Why Does My Air Fryer Smell? Causes and Fixes

Last updated: 2026-07-16

A brand-new air fryer often gives off a mild plastic smell the first few times you use it, which is completely normal and clears up within days. The more common complaint with regular use later on is a burning smell or light smoke, and the cause is almost always grease that’s built up without regular cleaning. The fix for both is straightforward: good ventilation on first use, and regular cleaning of the basket and heating element afterward.

The quick answer

A new air fryer’s first-use smell comes from manufacturing materials burning off slightly on first heat-up, and it usually clears within the first three to five empty runs with the kitchen ventilated. A later burning smell after weeks of use is caused by grease built up on the heating element or in the corners of the drawer, and it clears with regular cleaning of the basket and heating element. In the rare case of a sharp electrical smell or unusually heavy smoke, stop using it and check the warranty.

Key points

• New electrical appliances give off a mild smell on first heat-up as manufacturing and insulation residue burns off, a well-known effect sometimes called off-gassing (background on this effect from US EPA).
• An air fryer is a convection appliance that circulates hot air around food, so oil and fat spray settle on the heating element and basket wall with every use (air fryer definition from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension).
• A later burning or smoky smell is caused by grease buildup that carbonizes on heating, not a fault in the appliance itself.
• Regular cleaning after every use prevents the smell in the first place, so the real fix is preventive, not a cure after the fact.
• A sharp electrical smell or unusually heavy smoke is a rare exception that calls for unplugging the unit right away and checking the manufacturer’s manual or warranty.

First-use smell: normal and temporary

Most new electrical appliances, from air fryers to ovens, give off a mild plastic or metallic smell on first heat-up, because manufacturing and thermal insulation residue burns off partially during the first uses. This smell typically clears within the first three to five empty runs at medium heat, with a kitchen window open or the extractor fan running to speed up ventilation. There’s no need to worry about this smell as long as it’s mild, temporary, and not paired with heavy smoke or a sharp electrical odor.

The later burning smell: grease buildup is the real cause

After weeks of use, a burning smell or light smoke during cooking is usually caused by grease and oil spray that’s settled on the heating element or in the corners of the drawer and hasn’t been cleaned off. An air fryer rapidly circulates hot air around food, so oil spray keeps flying up throughout every use, and if that residue is left alone, it carbonizes the next time the unit heats up, producing smell and smoke that get worse the more it builds up.

Steps to get rid of the smell

1. Unplug the unit and let it cool fully before cleaning anything.
2. Wash the basket and drawer with warm water and regular dish soap using a soft sponge, paying attention to the corners of the drawer.
3. Wipe the heating element with a damp, well-wrung cloth once it’s fully cooled, to remove any built-up oil spray.
4. Try the lemon or vinegar trick for stubborn odors: place half a lemon or two tablespoons of diluted white vinegar with a little water in the basket, run the air fryer empty on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, then leave it open to air out.
5. Do a deeper weekly clean if you use the air fryer daily, to stop grease from building up in the first place.

When the smell is a real warning sign

In the rare case where the air fryer gives off a sharp electrical smell or unusually heavy smoke despite being cleaned properly, stop using it immediately and unplug it, since this can point to a fault in the heating element rather than simple grease buildup. Check the manufacturer’s manual and warranty before using it again.

Cutting grease buildup between cleanings

Regular washing after every use is the main fix, but some people prefer to reduce how much grease settles in the basket in the first place between wash cycles. Perforated air fryer liners sit directly under the food, catching most of the oil spray and crumbs before they reach the bottom of the basket or splash onto the heating element, which cuts down how often a deep clean is needed rather than replacing washing altogether. It’s an optional practical add-on, not a substitute for washing after every use.

If you’re still shopping for an air fryer, a model like the Philips Airfryer 2000 Series 4.2L (≈ 299 AED) with parts that come apart easily makes reaching every corner at cleaning time faster, and it’s the top pick in our guide to the best air fryer in the UAE.

Bottom line

A new air fryer’s first-use smell is normal and temporary, and a later burning smell is caused by grease buildup that’s fixed with regular cleaning of the basket and heating element. A sharp electrical smell or unusually heavy smoke is the rare exception that calls for stopping and checking the unit. For a detailed step-by-step cleaning routine, see how to clean an air fryer. To choose an easy-to-maintain model from the start, see our guide on how to choose an air fryer, or browse the full air fryers section.

Sources

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, “How air fryers work”,” definition of the air fryer and its moving hot-air principle: https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/food-safety-tips-electric-air-fryers/
• US EPA, “Volatile organic compounds”,” background on the temporary smell new appliances give off on first heat-up: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs

📊 This analysis is based on buyer reviews from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension (How air fryers work), US EPA (Volatile organic compounds).

Written by Mohab Mohamed Hussein

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