An alarming TikTok trend has sparked an urgent warning over the use of dishwasher tablets in air fryers after a viral video amassed nearly 50,000 views
A dangerous trend is sweeping a major social media platform, prompting experts to urge people to ignore it.
Cleaning hacks are in abundance on TikTok with influencers demonstrating and claiming certain tips and tricks are the best way to go. And when it comes to air fryers, thousands upon thousands of people are viewing videos on the best way to rid grease and residue after cooking.
Experts at Electrical Safety First have spoken out about one dangerous hack – which involves cooks adding a dishwasher tablet into the basket of an air fryer, before switching it on to let the tablet dissolve the grime.
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Other dangerous hacks
In one such instance, the experts claim, a video has been viewed 43,000 times. Disagreeing with the hack, Giuseppe Capanna, a product safety engineer, warned: “Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best way to clean your appliance.” Another hack, which was labelled as “safe” by a TikTok user, garnering 1.5 million views and thousands of likes, shows a person cleaning a toaster in a sink using water and baking soda.
He added: “Water should never be used to clean the inside of a toaster, it will damage the internal parts of the appliance and could cause a fire or give you an electric shock when it’s turned on.”
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When it comes to air fryers, people should be careful and ensure that they’re cleaning them properly without being in contact with water or any other liquids that might cause them to explode or catch fire.
As reported by Bournemouth Echo, an air fryer caught on fire after the user used a TikTok hack as a reference to clean the appliance, causing it to sparkle and catch alight.
Therefore, it’s very important to always follow the manufacturer’s advice for cleaning and maintenance instead of following any advice from social media. It’s also crucial to unplug the device when it’s not in use. Otherwise, the air fryer could be ruined or even break if cleaned using unsafe and not-trustworthy cleaning methods.
The best way to clean an air fryer
According to BBC Good Food, air fryers are best cleaned by removing all parts and washing them in warm, soapy water. If there’s a lot of ground-on grease and oil, some abrasion via a sponge could be used. In terms of best cleaning solutions, people can use baking soda or paste to remove stubborn stains.
Everything must be fully dried before reassembling.