Richard Booth, a fire expert from Nottinghamshire county, UK, identified common dangerous habits after personally handling 9 air fryer-related fires over 10 months.

Placing the air fryer under kitchen cabinets

Air fryers emit significant heat from their rear air vents, requiring ample space for dissipation. Placing the appliance too close to a wall or directly under wooden cabinets can cause rapid heat buildup, leading to combustion.

Placing the air fryer on a stovetop

Nearly half of the fires Booth's team responded to involved homeowners placing air fryers on gas or induction stovetops. Users might accidentally activate the stovetop, causing combined heat to escalate into uncontrolled fires.

Illustrative photo: Mirror

Neglecting air vent cleaning

Air vents and heating elements are prone to grease residue buildup. When exposed to high temperatures during subsequent cooking, this old grease can instantly ignite. Regular checks of plugs, cords, and ensuring the cooking tray is not jammed are also essential.

Overusing liners and overfilling with food

Many prefer using parchment paper for non-stick purposes. However, a strong airflow can cause the paper to lift and touch the heating coil, leading to a fire. Overfilling the air fryer with food also obstructs air circulation, causing heat overload.

Forgetting flammable materials inside

A seemingly rare but common cause is users forgetting to remove plastic bags or food packaging remnants from the cooking tray before turning on the appliance.

Despite these warnings, the expert emphasized that air fryers remain safe and economical household appliances, provided users adhere to the manufacturer's operating instructions.

Nhat Minh (Source: Mirror)