Making one change to your air fryer could save you from serious health issues after grim warning

Air fryers may have changed our lives in more ways than one, but an expert has warned you may need to change how you use it to avoid serious health risks.

Air fryers are arguably one of the greatest creations of all time.

The save us time, money, and a whole lot of mess.

But what fellow air fryer users might not know is that they require a significant amount of up-keep to make sure they're not posing health risks.

You may let the baskets soak and wash the trays inside, but an expert has warned you may need to go even further with the cleaning process.

It doesn't matter if you don't use oil - you still need to scrub it! (Getty Stock Images)

The layer of grime inside can transform over days, but there's one thing you can do to make sure no one in the family ends up ill.

Martin Senders, a Philips in-house air fryer expert, explained that it’s all about what could ‘grow’ in it.

He shared: “The combination of leftover food, moisture, and grease in your air fryer creates the perfect environment for mould to grow - and since air fryers are used so often in the household, it can often go unnoticed.”

The expert added: “Mould can grow in more areas than just the air fryer basket. "For instance, if your air fryer has a crisper plate at the bottom of the basket - these can usually be removed for cleaning.

"It’s essential to not neglect this step as the space underneath and around the crisper plate can trap fat and moisture.”

Not cleaning your air fryer could weaken your immune system (Getty stock photo)

Another disaster zone could be the actual heater at the top of the appliance.

Martin said: "Don’t forget the heating element at the top of your air fryer, which is often overlooked.

"It can easily trap grease from splattering oily foods, creating a hidden spot where mould can develop.

“Many manufacturers will caution you against cleaning this element - as introducing water and soap to the internal workings of your air fryer is a big no no.

"However, still check the unit regularly for buildups of grease and moisture, to ensure mould is not forming.”

He warned that leaving an air fryer basket dirty for days on end could be really dangerous.

"After you’ve cooked, even if you’re not cleaning it straight away, remove the basket so the food is not in contact with the rest of your air fryer - doing so will only encourage bacteria to grow," he advised.