5 reasons why your air fryer smells like plastic, 5 solutions to get rid of the burning smell forever

I love crispy and delicious meals cooked by air fryers, but the toxic smell cannot let me enjoy the meal peacefully, especially for a new air fryer. It could be the plastic smell, and you must be wondering why the air fryers smell like plastic, even if you accept that smell, do you confirm if the smell is toxic to your health?

However, plastic cookware should be the last thing you should have in your kitchen as it can make you sick. This article will explain the 5 reasons and 5 solutions concerning the air fryer plastic smell, and how will that smell affect our health!

Keep reading! First, let’s explore the reasons!

Why Does Your Air Fryer Smell Toxic or Like Chemicals

New items like shoes, clothing or even a new car normally contain a distinct smell. Also, an air fryer smells like plastic when taken out of its box.

Air fryers have a heating element that circulates hot air around your food, making it crispy and crunchy. As the hot air hits your food, it may come in contact with a plastic coating inside the walls of your air fryer, producing a toxic smell. And the toxic air is known as plastic fumes.

At some point, the fumes may stick to the food, making the air fryer smell like plastic hence an unhealthy meal. The toxic smell happens because most air fryers contain a heat-resistant plastic coating.

BPA in the Plastic, How Will it Affect the Health?

non toxic glass air fryer

Many plastics have BPA (bisphenol A), a hormonal chemical that may make you sick. This toxic chemical can cause immunity and neurological and reproductive problems, raising childhood asthma and even type two diabetes.

When BPA comes in contact with any liquids or when heated, it dissolves since it is soluble, seeping into your beverage or food content. Although there are many other side effects of BPA, like cancer and brain function, it is good to know the importance of applying non-toxic appliances.

When purchasing cookware, it is good to choose plastic-free ones. And as to air fryers, there is no risk of BPA since most of them are not designed with plastic.

PTFE, PFOA, PVC in the Plastic, How Will it Affect the Health

what you can't put in the air fryer

Generally, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) plastic is a stable and safe compound. Unfortunately, when you heat the PTFE at a high temperature above 260 degrees C or 500 degrees F, the nonstick coating will begin breaking down, resulting in toxic chemicals.

According to research, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) plastic has harmful risks to human health. Its high exposure levels are linked to 6 main health issues; kidney cancer, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and ulcerative colitis

On the other hand, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic comprises harmful chemical additives like lead, organotins, cadmium, and phthalates that are toxic to kids’ health. The toxic chemicals can evaporate with time causing unnecessary damage to the kids

Now let’s find out the 5 ways to solve the problem, and then we will provide you with professional solutions to prevent the smell forever!

How to Get Rid of The Air Fryer Plastic Smell

1. Clean It Regularly

After getting your new air fryer, cleaning it before using it is important. Cleaning your new air fryer with a strong dishwasher liquid will help you eliminate the toxic plastic particles on a separator tray.

If you use the new air fryer without cleaning it, your food will smell like plastic since most air fryers are designed with heat-resistant plastic to insulate the heat. After washing your air fryer, allow it to air dry, and ensure that you clean it after each use.

2. Grease the Separator Tray and Air Fryer Basket

You can coat the surface area of your basket and separator tray with standard cooking oil. How are you going to do it? Just dampen a piece of paper with oil, and spread the paper around its surfaces. After that, heat your air fryer for ten minutes at higher temperature settings.

After heating it, let the air fryer cool for about two minutes before cleaning the grease using a sturdy degreasing dishwasher liquid, then let the fryer air dry.

3. Let the Plastic Fumes Out

You can also power your air fryer while empty by letting the fryer run for two cycles. The convection heating process allows the circulation of hot air around the chamber of your air fryer, and soon hot air will start having a plastic smell.

After seven minutes, switch off your air fryer and open its tray to eliminate the fumes. And the more you repeat the process, the more you get rid of the fumes until no smell is left. Please do it outdoors to avoid making your entire house smell like plastic.

4. Steam purified vinegar and lime juice

Find purified vinegar and lime juice and blend the ingredients into equal parts. After that, pour your blend into the oven-safe dish and switch on your air fryer at the higher temperature setting for about five minutes.

The mixture of distilled vinegar and lime juice will absorb the plastic fumes in your air fryer. Redo the process for t two cycles. And when the vinegar and lime juice steam bath completes, clean the components of your air fryer, and the visible result will amaze you.

5. Create a Routine for Air Fryer Maintenance

Most of the time, the plastic smell may linger due to improper air fryer cleaning maintenance procedures. When cooking, food particles can stick to the air fryer basket making it dirt.

The first step you need to take before cleaning the fryer is to remove the removable parts of your air fryer. Then turn it upside down to eliminate the dirt using a soft bristle cleaning brush and wipe your air fryer with lime juice and vinegar. 

Use a degreasing dishwasher soap to thoroughly clean your air fryer tray and basket and let the air fryer air dry.

So how to prevent the smell in the future?

How to Prevent the Plastic Smell in the Future, How to Use the air fryer Correctly

2 airfryer chicken wings

1. Clean the Air Fryer After Use

Food tastes sweet when cooked from a clean appliance. As far as cleaning is boring, you should make it a routine for your air fryer after using it. When cooking, some food particles can stick to the heating element, and if not cleaned, the cooking process slows down or even emits a toxic smell.

2. Give Room to Your New Air Fryer After Unboxing

After unboxing your new air fryer, allow it to settle by placing it on a heat-resistant surface. Many manufacturers instruct the owner of the air fryer to heat it while empty before they begin air frying in it. So, it is good to read the air fryer manual before using it.

3. Take the Right Place to Store the Air Fryer

When storing your air fryer, keep it far from the oven, stove, or kitchen appliances emitting high temperatures. You should only store the appliance in a dry and cool environment. Remember, appliances like electric kettles or steamers also release steam.

4. Use Aluminum Foil or Parchment Paper Inserts When Cooking

Cleaning is much easier when using parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place the foil in the fryer basket before putting food to hold the drips and dirt. After the cooking process, throw the foil, rinse your basket with warm and soapy water, and let it air dry.

5. Avoid Aerosol Sprays

Sometimes the fat you use in your air fryer can release toxic odors. Aerosol fat can break the non-stick fryer basket, producing plastic fumes. So it is important to take note of the type of fat you use in your air fryer, and I recommend avocado oils as they are the best for air frying.

Here comes the final question: are air fryers healthy? are air fryers worth it?

You will get the best 3 air fryers after you know these!

Are Air Fryers Healthy?

Compared to deep fryers, air fryers are healthy kitchen appliances that you should consider having. The appliances are extra eco-friendly than stoves and ovens as they can heat food in less time. Also, air fryers use less or no oil and lower calories by about 70-80 percent.

Benefits 

  • The air fryer reduces the acrylamide levels in starchy food such as potatoes, especially when cooking at maximum temperatures.
  • Air fryers use no fat or less fat when cooking, hence a low-fat way of frying your food.
  • Air fryers can lower calories by 70 to 80 percent, thus a great option for people that want to cut calories.
  • Due to convection heating, air frying is a perfect way to preserve food nutrients such as polyphenols and vitamin C.
  • The air fryer is versatile and eco-friendly compared to a convection oven and stove since it circulates hot air, which cooks your food in less time.
  • The fryer is a safe and easier way of air frying food than the deep frying method. All you need is to set the temperature and time, and you will be ready.

Drawbacks

  • The fryer is noisy since it consists of a powerful fan that circulates heat around your food to make it crunchy and crispy.
  • Air-fried food is not guaranteed to be healthy since it depends on how you fry it and the amount and type of oil you use.
  • Air fryers have a limited capacity that is insufficient for a larger family. If you want to prepare a lot of food, you must consider doing it in bits.
  • Cleaning the air fryers is time-consuming as you need to clean its heating element, basket, outside, and pan.
  • As air fryers can lower the acrylamide formation, air frying can make other dangerous compounds like polycyclic and heterocyclic due to high-heat cooking.

Best Non-Toxic and Healthy Air Fryer Brands

COSORI Air Fryer Oven Combo 5.8QT(100 Recipes) 

The Cosori fryer contains a unique viewing angle without bending, and its slimmer footprint can perfectly fit on the countertop, thus saving space.

Compared to the deep frying ways, it uses 85 percent less oil and does not interfere with the delicious taste of your food.

It has a large cooking capacity of 5.8 quarts that can fit an entire five pounds of chicken cooking for about three to five people. Yes! You should choose a suitable air fryer concerning your family size.

With thirteen cooking functions: preheat, 11 presets, and keep warm, aid you cook veggies, meat, etc., by just setting time and temperature.

The brand includes 100 recipes to inspire you. Besides, it produces a crispy outcome, and please preheat the fryer before using it for the best texture.

Its basket is BPA free, PFOA free, and dishwasher safe hence a non-toxic and healthy kitchen appliance.

CHEFMAN Large Air Fryer Max XL 8 Qt Nonstick Stainless Steel

Cooking meals like French fries, meat, and chicken for the family has been made easy by just using a push button and adjusting temperatures and time with easy touch control.

The 8-quarts air fryer’s non-stick basket and the frying tray are dishwasher safe, thus making it easy to remove all the unhealthy toxic dirt. Besides, its stainless steel end makes it a non-toxic kitchen appliance.

Serve your family with delicious, crispy fried meals from your kitchen without excess oil. The Chefman model uses a minimum of 95 percent less oil, making it healthier than traditional fryers.

You will love its kitchen counter mind construction, making it fit for big appetites families and easier storage. It is best for small dorms, kitchens, and offices as it takes small counter space.

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 6QT Large Air Fryer Oven Combo

The six-in-one instant pot can air fry, roast, broil, reheat, bake, and dehydrate foods in less time using a single-touch program.

Its even crisp technology delivers tenderness yet crunchy deep frying with up to 95 percent less oil. Also, it features a touchscreen that shows every cooking stage.

Say no more to toxic-smelling food since the stainless steel basket is dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean after every use. Moreover, it requires no less preheating time.

You can easily adjust the temperature from 95 degrees F to 400 degrees F. If you are a growing family, then the set is the perfect size and design for your countertop.

Frequently Asked Question

How Do You Remove the Soap Smell in Your Air Fryer?

To remove the soap smell in your air fryer: boil water, add distilled vinegar, and then put the mixture into the basket. After that, power the air fryer to vent through and steam. Repeat the process a few times, and the smell will soon go.

Conclusion 

No lie, life is at its best with the air fryer, but the toxic plastic smell is disgusting. Relax, that should not bother you since every problem has a solution.

I believe the above guide solves the problem, and it’s time to use the machine without a plastic smell. Please leave a comment if you have any questions about the air fryers.

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