Dealing with an air fryer isn’t always as simple and convenient as it may seem, initially. The device that once cooked you the perfect meal with the click of a button has now turned against you. It may be the result of a subpar cleaning routine, an electrical malfunction or just pure bad luck.
Anyway, no matter what kind of trouble you’ve run into, there is a solution to it.
Knowing
Why Is My Air Fryer Not Heating Up?
The reason why your air fryer does not heat up will differ depending on the brand and the model used. The most common problems are still the same and the solutions are somewhat universal.
If your air fryer isn’t heating, this may be the cause.
- No temperature is set.
- Temperature is set too low.
- No time is set.
- The heating element is out of function.
- The connection between the power source and the heating element is damaged.
- The door isn’t closed or perhaps blocked.
If the device is damaged, contact the manufacturers.
Why Is My Air Fryer Not Turning On?
If your air fryer suddenly gives you no feedback at all when the power button is pressed.
- Make sure that it’s plugged in correctly.
- Make sure that the same socket doesn’t host too many appliances.
- Make sure the cable doesn’t have any cuts on it (if damaged – handle carefully)
- Make sure the socket works with another appliance
- Some models only start if the basket is placed correctly. Try relocating the basket.
- Make sure the drawer is closed properly.
If the fixes above don’t work it’s most likely the appliance itself that’s damaged. Fixing a unit with a damaged circuit is no joke. Contact the manufacturers and let the repair-shop do the job.
Why Is My Air Fryer So Noisy?
Some air fryers make loud noises when cooking. The mechanical fan inside the air fryer makes noises when spinning to circulate the air. An air fryer can make noises as loud as 65 decibel, which equals the loudness of a normal conversation in a bar.
However, anything above that, or any strange rattling noises should raise awareness. Sounds that are out of the ordinary could be caused by loose parts inside the air fryer. If your air fryer is making rattling noises, something inside the air fryer is most likely
Why Is My Air Fryer Peeling?
Most air fryer components are coated with a non-stick surface to simplify the process of cleaning them. The non-stick surface may flake or peel if scratched with utensils or cleaned using rough tools.
To prevent the non-stick coat from flaking, make sure to clean the air fryer on a regular basis using a soft sponge, warm water and soap. Cleaning the air fryer frequently will stop the build-up of grease, which may have a negative effect on the non-stick surface.
However, there are other viable options that don’t demand the same kind of routine in order to stay intact. Air fryers with stainless steel baskets have a more rigid surface and will, in most cases, surpass the lifetime of any other non-stick surface basket.
With that said, the battle between stainless steel and non-stick cookware has raised many questions along the lines of “Which one is easiest to clean?”
Stainless steel lacks the non-stick properties and may, therefore, be a little trickier to clean than non-stick cookware. However, from a health, environmental, and economic perspective, stainless steel may be the better option.
Be careful if your components have started to flake. When heated, the metal that is now exposed may release potentially toxic fumes.
Why Is My Air Fryer Sticking?
Burnt on grease or food is an issue that you may face more than a single time during your air frying adventures. Your air fryer may be sticking because the non-stick coating has started peeling or, the non-stick coating may in fact not be as non-stick as the manufacturers claim that it is.
Be sure to read reviews to see what others are experiencing with the same model.
Nevertheless, to prevent an air fryer basket or pan from sticking, do this:
- Make sure to clean it regularly and thoroughly to get rid of grease.
- Season the components using coconut oil or other oil with a smoke point above 400F. (More on seasoning below)
- Use perforated parchment paper.
By using perforated parchment papers you pretty much eliminate the problem altogether.
How Do I Season My Air Fryer To Prevent It From Sticking?
Seasoning cookware creates a thin layer of grease which keeps the food from sticking to the cookware. Seasoning air fryer components is an easy way of keeping them from sticking.
- Wash the basket or pan properly then wipe it dry
- Place the component in the air fryer and set the timer to 5 minutes
- Set the temperature to 400F then run for 2.30 minutes.
- Pause the air fryer and remove the component from the air fryer
- While hot, apply a thin layer of coconut oil or any other oil with a smoke point above 400F by smearing it onto the component with a paper towel
- Place the basket, pan or tray in the air fryer and resume cooking for the remaining 2:30 minutes.
Why Is My Air Fryer Smoking?
Smoke coming out of your air fryer may be an indication of a couple of different things. In order for you to easier identify the problem causing the air fryer to produce smoke – I’ve made a list of reasons.
The air fryer’s components are still covered in grease.
The theme of this article seems to be that an air fryer that isn’t cleaned on a regular basis will cause problems. If there’s grease from previous use left on the basket or tray, it may produce smoke when heated. By cleaning not only the removable parts but also the interior of the appliance, you should get rid of the grease.
Also, if your air fryer has a fat deposit or collector, make sure to empty it.
Food has reached the heating element.
The heating coil placed on top of the air fryer’s chamber (the upper half of the device) reaches very high temperatures when cooking. It’s job is to heat the air inside the air fryer but, every now and then, light ingredients will end up in the heating coil. The intense heat produced by the heating coil burns them right away – producing smoke.
You’re cooking fatty foods.
When cooking something with
Your air fryer is undergoing an electrical malfunction.
This might be one of the least plausible reasons, however, it is the one reason that must be handled with most care. Doing research on the topic, I learned that an air fryer may emit blue-ish smoke as the result of an electrical malfunction. So if you ever see blue smoke coming out of your appliance, turn off the air fryer and unplug it immediately then contact the manufacturers.
Why Does My Air Fryer Smell Like Burnt Plastic?
Many new air fryers come with a thin protective coat that’s burned right off when the air fryer is used the first couple of times. The burning of said coat produces a horrible smell very similar to that of burning plastic. In some cases, the taste of the food may be affected too.
However, even though manufacturers claim that the protective coat and the smell produced by it is supposed to go away after the first sessions, some users have to withstand the horrible smell for much longer periods of time.
Do this to dampen the air fryer’s chemical smell.
- In a small dish, mix 1 tbsp of vinegar and 1 tbsp of lemon juice.
- Place the dish in the air fryer
- Power the air fryer and let it run for 2 minutes on the default temperature.
- Leave the dish in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes.
This method worked for me. It may not remove the smell entirely the first time, but it reduced it drastically. The same process can be repeated over and over again until the smell is gone. For the second run, you may increase the time the mixture is heated in the air fryer by 4-5 minutes.
Keep in mind that vinegar and lemon juice have their own odors, to prevent the air fryer from smelling vinegar and lemon juice – place a dish containing just a little water in the air fryer and run for 2 minutes.
Other than that, the air fryer shouldn’t vent out more scented air than a traditional oven does.