Before you buy an air fryer: how to judge one yourself

How it works

An air fryer has a heating element and a fan in a compact chamber. The fan pushes hot air around the food, which is why it behaves like a small convection oven. Because everything is packed tightly and runs hot, the parts that carry power and take the heat matter most.

The recall notices show where trouble has appeared. In the Cosori recall, a wire connection could overheat (CPSC notice). Secura recalled units for an overheating wire connection too (CPSC notice). Insignia units could overheat and melt or break handles, and the door glass on the ovens could shatter (CPSC notice). PowerXL dual-basket units had a plastic connector that could break during use (CPSC notice).

The pattern: internal wiring, handles, connectors and glass. These are heat and strain points, so they are worth a look in the store.

What matters

Start with the model number. On the Cosori units it is on the bottom label and in the manual, and that is how owners check a recall (CPSC). Secura's recall covers only certain date codes, also printed on the bottom label (CPSC). So a brand name alone tells you little. The exact model, and sometimes the date code, decides whether a unit is affected.

In the PowerXL recall, the affected models were identified by size and model: the 10-quart DUAF-10 and the 9-quart DUAF-005 (CPSC). Capacity is a spec you can verify, but it does not tell you whether a design is safe.

On the maker's spec sheet, look for the stated power draw, capacity and the warranty terms. Treat taglines as marketing. Ask whether a handle, basket and door feel solid in your hand, and whether the product is a newer production run than any recall window.

What it costs

The sticker price is only part of it. The recalled units tell you the range people paid: Cosori units sold for $70 to $130 (CPSC), Insignia for $32 to $180 (CPSC), PowerXL for $60 to $190 depending on model (CPSC), and Secura for $48 to $90 (CPSC). Price alone did not keep a model out of a recall.

How much a recall pays back also varies. PowerXL owners get a full refund. Insignia owners get the receipt amount, or the model's average sales price without a receipt, as a check or store credit. Secura offers a gift card or a free replacement. Cosori offers a replacement or another Cosori product. A recall can mean you get a different product rather than your money back.

For running cost, the facts in this edition do not include energy figures, so none are given here. You can work it out yourself: find the wattage on the spec sheet, estimate the hours you will cook, and multiply by the rate on your own electric bill. Compare that to your oven for the same dish.

What protects you

There are three layers: recalls, warranties and returns.

Recalls. Federal law prohibits anyone from selling a product under a CPSC-ordered recall, or a voluntary recall made with CPSC (CPSC). Still, check the model yourself, especially for a used or clearance unit. Remedies come with conditions. Cosori and Secura ask for photos of the unit with the cord cut off. Insignia owners are told not to return units to Best Buy stores (CPSC).

Implied warranty. The FTC explains that merchants automatically promise goods will do what they are supposed to and have nothing significantly wrong. That does not cover abuse, misuse, ordinary wear, ignoring directions or poor maintenance (FTC guide). State limits on warranty claims are generally four years from purchase, but that does not mean the product must last that long. A seller can use "as is" to disclaim these promises in most states only if no written warranty is offered, and some states bar such sales. "As is" does not remove liability for injury from a defect.

Written warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Act covers written warranties, not oral ones, and does not force a seller to offer one. Manufacturers cannot condition coverage on using particular products or services. FTC staff say a warranty cannot be voided solely for third-party parts or unauthorized service, though a company may still deny coverage for damage those parts or services caused (FTC blog).

What to ask

Put these to the seller or find the answers on the maker's site before you pay:

• What is the exact model number, and does it match any CPSC recall notice?
• Is there a date code on the bottom label, and does it fall in any recalled range?
• Is there a written warranty? Where are the terms, and who handles claims?
• What is the store's return window and condition, in writing?
• Is the unit sold "as is"? If so, what does that do to the written warranty?
• Does the warranty say anything about using non-brand parts or outside repair? Under FTC staff's reading, it cannot void coverage solely for that.