Air Fryer Smells Like Plastic? What’s Normal and What’s Not

A plastic smell from your air fryer can be harmless or a warning sign. Here’s how to tell the difference, based on what air fryer makers and fire safety groups say.

Is it normal for a new air fryer to smell like plastic?

Often, yes, for the first few uses. Gourmia’s manual for its GAF824 says a “hot plastic” smell during the first few uses is “perfectly normal” because the material is being heated for the first time, and that it goes away after the first few uses. Philips explains that its Airfryer housing and inner drawer are plastic and the pan and basket have a PTFE (nonstick) coating. Because the appliance gets very hot, these parts may give off some smell during the first uses.

Cosori says a mild odor is usually less concerning when the unit is brand new, the smell shows up during the first one to three heating cycles, and there’s no smoke, melting, sparking, or visible damage.

A strong or worsening smell, smoke, or a sudden smell in an air fryer you’ve used for months is different. Cosori says to unplug and let the unit cool if you notice a strong burning or melting smell, smoke that isn’t clearly from food, warping or discoloration, or electrical smells.

What the smell is telling you

Smell	When it happens	What it likely means	What to do
Mild “new appliance” plastic smell	First few uses of a new unit	Plastic and coatings heating up for the first time	Wash approved removable parts; run a first-use cycle only if your exact model instructions authorize it (Fix 2)
Strong plastic smell on the very first use	Right after unboxing	Packaging, tape, film, or a label left inside	Unplug, cool, remove leftovers (Fix 1)
Sudden burning plastic or paper smell	Mid-cook in a unit you’ve used before	A bag, label, or liner touching the heating element	Unplug, cool, inspect the element (Fix 3)
Burnt, greasy smell, often with white smoke	Fatty foods or a basket that wasn’t cleaned	Grease in the basket or on the element	Clean the basket as directed; inspect the element and use only its model-specific approved cleaning method (Fix 4)
Melting, electrical, or “hot wire” smell	Any time, sometimes with dark smoke	Possible fault or damaged part	Stop using it, check recalls, contact the maker

What you need

• Your owner’s manual
• Dish soap and warm water for approved washable parts or chamber surfaces, not assumed permission to wet the heating element
• A non-abrasive sponge and a soft cloth for surfaces your exact model instructions allow you to wipe
• A soft cleaning brush, if your manual allows one
• A flashlight and paper towels

How to get rid of the plastic smell

Fix 1: Remove every bit of packaging

Unplug the air fryer first. Gourmia’s setup steps say to remove all packaging, stickers, and labels, including the tape that holds the basket to the unit. Cosori points out that stickers, plastic film, foam inserts, tape, and paper labels can create a strong odor if heated. Check the basket, drawer, and heating element with a flashlight. One exception: Instant’s manual says not to remove the safety warning stickers or the rating label.

Fix 2: Wash approved parts; follow only your model’s first-use procedure

Gourmia says to clean the basket and crisper tray with hot water, dish soap, and a non-abrasive sponge before first use, then wipe the inside and outside of the unit with a damp cloth. Dry everything completely.

Do an empty first-use run only if your exact model instructions authorize it; do not borrow another model’s settings or use heat to dry moisture or burn off grease or cleaner. For a plastic smell, Philips says to let the Airfryer cool for about 30 minutes, clean the drawer with a damp cloth and dish soap, put the basket and drawer back, then run it empty at the maximum time and 200°C (392°F). Instant’s manual also calls for an empty test run before first use. Time and temperature vary by model, so use the settings in your own manual. Cosori adds: keep the kitchen ventilated and don’t leave it unattended.

Fix 3: Check for plastic or parchment on the heating element

If an air fryer you’ve used before suddenly smells like burning plastic or paper, stop the cycle, unplug it, and let it cool before checking the element. Philips warns that baking paper or foil placed in the basket without food on it can get sucked into the heating element and start to burn. Gourmia says to always keep food on top of parchment or other liners so they stay in place. Instant says never to put combustible materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, or Styrofoam in the appliance, and never to try to dislodge food while it’s plugged in.

If something has melted onto the element, don’t pry at it. Cosori advises against aggressive scraping and against repairing heating or electrical parts yourself. Contact the maker instead.

Fix 4: Clean the basket; check model-specific heating-area instructions

In an older air fryer, the “plastic” smell can be old grease cooking again. Cosori notes that grease, splatter, crumbs, or stuck-on food can overheat and create odors.

1. Unplug and cool. Gourmia says to let the unit cool down completely.
2. Wash the basket and crisper plate. Gourmia allows the dishwasher’s top rack or hot water, dish soap, and a non-abrasive sponge, plus a soak in hot, soapy water for stuck-on residue. Check your manual before using the dishwasher.
3. Separate chamber cleaning from element cleaning. Do not treat instructions for washing a removable basket or cleaning the inside as permission to apply hot water, dish soap, a brush, or a damp cloth to the heating element. The cited Instant Pot Vortex 5L UK manual lists a damp cloth and mild dish soap for the cooking chamber and says to inspect the coil and chamber walls; that does not establish a universal wet-cleaning method for every heater. Use only the tools, moisture limits, and access method authorized for the heating area of your exact model. If these are not clear, stop at visual inspection and ask the manufacturer. Do not spray cleaners inside, immerse the main unit, turn it upside down, remove a fixed guard, or force a tool into inaccessible areas based on this guide.
4. Dry it fully. The cited Instant Pot Vortex 5L UK manual says all surfaces must be dry before use or storage and the heating coil must be dry before turning on. Follow your exact model’s drying instructions before reassembly and reuse. Do not switch on the heater to dry moisture or burn away cleaner; this cleaning step does not authorize an empty heating cycle.

Go gentle. Gourmia warns that metal utensils and abrasive cleaning materials can damage the nonstick coating, and Instant warns that pieces of metal scouring pads or steel wool can break off and touch electrical parts. Wipe the outside with a damp cloth. If you’re thinking of using a melamine sponge on a stainless steel exterior, read our guide to using a Magic Eraser on stainless steel first.

When to stop using it and contact the maker

• The smell won’t go away. Contact the manufacturer if the smell remains strong after proper cleaning and airing out. Any first-use empty cycle must be authorized by your exact model instructions; do not keep heating the unit to test a persistent smell.
• You see melting, warping, bubbling, or discoloration. Cosori lists these among the signs to stop.
• There’s dark smoke. Instant lists appliance malfunction as one possible cause of black smoke and says to contact its customer care team.
• The cord or plug is damaged. Gourmia says not to use the appliance with a damaged cord or plug. The U.S. Fire Administration says to replace an appliance with a cracked, damaged, or loose cord.
• It smells burning or rubbery. The National Fire Protection Association lists a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance among the reasons to call a qualified electrician or your landlord.

Also check for recalls. In 2023, Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a joint recall of certain Cosori air fryer models because their wire connectors could overheat. Health Canada said the company had reports of units catching fire, melting, and smoking, and told owners of the recalled models to stop using them. The recall covered specific models, not air fryers in general. Find your model number (often on the bottom label) and search for it on the CPSC recalls page. You can report a safety problem at SaferProducts.gov.

How to keep the smell from coming back

• Clean the basket and crisper plate after every use, as Gourmia recommends.
• Never preheat or run the fryer with a loose liner. Only use parchment with food on top.
• Don’t store anything inside the air fryer when it’s not in use, as Instant’s manual advises.
• Don’t overfill the basket. Instant warns that overfilling can let food touch the heating element.

For another appliance-care decision, see how to clean between oven door glass without risky shortcuts. Use each appliance’s own manufacturer instructions.

FAQ

How long does the new air fryer smell last?

Gourmia’s manual says it fades after the first few uses. If the smell remains strong after proper cleaning and airing out, contact the manufacturer rather than repeating empty runs. Any first-use run must follow your exact model instructions.

Can I cook food while it still smells a little like plastic?

Cosori says it may be ready to use if the smell is mild, the unit is new, and you’ve removed the packaging, washed and dried the parts, and followed the first-use procedure authorized for your exact model. Don’t cook in it if the smell is strong or worsening, it smokes with no food inside, or you notice melting or an electrical odor.

Should I heat vinegar or lemon in the basket to remove the smell?

Cosori advises against heating vinegar, lemon juice, or other acidic mixtures inside the air fryer unless your manual says it’s safe, since acids may not suit every coating or seal. Use warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge only on surfaces your exact model instructions approve; this is not permission to wet or scrub the heating element.

For residue near the upper coil, see how to clean an air fryer heating element for model-specific limits and precautions.

Sources

• Philips – There Is a Plastic Smell Coming From My Philips Airfryer
• Philips – Can I Use Baking Paper/Tin Foil in My Philips Airfryer?
• Cosori – Why Your Air Fryer Smells Like Plastic? What to Do Before Cooking
• Gourmia – GAF824 8 Qt Digital Air Fryer User Manual (PDF)
• Instant Brands – Instant Pot Vortex 5L Air Fryer User Manual, UK edition (PDF)
• Health Canada – Certain Models of Cosori-Branded Air Fryers Recalled Due to Potential Fire Hazard
• Cosori – Voluntary Air Fryer Recall
• U.S. Fire Administration – Appliance and Electrical Fire Safety
• NFPA – Electrical Safety Checklist (PDF)
• CPSC – Recalls
• SaferProducts.gov (CPSC) – report a product safety problem

Last reviewed: October 13, 2026. Always follow your product’s manual and manufacturer instructions.

Targeted safety clarification reviewed October 19, 2026: heating-area cleaning and related repeated advice only; this was not a full revalidation of the article.