Why Your Air Fryer Has That Funky Odor — And How To Fix It

You head to the store, try to pick the best air fryer, and you're eager to unpack that bad boy and get to cooking. Apparently, it's a shared experience that sometimes you crank it on just to start smelling this foul, plasticky odor during its first run. That smell comes from the materials used to build the machine, particularly the inner walls and some of the heating components, which are typically coated in a thin protective layer during manufacturing. The idea is to prevent damage while the fryer is being produced and shipped, but once heat surrounds those plastics and coatings, the odor can quickly fill your kitchen — and worse, it can seep into your food. 

Ideally, manufacturers will do a "burn-off" run at the factory to reduce or eliminate that smell before you buy it, but the process doesn't always happen thoroughly enough. Unfortunately for us, that leaves consumers with a fryer that works just fine but doesn't smell appetizing right out of the box. The odor isn't necessarily dangerous, but it can ruin the whole appeal of using a gadget that's supposed to make quick, tasty meals. Luckily, you don't have to live with it; there are simple ways to fix this issue and flush out the smell before your next batch of fries or crispy air fryer chicken wings comes out.

A common first step is to run the fryer empty a couple of times at a high temperature, which helps burn off the residual coating and any leftover factory oils. You can also wash the basket and removable parts thoroughly with warm, soapy water to strip away any lingering residue. If you've used the air fryer a few times and it seems like that smell just won't budge, you can try a few other home remedies. 

An effective method that people turn to is vinegar and water, and since the air fryer isn't one of those kitchen surfaces that you shouldn't use vinegar on, you can easily wipe down the inside of the machine with a mixture of half vinegar and half water, and then let the fryer run for about ten minutes; the vinegar helps neutralize odors rather than simply masking them. You could also pour this solution into an oven-safe bowl, run it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for up to five minutes, and then remove it.

Some cooks also recommend leaving sliced lemon halves in the fryer and running it for a short cycle. The citrus does double duty by breaking down odors and leaving behind a clean, fresh scent. Once you've done one or two of these treatments, the plasticky smell should fade significantly. From there, regular maintenance — like washing the basket after every use and giving the interior a quick wipe down — will help keep new smells from building up. With a little effort up front, your air fryer will do what it's supposed to, and that's cook your food quickly and fill your kitchen with delicious aromas instead of strange ones.