Excess grease, food buildup, overcrowding, or a thorough cleaning could all be to blame for the smoke emanating from your air fryer. If you notice unusual smoke, unplug your equipment straight away and inspect it to determine what’s causing it.
And if you wonder why does my air fryer smoke? Here’s a little more on discovering the perpetrator to help you figure out what’s going on.
Table of Contents
- What kinds of things can cause my air fryer to smoke?
- What should I do if my air fryer is smoking?
- Is it normal for an air fryer to smoke?
- Can Air Fryers Catch Fire?
- How do I stop my air fryer from setting off my smoke alarm?
- What kinds of food can cause smoke?
- Why does my air fryer have a burning smell?
- How do I prevent my air fryer from smoking?
- What should I do to keep it clean?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What kinds of things can cause my air fryer to smoke?
#1. Grease buildup
One of the main reasons for a smokey air fryer is excessive fat. Meats with a higher fat content can produce a lot of grease when cooked at 360 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
This grease begins to burn and produce odors when it splatters and circulates onto the hot heating element. The more oil there is, the more fumes there are.
You’ll understand what we are talking about if you’ve fried bacon ever in your air fryer. Chicken legs and thighs produce a lot of fat and fluid, which might result in smoke.
Also, when sausage, hamburger patties, and fattier pork chops cook at high heat, they may cause smoke.
#2. Burning food
When grease isn’t the issue, burning food particles are likely to blame. If the breading or batter on breaded or battered meals is loose, portions of the coating can circulate with the superheated air going through the air fryer.
Those crumbs wind up on the heating element, where they burn. This charred debris can produce a lot of smoke.
It’s also possible that your meal is sitting so close to the burner that it’s directly contacting it.
#3. Too much sauce
Sauces, particularly those with high sugar content, such as barbecue sauce, might cause issues.
They can leak and burn if applied to food too early in the cooking process.
It’s better to add these sauces after the dish has already been half-cooked.
#4. Too much in the basket
Another cause is that your shopping cart is overflowing. The hot air cannot flow correctly if too much food is in your basket. Food will not cook evenly and may burn if left unattended. Smoke is produced when anything is burned.
If your model cooks hot, you may need to adjust the temperature setting to avoid smoke. Air fryer recipes are only meant to be used as a suggestion.
They have no idea what model you have or what temperature it cooks. If the temperature is too high and your food is burning, you may need modifications.
Lower the setting and cook the item for a more extended period.
***Read More: How To Use Air Fryer Rack – Things to Know
What should I do if my air fryer is smoking?
#1. Turn off the power.
If you’re getting too much smoke, the first thing you should do is disconnect the machine. Remove the power for safety concerns, and then figure out what’s causing the problem.
#2. Ventilate your kitchen.
Open a window or a door to let some fresh air in. Make sure your vent hood is turned on. If the situation is critical, you may need to reset your shrieking smoke alarm.
#3. Remove excess grease.
Grease splatter can be problematic. If you have a grease problem, place a slice or two of bread in the bottom of the drawer (neath the basket) to absorb some of the greases. This can reduce splattering and often solves a variety of issues.
#4. Place food correctly.
Ensure that none of the food is in direct contact with the heating element. If that’s the case, relocate it somewhere; it won’t burn or scorch.
***Read More: Can You Put Plastic In An Air Fryer? Expert Answers in 2023
Is it normal for an air fryer to smoke?
A tiny bit of smoke is OK. However, much of it is out of the ordinary. When grease from fatty foods becomes highly heated, white smoke can be produced. It’s not uncommon for oil from cooked items to splash and swirl onto the heating element, resulting in fumes in an air fryer.
You’ll get a white haze if you overcook something to burn it. To avoid burning, keep an eye on the temperature and cooking times.
It can also smoke if there are a lot of remaining oils, grease, or crumbs from prior cooking in the basket or any other inside region. Cleaning the unit can sometimes solve the problem.
Can Air Fryers Catch Fire?
The basic answer to this question is yes, there is a chance that your air fryer will catch fire, but it is pretty unlikely. I’d like to answer “no” because the dangers are so low, you shouldn’t have to worry about your air fryer catching fire.
However, that kind of solution is impossible to offer because so much could go wrong. The fire doesn’t have to originate in the air fryer; it could be caused by something in the immediate vicinity.
If your air fryer is defective and encounters an electrical malfunction, there could be a fire. If your air fryer is overheating, it could be a fire hazard, although an adequately utilized air fryer should never catch fire.
It’s important to remember that we’re combining electronics with high heat in one device. That is more than enough reason to exercise extreme caution. Safety comes first, followed by excellent food.
***Read More: Do I Need To Preheat My Air Fryer?
How do I stop my air fryer from setting off my smoke alarm?
If your air fryer is causing your smoke alarm to go off, you may quickly fix the problem by cleaning it. They work best when they’re clean and free of grease from previous uses. When cooking, leftover oil residue can cause the kitchen appliance to overheat and emit white smoke.
When cooking fatty foods, something similar can happen. Grease from these foods has the potential to ignite and cause smoke. Your alarm will go off if they smoke a lot.
As you may be aware, some alarms are pretty sensitive, and it only takes a small amount of pressure to set them off. Cleanliness and having a well-ventilated kitchen are the most significant ways to prevent smoke from escaping. This is the most effective method for controlling your smoke alarm from sounding.
What kinds of food can cause smoke?
Cooked fatty meats are the source of the majority of problems. Chicken thighs, sausages, bacon, hamburgers, and other greasy foods should be avoided.
Wrapping the food in foil or parchment paper can sometimes solve the problem. Do not preheat your air fryer with parchment paper, as this will cause your air fryer to smoke due to the parchment paper burning.
When particles from the breading or batter blow into the heating element, battered foods or foods with loose dry breading might cause difficulties.
Spray a little olive oil or other cooking oil on the outside of these foods before cooking to avoid this from happening.
***Read More: Why My Air Fryer Keeps Turning Off and How To Fix It
Why does my air fryer have a burning smell?
Grease, liquids, and food particles have probably accumulated on the heating element. When the air fryer heats up, and the accumulation heats up, it may emit a burnt odor.
Something may have gotten to the top of the to-do list. I unintentionally touched the heating element with an air fryer roast beef, which caused the device to smell like it was burning until I cleaned it thoroughly.
How do I prevent my air fryer from smoking?
Placing one or two slices of bread under the basket when cooking oily dishes is an excellent way to stop the white haze from your gadget.
You may have to press it down to make room for the basket. The bread serves as a sponge, absorbing the grease and keeping it from mixing with the hot cooking air.
Pouring two tablespoons of water underneath the basket before you start cooking is another excellent strategy to keep your air fryer from smoking. You can also use this method to extinguish smoke that occurs during cooking.
***Read More: Can An Air Fryer Explode? Is it Safe For Using
What should I do to keep it clean?
First, consult your owner’s manual. Dishwasher-safe parts are available on some appliances.
Most instructions recommend using a warm soapy cloth to loosen and wipe off debris and grease from the inside of the device and the basket. When the unit is fantastic and empty, turn it upside down to gain easy access to the heating coils.
It’s crucial to unplug your device before cleaning it and clean it after each use.
FAQs
#1. Why does my air fryer smoke so much?
If your air fryer is producing a lot of smoke, it’s usually due to one of these issues. The first is a significant build-up of oil or grease residue from past use that is causing overheating, which could have accumulated owing to poor cleaning practices. Another possibility is that something from the air fryer has contacted the heating element.
#2. Why does my air fryer smell like plastic?
The heated air passing through the air fryer will emit a plastic or chemical-like odor the first time you use it. The length of time this lasts is entirely dependent on the model and the food you’re preparing. But don’t be concerned; it will pass.
***Read More: Can You Put Aluminum Foil In An Air Fryer-How To Use Safely
Conclusion
Air fryers are still reasonably new kitchen gadgets, and it’s easy to make a few blunders when using them. Smoke from your air fryer is annoying, but it’s pretty natural. So why does my air fryer smoke and how to treat it?
Fortunately, reducing the amount of smoke produced by your air fryer can often be as simple as changing a few behaviors. You now have a better understanding of regulating, preventing, and managing air fryer smoke.
