Research by ITV’s Tonight programme has shown that air fryer users could unknowingly be putting themselves at risk.
Fire services across the UK have revealed that emergency callouts for air fryer “user error” are nearly three times higher than those for faulty appliances.
Freedom of Information requests* have highlighted almost 750 air fryer fires since 2022, with the majority resulting from avoidable mistakes.
One of the leading fire causes was users placing their appliance on top of a conventional hob.
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It is thought that people who are tight for kitchen space are putting them on top of their cookers.
“Air fryers are often made of plastic, which will burn with quite toxic smoke,” says Natasha Neale from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“They are sited in a kitchen where there’s potentially lots of other flammable items which can increase the risk”.
Kristina Owen came home to find her house on fire. She tells Chris Choi that, despite not being in use, her air fryer destroyed her home
During his research, ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi also found that another dangerous trend is so-called ‘cleaning hacks’.
The misguided advice tells people that an easy way to clean their appliance is to fill it with soapy water and then turn it on.
Fire and Rescue Services in Bournemouth attended a ferocious fire in student accommodation after somebody followed the advice.
After watching an example online, Marc Barrett of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue tells Chris Choi, “It’s got over four million views, which is worrying.
“We spoke to one of the students, and what they had done is actually fill the air fryer with lots of water and Fairy Liquid, close the lid and put it on”.
Research featured on the programme shows that just over half of air fryer users surveyed do not regularly clean their appliance.
People have also been putting things in their air fryer that create dangerous situations, such as tinfoil, frayed cooking paper that isn’t properly weighed down, too much oil and over-filling food – all of which concern fire crews.
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Experts have said that appliances are safe if used correctly and that they have been tested to a standard and made by a proper manufacturer.
As part of their investigation, the Tonight programme spoke to trading standards who work at the Port of Felixstowe, where just over 2,000 unsafe air fryers have been seized in the past two and a half years.
Many of the devices staff found had faulty plugs or lacked proper safety markings and a traceable manufacturer.
Clare Davies from Suffolk Trading Standards said: “You might think you’re saving money, and at the time it seems like a bargain. You might save quite a few pounds by buying cheaply online – but you’ve got to ask yourself, is this worth the risk of a house fire?”
Insurance provider Aviva understands that around 70% of UK adults have an air fryer, and around 60% of people who use them have never read the instruction manual.
Fires involving them have led to claims averaging around £29,000, with one claim reported to have been over £200,000.
Air fryer do’s and don’ts from Electrical Safety First engineer Giuseppe Capanna
“Air fryers can be a convenient and efficient way to cook, but like any electrical appliance, they need to be used safely,” Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said.
“It may sound tedious, but taking just five minutes to read the manufacturer’s instructions could avert an accident, as not all air fryers are the same.
“Make sure the appliance is placed on a clean, stable surface away from walls, cupboards and anything flammable. Your air fryer will commonly have a vent, so it’s important that this is not blocked or positioned too close to a wall or plug socket, which could melt if too close by.
“Keep the power cord away from hot areas, unplug it from the socket when not in use and always plug it into a wall socket rather than an extension lead, which can easily become overloaded if multiple high-powered appliances are connected.
“When using your air fryer, it’s best not to leave it unattended. If you smell burning plastic or hear any unusual noises coming from your machine, unplug it straight away and contact the manufacturer. Avoid using too much oil and don’t use baking paper inside as this can both prevent the air from circulating inside your device and, if not weighted down properly, can come loose, risking coming into contact with the heating element and catching fire.
“Different air fryers will have guidance on how much food a basket can hold, so be sure not to overfill your basket, which can risk food coming into contact with the heating element and catching alight.
“Once you’ve finished cooking, allow it to cool down before cleaning to avoid burns, and wash the basket after each use to prevent a build-up of oils and grease. Air fryers are a hugely popular modern-day kitchen gadget, which many of us love and regular cleaning and proper use will help keep your air fryer working safely and efficiently.”
Do’s
· Read the manufacturer’s instructions – not all air fryers are the same
· Unplug when not in use
· Use on a clean hard surface, away from the wall, not under cupboards and away from flammable objects
· Keep your air fryer clean – wash the basket after every use to avoid buildup of oils and grease
· Plug directly into the wall socket
· Only use a small amount of oil, as not much is needed
· Use silicone moulds designed for your air fryer’s basket
Don’ts
· Use an extension cord
· Place the air fryer on top of the hob
· Use too much oil
· Put baking paper in the air fryer
*Between August and October 2025, ITV’s Tonight programme submitted 48 Freedom of Information requests to Fire and Rescue services across the UK, receiving 46 responses which were then compiled and analysed
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