What these symbols on your air fryer really mean and why you should stop ignoring them

Hailed as a healthier alternative to cooking your food in an oven or grill, the air fryer has become a staple in kitchens across the UK.

On top of this, they also save us time, money and whole lot of faff when we're making our dinner, so investing in one seems like a win-win situation.

But, while most of us are capable of shoving some food in the air fryer and calling it a day, I bet very few know what all the symbols on it mean.

And there's one in particular that we really need to stop ignoring.

Now, while some symbols may be pretty self-explanatory, it's clear that others are more cryptic, so let's get into three symbols people have posted queries over across Reddit on the ever-riveting 'airfryer' thread on the social media site.

Ever wondered what the symbols on your air fryer actually mean? (Getty Stock Images)

'Wavy lines' symbol

Now, this simply highlights a 'Keep Warm' function on the beloved kitchen gizmo.

This maintains food at a suitable temperature to eat after cooking is complete, and is symbolised by three wavy lines emerging from the top of a square with the top cut off.

Naturally, people rushed to comment on the post titled 'What’s this symbol mean?'

The wavy line symbol (Reddit/biocon1)

Tapping it displays on/off' that it resembles an uncanny resemblance to bacon.

"That's for wavy bacon. Don't hit that if you like your bacon straight," joked one Redditer, while another equally unhelpfully quipped: "Bacon?"

'Cauliflower' symbol

What on EARTH is that supposed to be? (Reddit/Common-Initiative-23)

Sharing a snap of the photo above, one Reddit user also asked on the 'airfryer' thread: "This had been bugging me. What does this symbol mean on my air fryer?"

"Looks like bok choy - maybe suggested time/temp for veggies?" suggested one commenter.

A second agreed: "I too think it looks like bok choy…?"

"Whatever it is, you have sent me down a wormhole of air fryer symbols from which I may never emerge," joked a third.

Well, my friends, the mystery is now over as the symbol simply shows what appears to be a cauliflower floret, indicating cooking instructions specifically for cauliflower - a temperature of 180 to 200°C for 12 to 15 minutes.

'Line through' symbol

You really don't want to ignore this air fryer symbol (Reddit/necron5757)

Asking on Reddit once again, a third air fryer user pleaded in the caption of the above post: "I cannot understand what its mean. Can you help me, please? It is on my airfryer."

The symbol in question depicts an air fryer sat on top of a cooker with a strike through it.

And, quite literally, it means do not place the appliance on or near a hot stove or in a heated oven.

You really don't want to be ignoring this one as this could be a major fire hazard.

Additionally, heat exposure can lead to your air fryer melting or warping, electrical damage in the inner wiring and it could void your warranty if you have one.

The more you know - eh?