One kitchen appliance has become a sensation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an air fryer. Its popularity soared after lockdown forced many people to cook at home instead of eating out.
But consumers have also voiced safety concerns, and more than 3 million air fryers of various brands have since been damaged by fires or burns, according to a USA TODAY review of Consumer Product Safety Commission data. It turned out that the product had been recalled due to the danger of Of the 259 air fryer incident reports reviewed by USA TODAY, about one-fifth involved injuries that resulted in first aid treatment or a trip to the emergency room. No deaths were reported.
In mid-March, Best Buy recalled more than 250,000 Insignia air fryers and air fryer ovens in North America after 20 reports of the products catching fire, burning, melting or shattering glass. This recall affected Insignia models purchased between November 2021 and November 2023. This isn’t the first time Best Buy has removed the Insignia air fryer from its shelves. In April 2022, nearly 700,000 vehicles were recalled.
Last February, approximately 2 million Cosori air fryers were recalled due to defective wiring and reports of the air fryers catching fire, burning, melting, overheating and smoking. Some consumers reported minor burns and property damage.
For more information, including recall remedies available to consumers, visit cpsc.gov using the recall number below.
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What does the report say?
Introduced in 2010, air fryers are a recent addition to many American home kitchens. The much talked about countertop kitchen appliance works just like a convection oven. By using a fan to circulate hot air, you can recreate fried foods with low calories and in a short time. However, electrical failures or faulty wiring can pose safety risks.
“Every time I use the air fryer, my smoke detector goes off,” a consumer in Costa Mesa, Calif., said last February, referring to the Cosori Pro air fryer.
Another 53-year-old consumer from East Palo Alto, California, reported that he was heating tortillas in a Crux air fryer he purchased a week ago when smoke started coming from under the appliance.
The consumer wrote in May 2022, “The fire started in the kitchen and the entire apartment was destroyed. I lost everything.”
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Fire and burn incidents are commonly reported, but the risk of lacerations while handling and cleaning some air fryers is also a cause for complaint.
“While cleaning the inside of the oven near the top edge, my finger hit a very sharp metal prong that cut my finger,” one consumer wrote about the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. He received emergency treatment and received five stitches on his right index finger. ”
“I believe this is not just a flaw in my machine, but a dangerous design flaw.”
Air fryer safety tips
- Follow the instruction manual for ideal cooking times and temperature limits to prevent overheating.
- To avoid fire, do not leave the airfryer plugged in when not in use. Also, never leave the appliance unattended while cooking.
- Avoid cooking sprays that contain propellants.
- Periodically inspect the power cord and plug for signs of damage and make sure the air fryer is plugged into a stable electrical outlet.
What to do if your air fryer is recalled
Immediately stop using your product and see the recall details at cpsc.gov to see if you are eligible for a refund or replacement.
Where to report unsafe products
To report unsafe consumer products, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772.
Cecilia Garzella is a data fellow on the USA TODAY Data & Investigations team. Contact me at cgarzella@gannett.com or follow me at X: @ceciliagarzella.
