Man Hospitalised After Confusing Air Fryer with Hair Dryer: “It Smelled Like Chips and Regret”

STOKE-ON-TRENT, May 2025 — Local man Darren Crumble, 42, is recovering after a tragic grooming error involving a Tefal EasyFry 9-in-1 Digital CrispyMaster and his rapidly receding hairline.The mix-up occurred early Tuesday morning, as Darren rushed to prepare for a job interview. Mistaking the air fryer on his kitchen counter for his hair dryer, he shoved his damp scalp into the chamber and hit “Max Crisp.”, Darren said “There was a whooshing sound, a bright light, and then I could smell paprika,”

Darren recalled, blinking slowly from his hospital bed. “I thought it was working—until my eyebrows curled up like prawn crackers.”Paramedics were called after Darren’s screams reportedly caused his Alexa to play “Burning Down the House” by Talking Heads.

“It’s the third air fryer-related injury this week.” – Lottie Turner – Burns Unit Nurse