Air fryer warning as one in five encounter fire hazard

Nearly one in five UK adults have encountered a potential or actual fire in their homes due to an air fryer, new research from insurers Aviva found.

With a spike in incidents over the last four years, the average home insurance claim related to an air fryer in 2024 was £29,555, Aviva data shows.

Of 2,000 UK adults questioned, the most common issues caused by their air fryers were:

Read more: Air fryer energy use rises 30 percent with cleaning mistake – how to fix

Of those questioned, 68% owned an air fryer and 61% use one at least weekly. If the data was expanded to the UK population, millions of UK residents could be at risk of a house fire caused by an air fryer.

Among the horror stories was a case where an air fryer caused £80,000 in damage to a kitchen after a fire spread through the entire room. The kitchen ceiling, walls, cupboards and their contents, washing machine and television were all destroyed.

Others have seen kitchen surfaces destroyed due to ablaze and melting air fryers, while Aviva has had several claims where the air fryer was placed on an oven, accidentally switching the hob on and setting the fryer on fire.

Air fryer don'ts

Almost half (45%) of UK adults questioned are not aware of the risks involved with air fryers and 30% of Britons wouldn't know what to do if a fire broke out in their home because of an air fryer.

The most common air fryer hazards Britons are guilty of are:

Hannah Davidson, senior underwriting manager at Aviva, says: "With the increasing popularity of air fryers, it's crucial users are aware of the associated fire risks.

“In the unfortunate event of an air fryer fire, never throw water on an electrical fire. Instead, use a fire blanket or a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires, and call the fire brigade if necessary. Having the right home insurance policy can also help protect against significant financial losses, providing extra peace of mind while you prepare your meals."

Air fryer safety tips

1. Clean your air fryer regularly: This not only prevents the build up of flammable grease but also keeps it running more efficiently - which we explain in this article: Air fryer energy use rises 30 percent with cleaning mistake – how to fix

2. Follow instructions: Simple yet effective! Check the guidelines for your particular model.

3. Avoid excess oil: Air fryers don't need oil. Using too much can cause smoke and increase the risk of fire.

4. Don't leave unattended

5. Use it in a safe area: Air fryers should be placed on a stable, non-flammable surface in a well-ventilated area - not under cabinets or enclosed spaces.

6. Check for damage: Including the power cord.

7. Don't overfill: Air fryers need space for air to circulate for even cooking and to avoid overheating.

8. Keep away from water: And if there is a fire, don't throw water on it as this can cause a worse fire.

9. Be fire safety ready: Do you have a fire blanket or fire extinguisher in your kitchen?

10. Buy the right home insurance: Ensure your home insurance is comprehensive and covers fire.

Fixed cabinets and worktops are covered under buildings insurance, whereas the moveable items inside your cupboards or on the sides are covered under contents insurance.

Can you put foil in an air fryer

Yes, you can put foil in some air fryers — but there are a few important things to know to avoid fire.

You may want to use foil in an air fryer to wrap food, line the basket and make foil 'boats' to separate ingredients or hold sauces.

But you'll want to ensure air can still circulate and the foil doesn't touch the heating element as these are both fire risks.

To avoid the foil touching the heating element you can ensure it is weighted down with food.

You will also want to check the user manual as some completely advise against using foil.

An alternative is parchment paper - you can also buy baking paper liners specifically designed for air fryers.

Air fryer running cost

NimbleFins has previously compared the cost of running an air fryer with other household appliances such as an oven and slow cooker.

Our calculations actually revealed it was cheaper to use a slow cooker if you batch cooked three times a week rather than used an air fryer for 20 minutes a day.

However, the cost per use was cheaper for the air fryer. It was almost half the price of using a conventional oven.

Read more: How Much Electricity Does My Appliance Use? From Fans to Slow Cookers

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