The air fryer arrived in our homes as a revolution that aimed to make us eat less fat, especially here, where we love practically everything fried.

They have been installed in our homes quickly and easily, and even more so now that the price of oils (both olive oil and sunflower oil) has risen so much that it has caused many thousands of users to see these air fryers as another basic part of our kitchen, for some, even more important than a dishwasher or the refrigerator itself!

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer is like a small oven that cooks food quickly and without the need for much oil, but the food ends up just as crispy as if you had fried it! This appliance 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.

What happened to air fryers?

We have seen how some manufacturers have ordered some recalls of various models because they present serious health problems, and, in the face of these problems, doubts have arisen among consumers as to what to do if their fryers are the affected models.

If we look closely at social media, we see how they are full (and increasingly so) of cooking influencers who teach you how to use it, but the reality is that, over the last few months, several models of this fantastic appliance have quietly disappeared from stores due to the continuous complaints of some customers.

A warning call for danger

This has served as a warning to manufacturers that their products were not good. Some fryers even endangered physical health and the home by causing overheating, burns and even fires inside the house.

The three main problems that have been reported with fryers have been overheating of cables, breakage of components while the device is in use, and excessive heating of the door. These faults not only put the operation of the machine at risk but can also cause burns and other accidents.

What is the origin of this failure?

Apparently, it is related to the increase in competition and the popularity that these fryers have gained. It is true that there are many facilities and advantages that this device offers when it comes to cooking, not only because it is healthier but because you can do everything with much less fat and in a very small space without needing to use 20 pans or plates. But, with all power comes responsibility, and its fame has caused manufacturers to increase their production massively at a much lower price in order to reach all pockets, which has resulted in a neglect of quality and safety from the moment they leave the factories.

Which models have been recalled?

It is estimated that the problem began to be noticed 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.

How to avoid incidents with your air fryer?

Below we leave you four very basic tips that are highly recommended to follow to avoid incidents with your air fryer.

1. Read the manufacturer’s manual carefully.
2. Do not overload the appliance with food.
3. Make sure that the basket closes without touching the top of the appliance so that the air can circulate freely.
4. Frequently check the manufacturer’s safety alerts.