall academic performance, so let kids choose materials they enjoy – graphic novels, joke books, how-to guides, or sports articles all 'count' as reading and help build positive associations. 'Some parents may find it helpful to establish a daily reading routine,' she notes. 'Set aside a specific time each day during which the whole family reads and then discusses what they read. This may be independent reading, or may be a few minutes in which your child reads aloud to you.' Meet Them Where They Are Maya Payne Smart, author of Reading for Our Lives: The Urgency of Early Literacy and the Action Plan to Help Your Child, acknowledges that too often parents mistake a love of stories for a love of reading. 'But the reality is: enjoying being read to and feeling excited to read on your own are two very different things, and kids need both. When children struggle to sound out words or make meaning from them, reading feels hard, not fun. That's when screens win, with games and apps that deliver immediate gratification, dopamine hits, and nonstop stimulation.' She says that reading to kids builds vocabulary and background knowledge that support comprehension (as well as story love), but for kids to love reading on their own, they need the skills to do it successfully. So if you have school-aged kids, summer is the time to shore up their independent reading skills. 'Even in the midst of packed schedules and long workdays, parents can weave in quick reading moments—asking kids to read aloud during errands, over breakfast, or before bed,' Smart advises. 'These short check-ins offer a valuable window into how they're progressing. Notice where they're smooth and where they stumble.' If you're unsure how their reading compares with the expectations for their age or stage, Smart says that summer is a great time to check out your state's reading standards or get a screening from a local learning center. 'Use the summer break to get a sense of what your child needs to start the next school year strong,' she advises. Smart wants to remind parents that literacy learning happens everywhere. So every time parents talk, play, or explore with their children, they're building the vocabulary and knowledge that will power reading comprehension later on. 'For my family, nearby Lake Michigan offers sand dunes carved by ancient glaciers and stories of Indigenous communities like the Ojibwe, Menominee, and Potawatomi. We can explore the lake's ecosystem, spot native fish (and invasive ones, too), investigate shipwrecks and lighthouse legends—or just enjoy beaches and parks while learning how to protect this freshwater treasure,' she says. She further says to remember that reading doesn't start—or stop—with books. 'I was reminded of this when my daughter attended a soccer camp in Colorado. Coming from the Midwest to discover this new terrain together, our conversations suddenly included words like altitude, elevation, and dehydration. And her reading included scouring the camp's packing list, digesting weather reports, and poring over oxygen canister instructions. It wasn't storytime, but it was reading—driven by real needs, genuine curiosity, and the excitement of new experiences,' she recalls. Try a Little Tech Kristy Woodson Harvey, NYT bestselling author, believes that a big part of getting kids interested in reading is meeting them where they are. For kids who love screens, ebooks can be a more appealing alternative, and for kids who don't think they love reading at all, audiobooks can bridge the gap and make them fall in love with story as well. Watching movie adaptations after a book can be fun as well for kids who prefer TV to books. 'As a writer, I obviously adore reading and find it to be one of the most enjoyable and foundational hobbies we can pass along to our children. But, as with so many things in life, we can't make our children love to read,' she notes. 'I feel like modeling reading is one of the most important things we can do as parents. It's also hard to scold our children for preferring screens when we're constantly pulling out our phones, so I think practicing what we preach and modeling a love of reading is paramount.' Harvey has a web show and podcast with three other New York Times Bestselling authors called Friends & Fiction, where they have interviewed hundreds and hundreds of writers. Almost across the board, they say that their parents didn't censor their reading much or focus on what was educational over entertaining. 'I love this approach. Whatever the genre, the more words the better,' she advises. Lean Into Listening Erin Beers, a middle school language arts teacher, acknowledges that life is fast-paced, and kids (and families) are seemingly always on the go, especially during the summer. One way that she has tackled five books this summer is by using Audible. 'My students love read-alouds – it is one of their favorite times within my class where they get to listen to a book that I read that they voted on as a whole class,' she says. 'I often think that people only view reading when a book is in hand,' Beers continues. 'However, with access to audiobooks using apps like Audible, books are more accessible than ever. Listening to texts is just as valuable because kids are still using metacognition as they are listening. Parents can use technology to their advantage by encouraging audiobooks as an on-the-go way to navigate summer reading or even to engage a family in a common book during a long car ride." Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Crème fraîche creates a creamy broth in this recipe for briny-sweet steamed clams
A big bowl of steamed clams and juicy-crisp corn is summer eating at its finest. The combination is fresh, sweet and briny, almost like a chowder made for eating with your fingers. In this recipe from our cookbook ' Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year,' we finish the clams and corn with a small measure of crème fraîche (or whole-milk yogurt); the briny-sweet liquid released by the clams becomes a subtly creamy broth that's as delicious as the clams themselves. Fennel perfumes the broth with anise-like notes. Scrub the clams well before cooking and be sure to dispose of any with cracked or damaged shells. Give any clams with open shells a gentle tap and toss if they do not close within a few seconds. If you can, use corn kernels cut from freshly shucked ears (you'll need two good-size ears to get the 2 cups kernels called for in the recipe), but frozen corn works in the off-season. When buying corn, look for bright green husks and supple silk, and avoid ears small brown holes in the husk. To easily remove kernels from the cob, place the ear flat on the cutting board and slice, rotating as needed. Serve with oyster crackers, or with crusty bread for mopping up the broth. Steamed Clams with Corn, Fennel and Crème Fraîche Start to finish: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium fennel bulb, halved, cored and thinly sliced 1 medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced 2 teaspoons fennel seeds Kosher salt and ground black pepper 2 cups corn kernels 2 pounds hard-shell clams (about 1½ inches diameter), such as littleneck or Manila, scrubbed ¼ cup crème fraîche OR plain whole-milk yogurt Directions: In a Dutch oven, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the fennel, onion, fennel seeds and a pinch of salt, then cook, stirring, until the vegetables are lightly browned. Stir in the corn and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and add the clams. Cover and cook over medium, stirring once or twice, until the clams have opened. Stir once more, then remove and discard any clams that haven't opened. Off heat, stir in the crème fraîche and ½ teaspoon pepper. Season with salt. Optional garnish: Hot sauce OR chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley OR lemon wedges OR a combination EDITOR'S NOTE: For more recipes, go to Christopher Kimball's Milk Street at
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Gee's Bend Quilts From Alabama Now On Display In Upstate New York
The Spencertown Academy and Austerlitz Historical Society Church, in Columbia County, N.Y., are presenting an exhibition of the famous Gee's Bend quilts. Gee's Bend quit exhibition, on display through August 3 at Spencertown Academy Arts Center Peter Blandori Gee;s End QyuiOn display through August 3, this exhibit features over 30 quilts created by six quiltmakers; second and third generation descendants of the celebrated Alabama women whose works exploded on the art scene in 2003. It is the first time these quilts have traveled outside of their community in recent years for such a major exhibition. According to the academy, 'the small community of Gee's Bend, Alabama, has been creating their extraordinary quilts since the 1800's. . .These quilts constitute a crucial chapter in American art. Gee's Bend quilts are today in the permanent collection of over 30 leading art museums around the world. 'When enslaved women from the rural, isolated community of Boykin, Alabama—better known as Gee's Bend—began quilting in the 19th century, it arose from a physical need for warmth rather than a quest to reinvent an art form. Yet by piecing together scraps of fabric and clothing, they were creating abstract designs that had never before been expressed on quilts. These patterns and piecing styles were passed down over generations, surviving slavery, the antebellum South, and Jim Crow, the academy explained. 'During the Civil Rights movement in 1966, the Freedom Quilting Bee was established as a way for African-American women from Gee's Bend and nearby Rehoboth to gain economic independence. The Bee cooperative began to sell quilts throughout the U.S., gaining recognition for the free-form, seemingly improvisational designs that had long been the hallmark of local quilt design. As awareness grew, so did acclaim, and the quilts entered the lexicon of homegrown American art. 'Since then, quilts from Gee's Bend have been exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and others. In 2006, the U.S. Postal Service even issued ten commemorative stamps featuring images of Gee's Bend quilts,' it concluded. The Spencertown Academy opened its doors as a teacher training college in 1847, one of the first United States facilities to accept women as well as men. Its founder was Timothy Woodbridge—pastor of St. Peter's Church in Spencertown, champion of universal education and nephew of Aaron Burr. A decade later, the academy became a two-room schoolhouse for Spencertown and Austerlitz area children; in 1970, the school was closed permanently. In 1972 local residents formed the Spencertown Academy Society to save the academy and recreate it as a community arts center, spearheading a 10-year restoration of the historic Greek Revival building. Today the academy offers concerts, lectures, classes and gallery shows. The curator of the exhibit, Lisa Bouchard Hoe, is a local real estate broker and quilt collector; she worked with the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy to bring the exhibition to Spencertown.
