Aviva warns of air fryer fire risk – how to protect your home

If you own an air fryer, you’ll know how great they are for saving time, energy and money.  

With most air fryers using around 1.2 kWh of electricity an hour, compared to the 2-3 kWh used by a conventional oven, they’re a more energy-efficient choice. They also reduce cooking times by about half.  

That’s probably why so many of us - around 68% - own one and 61% use it at least once a week. 

But as convenient and cost-effective as they are, air fryers do come with risks and it’s important to be cautious when using them. 

According to a recent survey by Aviva, nearly one in five UK adults (19%) have experienced issues with an air fryer that could or did lead to a fire in their home. 

The insurance company has seen a sharp rise in air fryer-related insurance claims. In 2024, the average claim was £29,555, with some air fryer incidents causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. 

The most common fire-related issues air fryer owners face are:  

• smoke coming from the air fryer (9%) 

• overheating (9%)   

• scorching (4%) 

• explosion in the home (3%) 

• fire (3%)

Fire awareness 

The survey uncovered an alarming lack of fire safety awareness among air fryer owners:  

• Almost half (45%) are unaware of any fire risks associated with air fryers. 

• 30% wouldn’t know what to do if a fire broke out in their home. 

• 16% said they would use any fire extinguisher to put out a fire (even though the wrong extinguisher can make things worse). 

• 7% admitted they’d throw water on the flames, which can be dangerous with an electrical fire.  

Bad air fryer habits 

Aviva’s research also found many of us have bad habits when it comes to cooking with air fryers:  

• 12% leave the air fryer unattended when it’s in use. 

• 8% use oil in the air fryer. 

• 6% use the air fryer in a non-ventilated area, like a cupboard or under a cabinet. 

• 4% keep the air fryer on a soft tea towel or flammable surface. 

• 4% plug it into an extension lead. 

• 3% regularly overfill the air fryer. 

Air fryer safety tips 

Aviva shared some important safety tips for reducing the risk of air fryer fires in your home:  

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  

• Never leave your air fryer unattended while it’s on.  

• Avoid using excess oil. 

• Place your air fryer on a stable, non-flammable surface in a well-ventilated area, away from overhead cabinets or enclosed spaces.  

• Clean your air fryer regularly and keep it in good working condition.  

• Check it for damage before use.  

• Don’t overfill your air fryer.  

• Keep it away from water. 

• Have fire safety equipment nearby, such as a fire blanket and small fire extinguisher.  

• Never throw water on an electrical fire. 

• If the worst happens, call the fire brigade immediately.   

Following these tips can help reduce the risk of a fire, so you can continue using your air fryer happy in the knowledge it’s a safe way to reduce your cooking costs.