Why Do Air Fryers Smoke so Much and How to Stop It

Posted On August 28, 2022

Why do air fryers smoke so much? It is usually because the food inside is burning, the inside is not cleaned properly and there is some residue left behind, or there is something wrong with the appliance itself.

While a little smoke is common here and there with kitchen appliances, a lot of it is an alarming issue. 

As air fryers are useful in cooking most foods and snacks, some foods might not cook well with air fryers. These kinds of foods may cause smoke in your air fryer.

So let’s learn more about why air fryers smoke so much!

What to Do When Your Air Fryer Is Smoking?

You should:

• Cut the power to the air fryer by pulling the plug out of the socket.
• Try to clear the smoke out of your kitchen by opening a window or turning the exhaust fan on. 
• Let the appliance cool down before touching and examining it.

When the air fryer is cooled and the smoke has cleared out, you can finally check to see what caused your air fryer to start smoking.

Why Do Air Fryers Smoke so Much?

There are many possible reasons why your air fryer is smoking. Most often, it is due to the air fryer’s basket being dirty, greasy, and full of residue from previous cooking. 

But this may not be the case all the time.

Too Much Oil or Grease

With too much grease and oil, the heat will cause it to splatter onto the heating element. The direct high temperature causes the grease to burn and start smoking.

Fatty foods such as bacon and chicken thighs release oil during cooking. 

You can soak some of the fat midways through the cook using a paper towel. On the other hand, you can also cook these fatty foods in fewer quantities so that there is less oil produced inside the air fryer.

Burning Food Bits

The cause of smoke from an air fryer may also be from food burning inside. 

If the air fryer is not cleaned properly after every usage, the residue will build up inside the tiny holes of the basket and in the gateway from which the heat enters the main chamber. 

This leftover food keeps cooking and cooking till the point where it starts to burn and smoke.

Similarly, if you are cooking food with breadcrumbs, the breadcrumbs may be loosely applied. When the heat starts circulating throughout the basket, the loose breadcrumbs may circulate as well. 

These breadcrumbs may come between the opening of the heating element. With direct heat, these breadcrumbs may start burning and create lots of smoke. 

Sauce on Food

Same as too much oil, too much sauce on food also creates smoke in an air fryer.

When you apply sauces like barbeque sauce to chicken wings or whatnot too early and in excessive amounts, the sauce starts to drip on the bottom of the basket and burn.

It is best to apply your barbeque sauce to food midway through the cook when they are partially cooked.

How Do I Stop My Air Fryer From Smoking?

Once you have found the mistake you made while cooking with your air fryer, these steps below will ensure that your air fryer cooks delicious food with no smoke.

Keep Your Air Fryer Clean

After using your air fryer, let it cool and clean it as soon as possible.

Not only does it ensure that there is no risk of bacteria but it also ensures that there are no food crumbs or excess grease left that may burn and smoke the next time you use your air fryer.

Moreover, make sure you also clean the heating element’s opening. This guarantees that heat has no resistance entering the basket. Not doing so may cause your air fryer to use more energy to work properly.

Do Not Stuff the Basket

Overstuffing the basket does not allow the heat to circulate evenly throughout the air fryer. This causes some areas where the food gets constant heat and thus, they start to burn.

If you have a big family, you need to have a larger air fryer to cook in large batches. Air fryers with a small basket can only cook for one or two people at a time. 

Give Some Space to Your Air Fryer

No, this is not relationship advice! With any appliance, it is vital to give them some open space and not cram them with other appliances.

In a small kitchen with no windows, the slightest hint of smoke may overwhelm you. 

If you use your air fryer frequently throughout the day, the machine may smoke a little due to overheating. The food cooking inside will also produce some steam.

In a non-ventilated kitchen, this steam may seem like smoke so it is important to have good ventilation in your kitchen.

Is Your Air Fryer Still Smoking?

If you have followed every advice given above and your air fryer is still smoking, there may be other reasons why this issue keeps on occurring. Do remember to not use your air fryer until you have found the reason and possible solution for the smoke to ensure you remain safe and unharmed. 

Your air fryer may have some technical issues. If the smoke has a hint of blue or any color, then there are electrical issues within the air fryer. 

If you are still under warranty, have the air fryer checked by the company or if not, then a third-party repairer.

Go on to the internet and research your specific model of the air fryer. There may be issues with other people as well and they may have uploaded solutions on online forums. 

On the other hand, there may be nothing wrong with the air fryer, the problem of smoking may be coming from the food you are cooking. An air fryer cannot cook all kinds of food as it is not a substitute for an oven or a stovetop. 

Can Air Fryers Catch Fryers?

This depends on the issue behind the smoking and its duration. 

While burning food may not catch on fire, if there is too much oil inside the basket, the heat may cause a fire with the help of that oil.

In most cases, an appliance has a higher chance of catching fire when it has technical issues within the machine.

Can You Use Foil Inside Air Fryers?

Yes, foil can be used inside air fryers to keep the oils and sauces in one place and away from the bottom of the basket and the heating source.

However, do make sure that the foil does not circulate with the hot air and does not block the holes in the basket. The latter may disturb the heat circulation and result in uneven cooking. 

Wrap up

So, air fryers are great for cooking many things but not fatty foods and foods in large quantities (depending on the size of your air fryer). 

Too much oil and unclean baskets may cause your air fryers to smoke but it is not a big thing to fix. 

Smoking due to technical issues, on the other hand, should be dealt with as soon as possible. 

Does your air fryer smoke? Do tell us in the comments below!