We test and review a bunch of air fryers every month, and more often than not, we do get a burning smell when we run the air fryer for the very first time. Chances are that you might have encountered a similar burning smell too when you tried to cook something for the first time in your air fryer. Don’t worry, it is pretty normal, and nothing is wrong with your air fryer.
In most cases, the burning smell comes because we missed out on one step before starting the cooking process. Think of it like a small setup ritual that needs to be done before the first use.
Here’s everything you need to know about that burning smell, and how you can fix it.
Why Does the Burning Smell Occur
In theory, air fryers are simple machines. There is a heating element, a fan, and a cooking basket. But during manufacturing, small amounts of protective oils, coatings, adhesives, and sometimes even packaging dust remain on the internal components of an air fryer.
In tiny quantities, these substances are harmless, but they can become volatile at high temperatures. When you run the air fryer for the first time, the heating element gets hot enough to burn off these residues. And that’s what causes the smell.
And don’t worry, this issue can happen with any air fryer, no matter the budget, and it is not linked to the quality of the product. It is more of a production and shipping issue. See, these appliances sit in warehouses, get packed with foam and plastic, and travel long distances before reaching your kitchen. This is where all of the residue comes into the picture.
And if you directly start cooking in it, the residue burns and gives that smell. And with air fryers, the smell is more noticeable because of how they work. They run at high heat in a small enclosed chamber with strong airflow. And that airflow circulates odours quickly and concentrates smells in a way ovens usually don’t.
If you are not aware of what’s causing that smell, then naturally you’ll end up getting worried and think that something is wrong with the new device. Only in rare cases have we seen that faulty wiring or melting insulation is causing the smell. In most cases, it’s just the packaging residue.
How to Get Rid of the Burning Smell
Most instruction manuals recommend that you run the air fryer empty before you start cooking. This process is called a burn-in cycle, and it is the easiest way to remove any residue before you actually start cooking.
Just follow these steps:
- Wash the basket and tray with warm, soapy water.
- Dry everything completely.
- Now, run the air fryer empty at around 200°C for 10 minutes. You can find custom settings in the manual as well.
- Place a small heat-safe bowl with lemon slices or vinegar water inside.
- Run another 10 minutes.
- Lastly, let the appliance cool down with the drawer open.
If you follow these steps, it will burn off oils and neutralise the odour. Post this, you can start cooking, and there shouldn’t be any burning smell. It is just like calibrating the device for proper use.
Here are some extra tips that you can keep in mind:
– Keep your kitchen ventilated during the first cycle.
– Don’t use parchment paper or liners initially; they trap residue smells.
– Avoid overcrowding food in early uses.
– Clean any visible oil drips after the first run.
Now, if the smell disappears after you follow these steps after one or two cycles, you are good to go. But if it doesn’t and the smell is persistent, along with visible smoke, melted plastic, or sharp electrical odours, then that’s not normal. It could mean a wiring issue or defective insulation. In that case, get in touch with customer care and return the appliance at the earliest.
Sometimes the Fix Is Simple
Air fryers are currently the fastest-growing kitchen appliances, mostly because of how convenient they are to use and the health factor as well. But the first-use experience, or what utensils go into it, there’s more awareness around that that’s needed. We usually don’t read the manuals, social media videos skip that information, and we end up being confused.
Just remember that the first smell is usually just factory residue burning off. Run the burn-in cycle, keep your kitchen ventilated, and try again. There’s no need to panic.
