Air Fryer Troubleshooting Tips
No matter the brand or how expensive an air fryer is, you are still bound to experience certain technical problems caused either by regular wear-and-tear or damages due to mishandling. You also cannot always foresee or prevent accidents in the kitchen, which can cause parts of the air fryer to malfunction.
Regardless of the cause, it is important for you to learn how to troubleshoot these technical issues if you own an air fryer—or even if you’re yet to purchase one. Here are the common problems encountered before, during, and after cooking with an air fryer:
Problem #1
The air fryer is not turning on despite being plugged into a power source, or it suddenly loses power in the middle of cooking.
The best way to address this issue is to eliminate one by one the probable causes until you have reached the most likely root of this problem.
In this particular case, check first if the air fryer would turn on if you plug it in to another electric socket. If you are using an extension cord for this, discontinue such practice because the machine has high power requirements that may be outside the capacity of your extension cord. It is also a fire hazard since the extension itself may overheat and burst into flames when it is used inappropriately.
There are some models that do not turn on unless the basket is placed properly. Remove the basket and then return it carefully. Pay close attention on how well the basket is fitted with the rest of air fryer.
If the air fryer still doesn’t turn on, inspect the power cord of the machine itself. Check if there are any deep and visible cuts or other types of damages to the wires by running through your gaze and fingers along the cord. When doing so, it is best to first unplug the air fryer to avoid being electrocuted.
If you have found signs of damage, then it might be the cause for this power issue. This is not likely to be covered by the machine’s warranty, unless the air fryer has just been purchased and never been used before. Otherwise, you would have to pay a capable technician to replace the damaged power cord of your air fryer.
In case that there is no damage, check if another equipment would work when it is plugged into the power sockets that you have tried earlier. If the other equipment works, then the problem lies with the air fryer itself. Bring it to the nearest service center, or call a technician to repair it for a fee. However, if the problem is with the socket, then ask an electrician to handle the problem with the wiring or fuse box instead.
Problem #2
A stream of white smoke is coming out of the top and sides of the air fryer.
Do not be alarmed yet since white smoke can mean either of these two things when it comes to air frying. First, that smoke might actually be steam from the food being cooked inside. If it smells similar to the food itself or how you expect the food to smell like when it is cooked, then there is nothing to worry about.
The other possible cause for the white smoke is an electrical problem. Check if the smoke smells like burning plastic or rubber. That is a bad sign, and you should take immediate action. Unplug the air fryer, and call an electrician as soon as possible.
Problem #3
The air fryer is emitting black smoke in the middle of cooking.
Black smoke typically originates from the accumulated grease inside the air fryer. When you cook foods that contain high levels of fat without proper preparation, the fats would liquefy under high temperatures and would then drip down the bottom of the air fryer basket. As the process of cooking continues, the grease would start to burn, emitting foul odors and black smoke.
To prevent the occurrence of black smoke whenever you fry fatty food, you can simply add a cup of water in the bottom part of the basket. By doing this, the melted fat would drip down into the water instead of directly on the basket. The grease would not burn while you are cooking, and as an added bonus, the air fryer would be easier to clean afterwards.
Problem #4
A cloud of blue smoke suddenly forms around the air fryer.
You must act quickly when this happens because blue smoke indicates severe electrical problems in either your socket or the air fryer itself. Usually, the appearance of blue smoke would be immediately followed by fire, so you have to address this problem as quickly as possible.
The first thing to do is unplug the air fryer. If fire has already started, use a fire extinguisher designed for electrical fires to put out the flames. Cut off the power in the circuit breaker, if you have access to it.
Even if there is no visible damage to the air fryer, do not use it until it has been checked by technicians or you have brought it to the service center. You might be advised to change some parts of the air fryer, or to buy a new one instead. Either way, you must have it checked before using it again since neglecting to do so would result to another electrical issue inside the kitchen.
Remember, using the air fryer without reading the instructions and reminders would definitely lead to technical difficulties later on. Failing to do so could not only cause you unnecessary expenses, but it could also be a threat to your safety and those around you.
Learning how to handle minor problems on your own can save you from having to pay technicians in order to get the air fryer back into its optimal condition. However, if you have done everything to address the issues of your air fryer, but the problem still persists, then it is advisable for you to consult experts at this point. Air fryers are complex machines, so do not attempt to troubleshoot major mechanical issues with what knowledge you have about similar equipment.
If the warranty period for your air fryer is still in effect, do not hesitate to refer your problem to the service center. The manufacturers and distributors have the obligation to sustain customer satisfaction, especially after the equipment has already been purchased. If the warranty period is over, then you may opt to take the fryer to an authorized service center instead. Do not rely on cheap repair shops since your air fryer might end up being damaged even further.
Save yourself from stress and additional expenses by letting trained experts handle the issues of your air fryer.
