Air fryers have rapidly become an increasingly popular kitchen gadget that can make crispy, delicious meals, such as an air fryer chips recipe, with much less oil.
But, just like any other appliance, sometimes air fryers can develop a problem that can leave many people thinking, “What did I do wrong?” Whether your food isn’t turning out right or the appliance is malfunctioning, it is good to know how to fix common air fryer problems.
In this post, we explore the common problems of air fryers- 8 of them show you how to fix them so you can get back to enjoying hassle-free cooking.
Air Fryer Isn’t Heating
If your air fryer isn’t heating, it could be for several reasons. For the heating element or electrical problems with the appliance.
How to Solve It
- First, make sure the air fryer is plugged in and turned on.
- Next, check the power cord to see if you can find any visible damage.
- Then, check the heating element to ensure nothing is blocking it and no dirt buildup has occurred inside.
If none of these troubleshooting suggestions seem out of the ordinary and the air fryer will simply just not heat up, refer to your user manual for more specific troubleshooting or contact customer service.
The Food isn’t Crispy Enough
One of the main reasons people like using an air fryer is because of the crispiness it can achieve. If, for instance, your air fryer chips aren’t crunchy enough, it may be due to overcrowding or too little oil.
How to Fix It:
- Do not overload the basket.
When there is too much food packed in the air fryer, the hot air does not get a chance to circulate well and cook foods unevenly. Lightly coat the food with oil prior to cooking. While air fryers require less oil, using a small amount can help attain that crispy texture.
White Smoke Coming from the Air Fryer
If you see white smoke coming out of your air fryer, this is most likely excess grease or oil emanating from it. Actually, this is much more expected when it comes to cooking fatty foods, like bacon or sausages.
How to Solve It:
- Now and then, take out the basket and tray and wash them well to remove the greasy buildup. If you are cooking oily food, always place a small quantity of water in the bottom of the tray when using the air fryer to catch grease so that it won’t burn. Always empty the drip tray when used so excess grease will not smoke.
Air Fryer Stopped Working While Cooking
If the air fryer stops or turns itself off while cooking, this may be a sign of overheating or a fault in the power connection.
How to Fix It:
- Check your power cord to see if it is correctly plugged in. Let your air fryer cool down once overheated it.
- In some air fryers, it automatically goes off when overheated.
If this continues, this might be an internal problem, therefore you may take further assistance from the manufacturer.
Bad Smell from the Air Fryer while Cooking
If your air fryer always has some sort of smell while you cook with it, these could be reasons for food particles or grease build-up inside the appliance.
How to Fix It:
- Clean the basket tray and interior of the air fryer after every use.
- Pay attention to the heating element underneath.
- Try not to use very strongly smelling oils or foods if you find the smell lingers on.
Quick Tip:
- Cleaning the interior of the air fryer can be done with a simple mixture of vinegar and water to remove residual odors.
Food unevenly cooked – food that is coming out unevenly cooked is often the signal of overcrowding or not turning the food while cooking.
How to Fix It:
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- If needed, cook in batches to ensure proper air circulation.
For instance, if you are cooking fries or chicken wings, halfway through the cooking process, you will want to make sure they are evenly cooked on all sides by shaking the basket.
Looking for more tips to help you perfect your cooking with this air fryer? Check out the Best Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners UK [TOP 7 Reviewed] on Amazon for easy recipes that guarantee delicious results every time!
Food Buildup on the Edges or Misaligned
The air fryer basket may not slide in easily because there was food built up on the edges of the basket, or it was misaligned.
How to Solve It:
- Make sure that the basket aligns with the grooves first before sliding the basket in.
- Cleaning the compartment and basket will guarantee assumptions of blockage by food particles or grease.
For resolving Food Buildup on the Edges or Misaligned air fryer baskets, ensuring cleanliness and smooth operation is key.
Recommended Amazon Products:
- OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set – This brush set is ideal for getting into tight spaces and cleaning the edges of the air fryer basket and compartment, removing food buildup and grease.
- Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish – If your air fryer has a stainless steel exterior, this cleaner will help keep the surface free from grease and food residue, ensuring smooth sliding of the basket.
Using these products will help maintain your air fryer and keep it running smoothly.
Air Fryer Making Loud Noises
If your air fryer suddenly starts making loud noises, it may be because of the fan inside of it. With time, food particles can get stuck inside it and cause strange noises.
How to Fix It:
- Unplug the air fryer and inspect the fan for any blockage or bits of food.
- If the fan is clean, without something to relieve the noise, you will have to connect with their customer care service.
Digital Display Isn’t Working
If your air fryer is not showing anything on its digital display, then it might be because of either a power problem or an internal fault.
How to Fix It:
- First, make sure it is plugged into a very good working mains outlet.
- If this does not turn the display on, either follow the troubleshooting guidelines in your user manual or contact the manufacturer for support.
- Things that may require too much time and won’t be well cooked: when your air fryer is taking more time than usual to cook something, this means either you haven’t preheated it or the basket is too crowded.
Follow the solution below:
- Always allow your air fryer to heat up in advance for 3-5 minutes before cooking food. Some air fryers have a preheat setting, while others have to be preheated manually.
- Also, avoid overstuffing the basket full, as this may cause an overlap effect when cooking your food.
- If you cook in bulk or in batches, then this is the way to go and does not have you experience delays in the cooking.
Conclusion
Air fryers are brilliant appliances, but like any other kitchen appliance, they sometimes develop problems. Being informed on how to troubleshoot these frequent issues will save you time and frustration running from undercooked food to overheating problems.
Just follow these easy solutions, and your air fryer shall be back in perfect working condition for you to enjoy delicious crispy meals once more, just like your favorite air fryer chips recipe.
Discover the Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners and enjoy a variety of mouthwatering, easy-to-make recipes that fit perfectly into your healthy lifestyle! Plus, don’t forget to check out our recently published articles for more tips, reviews, and air fryer inspiration.
