What if your favorite kitchen companion suddenly turns into a smoke-spewing dragon?
One minute you’re dreaming of golden crispy wings, and the next, your kitchen turned into a scene from a disaster movie, complete with smoke alarms, open windows, and a frantic search for the exhaust.
What’s causing this chaos, you ask?
Maybe it’s all that excess oil splattering everywhere, or perhaps those greasy food drippings are melting the heating element.
Could it be that you’re cooking bacon at the sun’s temperature?
Or maybe your air fryer needs a good cleaning after one too many rounds of chicken wings.
Whatever the reason, if you don’t want your next meal to come with a side of house fire, it’s time to get to the bottom of it.
Let’s find the real culprit and how to cope with these air fryer smoking problems.
Various Types of Air Fryer Smoke and What the Colors Mean
If you’re a newbie and haven’t used air fryers before, it’s crucial to understand the type of smoke your device is emitting and how to stop it.
Black Smoke
If you’re dealing with black smoke coming out of your air fryer, the reasons may be:
- Excess oil or fat that dripped from the meat
- Sucked food particles on the heating element like bread crumbs, cornflakes, or dry seasonings
- Maybe you’re in a hurry and fill the air fryer tray with too much food.
White Smoke
If your air fryer is releasing white smoke no need to panic, it’s due to the greasy residues from your previous marinades, sprays, or juices from the food or excess oil during cooking.
They accumulate in the bottom of the pan and on the heating element of the air fryer resulting in white smoke.
Another reason may be high temperatures due to prolonged cooking sessions.
Blue Smoke
⚠️If blue smoke is coming out don’t take it easy.
This means there’s a serious issue with your appliance.
An electrical malfunction may cause hazards and even catch fire if not repaired immediately.
Unplug your device and seek professional help to resolve this issue.
Smoke vs Steam – Know the Difference
A smoking air fryer is not always a sign of red alert, it may be due to steam or due to slight issues that can be resolved without any technical assistance.
Most of the time you can confuse steam with white smoke if you don’t know the difference. Steam forms when water evaporates from the frozen food and it’s normal.
But what if it’s smoke that turns your dream recipe into a disaster?
To avoid smoking, air fryers smell the smoke if it feels like food, don’t panic.
On the other hand, a burning smell can tell you something is going wrong inside your air fryer. That’s why it’s better to keep an eye on the air fryer while it’s air-frying the food. It minimizes the risk of potential fire and helps you get your desired results as well.
Unplug the air fryer if you feel anything weird and let it cool then clean it thoroughly to get rid of residual food and grease to make perfectly crispy wings and fries without being worried about smoke.
Reasons Why Your Air Fryer is Smoking
Is it normal for an air fryer to smoke?
Yeah, it’s quite normal to produce some white smoke when you cook greasy foods or oils with low smoking points.
What other things can cause a smoking air fryer?
Let’s take a deep look at it.
1-Grease Buildup
The most common reason for a smoking air fryer is grease buildup due to low-grade oil or too much oil. Due to excess usage of marinades, sprays, or seasonings greasy material builds up on the heating element and fan area.
Air fryer smoking while cooking chicken legs, bacon in air fryers, and chicken thighs is so common. In addition, beware when cooking hamburgers, sausages, and fattier meat chops they can produce smoke when cooking at high temperatures.
When the air fryer reaches a high temperature this grease smokes and starts releasing smoke through the vent.
2-Dirty Heating Element
Sometimes when we are cooking some food blows away due to powerful circulating air and results in a dirty heating element.
When the air fryer reaches a high temperature, the heating element also heats and this food starts burning resulting in a smoking air fryer.
3-Too Much Sauce
Some food fanatics who love to spice up their food with extra sauce forget that they are cooking in an air fryer.
What happens then?
Excess sauce drips onto the heating element or tray and extra fat or oil may reach the heating coil.
Now this extra sauce with sugar oil or fat burns quickly and causes smoke.
4-Obstructions in Vents
If you use your air fryer carelessly chances are it will result in grease build-up and obstruction of air vents that may cause the air fryer to smoke.
Moreover, if your air fryer is placed too close to a wall or another object it will restrict airflow, and steam or moisture can lead to soggy food and smoking.
5-Too Much in the Basket
Likewise putting too much food in an air fryer can also result in smoking.
Overcrowded baskets can cause some food to get stuck into the heating coil and when it gets hot it starts producing smoke.
6-Using Aluminum Foil or Parchment Paper
Parchment paper or aluminium foil usage in air fryers can also cause smoking if not weighed down by food.
If it comes in contact with a heating coil, it burns and results in smoking.
Air Fryer Smoking on First Use
Air fryer smoking at first use is not unusual. Your air fryer smells like burning or release some smoke during its first use. The plastic housing and other components may cause a smell while heating up at high temperatures.
Manufacturing residues or packaging materials left inside accidentally can cause smoking.
What Should I Do If My Air Fryer is Smoking?
In a Massachusetts home, an air fryer smoked uncontrollably and caused fire. Firefighters warned to use the air fryer cautiously and if you’re thinking about how to prevent your air fryer from smoking read this blog till the end.
If your air fryer is smoking, take the following steps to get rid of smoking and prevent potential hazards that may cause fire or burns.
Turn Off the Power
Whenever you see uncontrollable smoke coming out from your air fryer, immediately unplug it.
Now it’s time to determine whether it’s the steam coming out of the air fryer or anything else causing steam.
Don’t panic, it’s common to deal with an air fryer smoking while cooking but for the safer side, it’s better to stop the machine especially if you’re new to the air frying world.
Ventilate Your Kitchen
The next thing you need to do is to open the door or window. Don’t forget to turn on the exhaust hood to get smoke outside.
Remove the Basket
After that remove the basket to prevent further smoking.
Let the Air Fryer to Cool Down
Another thing to keep in consideration is to let the air fryer cool down completely before inspecting it.
Remove Excess Grease
If your air fryer smells like grease check for excess grease. To resolve this issue, put a bread slice or two to soak it up.
Clean the excess grease with a wipe or paper towel from the heating element and bottom.
Continue Cooking
After making sure you have cleaned the device properly, put back the drawer and continue the cooking process.
Sometimes you need to repeat this multiple times because fatty foods can drip grease during cooking and you have to clean it to avoid smoking.
How Do I Stop My Air Fryer from Setting off My Smoke Alarm?
If you’re still coping with smoky air fryer, you need to keep the following things in consideration:
Place Food Correctly
Improper placement of food may also be a culprit for a smoking air fryer because it will block airflow. It will result in uneven cooking with some parts burning and eventually smoking.
To avoid smoking, place food in a single layer to circulate air freely.
If food is placed too close to the heating element, it will cook quickly and burn and cause smoking.
Improper Cooking Times
Another reason that may contribute to smoke is prolonged cooking which may lead to smoke.
In addition, if you cook food at very high temperatures, especially fatty foods or sauces, it can cause smoke.
Use the correct temperature and avoid cooking delicate foods like vegetables or fish for too long. They can dry out and result in smoke.
Moreover, customize the time and temperature settings according to the specific food without relying too much on pre-set time settings.
Start with a short time and then extend the cooking time if needed.
Manufacture Fault
A faulty heating element, improper airflow design, defective thermostat, and electrical wiring defects may also cause smoking.
Reach out to the manufacturer or retailer for a repair, replacement, or refund depending on the warranty of your device.
Use Oils with High Smoke Points
If you’re using an oil with a low smoke point it can also cause smoking because it begins to break down at high temperatures and produce smoke.
To avoid this use opt for oils with higher smoke points such as avocado or refined oils, monitor cooking time and temperature, and use them in moderation to avoid smoky air fryer.
Replace the Air Filter
If your device’s air filter is clogged or dirty it can also lead to smoking. Due to a dirty air filter due to grease buildup, airflow will be affected and appliances may run hotter than intended, leading to burning food and smoke.
To avoid this, regularly clean the air filter and if needed change it to maintain optimal airflow.
Why Does My Air Fryer Have a Burning Smell?
Well, if you are thinking, is it normal for an air fryer to smell burnt”? The answer lies in the following points:
- A burning smell coming from your air fryer may be due to a dirty heating element that burns when heats. To fix this issue thoroughly clean your device.
- Prolonged cooking at a higher temperature than recommended for your recipe can also cause a burning smell. To avoid it always monitor the food and adjust the settings according to the recipe.
- Another reason for your air fryer smells like burning may be your new appliance that can give a burning feel due to the plastic components that smell when heated up for the first time. To simply fix this issue, no rocket science is involved, just run it empty on a high setting to burn off the initial plastic smell, and bingo.
- In some cases, it may be due to damaged internal components. Inspect your device and consult with your air fryer manufacturer or a professional to resolve it.
What Kind of Foods Can Cause Smoke?
Some foods can produce smoke in an air fryer due to their fat content or cooking methods. Here are a few of the main culprits:
- Fatty meats like bacon, sausage, or that crispy chicken skin you love render fat that can splatter all over the lace leading to smoke.
- If you’re tossing something fried or coated in oil(like fried chicken or tempura veggies) you might see some smoke as the excess oil heats up.
- High-sugar sauces like BBQ sauce or honey glaze can caramelize fast and burn quickly if you’re not careful. This creates smoke that might have your smoke alarm doing its job a little too well.
- Battered and breaded foods can fall off while cooking and trust me these little guys are too good to burn and produce a smoky kitchen fast.
When To Seek Professional Help
If you have cleaned your air fryer thoroughly, checked vents, properly placed the food, and have done every possible thing to stop smoking, it’s time to look for a professional.
Sometimes malfunctioning devices are the culprit and we need to seek professional help.
If there’s a burning smell, or if you see visible damage such as frayed cords or a faulty heating element.
Smoke from the control panel or frequent circuit breaker trips are also signs of serious issues. In these cases, stop using the air fryer and contact a repair service or the manufacturer for assistance.
Wrap Up
A smoking air fryer is a headache and if you don’t know why my air fryer smokes after cleaning, are air fryer fumes safe and how do you fix a smoky air fryer you need to go through this article thoroughly.
We have discussed how grease buildup and overcrowded baskets can cause smoke. Also, you will know why air fryer smells like chemicals and what causes air fryers to smell like burning.
Whether your Ninja air fryer is smoking or power XL air fryer smoking it’s crucial to know when you can do it yourself and when a professional is needed to fix the issue.
FAQs
Why is My Russell Hobbs Air Fryer Smoking?
If you’re using your device for the first time it’s normal to smoke or have a slight odor.
Besides, high-fat foods can also produce smoke when subjected to high temperatures. To avoid this, reduce the temperature to reduce the effect.
Moreover, Russell Hobbs recommends cleaning the air fryer in between the batches to reduce the smoke.
Likewise, they recommend washing the bowl and basket with hot soapy water and rinse well after each use to avoid oily buildups.
Why Does My Air Fryer Smoke When I Cook Bacon?
When cooking bacon in an air fryer, the smoke is usually caused by the high-fat content.
When you cook bacon fat melts and drips onto the hot surfaces, where it can burn and create smoke.
To reduce smoke try cooking at a lower temperature, add a little water to the bottom of the air fryer to catch the grease, use a drip tray if available, and most importantly don’t overcrowd the bacon slices.
Why Does My Air Fryer Smell Like Chemicals?
If your air fryer smells like chemicals during first use the reasons may be:
- PTFE Coating: To make the pan and the basket of your appliance non-stick and easy to clean a chemical called PTFE or Teflon is used. When this chemical is subjected to high temperatures it causes a burning or chemical smell.
- Plastic: When plastic components are exposed to high heat they can result in a chemical smell. This smell disappears after a few uses.
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