Occasionally an air fryer can emit foul odors for various reasons. Of course, when they do, it's only natural to wonder, "Why does my air fryer smell?" Know that in most cases, it's a common problem with an easy fix.
Discover the difference between a bad smell that's safe and one that's cause for alarm.
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Does Your Air Fryer Have a Burning Plastic Smell?
While this unpleasant smell may alarm you, in most cases, this is a common issue, especially with a new air fryer. Most kitchen appliances are made from heat-resistant plastic, a polymeric material designed to withstand high temperatures.
In addition to heat resistance, they offer mechanical strength, are corrosion resistant, and make great thermal and electrical insulators making these plastics the ideal ingredient for kitchen appliances.
However, these monomers usually add an inhibitor for stabilization, and these inhibitors are actually what produce that burning plastic smell. Additionally, many of your inside components have been sprayed with an oil-based protective coating that will burn off over time.
Know that this unpleasant burning smell is only temporary, and you're likely to see mention of it in your owner's manual. There are even a few remedies to minimize that strong plastic smell coming from your air fryer.
Only Use the Proper Accessories
Sometimes that air fryer plastic smell is a result of the accessories placed inside your air fryer.
Because air fryers reach excessive temperatures, a non-heat-resistant plastic dish inside your air fryer not only makes your air fryer smell like plastic, there's a good chance it can melt the dish altogether.
Similarly, metal air fryers and low-quality metal dishes can add a metallic taste to your food. Running your air fryer empty before using it will get rid of the metallic taste, but make sure you only use quality oven-safe cookware and utensils in your air fryer.
Get Rid of the Plastic Smell Coming from New Air Fryers
Your new air fryer comes packaged with a variety of cardboard, styrofoam, and tape. So, first things first, give your new air fryer a thorough once over to make sure you've removed all of the plastic packaging and other external pieces. I've been known to overlook a piece or two in my lifetime.
Before you use your air fryer for the first time, it's a good idea to wash all of the removable parts with warm soapy water and a soft sponge so as not to scratch any of the surface areas.
The protective coating on the internal parts of your air fryer can also give off unpleasant smells. So you also want to wipe out the inside of your air fryer really well with a damp cloth.
You can add distilled vinegar or lemon juice to your water to help absorb the unpleasant odors of your new air fryer.
Additionally, before actually trying any air fryer recipes, run it empty for several minutes to allow those coatings to 'burn in.' Many air fryer brands recommend running your air fryer at 400° F (204°C) for at least twenty minutes. Doing so will prevent any bad odor from attaching itself to your food.
You can also place an oven-safe bowl containing water mixed with vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice inside your air fryer while performing the initial 'burn-in.' This will help absorb the plastic smell.
Is it Normal for My Air Fryer to Smoke?
In addition to your air fryer's plastic smell, you may also see smoke on the first use. It is common for a brand-new air fryer to emit smoke the first time you use it, and this is likely notated in your user manual.
The hot air circulating throughout the chamber will burn off all the plastic coatings. This should be very short in duration and only last a few minutes.
However, if the color of your smoke is blue or black, this is a sure sign of burning plastic, and you should not continue to let your air fryer run.
Shut it off and unplug it immediately, as this could lead to a kitchen fire. Let your air fryer cool before investigating for any damage, and contact your manufacturer for further course of action.
Do not attempt to cook food in air fryers that are emitting colored smoke!
Why Does My Air Fryer Smell Like Smoke?
Air fryers cook food inside their chamber by blowing hot air. The result is that you continually have food particles, grease, and other food remnants blowing about your air fryer.
Sometimes these food particles end up landing on your heating element and, just like your oven, begin to burn and smoke.
Your air fryer vents can release these smells and smoke into your kitchen. If your air fryer smells like smoke, it may just mean something has landed on your heating element.
Depending on how bad the smokey smell is, you may opt to endure the foul smell and allow your air fryer to continue running its course. On the other hand, if the smoke smell is too excessive, you may need to shut your air fryer off and deal with the issue.
Dirty Air Fryer
Your fryer can also smell like smoke when you neglect to clean your air fryer basket, grease separator tray, and other air fryer accessories after each use. Over time these food particles bake onto your air fryer basket and separator tray, as well as the heating elements.
Just like your microwave and oven, when all the dirt, grime, and debris are left uncleaned, over time, they begin to smoke and smell. This can also occur when you don't use your air fryer very often.
Similar to when you turn your furnace on at the first sign of winter's chill, when you don't use your air fryer much, it can also smell like smoke. The dust and grease that collect in the absence of use can burn off when you turn it on after a long period of idleness.
Excess Grease
Foods high in fat, like bacon, can also make your air fryer smell like smoke. With all the extra grease that falls to the bottom of your air fryer, it will surely smoke unless you take preventative measures.
Likewise, using cooking oil with a low smoke point can cause that smokey air fryer smell.
Get Rid of the Smoke Smell in Your Air Fryer
Depending on which cause is contributing to the foul smell emitting from your air fryer, the solutions can vary.
The Dormant Air Fryer
For air fryers that only get a few uses every now and then, give them a quick wipe-down to remove any dust and residual kitchen grease before cooking food. Take a damp cloth or soft sponge and wipe down both the inside and the outside before using.
When Air Fryers Smell Like Smoke From Cooking Food
If your air fryer smells like smoke during the cooking process, you may need to shut it off and deal with the issue if it becomes overwhelming. If it's tolerable, just give your air fryer a good cleaning when you're done to get rid of the caked-on food and grease.
Take any removable parts like your basket or rack grill and wash them with hot water and strong dishwashing soap. Remember your air fryer components have a non-stick coating, so avoid highly abrasive compounds.
For really stubborn cooked-on food, let your basket soak in a mixture of warm water, vinegar, and baking soda overnight. This will help dislodge the debris and help get rid of the smell.
Once you've addressed the removable parts, don't forget to clean the inside of your air fryer by wiping all the sides and removing any burnt debris from the heating elements.
Mix vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice with water to help loosen any baked-on food and get rid of the smell caused by malodorous foods like fish.
For extremely hardened residue, use an old toothbrush to help scrub built-up grease and access hard-to-reach crevices. It's important to keep your air fryer clean to maintain proper functionality and longevity.
Smoking Caused by Grease and Oil
If fatty foods or cooking oil are the culprit, simply add a tablespoon of water or a piece of bread to the bottom of your air fryer to absorb the oil.
It's best to avoid cooking sprays altogether. Not only do most of them contain genetically modified ingredients, many of the chemicals found in aerosol sprays lower the smoking point of the oil. Cooking sprays are also notorious for ruining non-stick coatings.
Overall, it's important to wash and clean your air fryer regularly. This is the easiest and simplest way to keep air fryers in good working order.
Getting Rid of Smoke or Plastic Smell
If your air fryer smells like smoke or plastic fumes, there are a few things that can help. Preventative maintenance goes a long way to not only remove any smoke and plastic odor but also to increase the longevity of your air fryer.
Try these remedies to get rid of that air fryer plastic smell or taste.
Season Your Basket
One of the first things you can do after the initial 'burn in' to get rid of those nasty plastic fumes is to season your basket much in the same way you would a cast iron skillet. Spray oil over your air fryer basket and then evenly distribute it with a paper towel.
Place the basket back in the air fryer for ten minutes at 400°F (204°C). Let the basket cool for at least 15 minutes, and then repeat the process again. Following the second round, once your basket has cooled, wipe your basket clean with a damp sponge or cloth.
Not only does this help remove the plastic smell, but it helps create a non-stick coating that helps prevent food from sticking in the future. Just like cast iron cookware, this process needs to be repeated intermittently to help maintain the condition of the basket.
Use Aluminum Foil
Using aluminum foil is a great way to eliminate food debris like melted cheese or sticky wing sauces from sticking to your basket.
Simply place the aluminum foil into your basket first, and then place your food on top. You may need to poke some holes in the foil to allow for adequate air circulation.
The tin foil helps collect all of the food residue to keep it from falling onto the bottom of your air fryer or heating element. Plus, it makes cleaning up really quick and easy. Just throw the foil in the trash and wipe your air fryer free of any loose food residue.
Use Odor Absorbants
The best air fryers can get rid of the plastic smell in a single session, but lesser quality air fryers may be a little obstinant. If your air fryer continues to smell like plastic for more than a session or two, try some odor-absorbant remedies to get rid of the plastic odor.
Use a small oven-safe dish filled with water and vinegar, or try a few charcoal sticks. Both are natural odor absorbers, so leaving them in your air fryer for 24 hours can help eliminate smells like plastic and smoke.
Clearing the Air on the Peculiar Smell from Air Fryers
Minimize the foul odors coming from your air fryer by following the guidance above.
Not only will it help your kitchen smell better, but it will also increase the longevity of your air fryer, providing you with delicious meals for years to come.
Once your air fryer no longer smells like plastic, try some of these great recipes:
Ray francis
Crap, my Instant Vortex still stinks after trying all of your fixes. I'm going to drop it off at the Sallies.