Over 280,000 Air fryers Have Been Recalled Is Yours Safe?

Air fryers could be a ticking timebomb.

Air fryers have made a difference in the kitchen for years, helping us eat less fat, especially here, where we love practically everything fried.

They have been a great gift to give and receive. On the counter in our homes quickly and easily, and even more so now that the price of oils (both olive oil and sunflower oil) has jumped so much that it has caused many thousands of users to see these air fryers to save what little spending money people have making meals.

An air fryer is like a small oven that cooks food quickly and without the need for much oil. The food ends up just as crispy as if you had fried it! It uses hot air that circulates at full speed around the food, so you can enjoy crispy fries or chicken but with less fat and without the typical smell of frying at home. My favorite is making healthy chicken.

According to the USA Today Report, more than 3 million air fryers from Insignia and Cosori have been recalled in recent years due to fire and burn hazards.

More than 3 million air fryers from various brands have since been recalled due to fire and burn hazards, a USA TODAY review of Consumer Product Safety Commission data found. Of 259 air fryer incident reports reviewed by USA TODAY, about a fifth involved injuries, resulting in first aid administration or visits to the emergency room. No deaths were reported. 

It is estimated that the problem began in March when more than 280,000 units of the well-known Insignia brand were recalled. In this case, consumers claimed overheating problems that could mostly cause skin burns (and, in very extreme cases, even small fires). For example, it was noted that the internal cables overheated far beyond the limits set by the manufacturer.

On the other hand, the Newair brand recalled 11,750 Magic Chef units due to similar problems with overheating and defective components that broke as they were used.

Read the manufacturer’s manual carefully.

Do not overload the appliance with food.

Frequently check the manufacturer’s safety alerts.

One I never expected was something as simple as popcorn. Why not popcorn? Most air fryers don't get hot enough to pop popcorn kernels, and the kernels can get stuck in the heating element and cause a fire.

Chicken is good, but never cook it with a heavy batter. Recipes that use a wet batter, including fried chicken, will be messy if cooked in an air fryer.

There won’t be enough hot oil to set the batter, and it will likely drip everywhere rather than forming a crunchy coating. The puddle of batter may also burn the base of your air fryer basket.

Broccoli? Yep, I have found from experience that it turns out like rubber and dries out. Now, Brussels sprouts are good at retaining moisture, so they crisp up well in an air fryer.

Anything with a heavy sauce. The temps inside get hot and increase the chance of many splatters. It's not fun to clean up afterward.

Pasta It is possible to cook pasta in an air fryer, “But I wouldn’t use an air fryer to cook pasta dishes with lots of sauce.” If you are Italian? fuhgeddaboudit somewhere your great grandmother would put a curse you.