How To Get Rid Of The New Smell In An Air Fryer | Tips

That strong plastic or chemical whiff when you unbox a new air fryer can kill the mood fast. You spend money on a shiny appliance, plug it in, and instead of crisp fries you get a harsh factory smell in your kitchen and on your food. The good news: in most cases you can clear that odor and enjoy crisp snacks without that new-appliance tang.

This guide walks through how to get rid of the new smell in an air fryer step by step, why the odor appears in the first place, and when it might point to a real fault instead of normal break-in. You will see a simple plan you can follow over a few cycles, plus long-term habits that stop smells from boomeranging back.

Why A Brand New Air Fryer Smells Odd At First

Most new air fryers contain a mix of metal, non-stick coatings, plastic shells, and rubber seals. During manufacturing, those parts can hold on to oils, dust, and tiny traces of solvents. Once you heat the appliance for the first time, those leftovers warm up and release a noticeable odor.

The parts that touch food must meet food contact rules in your region, such as EU food contact material rules. These rules limit how much material can move from the appliance into food and also mention taste and smell changes, so the odor you notice usually comes from harmless traces burning off rather than unsafe levels of chemicals.

Still, the smell can be strong enough to make you worry. This overview of common causes will help you match the odor to the right fix.

Cause	Typical Smell	First Fix To Try
Factory oils on metal parts	Oily, slightly chemical	Hot soapy wash, then empty high-heat cycle
Residue on non-stick coating	Warm plastic or rubber	Gentle wash, then short “burn-off” runs
Packing dust or bits of cardboard	Dusty, burnt paper	Remove all packing, wipe interior carefully
Heated plastic shell and handles	Sharp plastic scent	Run several empty cycles with good airflow
Protective coatings on heating element	Metallic, hot chemical note	Short high-temperature cycles with empty basket
Leftover dish soap in basket	Perfume or detergent	Rinse again with hot water, air-dry fully
Food crumbs stuck from first test cook	Burnt fat or smoke	Clean basket and drawer, scrape stuck bits gently

Once you know what you are dealing with, you can follow a clear break-in routine that tackles both residue and trapped odor at the same time.

How To Get Rid Of The New Smell In An Air Fryer Step By Step

This section gives you a practical routine for how to get rid of the new smell in an air fryer without harsh chemicals or risky tricks. Work through the steps in order. Many owners find that the odor fades a lot after one round and almost disappears after the second.

Step 1: Unpack Slowly And Check The Manual

Start by taking out every loose part: basket, drawer, crisper plate, racks, skewers, and any extras. Check inside the cooking chamber for hidden bits of foam, tape, or cardboard near the heating element. Even a small piece left behind can add a burnt smell during the first run.

Then read the quick-start section of the manual. Many brands include a short break-in routine, often a wash plus a high-heat run. Following that outline keeps you inside warranty rules and avoids tricks the maker warns against.

Step 2: Give All Removable Parts A Serious Wash

Fill your sink with hot water and a small squeeze of mild dish soap. Soak the basket, drawer, and any trays for a few minutes, then scrub with a soft sponge or dishcloth. Pay close attention to corners, perforated holes, and seams where oil can hide.

Rinse under running water until no suds remain, then dry with a clean towel or leave the parts on a rack to air-dry. Avoid steel wool or sharp scrubbers. These can scratch non-stick coatings and shorten the life of the appliance.

Step 3: Run One Or Two Empty Burn Off Cycles

Once the parts are dry, reassemble the fryer and plug it in on a heat-resistant surface with room around it for air to move. Set the temperature to the upper range the model allows, often around 200°C / 400°F, and set the timer for 10 to 20 minutes with an empty basket.

Brand guides such as the Philips air fryer plastic smell guidance advise a similar approach: clean first, then run the machine empty so gentle heat can burn off harmless residues from production and shipping.:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Keep a window open or turn on your range hood during this step. A faint smell is normal here. If smoke pours out, or if the smell grows sharper and stronger instead of easing off, stop the cycle and move to the troubleshooting section below.

Step 4: Use Simple Kitchen Deodorizers

If the new smell lingers after a wash and one or two empty runs, mild deodorizers can help trap and neutralize it. You do not need specialty cleaners; pantry staples usually do the job.

Vinegar Steam Bath

Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in an oven-safe ramekin or small metal dish. Place it in the basket, slide the basket into the fryer, and run at a low to medium heat for about 5 to 10 minutes. The warm vinegar steam reaches corners that a cloth cannot reach and helps cut plastic or chemical notes.

After the cycle finishes, let the fryer cool, then wipe the interior with a damp cloth. Leave the basket pulled out so the chamber can air out fully.

Lemon And Baking Soda Tactics

Another approach uses lemon slices. Rub the cut side of a lemon over the basket and drawer, let the juice sit for 5 minutes, then rinse and dry. Lemon oil has a strong fresh scent that often covers weaker factory odor while you complete more break-in cycles.

For stubborn smells that cling to the basket, make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Spread the paste over the metal mesh or perforated plate, wait 15 minutes, then scrub gently and rinse. Baking soda helps absorb and neutralize lingering scents without harsh chemicals.

Step 5: Air The Fryer Out Between Cycles

Odor sits not only on parts you can see but also in the small volume of air trapped in the chamber. After each burn-off or deodorizing run, leave the basket open for at least 30 minutes. If space allows, place the unplugged fryer near a window or in a well-ventilated spot so the smell can fade faster.

This simple habit, combined with washing and burn-off cycles, often clears the new smell within one or two days of gentle use.

Getting Rid Of New Air Fryer Smell Safely At Home

Some owners feel tempted to spray oven cleaner inside the fryer or scrub every surface with strong chemicals. That approach can damage coatings and leave new odors that are even harder to remove. The goal is a clear plan that respects both safety rules and the way your appliance was built.

Food contact regulations on both sides of the Atlantic, such as FDA consumer guidance on food packaging and contact materials, aim to keep material transfer into food within safe limits.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} That includes substances that could affect taste or smell. When you use mild cleaners and follow the manual, you stay close to the way the appliance was tested.

This is a good moment to repeat your main routine for how to get rid of the new smell in an air fryer: wash, burn-off, deodorize, and air out. Each step is gentle on coatings and wiring while still tough on odor. If you repeat that cycle over your first few cooking sessions, you usually reach a point where the smell is faint or gone and food tastes as it should.

Safe Cleaners To Use (And To Skip)

Stick with simple dish soap, warm water, white vinegar, lemon, and baking soda for everyday odor work. These staples clean grease and residue without strong fumes. A soft sponge or brush keeps coatings intact.

Avoid aerosol oven cleaners, bleach sprays, and anything with strong perfume inside the cooking chamber. If a product label says not to use it on non-stick cookware, keep it away from your basket and drawer. When in doubt, pick the gentler option and repeat a safe method instead of reaching for harsher chemicals.

When New Air Fryer Smell Might Signal A Problem

Most new air fryers stop smelling “factory fresh” after a small number of cycles. If the scent grows stronger, or comes with smoke or visible damage, treat that as a warning sign rather than normal break-in.

The table below lays out a simple timeline. It helps you decide when to keep breaking the fryer in and when to contact the seller or maker.

Stage	What You Notice	Next Action
First 1–3 empty cycles	Light plastic or chemical smell, no smoke	Repeat wash and burn-off, use vinegar or lemon
After 3–5 cycles	Smell fading, food tastes normal	Start normal cooking, keep cleaning routine
After 5+ cycles	Strong plastic odor still present	Check for hidden packing, clean again slowly
Any time	Smoke, melting plastic, or sizzling near cord	Unplug at once, contact customer service
Any time	Headache or throat irritation from smell	Stop using, air out room, request inspection or refund

Red Flags You Should Not Ignore

Stop using the fryer and unplug it if you see scorch marks around the plug or cord, melted plastic near vents, or hear popping and crackling sounds that do not match normal fan noise. Those signs point to electrical or wiring trouble, not just leftover factory oils.

You should also pause if brand-new food cooked at normal temperatures comes out tasting strongly of plastic even after several careful cleanings. At that point, treating the problem as a defect with this particular unit makes more sense than forcing more burn-off cycles.

When To Ask For A Replacement

If you followed the break-in steps, repeated them, and still cannot stand the odor, gather your receipts and notes. Many retailers accept returns within a set window even for small appliances. A short description of what you tried, plus photos of the interior, often speeds up the process.

For a unit that is just outside the return window, reach out to the brand’s customer service channel. Explain that you followed the manual, washed and ran empty cycles, and still get a strong smell. In some cases, the company may offer a repair, replacement, or extra guidance specific to your model.

Keeping Odors Away During Everyday Cooking

Once the new smell is gone, a few daily habits help keep your air fryer fresh. These habits also cut grease build-up, which means crisper food and fewer smoke alarms.

Clean A Little After Each Use

Let the fryer cool slightly, then remove the basket and drawer while they are still warm. Wipe away loose crumbs and grease with a paper towel, then wash the parts with warm soapy water. A short clean after each meal prevents layers of burnt oil that cause new smells of their own.

Check the heating element now and then with the fryer unplugged and fully cool. If you see crumbs or splatters stuck on it, gently brush them away with a soft brush or cloth so they do not burn during the next session.

Avoid Strong Odor Transfers

Air fryers hang on to strong smells from foods like fish, bacon, or heavily spiced wings. If you plan to cook sweets afterward, run a quick lemon or vinegar cycle between dishes. That small step cuts flavor transfer and keeps desserts from picking up a savory aftertaste.

Use parchment liners that your manual approves when cooking sticky or very fatty foods. Liners catch drips and crumbs, which means fewer burnt bits glued to the basket later.

Quick Reference: New Air Fryer Smell Dos And Don’ts

Need a fast reminder next time you unbox an appliance? This short list covers the habits that help and the ones that tend to backfire.

Smell-Friendly Habits To Build

• Wash all removable parts with hot soapy water before the first use.
• Run at least one empty high-heat cycle with plenty of ventilation.
• Use lemon, vinegar, and baking soda for mild deodorizing work.
• Leave the basket open between cycles so the chamber can air out.
• Keep up light cleaning after each cooking session to avoid burnt grease buildup.

Habits That Make The New Smell Worse

• Skipping the first wash and cooking a full meal straight away.
• Using strong oven cleaners or bleach sprays inside the chamber.
• Ignoring packing foam or tape near the heating element.
• Running endless high-heat cycles while the smell grows sharper.
• Cooking through smoke, melted plastic, or clear signs of damage instead of unplugging.

A bit of patience, gentle cleaning, and a few burn-off runs usually solve the problem of how to get rid of the new smell in an air fryer. Once that short break-in stretch passes, you can enjoy crunchy fries, wings, and vegetables that taste like food, not factory air.