In spite of the fact that air fryers are coated with a protective coating, there are a number of reasons why they might initially smell like plastic when you first get one. The coating on your air fryer is exposed to such high temperatures when you first use it that it burns and emits a plastic-like odor.

This coating is heated to high temperatures when the air fryer is first used. Consequently, the coating burns and emits a plastic-like odor.

We are here to assist in elucidating the causes of why fresh air fryers occasionally emit a plastic-like odor as well as the quickest and most effective methods for doing so.

Why Does My Air Fryer Smell Like Plastic?

Protective coating is standard on air fryers. This coating is heated to high temperatures during the first few uses of the air fryer. The coating starts to burn and emits a plastic-like odor as a result. After a few uses, this coating typically completely burns off and stops smelling.

But don’t worry, cooking won’t be necessary the first few times to get rid of the odor.

Before cooking food in an air fryer, many manufacturers advise running it at 400°F for 20 minutes on the empty cycle. By doing this, the plastic will burn off instead of melting onto the food you are cooking.

Having said that, the longer and stronger the smell will last the more plastic parts a fryer has.

The coating on the air fryer basket is still present in metal air fryers, but since there are fewer plastic components, the offensive smells aren’t as strong and will dissipate after the first 20 minutes of heating. (Read More: Can You Put Metal in an Air Fryer)

Because of this, not all air fryers are created equal, so it’s wise to look for one with more metal than plastic components. Since plastic fumes are so unpleasant, they should be avoided.

However, an air fryer can emit a disagreeable smell for a number of reasons in addition to that coating burning.

Here are some other possible reasons for a bad smell:

The Heating Element

Most air fryers have a heating element on the top of the appliance. Food debris may start to assemble in this area over time. As the hot air moves around, that may eventually release a burning odor.

Not Keeping It Clean

In a similar vein, if you don’t clean your air fryer after each use, it might start to smell when you use it.

Thankfully, the removable parts of most air fryers can usually be washed in the dishwasher. So I like to run my basket through a quick rinse and scrub if there are any baked-on food particles before putting it in the dishwasher after every use.

Then, after it has cooled, wipe down the entire interior and exterior each time using a wet sponge or damp cloth and possibly a small amount of dish soap.

How Do I Get the Smell Out of My Air Fryer?

Before using the air fryer for the first time, some air fryer brands advise us to adhere to these guidelines. Speeding up the process of getting rid of that obnoxious plastic smell is well worth the time it will take.

• Remove every single one of the new air fryer’s plastic coatings.
• The basket, rack, and pan are all washable and detachable. These items should soak for a few minutes in a sink filled with warm water and detergent. Use a soft sponge to wash after that.
• Before using the air fryer, completely dry everything off.
• With the temperature set to 350–400 degrees F and the air fryer empty for 40 minutes, take the clean air fryer basket and put it inside the appliance.
• After 15 minutes of cooling off, repeat steps 1-2 a further 2-3 times with the air fryer. The plastic odors should vanish after doing this. If there is access to an electrical outlet outside or in the garage, it is advised to perform this break-in procedure there.

Get a small oven-safe dish, add 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar and 1 tablespoon of lime juice, mix it, and put it in the air fryer basket if this doesn’t work to your satisfaction. Set the air fryer’s temperature to 350° to 400° F, run it for 3 minutes, and then let the dish cool inside for an additional 15 minutes.

The inside will be coated and any fumes absorbed by the lime and vinegar. After this steam bath, wash the basket once more, and wipe the inside of the air fryer with a damp towel to get rid of any plastic odors or residue.

Why I Can’t Remove the Plastic Smell Even After Using It Multiple Times?

Due to their tight turnaround times, manufacturers do not have time to repeatedly heat and cool plastic to get rid of its smell. Additionally, the break-in period for fans, heating elements, and other components is minimal. Before everything is in its proper place, bearings give off an unpleasant odor, and the heating element’s electric soldering also smells. As a result, the smell won’t go away right away.

How Long Does It Take for the Plastic Smell to Go Away Air Fryer?

After thoroughly washing all of the racks and trays that come with the air fryer, the smell usually disappears. Therefore, before using the air fryer for the first time, make sure to clean it. Rarely does completely eliminating the smell require multiple cooking attempts.

Conclusion

Overall, having an air fryer is very convenient because of its small size and extensive cooking capabilities. The best places to use an air fryer are studio apartments, dorm rooms, on the road in an RV, or while camping with access to electricity or in a vehicle with an inverter.

I sincerely hope that you all enjoyed and benefited from this article. There are countless air fryers available, as well as a variety of recipes, including those for perfectly crispy oil fries, homemade chicken wings, and many other foods.

Along with all these incredible features, there are some maintenance requirements, and if you manage your air fryer properly from the beginning, it will provide you with satisfaction for a considerable amount of time.

You do not want to be able to smell melted plastic coming from your kitchen. Your new Air Fryer, which you got as a birthday present, is the source of the smell.

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