People are only just realising the hidden and ‘grubby’ area in air fryers – so is yours one meal away from a house fire?
PEOPLE are only just realising there’s a hidden and very ‘grubby’ nook inside air fryers – and it could mean you are just one meal away from a house fire.
So if you’ve got the beloved gadget in your kitchen, you’ve come to the right place and will need to listen up.
Air fryers are loved by many around the globe and are renowned for their ability to crisp up frozen food, reheat yesterday’s leftovers, or even tackle a hearty Sunday roast.
They’ve become indispensable for many and are also known to be an energy-efficient alternative to the traditional oven.
But if you use the go-to tool to slash bills and spend less time in the kitchen, you’ll need to take a close-up look inside yours before your next meal.
To ensure your air fryer remains your trusted culinary sidekick, regular cleaning is vital, with experts urging users to clean the basket after every use.
But it turns out there’s a secret nook that many of us haven’t found until now.
One foodie took to social media to share her discovery, leaving many open-mouthed.
Posting on TikTok, a content creator named Sarah shared a video of the top of the inside of her air fryer, showing the heating element covered in grime.
Stunned by the hard-to-reach mess, Sarah shared her concern and wrote: “POV: You saw a TikTok telling you to not look at the top of your air fryer but curiosity got the better of you and now you’re wondering whether you’re one air fried meal away from a house fire or not.”
She then questioned: “How on earth do you clean it?! Should we get a new one?! Who knows…”
Sarah jokingly added: “I’m scared now. Send help. And a new air fryer.”
The short clip, which was posted under the username @sarahlifestyleandfood, has clearly left many totally stunned, as it has quickly racked up 293,600 views in just three days.
Social media users were not only horrified but were shocked they had only just noticed the gross discovery.
I’m scared now. Send help. And a new air fryer
Sarah
One wrote: “Omg! Stop it! Knocked me sick.”
Another said: “It’s why I got rid of mine. I couldn’t get that top part clean and it absolutely smelt rotten every time I switched it on.”
Meanwhile, a third stated: “This is my sign to not check what mine looks like, what I don’t know can’t hurt me.”
How to clean your air fryer
However, as unsavoury as the grime might look, attacking the heating element with a barrage of cleaning products isn’t advisable.
Since every air fryer model varies, it’s crucial to consult the specific manufacturer’s instructions before getting your cleaning gloves on.
Rise of the air fryer
Air fryers have maintained their spot the most popular kitchen gadget in the UK last year.
Annual sales figures from Lakeland show sales of air fryers were up 1,175% on last year – when they were already soaring in popularity – as households continue their efforts to save energy on standard ovens.
The retailer said: “In previous years, their popularity could be attributed to consumers seeking healthier cooking options and fast cooking times.
“However, with the cost-of-living crisis continuing, air fryers have a renewed appeal as an efficient alternative to oven cooking.”
The only other products that “shaped the year” were heated airers – with sales up 51% – and heated textiles, such as heated throws and ponchos, Lakeland said, again as households brought in gadgets as an alternative to expensive dryers and central and electric heaters.
Phillips suggests a straightforward approach: once you’ve unplugged the air fryer and ensured it has cooled down, flip it upside down to access the heating element.
Following Phillips’ official cleaning guidelines, air fryer enthusiasts should use a gentle sponge and hot water for wiping the interior and the heating element.
They added: “If necessary, food residues stuck to the heating element can be removed with a soft to medium bristle brush.
“Do not use a steel wire brush or a hard-bristle brush, as this might damage the coating of the heating element.”
After scrubbing the appliance, they recommend turning on the air fryer empty for a short period, allowing any dislodged remnants to fall into the pan below.
Meanwhile, Ninja recommended turning the air fryer upside down, when unplugged and cool, and cleaning any residue away with a very slightly damp cloth or a paper towel.
They also recommended using a “non-abrasive cleaning brush to remove any remaining food residue.”