If you’ve jumped on the air fryer bandwagon and have received your exciting new kitchen appliance, you’re likely ready to start using it as quickly as possible.
With so many delicious recipes to try, you’ll be relying more and more on this handy little machine.
You should not leave an air fryer unattended while it’s cooking. Air fryers operate at high temperatures and are, therefore, a fire hazard. You should monitor an air fryer when you’re using it but you can leave it unattended when it isn’t running. Most air fryers shut down automatically, but electrical fires and power surges can still happen.
Many users don’t want to read the lengthy instruction manual that comes with any new product or appliance these days, but in this case, it can be helpful to brush up on how to use an air fryer that reaches high heat.
For instance, you should ensure that it’s kept away from the outlets and walls and you always want to use it on an even surface.
Is It Safe To Leave the House With the Air Fryer Running?
Like any kitchen appliance, it’s never recommended that you leave your air fryer completely unattended. While malfunctions may seem rare, there is always a chance of one and it’s important that a human being be there to rectify the situation and prevent any serious damage.
If you’re finished using your air fryer, you should unplug it and allow it to fully cool down. At this point, you can feel free to leave your home and not have to worry about any fire hazards or safety issues in your kitchen.
Many people were raised to never leave the oven on while they were away from home, even if that meant sitting around the house while a pot roast cooked low and slow for hours on end. This same instinctual cautiousness should be used for air fryers as well.
It’s never a smart idea to leave a hot device plugged into the wall. If a fire were to break out, there wouldn’t be a chance to contain it before it became very serious and damaging to your home and property.
Read more: Can You Leave An Air Fryer Unattended?
How Safe Are Air Fryers?
When compared to their counterparts, the deep fryer, air fryers are actually much safer. They do get intensely hot but there is no risk of splattering hot oil on bare skin.
As always, handle hot items with care because there’s always a risk of burning yourself when you use them.
There are external components on the air fryer that get hot. It’s important to always be cautious when touching a hot air fryer and use proper protection, such as oven mitts.
It’s not worth a painful burn to open the basket too quickly without being careful where you’re touching.
Depending on what type of countertop you have, there is a chance that the high heat of the fryer could crack the stone. Placing a silicone mat underneath the fryer to prevent this from happening is an inexpensive addition to your frying setup.
One of the safest ways to use an air fryer if you’re concerned about the heat is to place it near an open window. This allows plenty of air circulation while you’re cooking.
This is not always possible, however, due to inclement weather and a lack of open windows in some kitchen spaces.
Read more: Do Air Fryers Use Radiation To Cook?
Can an Air Fryer Start a Fire?
There is a risk that is inherent with any product that heats up to high temperatures that it will overheat and potentially catch fire.
This is why it’s especially important to never leave your air fryer unattended and to never place it in a confined space without proper ventilation and air circulation.
While there have been occasional reports and recalls due to air fryers starting fires, it isn’t clear how the situation arose or whether proper precautions were taken.
There are a multitude of ways to lower your risk and be responsible when using your unit.
All kitchen appliances have some level of safety precautions that are recommended by the manufacturer, even your blender or your toaster.
Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the machine and to read up on the risks and how to prevent them is key to being a responsible user.
One such key instruction is to not use water on any of the electrical components, as this can potentially start a fire. You should also be clear on what the required voltage is to run your air fryer.
To prevent your fryer from overheating, you want to avoid overcrowding the basket.
If you have your fryer too close to an outlet, this can potentially cause a fire and it’s a mistake that many owners make.
Placing your fryer on an uneven surface can increase the possibility of having it fall over and burn something more flammable, thus causing a fire in your kitchen within moments.
Do Air Fryers Shut Off Automatically?
Most air fryer brands use a dial that allows users to set a time. Once this time runs out, the machine will automatically turn off.
This convenient design feature allows you to cook your food for a predetermined length of time and then the fryer shuts itself off and all you have to do is unplug it.
It’s not recommended to rely on this auto shut-off feature on its own, however. You should always unplug your machine and make sure it’s completely cooled down before storing it again.
There is always a chance of an electrical fire while it’s plugged into the wall.
If you find that your air fryer is automatically turning off unexpectedly, in the middle of cooking, then there may be another issue. This could be traced back to a loose connection or even a faulty machine.
You’ll want to check the power cord for any frayed ends and also your circuit breaker for any issues. If they both seem okay, you can examine the fryer itself for any loose parts that may be causing the connection loss.
If your air fryer is a model with a sensor, these sensors can become faulty after a period of time and may be causing inconvenient and annoying shutdowns.
If your product is under warranty, you should be able to get it replaced without having to purchase a new one.
Should You Unplug an Air Fryer When Going Away?
When you physically unplug the air fryer from the electrical socket, you’re removing the power source as well.
That’s why it’s always considered a good idea to unplug any kitchen appliance when you’re not actively using it. Air fryers are no exception, especially since there’s a heating element involved.
Not only does unplugging the fryer protect you from any potential fire hazards, but it can also save you money on your power bill.
There is usually some level of latent energy usage seeping out when products are plugging into the socket, regardless of whether or not they’re in use.
Another convincing reason to unplug your machine is that it protects against power surges, which could end up destroying the unit anyway.
In the case of a power outage, transformer break, or even a lightning strike, you don’t want an air fryer plugged into the electrical socket.
Where Should You Put an Air Fryer In a Kitchen?
When considering where to place your air fryer in your kitchen, you’ll want to keep it away from the walls.
You don’t want the heat to blow into electrical outlets, as this can become hazardous very quickly. You may even want to place the fryer beside a window, so you can properly ventilate the area is necessary.
If you place an air fryer on the stovetop and accidentally turn it on, it can melt your air fryer. The fryer can melt and begin to smoke, before eventually catching on fire and causing an emergency situation in your kitchen.
You’ll want to find a flat and heat-resistant surface to place the unit, which is at least 2 inches away from any walls.
Placing a silicone mat underneath the fryer is a great way to protect your countertops. It’s important to ensure that your fryer is on a heat-proof surface at all times while in use!
After you’ve found a suitable location on your countertop to use your air fryer, leave it there while it cools off.
Once it’s completely cooled and cleaned, you can place it into a cabinet for storage. Never place a hot air fryer inside an enclosed space, as this is a fire hazard.
Read more: Can Air Fryers Damage Countertops?
Read more: What Can You Put Under Your Air Fryer To Protect Your Countertop?