This is the part of the air fryer you forget to clean.

Air fryers they are great at cooking assortment of food productsand they are usually safe. Air fryers run on electricity, so no harmful contaminants or gas leaks It’s nothing to worry about, and these heavy-duty convection ovens don’t pose a serious fire hazard as long as you keep them clean and don’t use them for too long unattended. But there’s one part of the fryer that almost no one cleans, and over time, it can lead to a dangerous buildup of food residue.

Read more: Cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer is the best cooking tip I’ve found all year.

The lower part of the fryer body, where the heating coils are located, is prone to food splashing and debris accumulation. Some forum users Air fryer subsystem Reddit admitted that they ignore the unpleasant buildup, but it can be really dangerous. Cleaning it every few weeks with a damp cloth will reduce the risk of fryer malfunction and prevent food from spoiling.

Below you will find a complete air fryer safety guide, including instructions for cleaning and using it. To find out more, find out how to make crispy bacon or perfect cheeseburger in an air fryer.

Are air fryers dangerous?

The potential risks of using an air fryer should not overshadow the many benefits of a powerful countertop oven. In fact, air fryers are generally safer than other cooking methods, including gas stovesin which there is a flow of flammable gas and an open flame. Two alarming research also show that gas stoves can release toxic gas when not in use and may contribute to the development of asthma in children.

When used correctly, air fryers contain less fat and calories compared to deep frying or pan frying and are an excellent way to eat healthier. They can also save money on energy bills if you are using it instead of a wall oven, which requires more energy to heat and takes longer to cook food after heating.

But the key to air fryer safety is caring for your utensils: While these handy pieces of equipment are usually incredibly safe, it’s important to keep them clean of any dirt that can accumulate while cooking.

Increasing number of air fryer reviews since 2021

But that doesn’t mean deep fryers don’t pose dangers. Faulty wiring or user error can cause the fryer 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 reason may be the influx of cheap air fryers, some of which cost as little as $20 or $30. Some of these cheaper brands have caused problems that have led to consumer recalls. Although you certainly don’t have to spend more than $100 on an air fryer. probably shouldn’t – An offer that is too cheap can lead to problems.

If you’re thinking about buying one, check out CNET. The Complete Guide to Air Fryersincluding how they work and what to consider when choosing a model. In this post, I will explain the potential dangers of using an air fryer and ways to reduce the risk of air fryer-related fires in the kitchen.

1. Clean the air fryer basket after each use.

Air fryers are great for making chicken wings, mozzarella sticks (okay, not all air fryer food is healthy), and other tasty snacks. If you don’t add cooking oil or cooking spray, you may notice a puddle of oil or film left in the basket when you remove the food. This oil and any other food debris should be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Oil residues and small burnt pieces of food increase the likelihood of a fire inside the basket.

The good news is that most air fryer baskets non-stick 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 recommend hand washing them. The beating of your cart will happen inside dishwasher Over time, it may destroy the non-stick coating.

2. Clean the coils above the basket once a month.

A less obvious but equally important part of air fryer care that needs to be cleaned are the coils and the area around them inside the air fryer body and above the basket. During cooking, oil, sauce and even pieces of food may splash onto these coils. You likely won’t notice this buildup unless you tilt the fryer backwards or completely invert it.

When cleaning the inside of the fryer, it is best to avoid using soap as soap residue may spoil the food the next time you cook. And saturating with too much water can potentially damage the functionality of the coils. Instead, use a damp sponge or the rough side of a sponge. If you do it often enough, cleaning these coils won’t be difficult.

Cleaning this section not only reduces the risk of fire, but also ensures that your air fryer runs smoothly and cooks at optimal power.

3. Provide a separate outlet when using the fryer and unplug it after use.

Deep fryers draw a lot of current and can cause an electrical fire. It’s always best to turn them off when not in use. Some air fryers are quite quiet, so this also ensures that the fryer won’t run and be accidentally turned on by a passing cat or the curious hand of a toddler. (Plus, this may save you some money over time since Appliances may consume electricity even when they are turned off.)

Kitchen appliances, including toasters, deep fryers and microwave ovens, should also be plugged directly into an outlet rather than into an extension cord or extension cord, as they increase resistance to the flow of electricity. You should also avoid plugging in the fryer while other appliances are plugged into it, especially those that are in use, as this can put a strain on electrical circuits.

In truth, anyone electrical appliance may cause a fire if the electrical outlet is faulty or the wiring is bad. If you hear crackling noises or see sparks, call an electrician. Speaking of damaged electrical outlets, try to position the air fryer so that hot air escaping from the back does not flow into an electrical outlet in your kitchen. Over time this can cause problems.

4. Do not overload the air fryer basket.

The only thing you don’t want is food touching the hot coils while in use or getting a lot of grease and sauce on the hot coils. To avoid this, do not overload the cooking basket or stack food so high that you have to push or squeeze it to insert the basket. It may be time to invest in a larger air fryer.

5. Do not leave the fryer running unattended.

Air fryers get hot and heat up quickly. As with any oven, you won’t want to walk too far away from it while it’s in use and keep an eye out for smoke or unusual smells such as burning food or plastic. And always follow the cooking instructions.

Many ovens only suggest cooking at a higher temperature for 20 minutes or less at a time. Before you begin, carefully read the instructions for your air fryer.

Do air fryer baskets contain harmful chemicals or PFOA?

Most air fryer baskets have a chemical non-stick coating. Depending on how old you are, you’ve probably heard of Teflon and may be wondering if it’s safe. A chemical called PFOA is used in original Teflon. has been linked to cancer and banned in 2014.

New and supposedly safer materials such as GenX are now being used to make nonstick cookware and air fryer baskets. There is still some skepticism and ongoing debate about the safety of nonstick coatings, but no major study to date has linked the use of modern cookware to negative health effects for those who use nonstick or Teflon cookware. Although GenX, when consumed in large quantities and when found in drinking water Considered toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency.

If you’re trying to avoid non-stick coating altogether, there are fryer options with non-stick baskets, such as this model. Majority fan toasters use wire racks instead of baskets and provide another good non-stick alternative.

Read more about air fryers in our article. Beginner’s Guide to Air Fryers and find out if An air fryer is cheaper to operate than a large oven..

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