Quite often, you can find devices called air fryers in modern kitchens. The peculiarity of this device is that the products are cooked under the influence of convection. However, users often face air fryer problems.
More about them, as well as about the solution methods for air fryer users, will be discussed in this article.
Air fryer features
To understand all air problems, air fryer users should first familiarize themselves with the principle of operation of the new air fryer itself. The air fryer does not fry food. It works with the help of fans and special mechanisms for heating, so an imitation of a convection oven is created.
The circulation of hot air passes around the entire perimeter of the baking sheet or basket. The circulation of hot air passes depends on what air fryers you use in the process of cooking. An air fryer can be used to prepare food to be similar to air frying. However, no oil is used in the process.
The principle of operation of the air fryer
The combination of a fan and a heating element contributes to the heating and distribution of hot air around the basket in which food is being cooked. When the airspeed increases, a convection effect is created, due to which the food acquires a ruddy crust.
Thanks to the heat, the air-fried food cooks quite quickly, while it remains juicy. If the air-fried foods are juicy inside, then a golden crust forms on the outside.
Features of using the air fryer
The air fryer is a simple design that has several modes for cooking. You can choose the type of dish. This can be fish, meat, seafood, potatoes, etc. You should also set the temperature at which a certain mode works.
The air fryer must be preheated in advance so that the process of cooking is optimal. Be sure to read the instruction manual in advance so that you do not have to learn everything during the process of cooking.
Air fryer durability
You can often hear the question, how long should an air fryer last? You need to understand that the life of the new air fryer depends on how well you use it. Best of all, air fryers that are of excellent quality serve. It is important to maintain them properly.
If you opt for quality models from reliable manufacturers, they last about 3 years or more.
What problems do air fryer owners face?
Today, there are a large number of air fryers on the market, which differ in quality and dimensions. However, all of them are not immune to several common issues.
Air fryer problems with power supply
Most often, users are faced with the fact that the air fryer is poorly power supplied or the power is completely absent. It often happens that the power is periodically turned off during the process of cooking.
How to solve a problem? Often people wonder, what causes an air fryer to stop working? A similar problem may be because the power cord of the air fryer is coming off. It is important to check that it is connected correctly. If the fixing is not done correctly, you should remove it and connect it correctly. This starts the air fryer.
If the above actions did not give the desired result, the reason may be hidden in the circuit breaker. There is always a chance that the switch explodes. If this happens, an immediate replacement is required.
If during the test it turned out that the plug is correctly plugged into the outlet, and the circuit breaker is operational, the air fryer timer should be inspected. It is possible that power is not restored.
Especially if the timer is set in the middle of the session. You have to stop the timer, which solves the problem.
It is possible that the above actions do not give the desired result, and the air fryer does not work correctly. In this case, you have to spend money on buying a new air fryer because the old one is already inoperative.
The smell of old food
Often, users are faced with air fryer problems where the air fryer smells like old food during the cooking process. This is because you do not properly clean the air fryer after it has finished working.
How to solve a problem? The reason lies in the fact that you are not cleaning the air fryer correctly. To fix the problem, you have to completely clean all the air fryer components. It is necessary to rinse the air fryer well using detergents. This completely washes off the remnants of the aroma of the old food.
Smoking air fryer problems
This problem is considered the most common and also the worst of all. Some refuse to cook in an air fryer because they are afraid of the appearance of this issue. Often it is caused by the fact that excess cooking oil accumulates at the bottom, which then begins to smoke.
How to solve a problem? Often this problem occurs due to an excess of oil. If you reduce the amount of oil, the problem will disappear.
Excess vegetable oil can be removed with a sponge or a piece of bread.
After, you need to thoroughly rinse the bottom, using water and a little dishwashing liquid. This removes any remaining oil. If such actions do not give the desired result, you have to put the fryer under the hood. This should help.
Food burns
If the food has started to burn or overcook, this is a problem most of the time faced by new fryer users. This often happens when oven recipes are used for the fryer.
How to solve a problem with an air fryer? To avoid such a problem, it is recommended to check the readiness of food on an ongoing basis. If you do this at regular intervals, you can prevent your food from burning or overcooking.
However, it is not necessary to do this all the time. If you are cooking a dish for the first time, it is enough to track it once, and then just remember the total time spent on cooking. Over time, you get used to a clear time, and you do not constantly look inside the fryer.
Mismatched expectations of the prepared dish
As you know, in the air fryer you can cook a fairly large number of healthy foods. After all, the air fryer operates at high power and temperature, so the taste of the finished dish is quite pleasant.
You should not expect the dish is so tasty that all the guests are crazy about it.
If you prefer tastier dishes, then the air fryer is also suitable for this. How to solve a problem with an air fryer? If you want to cook high-quality and tasty dishes in the air fryer, you have to put a little more oil on the food. To do this, it is better to use a sprayer so as not to overdo it. This forms a delicious and crispy crust that leaves you impressed.
Food flies in the fryer
When hot air is blown into the food drawer, this is a normal occurrence during the operation of the fryer. If the air is continuously pumped, a smooth effect and pressure on the food are created. If you prefer light and thin foods, they fly in the cooking compartment.
During the flight, food can block the operation of the heating element. Because of this, hot air is less supplied, and the food remains damp.
How to solve air fryer problems? The flying air cannot be stopped. However, you can prevent this from happening. There are several tactics for this. First, you can install an additional grill above the holder. Secondly, you can pierce the food with wooden toothpicks.
Presence of white smoke
Often, during operation, people notice that white smoke has begun to stand out. Most of the time, it is steam. However, often this is real smoke, which appears due to malfunctions in the mechanism.
How to solve a problem with an air fryer? To get rid of white smoke, you should stop cooking food that is wet and greasy. You can identify the source of white smoke by smell.
If the smell is pleasant, most likely, steam is being released, and this is nothing to worry about. If the aroma is sharp and unpleasant, then something is wrong with the mechanism.
Turn off the power and return the air fryer for repair. Even if this does not solve the problem, it is better to buy a new air fryer.
How to properly maintain and clean the deep fryer?
The main advantage of the air fryer is that it practically does not get dirty inside and out. This greatly simplifies the cleaning and maintenance process. Because the inner basket is closed at all times, grease, and oil do not splatter. However, this does not mean that you should ignore the cleaning process altogether.
Try to clean your air fryer after every use.
How to clean an air fryer?
First, the air fryer must be disconnected from the power supply, and let cool down for about half an hour. Then a damp cloth, which must be moistened with soapy water, wipes the surfaces. All removable structural elements are dishwasher safe. This saves a lot of time and effort.
After, you need to moisten a clean sponge in hot water and wipe the inner surfaces with it. If there are stuck food residues, you can use a brush to remove them. This tool also is appropriate if you need to clean the heating elements and the grocery basket.
When the cleaning process is completed, everything should be dried well. Then assemble the whole air fryer again.
Tips from professionals
Do not use metal tools to clean surfaces because they are distinguished by a non-stick coating. If you use metal sponges or other abrasive particles, you can ruin the coating, which causes food to burn later.
If food is stuck in the basket, it can become hard over time, making cleaning difficult. At such times, you can soak everything in hot water, to which a little detergent is added. This allows the stuck food to become softer and easier for you to remove.
If you are preparing a dish in several stages, you should not carry out the cleaning process after each product. Wait for the dish to be fully cooked or for the last batch to finish cooking before doing the final cleaning.
Service rules of air fryer
For the air fryer to serve for a long time, it is not enough just to clean it. You have to take care of basic maintenance. There are several useful tips.
Before using the air fryer, check the power cord. If it is damaged, it is better to refuse the operation. After all, this can cause an electric shock or a short circuit in the house. If you have not used the air fryer for a long time, you still need to clean it periodically. This is because due to a long break, debris can accumulate inside, as well as an unpleasant smell. Try to carefully inspect the internal surfaces, and clean them before each cooking process. The installation of the air fryer must be vertical. It must be placed on a flat surface.
Do not place the air fryer near other appliances or walls to prevent damage. On average, free space on all sides should be about 4 inches. This allows the steam to come out well. When you start the air fryer, make sure that the air frying pan or air frying basket is not damaged.
Is there a recall on air fryers?
Recently, Newair received negative reviews, which caused it to withdraw almost 12,000 fryers from the market. This is because the air fryers overheated, which could cause fires and burns.
What are the pros and cons of using an air fryer?
Air fryers have a certain list of advantages:
- Ease of cleaning the air fryer. It takes a little time and effort to clean surfaces, both outside and inside. This is because the air fryer consumes some oil. Therefore, only a soft brush and soapy water can be used for cleaning. After that, everything should be washed well under running water.
- Ease of use of the air fryer. Air fryers are a pleasure to use. After all, most modern models already have several programs, so you only need to choose the option you need. It should be noted that the air fryers heat up quickly, so you do not have to spend a lot of time cooking french fries or nuggets.
- Safety of the air fryer. This parameter is not related to electricity. Safety is determined by the fact that the air fryers do not emit harmful radiation that is characteristic of microwave ovens. At the same time, protection against overheating and splashing of oil is provided. Therefore, the possibility of burns is excluded. A sleep timer can be set. This prevents the fried food from burning.
Proper nutrition
With the help of an air fryer, you can cook many healthy dishes because you do not have to add a lot of oil, compared to air frying pans. Excess oil does not absorb into the food, so ready-made meals have a minimum calorie content.
Compactness
Even if you buy the largest air fryer, it won’t take up much space in your kitchen. Air fryers can fit in a small area because they do not differ in size from a coffee maker.
If you choose appliances with an attractive design, then you can keep them on the countertop all the time.
Air fryer disadvantages
The air fryer has several disadvantages.
- High price. Today, a wide range of air fryers is on the market. However, if you are looking for a performance and attractive air fryer, be prepared to pay huge sums of money. On average, the purchase costs $300.
- Small performance for a large family. Despite the power, the air fryers are quite small. If you have a large family, or if you like to often invite friends to visit, it is better to cook food in the oven or on the stove. Most air fryers, which are medium in size, allow you to cook food for 1-2 people.If you buy a small air fryer, then even for 1 person you cannot cook enough food. That is why many people carefully consider the purchase, given the high cost of goods.
- Ability to dry food. As already mentioned, most devices have a variety of modes and settings. Therefore, the preparation of one dish differs in the result, depending on the manufacturer. The food may burn or dry out and be unsuitable for tasting.It is important to understand that you have to experiment with products and modes for a long time to find the best option. However, to simplify the process, manufacturers already include a booklet with the most popular recipes. You only have to follow them.
- Insufficient cable length. An important disadvantage is the insufficient length of the power cable. Therefore, you have to connect the air fryer through an extension cord or look for a place for this on the countertop near the outlet.
What causes an air fryer to stop working?
It is necessary to check the correct fixation of the air fryer basket, as well as the correct closing of the door. You can also reboot your air fryer to make sure it starts up. If the above tips did not help, the air fryer may need to be replaced. Especially if the fuse is blown.
Results
As you can see, the deep fryer is capable of provoking various problems. Most of them are easy to fix if you follow the tips described in this article.
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