Fire chiefs have issued an urgent warning over a common mistake that can cause devastating kitchen fires: placing an air fryer on top of a cooker hob. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has released a picture showing the destruction caused by such a blaze, stressing that the hob is not a worktop.
User Error Behind Most Air Fryer Fires
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has previously warned that “user error” is the leading cause of air fryer-related fires. Over a 10-month period, they dealt with nine air fryer fires, and almost half were caused by someone putting the appliance on a cooker and then switching the hob on.
Station Manager Richard Booth said: “Four of those incidents that we've attended - the air fryer has actually been sat on a hob in the kitchen and that hob has either been turned on deliberately, by someone not knowing that's not what they're meant to do, or accidentally.”
This week, Shiny Floors shared on Facebook a similar incident where an air fryer was left on the cooker, which was then accidentally switched on. Lancashire Fire and Rescue also issued a warning, saying: “It only takes a second.”
Firefighters Contain Blaze to Kitchen
Showing a picture of a fire-devastated kitchen, the service added: “In this incident, an air fryer was placed on the hob of an electric cooker, starting a kitchen fire in a flat.” Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the kitchen. The service concluded: “Even for a moment, it’s not worth the risk. Your hob is not your worktop. Keep it clear.”
Air fryers have become a kitchen staple since their first modern prototype in 2006, developed by Dutch engineer Fred van der Weij using “rapid air technology” to make crispy food with little to no oil. Figures show more than two out of three UK households own an air fryer, with half using it at least once a week. It has overtaken the oven for everyday use and is now the third most used appliance in British kitchens, after toasters and microwaves.
Charity Shares Vital Safety Steps
Electrical Safety First, a UK charity dedicated to reducing and preventing damage, injuries, and death caused by electricity, has shared “vital steps” for safe use. Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director, said: “There are some vital steps you can take to protect yourself and save yourself a visit from the fire service. Always register the product to make sure you are contactable in the event a fault is detected by the manufacturer. Never overfill your air fryer and never plug the appliance into an extension lead to avoid potential overheating. Make sure you keep your power cords away from hot surfaces to avoid damaging cables, which could pose a serious fire risk and always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to cleaning your device.”
The charity also warned users to be aware of product recalls. It said: “A handful of air fryers have been issued with a safety notice or product recall in recent years, with the dangers ranging from a serious risk of electric shock to fire. Consumers can check if an air fryer has been recalled using the charity’s product recall checker.”
Electrical Safety First also shared its key list of do's and don'ts for air fryer use. Users should keep power cords away from hot surfaces, turn the appliance off at the socket when not in use, ensure it’s on a level surface, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, keep an eye on it while in use, and wait at least 30 minutes to clean it after use. They should not put oil inside the fryer, immerse it in water, overfill it (typically it should only be two thirds full), or plug it into an extension lead.
