Why Does My Air Fryer Smell Like Plastic?
Reviewed by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · Updated
A new air fryer smelling of plastic or chemicals is normal for the first few uses - it is manufacturing residue burning off, not a fault. A persistent smell later on is almost always trapped grease. Here is how to clear both.
Quick answer
- 1For a new unit: wash the basket, then run it empty at 200°C / 400°F for 15-20 minutes in a ventilated room.
- 2Repeat the empty run once or twice if the smell lingers - it fades quickly.
- 3For an older unit that smells: deep-clean the basket, drawer and heating element.
- 4Wipe a cut lemon or a little vinegar around the basket to neutralise lingering odours.
New air fryers: burn-off is expected
Factory oils and coatings on a brand-new element give off a plastic or chemical smell the first time they get hot. Running the empty air fryer at high heat burns this residue off, and by the second or third cook it is gone.
It is worth doing before you cook anything, with a window open, so the smell does not end up in your first batch of food.
Older air fryers: it is grease, not plastic
Once a unit is broken in, a burning or acrid smell means fat has splattered onto the heating element and is scorching each time you cook. No amount of airing fixes it - the element itself has to be cleaned.
A quick wipe of the basket after each use and a proper clean of the element every week or two keeps this from ever starting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the plastic smell from a new air fryer dangerous?+
It is unpleasant rather than dangerous, and it burns off within the first few uses. Run the unit empty at high heat in a ventilated room before you cook.
How do I get rid of the smell in my air fryer?+
Deep-clean the basket, drawer and element, then wipe with a little vinegar or lemon. If it is a new unit, run it empty at 200°C / 400°F a couple of times.
Why does my air fryer smell of burning?+
On an older unit that is grease scorching on the heating element. Clean the element and the drawer, and pour off fat during high-fat cooks.