Why You Should Always Unplug These 8 Kitchen Appliances After Every Use

Our kitchens are stocked with appliances that make preparing a meal easier, from quick-cooking pressure cookers to smart mini ovens that you can set via Wi-Fi. While many home cooks prefer to keep their counters as clear as possible, there are some appliances we use every day and prefer to keep on the counter. (Can you imagine setting up your entire coffee pot every morning?) 

Whether you store them in the cabinet or on the counter, one thing is for sure: It’s best to leave small kitchen appliances unplugged when not in use. Both the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, and Consumer Product Safety Commission recommend unplugging all countertop kitchen appliances when not in use, as these devices keep using electricity when plugged in, a phenomenon known as background or phantom consumption. Besides the potential safety risks, devices with internal clocks, fancy displays, indicator lights and electronic boards that are left plugged in can run up your utility bill, too. Experts identified some of the worst offenders below. 

1. Coffee Pots and Electric Kettles 

As more coffee pots have added smart tech features like auto-start functions, Wi-Fi controls and multiple brewing options, their energy draw has increased. “Fancy Wi-Fi enabled [coffee pots] with large displays can use a few watts while idle, and what might seem nominal can add up over time,” Jason Altshuler says. Altshuler is the owner of a Colorado-based electrical company, My Electric Home, which specializes in energy-efficient home installations and smart automations. He estimates that turning off devices with large displays could save $30-$70 a year on your electric bill. Espresso machines have a particularly large draw on your home’s energy grid, using about 1,000 watts while warming up, he adds.

Many coffee pots also have heating elements to heat up the water for brewing or to keep your brewed coffee warm. While many newer machines have an automatic shut-off, it’s best to ensure that any device with a warming element is unplugged when not in use for fire safety, according to the NFPA. 

2. Slow Cookers

Slow cookers are designed to be left on for long periods of time and use less energy than traditional ovens for slow-braising foods—despite taking longer to cook. However, Corey Hannahs, a licensed master electrician and senior electrical content specialist at NFPA, says that Crock-Pots and other slow cookers should always be unplugged when not in use. “The appliances that I would be most concerned about are those that produce heat that do not have the ability to automatically shut off,” he says. While some slow cookers do have an automatic shut-off feature, many models only offer temperature controls. When left on for too long, food can dry out in your slow cooker, eventually creating a fire hazard. Even with an automatic shut-off, slow cookers and other appliances that produce heat use a significant amount of electrical current, Hannahs adds. 

3. Pressure Cookers

Similar to slow cookers, pressure cookers and multicookers usually don’t have an automatic shut-off. Instead, many models default to a “warm” mode after finishing a set cooking time. For that reason, Hannahs recommends unplugging them when you’re finished cooking. “Typically appliances like this are removed from the countertop to save space when they aren’t being utilized, so I don’t see this as being a problem,” he adds. 

4. Electric Griddles and Hot Plates

If you’re without your stovetop or cooking a small meal, electric griddles, skillets and hot plates can be a simple solution, thanks to their small size and ability to heat up quickly. However, these appliances can take a long time to cool after cooking—and, if left plugged in, can sometimes heat up again. In student laboratory settings, the Division of Chemical Health and Safety has investigated several cases of “runaway” hot plates that heat up despite being in the “off” position. The NFPA recommends unplugging these devices after you cook and letting them cool completely before cleaning them. 

5. Toasters

When was the last time you cleaned the crumbs out of your toaster? You’re certainly not alone if it wasn’t in recent memory. Like all heat-producing small appliances, toasters can be a fire risk if left plugged in and unattended—especially if debris has built up inside. According to Consumer Reports, some toasters have even been recalled for powering up on their own when left plugged in—the organization reported that toasters were the cause of 1,335 kitchen fires between 2002 and 2009, the most recent data available. 

6. Air Fryers and Mini Ovens 

Air fryers and countertop mini combination ovens (like models that combine toaster ovens, microwaves and air fryers) are becoming smarter and more high-tech. Some combination models can even sous vide, steam and broil, all in one machine. Many contain auto-off safety features, which reduces their fire risk—but all those bells and whistles make for rather intricate displays, which Altshuler says draw significant phantom load when not in use. 

7. Blenders 

Attention regular smoothie makers: While blenders may not have a heating component, it’s still important to unplug them when you’re not using them. Beyond posing a fire risk, Altshuler says that keeping your small devices, such as blenders, plugged in can shorten their lifespan. “Unplugging these devices doesn’t just help lower your electricity bill. It can also extend the lifespan of your appliances because they’re less exposed to background loads and power surges,” he says. 

8. Food Processors 

Like blenders, it’s best to unplug and put your food processor away when not in use. In addition to the risk of an electrical fire, the blades inside these appliances can be dangerous if they are exposed—especially if the device is accidentally turned on. While most newer models are equipped with safety measures to prevent exposure to the blades while the processor is running, like an interlocking lid system, older models may not have these failsafes. 

Additional Fire Safety Tips for Small Appliances 

Here are some other things you can do to avoid fire hazards:

• Most home cooks keep their small kitchen appliances stored away in cabinets or closets. Before using an appliance, always check that the cords haven’t gotten pinched or frayed while in storage. 
• Only purchase countertop appliances from reputable manufacturers that properly test their products. Hannahs recommends looking for a seal of approval from testing agencies like UL Solutions or Intertek to ensure that your appliance has been tested properly for use. “Also keep in mind that there are many products out there to choose from and in some cases the cheaper products are the ones that did not have a high level of proper testing done, if any,” he adds. 
• Make sure that you have proper GFCI outlets in your kitchen. These outlets help prevent electric shocks by interrupting the power when a difference in the electrical current is detected. “Aside from fire concerns in the kitchen, electric shock is a significant risk due to the close proximity of electricity and water, so ensuring that proper GFCI protection is being utilized is crucial,” Hannahs says. 

The Bottom Line 

Both the National Fire Protection Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommend unplugging all countertop kitchen appliances when not in use, as any plugged-in device can pose a fire risk. Experts we spoke with said that appliances with heating components—such as coffee pots, slow cookers, pressure cookers, electric griddles and air fryers—can pose the largest risk. Additionally, devices with elaborate displays and Wi-Fi functionality can draw significant power, even when not in use.