The Dan.gerous Mistakes When Using an Air Fryer That Could Lead to Poi.soning

The air fryer has become a popular appliance in many households in recent years. However, using this device incorrectly can lead to food poi.soning.

According to nutrition expert Nicola Shubrook, an air fryer is a cooking device that circulates hot air around food, making the outer layer crispy, reducing fat content, and making it convenient for cooking foods like fries and fried chicken.

However, when using an air fryer, it's crucial to follow basic rules to avoid food poi.soning.

A common mistake that can lead to illness is not cleaning the air fryer between uses. This is a dan.gerous habit for your health.

For example, if you cook undercooked chicken that is infected with salmonella and don't clean the fryer, the bacteria can contaminate the food cooked afterward. Salmonella bacteria can survive for up to 32 hours on a dry surface.

Food safety editor Candess Zona-Mendola warns that cooking in a dirty air fryer significantly increases the risk of food contamination.

Food safety expert Janilyn Hutchings also warns that if you don’t clean the fryer regularly, old food crumbs and bacteria will accumulate, contaminating the food placed in the fryer afterward.

“Make sure to clean the fryer after each use. It might seem tedious, but it’s actually quite easy,” says editor Candess. To make cleaning simpler, she suggests using hot water with a bit of dish soap.

“Letting the fryer soak for the necessary time will save you the trouble of scrubbing. Just spend 3 minutes, and you can keep the fryer clean and safe for your health. Your kitchen will also smell better,” Candess adds.

It's important to avoid using cleaning tools that could damage the non-stick surface when cleaning the air fryer.

In addition to failing to clean the fryer between uses, there are other mistakes to avoid when using this device:

Not Preheating the Air Fryer Before Cooking

All air fryers on the market come with user instructions. According to these instructions, you should preheat the fryer for 3-5 minutes before adjusting the temperature and placing food inside to ensure better cooking temperature and food quality.

Overloading the Fryer

Air fryers work like a convection oven, with hot air moving around the food. If you overload the fryer, the food won't get enough hot air exposure on all sides, leading to uneven cooking and less crispy food.

Not Drying Food Before Placing It in the Air Fryer

If you place wet food into the air fryer, it will not become crispy after cooking. The simple solution is to pat the food dry with a paper towel or cloth before placing it in the fryer. Also, avoid using the air fryer for foods that are coated in batter. These should be fried in oil for the best results.

Covering the Fryer Basket with Foil

Many people use aluminum foil in the air fryer to help cook food faster and reduce the oil content. However, you should avoid covering the top of the basket with foil as it blocks the airflow, leading to uneven cooking. It's best to only use enough foil to line the bottom of the fryer.

Wrapping Food Too Tightly with Foil

Wrapping food tightly in foil can help enhance the flavor but should not be done too tightly. Doing so will isolate the food from the hot air, preventing it from becoming crispy and increasing cooking time, which could result in uneven cooking.

Not Checking the Food During Cooking

Most air fryers are designed with a closed compartment, making it hard to see the food while it's cooking. As a result, many people don’t check the food, which can lead to it burning.

To avoid this, check the food halfway through cooking. You can shake the food or flip it over to ensure it cooks evenly and becomes tastier.

Cooking Acidic Foods

When using an air fryer, avoid cooking foods with high acidity, such as lemons, vinegar, or sour fruits. This is because aluminum foil, often used in the fryer, reacts with the acid in the food and corrodes. A small amount of aluminum can leach into the food, which is not good for your health.