We have all heard of air fryers – you probably even have one in your kitchen. Marketed as an efficient and health-saving product, the popular countertop appliance has made its way into millions of homes. However, certain models are under recall for dangerous defects that pose serious risks of personal injury and property damage. Is the convenience they provide worth the risk?
Which air fryers have been recalled?
This month Newair recalled Magic Chef Air Fryer after reports of the product overheating posing fire and burn hazards to users. This comes just months after Best Buy issued a nationwide recall of more than 635,000 Insigna Air Fryers over similar concerns of the device catching fire, burning and melting. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Best Buy received 104 reports from consumers, including seven complaints of minor property damage and two reports of injuries.
The following air fryers are currently under recall:
- Magic Chef Air Fryer Digital Air Fryer oven with model numbers MCAF56D8 (black) and MCAF56DW (white).
- Insigna Air Fryers and Air Fryer Ovens with the following model numbers:
- Air Fryers: NS-AF32DBK9, NS-AF32MBK9, NS-AF50MBK9, NS-AF53DSS0, NS-AF53MSS0, and NS-AF55DBK9
- Air Fryer Ovens: NS-AFO6DBK1 and NS-AFO6DSS1
Regardless of whether the product has not yet been recalled does not mean it is safe to use. Undeterred by backlash – even lawsuits – the manufacturers continue to sell air fryers to the open market and have failed to issue a recall. The following products are currently under scrutiny for their defective design:
- Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer
- Tristar Power Air Fryer Oven
- Tristar Power Air Fryer XL
- Cuisinart Digital AirFryer
What do I do if I have a defective air fryer?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product. If you injured or your property was damaged at no fault of your own, you may be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced defective product attorney to discuss your legal options after an air fryer malfunction. Furthermore, do not discard of your air fryer – this will be needed as evidence if you wish to proceed with legal action.
Even if you have not had issues with the recalled air fryer, we urge you to contact the manufacturer for information on reimbursement or replacement.
How are air fryers defective?
According to a lawsuit filed regarding Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer, the defective design causes the appliances to overheat and reach temperatures far exceeding the 310 to 360 °C range considered to a safe threshold. The suit goes on to claim the air fryer’s drip tray design is particularly dangerous as it allows food drippings to come into contact with the product’s bottom heating elements. Moreover, the products lack an operational safety mechanism to switch off the device when it surpasses safe temperatures further exacerbating its fire risks.
Growing number of faulty cooking devices
A growing number of defective cooking devices has been reported in recent years, many of which involve faulty pressure cookers. Amid the introduction of products like Instant Pot and Air Fryers, the CPSC began to receive complaints that were contrary to the safety features that were being marketed to consumers.
Meyers & Flowers’ Partners Frank V. Cesarone and Peter J. Flowers have been leading the fight against manufacturers, having represented over 60 clients nationwide who have been injured from various defective pressure cookers. But despite mounting complaints and lawsuits, the makers are denying responsibility for their products unreasonable risk of injury.
Manufacturers must be held accountable when they put the public at risk. The product liability attorneys at Meyers & Flowers have dedicated their practice to protecting consumers and fighting for justice for those that have been wronged. If you are an owner of an air fryer and have been injured due to its defects, contact our experienced product liability attorneys to discuss your legal options.