Air Fryer Smoking

Before getting into some of the more complex fixes, give these quick steps a try.

• Verify no food or other debris is touching the heating element.
• Isolate where the smell is coming from and use your eyes. They will tell you if there is something burning somewhere.
• What sort of smoke is it? Does it smell like burnt food? Or does it smell electrical? If the smell is electrical, unplug the device and stop using right away. Skip ahead to the Electrical Damage section.

Most of the reasons your air fryer could be smoking are results of the way it's used. Regular cleaning is a necessary part of keeping your air fryer operational. Excess grease or crumbs can burn, generating smoke.

• Any part of the air fryer that is removable can be washed with soapy water and a sponge or dish cloth. This includes the tray, racks or other adjustable parts of the interior.
• Use a warm, damp cloth to gently work away any persistent grime on the internals.
• Cooking extra greasy things like sausages can cause a lot of splatter, which in turn smoke. Be sure to thoroughly inspect for anything burnt if smoke occurs and clean appropriately.
• The healing element is also especially prone to food shrapnel and grease. Use a dry cloth, or soft brush to remove any debris.

Some air fryers contain filters and like all filters need to be replaced, or cleaned when they are full of debris.

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for how often you replace these. We recommend it every 3-6 months.
• When the filters get clogged, air gets trapped, keeping excess heat where air is supposed to flow. This can cause debris to smoke or burn.