Essential Tips To Help Prevent Your Air Fryer From Unexpectedly Catching Fire

From making Wednesday night dinner to entire cookbooks devoted to them, air fryers have become a staple in our homes, and for good reason: these handy kitchen appliances create that beloved just-deep-fried texture without the oil, fat, or extra calories. But over the last few years, brands have recalled air fryer models due to overheating and causing burns, injury, and — maybe the most frightening — house fires.

So how do you safely use your air fryer and prevent unexpected hazards? First, make sure your air fryer isn't a part of the recalls before using it further. Find the manufacturer name and model number on your appliance — it's usually on the back or bottom — and look it up to see if there have been any recalls.

If your device is safe to use, pull out your instructions from the manufacturer and follow them closely, especially when it comes to filling up your air fryer's basket. Try to make sure there's plenty of room for the air to move around the food, properly frying it without causing damage. Keep your air fryer clean, plug it into an outlet by itself, unplug it when not in use, and pay attention to the appliance while it's on. If you notice odd smells or smoke, turn it off and unplug it immediately.

Luckily, keeping your air fryer clean and cutting down on fire hazards is simple and can be easily added to your cleaning schedule. First, make sure to wash the basket after each use, even if you used a liner. (Remember to skip aluminum foil!). You can either hand wash it or pop it in the dishwasher — make sure to check the manufacturer's instructions. Keep in mind that if your basket has a nonstick coating, handwashing may extend its life.

Next, wipe down the coils above your air fryer's basket monthly. Usually, the easiest way to access these coils is to remove the basket, turn the air fryer upside down, then look into the cavity above the basket space to see the coils. Skip the soap on this one as leftover soap on the coils can make your food taste odd. Instead, just use a little water to wipe off any gunk or grease.