Is It Normal For Smoke To Come Out Of The Air Fryer? Discover Now!
Is it normal for smoke to come out of the air fryer? Air fryer smoking? Learn why this happens and what to do to make the air fryer not smoke!
Are you preparing something in the fryer, and suddenly you notice that smoke is coming out? Is this normal or is the fryer faulty? Calm down, not always where there’s smoke there’s fire.
Is It Normal For Smoke To Come Out Of The Air Fryer?
The smoke that comes out of the fryer has more to do with how we use it than with a technical defect. It is more common (but not the rule) for smoke to come out of the fryer when preparing foods with a high fat content.
Chicken with skin, sausages, hamburgers, pork rinds, steaks, fatty meats are examples of foods that can be smoked. In these cases, yes, it is normal for smoke to come out.
When Is It Not Normal For The Air Fryer To Release Smoke?
- When the smoke smells like burning
- When the smoke smells like plastic or burning rubber
- When the amount of smoke is intense
- When the smoke has a color other than white
- When smoke happens in all preparations, even if it’s not with a greasy food
Why Does The Airfryer Release Smoke?
In the case of foods with a high fat content, as it is fried, the fat will slowly melt and drain into the lower compartment.
The high temperature causes the oil to boil, burn and evaporate in the form of white smoke. Don’t be alarmed, this is normal.
However, this will not necessarily happen with all fryers. This also happens when we prepare stuffed foods and the stuffing leaks out.
Why Do Some Brands Smoke And Others Don't?
I’ve seen reports in Facebook groups of users who say that their air fryers don’t release smoke, even when they are prepared with greasy food. Possibly the power of the device could be a cause.
Fryers with higher power heat up more than those with lower power. A common factor that happens is that the air fryer releases steam during preparation, and this is normal.
How To Tell When It's Vapor Or Smoke?
Steam comes out in smaller amounts, with a lighter color, not so white. It is usually odorless, or may have a slight odor of prepared food.
The smoke is denser, whiter, and comes out in greater quantity. It doesn’t necessarily have a burnt smell. In my air fryer, which is a Philips Walita, it is common for a lot of smoke to come out when I prepare chicken drumsticks, wings, hamburgers and sausages.
My Air Fryer Is Smoking, What Can I Do?
- If your air fryer is releasing a lot of smoke, turn it off and unplug it
- Open the basket for the smoke to come out faster
- Check what is causing the problem
- If it is excess oil, drain it and pass a paper towel to remove excess fat
- If you notice something wrong, do not use it anymore, contact the brand’s Call Center and report the incident
What To Do To Make The Air Fryer Not Smoke?
When the smoke is due to excess oil, you can put 2 fingers of water in the bottom, so the fat drips into the water and does not smoke. You can also put parchment paper or aluminum foil in place of the water.
PUTTING WATER IN THE TANK WILL NOT BURN YOUR FRYER
Other Reasons Air Fryer Makes Smoke
1- Foods Prepared With Yeast
It can happen to release smoke in the preparation of cakes and breads. In these cases, where yeast goes in the recipe, the food can grow too much and part of it touches the resistance.
It gets stuck and ends up burning, generating smoke. This has happened several times to me.
Solution: Do not fill the mold with too much dough, only fill it halfway. In the case of breads, make a more “stretched” shape.
2- Food Splash
Sauce-based foods can splash on the heating element during preparation. It’s the same case with bread and cakes.
These particles burn and can generate smoke. But only if the amount of splashed sauce is too large, otherwise no.
Solution: Cover the container with appropriate lids or paper, such as butter or aluminum foil. Don’t forget to secure the paper.
3- Small Food Particles That Loose During Preparation
This can happen with very dry breading, flours and dry seasonings.
As the air that circulates is strong, it can happen to release small particles of this coating. They circulate through the fryer and touch the resistance. But, as in the previous case, it would need a large amount of particles to be able to burn and generate smoke.
Solution: Add olive oil to the flour to coat or rub the bread with olive oil before placing it in the air fryer. In the case of dry seasonings (such as oregano) add them after a period of preparation, when the food has already released a little oil or water. This way, the seasoning sticks to the food and doesn’t come off as easily.
4- Food Stuffed Or Topped With Cheese
It is common for stuffed foods covered with cheese to leak during cooking. The stuffing leaks to the bottom of the fryer and starts to burn, creating smoke.
Solution: Put 2 fingers of water in the bottom, so that the stuffing falls into the water. You can also use aluminum foil or parchment paper in place of the water.
5- Dirty Air Fryer
As we use the deep fryer, grease spatter and food residues settle on the walls and resistance. Accumulation of this fat can overheat (when used for a long time and high temperature) during cooking and release white smoke.
Solution: Keep your air fryer clean, passing a damp cloth through the resistance to remove any spilled fat or possible food residues that have deposited there, whenever you finish using it.
6- Use Of Papers In The Air Fryer
Another situation is with the use of parchment paper. If it is not well secured, or if there is excess, part of it touches the resistance and burns.
Solution: Use the correct basket size paper. If using to cover containers, secure with string, for example.
7- Location Of Use
The place where you will use the fryer is very important. Details can make a lot of difference. Placing it in tight, poorly ventilated places, very close to other appliances and close to flammable products can cause a big problem. The air fryer heats up a lot during preparation, and this heat radiates to everything around it.
Solution: Do not place the fryer in a very tight place, against a wall, electrical outlets and other utensils. Leave a free space of at least 10 cm at the back, sides and top.
The place where the fryer will be used must be flat (properly leveled), stable, dry (no moisture), clean and heat-resistant. Never place any objects or adornments such as covers and cloths on top of the deep fryer during the preparation time.
Do not place the fryer on or near flammable materials, such as a tablecloth or curtain. Do not use the fryer in places with high temperatures or very close to, or over, heat sources such as stoves, burners and ovens. Never block the steam vent while the fryer is in operation.
8- Electrical Network
Check that the electrical voltage (voltage) of the fryer is compatible with the electrical network where it will be used. I’ve had the opportunity to buy an oven online, and they send me the wrong voltage, I didn’t check it. It worked, though, it roasted the food so quickly it burned and it smoked the entire kitchen. I realized it wasn’t normal and took it to assistance. The oven was not faulty, it was just plugged into the wrong outlet.
Solution: Always check that the fryer voltage is compatible with the electrical voltage in the place of use, before turning it on.
Check that the electrical voltage (voltage) of the fryer is compatible with the electrical network where it will be used. I’ve had the opportunity to buy an oven online, and they send me the wrong voltage, I didn’t check it. It worked, though, it roasted the food so quickly it burned and it smoked the entire kitchen. I realized it wasn’t normal and took it to assistance. The oven was not faulty, it was just plugged into the wrong outlet.
Solution: Always check that the fryer voltage is compatible with the electrical voltage in the place of use, before turning it on.
9- Air Fryer Quality
As the air fryer became a very popular appliance, it became accessible to all social classes. It’s no surprise to anyone that we have many brands that produce inferior quality products. In the case of the fryer, it heats up a lot and if its housing is too fragile, it will melt. I’ve seen many reports of people who complain that the first time they use it, they feel a plastic/burnt rubber odor that is even transferred to the food.
“My first experience, I followed the product manual and fried my first potato sticks to test, but I noticed a plastic/burnt rubber smell in the air, but I thought that would be normal as it is a new product and 1st use. The next day I did a test again and fried eggplants breaded, they turned out nice, but the smell of plastic/burnt rubber continued, and I realized that the smell passed into the food I ate, and I felt bad afterward. On the 3rd day I used the fryer to make chicken fillet, and I noticed that the smell was worse, it contaminated my house with that smell, it passed into the food, which I had to throw away. I smell the burning more than the product being prepared. The next day I woke up with a horrible taste in my throat, I’m allergic, that unbearable smell of burnt plastic affected my pharynx, I had that taste in my throat for three days.”
“After returning from…, I continued using the fryer to confirm that the burning smell would disappear, but it did not. Because there is still a burning smell, a smell that looks like burnt rubber or Teflon, something like that, and it continues to pass into the food, the environment is impregnated. My husband refuses to eat anything made in it, so I think I wasted R$494.00, a shame!”
Some companies claim that it is normal for this to happen because the product is new, but it is not, be aware.
Solution: When buying your deep fryer, look for buyers’ opinions and ratings on well-known websites. It’s also worth saving some money to buy a better quality one. It’s a great investment.
10- Loose Parts And Traces Of Packaging
It may happen that the fryer comes with parts, loose rubbers, that end up burning during use. Check that there are no plastic pieces and loose rubbers. I’ve also seen many people use their fryers with the labels still on.
Solution: When purchasing your fryer, remove all packaging, including the stickers attached to it. Before using the fryer for the first time, wipe the entire internal area with a damp cloth, including the heating element (resistance). Remove the basket, the bowl and wash with soap and water. Dry and fit in the deep fryer. Use your fryer normally. If it smells like smoke, rubber or burnt plastic, discontinue use immediately. Contact the company responsible for the product and report the incident.
11- Air Fryer With Factory Defect
“I bought the air fryer and on the first day of use when I turned it on to heat up, after 3 minutes a very strong smell of burnt/melted plastic started. When turning off the air fryer, smoke began to come out of the top for several more minutes and the smell got stronger even after it was turned off. Very frustrating that the product already comes with a factory defect.”
Solution: Contact the fryer brand’s Consumer Center and report the problem. If possible, send pictures.
Important Safety Instructions
- First, check all items in the fryer to make sure there are no damaged items. If so, ask for the fryer to be replaced immediately.
- Place the fryer on flat, firm, clean and dry surfaces.
- Keep the fryer away from hot surfaces, ovens, stoves, embers or fire.
- Do not plug in the fryer or operate the control panel with wet hands.
- Do not use the deep fryer near faucets, showers, swimming pools or in open areas.
- Be careful not to spill water or other liquids on the deep fryer, as this could cause malfunctions or electric shocks.
- To guard against electrical shock and other accidents, do not immerse the fryer, plug or cord, wholly or partially, in water or other liquids.
- Never leave the power cord where a person could trip over it.
- Never let the electrical cord touch hot surfaces.
- Never turn off the fryer by pulling the electrical cord. Firmly grasp the plug, then pull to disconnect.
- Do not use appliances with any type of damage to the electrical cord, plug or other components.
- Do not plug the fryer into multiple sockets or overloaded extension cords, as overloading can damage the product and cause accidents.
- Do not use adapters.
- During use, keep the fryer away from curtains, clothing, towels or other flammable materials.
- When the fryer is not being used, even for a brief moment, unplug it from the socket.
- Do not cover the air inlet and outlet openings while the fryer is in operation, this could cause fire and damage to the product and users.
- Never put oil in the tray, this could cause a fire.
- Keep your air fryer always clean.
