Thinking of buying an air fryer? You have probably heard how handy and efficient they are in the kitchen. Although this is true, no kitchen appliance is perfect, unfortunately.
If it’s on your wish list, then you read our guide to help you avoid some common problems when buying or using them.
- 18 Common Problems With Air Fryers
- 1. The Air Fryer Too Small
- 2. Overcooked Or Burned Food
- 3. Air Fryer's Inner Pot Can Scratch Easily
- 4. Dry Or Not Crispy Food
- 5. Food Sticks To Inner Pot
- 6. Inner Pot Gets Too Hot
- 7. No Temperature Control
- 8. Air Fryer Too Big
- 9. No Timer Or Digital Display
- 11. Food Doesn't Cook Evenly
- 12. Air Fryer Overheats While In Use
- 13. Air Fryer Is Too Noisy While In Use
- 14. Air Fryer Not Heating Up
- 15. Difficult To Reassemble After Cleaning Air Fryer
- 16. Lingering Food Smells In The Air Fryer
- 17. Warm Air Doesn't Circulate Properly
- 18. Burned Food Due To Poor Placement Of Basket
- Why Does My Air Fryer Cut Off?
- Conclusion
18 Common Problems With Air Fryers
1. The Air Fryer Too Small
Not every air fryer is large enough to accommodate a small family. Some can only cook 1-2 pieces of fried food at a time, which means more cooking times.
If you’re trying to eliminate unhealthy deep frying but are cooking for 3 or more people, then having an air fryer that suits your requirements is very important.
Choose an air fryer that suits your cooking needs, be it for 1 or 2 people, or cooking for a family of 5, as there are many different sizes and models on the market.
2. Overcooked Or Burned Food
Burned fries and other side dishes are not a good look (or taste!).
Air fryers do a good job of cooking food quickly from the inside out. This, however, can result in undercooked or overcooked food if you’re not careful.
Set your air fryer at the right heat level and cooking time for best results.
3. Air Fryer’s Inner Pot Can Scratch Easily
There are many complaints about the inner pot scratching easily, which is another reason why you need to be careful in choosing an air fryer for your home.
Many of these pots are made of aluminum but coated with non-stick materials.
While there are some pots made of stainless steel, even these can be scratched easily when exposed to sharp utensils.
The inner pot is the most important part of an air fryer so make sure that it’s durable and scratch-resistant when you are choosing one to buy.
4. Dry Or Not Crispy Food
Food should come out crispy when it comes out of an air fryer. One reason why food may not turn out crispy is if it’s left in the air fryer too long. Another reason why food can turn out dry is if it’s not cooked enough.
Keep track of cooking time, especially when you’re still getting used to your new fryer.
5. Food Sticks To Inner Pot
Some users complain about food sticking to the inner pot.
Don’t worry, though – this happens because a machine-washable non-stick coating is used in making the interior unit. If it happens to you just soak it for an hour and you can clean away all that stuck residue without too much effort.
6. Inner Pot Gets Too Hot
Another issue with the inner pot is that it gets too hot. If you can’t touch the unit, then it’s best not to leave any utensils inside as they may melt or deform under such high internal temperatures.
Using a towel to lift out the inner pot is also advisable if you don’t have oven mitts. Remember that the lid and the pot can get hot, too.
7. No Temperature Control
Some models can only cook at one set temperature, making it difficult to adjust the results without overcooking or undercooking your food.
Look for an air fryer that has adjustable controls so you can cook various dishes to perfection.
8. Air Fryer Too Big
An air fryer that is too big for your kitchen counter can be a nuisance, especially if you have to keep it out on the counter. Some models are quite large and take up a significant amount of space.
If you do decide to keep it out on the counter, make sure that the cord is long enough for where you want to put it. Make sure that your kitchen worktop is wide enough, too.
9. No Timer Or Digital Display
You might be interested in an air fryer with a timer and digital display but some models only have an On/Off button.
While this seems simple enough, some people want a machine with built-in timers as it can be difficult to time cooking manually if you’re busy doing other things.
Having a built-in timer is handy if you want to pre-program how long food should be cooked for.
11. Food Doesn’t Cook Evenly
Food cannot be cooked evenly in an air fryer if all of its parts aren’t properly exposed to heat, especially if it’s overcrowded inside the machine. Air fryers are best for single servings, though some larger models can accommodate a couple of servings.
Look for an air fryer that comes with a rack or basket so you can cook more servings at once without having to worry that they won’t be cooked evenly because the food is too compact inside.
12. Air Fryer Overheats While In Use
If the machine overheats during use, it’s probably because the air vents are located at the bottom or may be blocked. The top part of the machine can get quite hot while cooking which can lead to overheating and possible shutdown.
To prevent overheating and unnecessary shut-downs, make sure that the vents around the lid and base are unobstructed and clear of debris.
You’re best off placing your fryer in an open area away from cabinets and other flammable materials. Make sure that there are at least 4 inches of free space around it while cooking to allow sufficient ventilation.
13. Air Fryer Is Too Noisy While In Use
Air fryers are rather noisy while in use. Some models are quite loud and can be distracting, especially if you’re watching TV or talking on the phone nearby.
Try to find an air fryer that isn’t too noisy or has a sound insulation feature so it won’t interfere with other activities in your kitchen.
14. Air Fryer Not Heating Up
Your air fryer should be ready to use in no time. One reason why it won’t heat up is if you haven’t plugged it in correctly. Another reason could be because there is a build-up of dust around the electrical socket.
Make sure that nothing is blocking the vent around the plug and dust isn’t accumulated in the area where it plugs into your outlet. If you’ve checked these two things and it’s still not heating up, then you may have a faulty unit so bring it to an authorized service provider for help.
15. Difficult To Reassemble After Cleaning Air Fryer
It’s a hassle to have to take apart your appliance every time you clean it, but there are models whose parts can’t be reassembled properly. Some people had trouble putting the pieces back together right after cleaning them.
If you don’t want this issue at hand, look for a model with either removable or dishwasher-safe parts.
16. Lingering Food Smells In The Air Fryer
When you cook certain foods, they can create unpleasant odors inside the machine. If there are strong, lingering food smells in the air fryer even after cleaning it, then check to see if you’ve used too much oil or other ingredients that tend to stick to the interior of the machine.
To prevent this issue from happening, use as little cooking oil as necessary and don’t over-fill your fryer. Also, make sure that you’ve removed all food remnants after cooking because these might start to rot inside the machine which can emit bad smells.
17. Warm Air Doesn’t Circulate Properly
If the warm air doesn’t circulate properly inside your air fryer, then it’s probably because the basket isn’t inserted correctly. Be sure to place it securely in the proper position according to its design.
18. Burned Food Due To Poor Placement Of Basket
There are cases when food gets burned because it’s placed too high or too low in the basket. It may be because you’ve filled up your fryer with ingredients before inserting it completely into the machine.
It is best to load your air fryer one piece of food at a time so each part of your recipe or dish will be evenly cooked.
Why Does My Air Fryer Cut Off?
There can be several reasons why your air fryer cuts off. One of the most common causes for this is because it overheats or gets too hot during use.
Another reason may be because there is a power outage and the machine automatically shuts down to avoid damage. This will also happen if you plug in another device into the same outlet that the air fryer is plugged in.
Some models come with a thermal feature where it automatically shuts down if the temperature gets too high inside. If you have the same model, then make sure that nothing is blocking the vents or base of your machine which can prevent airflow and cause overheating.
Check also to see if there are any malfunctions on the unit which you can report back to the shop you bought it in and get a replacement.
Conclusion
There are many air fryers that you can find in the market today, but not all of them are designed to serve your needs. Some models lack features that should be included or they don’t work as well as they claim to do.
It is best to check out several models before choosing one so you’ll know which one will best fit your budget and cooking needs.
Like most kitchen appliances, there are always common issues or problems that you may encounter after using them.
Before buying an air fryer, it’s essential that you do your research first and check out customer reviews to know which model is hassle-free and worth every cent of your money.
