How To Use Samsung Air Fryer | First Use Steps

Samsung air fryers take the guesswork out of crisp food at home, but the first few uses can feel a little confusing. There are buttons, icons, presets, and different models, and you want that first batch of fries or wings to come out golden instead of soggy.

Whether your Samsung has a built-in Air Fry mode in the oven or a countertop basket design, the basics stay the same: choose a safe spot, prep the food, select time and temperature, and let hot air move around the food. Once you understand those basics, you can adapt almost any oven recipe.

This article walks you through setup, controls, step-by-step cooking, cleaning, and common mistakes so you can use your air fryer with confidence from day one.

How To Use Samsung Air Fryer For The First Time

Before you cook anything, treat the first session as a setup run. A few minutes here helps your Samsung air fryer last longer and cook more evenly. It also clears factory oils that can cause smells during the first use.

Unbox And Check The Accessories

Start by removing all plastic, tape, and cardboard from inside and outside the unit. Look for the parts that came in the box: basket or Air Fry tray, drip pan, crumb tray, racks, and any crisper plates or grill inserts. Make sure nothing is cracked or bent.

Find the model number on the label near the door frame or the back of the unit. Use that number to download the correct manual if you do not have the paper copy; this matters because control panels differ across Samsung ranges and air fryer models.

Wash And Dry The Basket And Tray

Next, remove the basket, tray, and any removable racks. Wash them in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge. Rinse well and dry fully so water does not pool in corners. Many Samsung baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe, but the manual always has the final word on what can go in the dishwasher.

A clean start keeps nonstick coatings in better shape and removes factory dust or light oil that can smoke during the first run.

Place The Air Fryer Safely

Set your air fryer on a flat, heat-safe surface with plenty of open space around it. Leave several inches behind and above the unit so hot air can move freely. Keep it away from curtains, stacked mail, wooden boards, or anything that can scorch.

Do not place the air fryer on a stovetop, even when the burners are off. An accidental bump of a knob can damage the appliance or cause a fire. A dedicated corner of the counter with a heat-resistant mat works well.

Do A Short Empty Test Run

Many manuals suggest running the air fryer empty the first time. Set Air Fry mode or a similar setting to a medium temperature, such as 375°F (190°C), and let it run for 10–15 minutes. You might notice a light smell the first time; this usually fades after a short break-in period.

Once the test run finishes, let the unit cool, then wipe the inside with a soft cloth. You are now ready to cook, and you already have a sense of fan noise and airflow.

Samsung Air Fryer Controls Cheat Sheet

Control Label	What It Does	Tips For Use
Power	Turns the air fryer on or off.	Tap once to wake the panel; hold if a long press is required to shut down.
Temp / Temperature	Sets the cooking temperature.	Most frozen foods sit between 350–400°F; check the package and your manual.
Time / Cook Time	Controls how long the unit runs.	Start with the lower end of a recipe range; you can always add minutes at the end.
Air Fry / Mode	Switches cooking mode to Air Fry.	On ranges, select Air Fry mode and use the supplied Air Fry tray for best airflow.
Preheat	Brings the unit up to temperature before cooking.	Some Samsung models auto-preheat; others need manual preheat for thicker foods.
Start / Pause	Begins or pauses the cooking cycle.	Use pause to pull the basket and shake or flip food safely.
Light / Interior Lamp	Turns the cavity light on or off.	Use the light instead of opening the door to check browning.
Smart Dial / Knob	Scrolls through modes, temperature, and time.	Rotate to change settings and press to confirm, as described in your manual.

If you learn how to use samsung air fryer controls with this simple chart in mind, every new recipe becomes easier to handle. The exact icons may differ, but the core idea stays the same: mode, temperature, time, then start.

Samsung Air Fryer Safety And Placement

A Samsung air fryer moves very hot air at high speed, so safe placement matters just as much as recipe choice. Good airflow prevents overheating and helps food cook evenly from batch to batch.

Leave Room For Airflow

Keep at least 5–6 inches of open space behind, above, and on both sides of the unit. If you tuck the fryer under low cabinets, steam and heat can rise straight into the wood and cause damage over time.

Make sure the vents at the back and sides are not blocked by walls, cutting boards, or stackable storage containers. Blocked vents trap heat inside the appliance and can slow cooking.

Choose The Right Surface

Place the air fryer on a solid, heat-safe surface that does not flex. Quartz, granite, and tile counters handle air fryer heat well. If you have laminate or wood, a silicone or metal mat under the unit gives extra protection against warmth and grease splatter.

Avoid placing the air fryer near a sink, where splashes of water can hit hot metal, or next to other heat sources like toasters or slow cookers that run at the same time.

Handle Cords And Outlets With Care

Plug the air fryer directly into a wall outlet, not into a small extension cord or multi-plug strip. These can overheat with the wattage an air fryer draws. Keep the cord where you will not trip over it or catch it with a pan handle.

When you finish cooking, turn the unit off, unplug it, and let it cool before you slide it back against the wall or move it to a storage shelf.

Using A Samsung Air Fryer Step By Step

If you like checklists, here is a compact rundown of how to use samsung air fryer settings for a basic batch of food. You can adjust times, temperatures, and steps once you know how your model behaves.

Step 1: Prep The Food

Pat food dry with paper towels so moisture does not steam and soften the crust. Toss vegetables or protein in a light coat of oil and seasoning. You do not need much oil; a teaspoon or two for a basket of vegetables is often enough.

Skip conventional aerosol cooking sprays on the nonstick basket, since they can leave a sticky layer over time. Instead, use a brush, pump sprayer, or your hands to add a thin coat of high-smoke-point oil.

Step 2: Preheat If Needed

Some Samsung air fryers and ranges preheat automatically in Air Fry mode, while others start cooking right away. Preheating gives more even browning, especially for breaded foods and fresh vegetables.

Check your manual and, if you have an oven model, review the Samsung Air Fry mode help page for the temperature range and rack position that match your food. If a recipe calls for preheating, set the temperature and let the unit run empty for 3–5 minutes.

Step 3: Load The Basket Or Tray

Arrange food in a single layer with a little space between pieces. Crowding blocks airflow and leaves pale spots. thin fries or small nuggets can sit close; thicker pieces like chicken thighs need more space.

On a range with an Air Fry tray, place a rimmed sheet pan one level below the tray to catch drips and reduce smoke. On a basket-style unit, insert the crisper plate if the design uses one, then add food.

Step 4: Set Time And Temperature

Use the recipe on the package as a starting point. Many frozen foods give oven times; drop those temperatures by about 25°F when using Air Fry mode, then shorten the time slightly and check early. Over time you will build your own go-to settings.

For fresh foods, think about thickness. Thin items like green beans or sliced potatoes cook fast at higher heat, while thicker items like bone-in chicken need moderate heat and more time so the inside cooks through before the crust darkens.

Step 5: Shake Or Flip Midway

Halfway through the cook time, pause the air fryer, remove the basket or open the oven door, and shake or flip the food. This single habit raises crispness and helps every piece cook at the same pace.

Slide the basket back in and resume cooking. If the unit has a built-in reminder beep, keep that feature turned on so you do not forget this step while multitasking in the kitchen.

Step 6: Check Doneness Safely

When the timer ends, peek through the window or pull out the basket to check color. For meat and poultry, do not rely on color alone. Use a thermometer in the thickest part of the food and compare the reading to the FoodSafety.gov safe minimum internal temperature chart.

If the food is almost ready but needs a touch more color, add two to three minutes and check again. With practice you will learn the sweet spot for your favorite recipes.

Sample Cooking Times For Samsung Air Fryer Dishes

Every model runs a little differently, and the rack position or basket depth changes how food browns. Use this table as a rough starting point, then match it with the chart in your manual and your own notes.

Food	Temperature	Time Range*
Frozen French Fries	380–400°F (193–204°C)	12–18 minutes
Chicken Wings (Fresh)	380–400°F (193–204°C)	20–25 minutes
Chicken Thighs, Bone-In	360–380°F (182–193°C)	22–28 minutes
Salmon Fillets	370–390°F (188–199°C)	8–12 minutes
Broccoli Florets	360–380°F (182–193°C)	8–12 minutes
Breaded Shrimp (Frozen)	380–400°F (193–204°C)	8–10 minutes
Potato Wedges	380–400°F (193–204°C)	18–22 minutes
Reheated Pizza Slices	340–360°F (171–182°C)	4–6 minutes

*Times are estimates for a single, uncrowded layer in a preheated basket or tray. Larger batches and thicker cuts can need extra minutes, so watch the first run closely and adjust later batches.

Cleaning And Maintenance For Your Samsung Air Fryer

Quick cleaning after each use keeps flavors fresh and prevents smoke during later cooks. Grease that sits on the basket or tray can burn and create smells, so it pays to have a short end-of-session routine.

Clean After Each Cooking Session

Once the unit cools, unplug it and remove the basket, tray, and any inserts. Wash them in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge. For stuck-on bits, let parts soak for a few minutes, then loosen residue with a soft brush or nylon scrub pad.

Wipe the inside of the air fryer with a damp cloth or non-scratch sponge. Do not pour water into the base or spray cleaner directly onto the heating element. A light wipe is enough after normal use.

Deep Clean When You Notice Smoke Or Smells

If you see extra smoke or notice lingering smells, schedule a deeper cleaning session. Remove racks and trays, soak them longer, and carefully clean around the fan guard and corners where crumbs collect.

A paste of baking soda and water can help with stubborn spots on metal parts. Keep abrasive tools away from nonstick surfaces to avoid scratches that make sticking worse over time.

Protect The Nonstick Coating

Use silicone, wood, or plastic tongs and spatulas inside the basket. Metal forks and knives can chip the coating. When storing, stack parts gently so sharp edges do not scrape the basket or tray.

If the nonstick layer starts to peel or flake, retire that piece and contact Samsung for replacement parts that match your model. Cooking on heavily damaged coating is not a good idea.

Common Mistakes When Using A Samsung Air Fryer

Even experienced cooks fall into a few traps when they switch from a regular oven to an air fryer. Watch for these habits and adjust early so your results stay consistent.

Mistake 1: Crowding The Basket

Piling food on top of itself limits airflow and keeps steam trapped between pieces. The outside stays pale while the inside dries out. Spread food in a single layer, cook in batches, or use a rack insert when your model allows it.

Mistake 2: Skipping The Shake Or Flip

Leaving food in the same position from start to finish often leads to dark edges and pale centers. Shaking or flipping halfway through lets hot air reach every side of each piece for even browning.

Mistake 3: Using Too Much Oil

Air fryers do not need much oil, and a heavy pour can drip into the base and create smoke. Toss food in just enough oil to lightly coat the surface. For some frozen foods, added oil is not needed at all.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Food Safety

Some meals look done before the center reaches a safe temperature. Keep a thermometer near your air fryer and check thick cuts, poultry, and leftovers. Compare the reading to a trusted chart so every dish is both tasty and safe.

Mistake 5: Neglecting Cleaning

Skipping cleaning after a cook leaves grease on the basket and crumbs in the corners. The next time you run the air fryer, these bits can burn and create smoke or off flavors. A quick wash and wipe right after dinner saves time later.

Final Thoughts On Using A Samsung Air Fryer

Once you know how the controls, placement, and cooking steps connect, a Samsung air fryer becomes one of the most useful tools in your kitchen. You can go from frozen snacks to roasted vegetables to crispy chicken with little oil and simple settings.

As you keep using it, note your favorite time and temperature pairs in a notebook or on your phone. After a short learning curve, you will know how to use samsung air fryer features so well that weeknight dinners, quick lunches, and late-night snacks all feel easier and more consistent.