THE COMPETITION AND Consumer Protection Commission is urging consumers to use their air fryers properly in a new consumer information campaign launched today. 

The campaign forms part of a wider product safety air fryer investigation by the CCPC, which was prompted after 60,000 air fryer units were recalled by the organisation earlier this year. 

The CCPC says that its product safety team has tested a variety of air fryer models available on the market to check if they met product safety standards.

The testing was carried out by an independently accredited laboratory and found good levels of compliance with applicable product safety legislation, with no significant safety concerns identified among the air fryers tested.

However, the CCPC has said that “incidents involving air fryers can and do occur” and it is reminding consumers of some simple steps they can take to use air fryers safely, including following the manufacturer’s instructions, keeping them in a well-ventilated area and cleaning them regularly.

Research conducted by the organisation found that 73% of those surveyed own an air fryer, with 41% of those using it every day.

However, the survey also showed less than half (44%) of daily users clean their air fryer every day, while 7% of daily users only clean it about once a month. Around 3% of all air fryer owners say they never clean it.

Gráinne Griffin, Director of Communications at the CCPC, said that product safety isn’t just about the product itself; it’s also about how that product is used.

“Air fryers are extremely popular in recent years, but it’s important that they’re used and maintained correctly,” she said.

“All air fryers must meet strict product safety rules, so we were glad to see from our extensive investigation that the models we tested are meeting those rules.

“But compliant products can still be dangerous if used incorrectly. Nearly three-quarters of kitchens in Ireland now have an air fryer and we do hear from consumers whose air fryers overheat or go on fire, so it is important to take steps to mitigate this risk.”

According to the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, cooking and heating fires have reduced in the past 25 years. However, fire safety concerns remain.

Ray Hamill, Assistant Fire Adviser with the NDFEM, said: “The growing use of electrical appliances and emerging technologies has introduced new fire safety considerations in the home. Proper use, correct maintenance, and proper ventilation can all significantly reduce the risk of fire.”

“The single most important measure every home can take is to install and maintain working smoke alarms, as they provide the earliest warning of a fire and remain the best way to protect lives in the home. In the event of a fire, get out, stay out and call 112/999.”

Tips on how to safely use your air fryer

The CCPC has released tips on how to use your air fryer correctly. 

The organisation says that you should read the instructions before use, and the interior of the air fryer should be cleaned after each use. 

Air fryers should be plugged out when not in use as there is no chance then of it accidentally being left on. 

The basket should not be overfilled when cooking food and baking parchment should not be used unless it has food on top of it to anchor it in place. On its own, parchment risks igniting. 

As well as that, you should cook for less time and check the condition of the food. Once food is overcooked it cannot be undone. But if undercooked, extra time can be added.

Consumers should check manufacturing instructions before putting any parts in the dishwasher.

Air fryers generally should not be immersed in water or any other liquid.

When in use, air fryers should be placed in a well-ventilated area on a non-flammable surface or material and should never be placed against a wall or other appliances.

The CCPC says that air vents should never be covered while the air fryer is in use, and they should never be plugged into an extension cord.

If you notice strange or burning smells or smoke, you should turn off the air fryer immediately, report it to the manufacturer and contact the CCPC.