Smoke is a common problem when using air fryers and is usually caused by dripping food grease, carbonization at high temperatures, or incomplete cleaning. If the smoke is very light and is accompanied by a slight smell, it is probably caused by the evaporation of oil or seasoning in the food at high temperatures. This is especially common when frying high-fat foods such as bacon, sausage or skinned chicken.
But if the smoke is strong and accompanied by a pungent burnt smell, attention needs to be paid.
Here are some common treatment methods and precautions:

1. Common causes of smoke generation
Too much fat in food: High-fat ingredients (such as pork belly and chicken wings) drop into the heating tube at high temperatures and instantly vaporize to produce smoke.
Residue or grease buildup: High temperature carbonization of old oil stains and food debris left in frying baskets or bottom heating pipes.
Temperature set too high: exceeds the temperature required for ingredients (for example, French fries only need 180°C, but set above 200°C).
Use the wrong cooking tool: Cover it too tightly when placing tin foil or baking paper, hindering hot air circulation and causing localized overheating.

2. How to deal with the smoke from the air fryer
Immediately power off and stop heating. This is the most important step.
Do not open the fryer immediately. If the smoke is strong, let the fryer sit for a few minutes and carefully open it after the smoke dissipates.
Inspect the frying basket and bottom. Look for food debris or excessive oil dripping to the bottom, which can quickly carbonize and create smoke at high temperatures.

3. Tips for preventing smoke
Control the amount of grease.: The principle of air fryer is to use hot air circulation and only requires little or no oil. Too much oil will not only make food greasy, but also easily produce smoke when heated.
Cleaning the frying basket and bottom: Be sure to thoroughly clean the frying basket and bottom of fryer pot after each use. If there is oil stains or food residue left on the bottom, smoke and peculiar smell will be generated next time it is heated.
Avoid frying foods with too high fat content.: If you often fry high-fat foods, you can place a piece of baking paper or tin foil on the bottom of the frying basket to effectively absorb excess oil and prevent it from dripping to the bottom.
Check the food type.: Some foods themselves are prone to producing large amounts of steam or smoke, such as cured meat or vegetables with high moisture content.
First use of the new pot: Boil in air for 10 minutes (200°C) before first use to remove factory protective coating residues.
Water injection method: When cooking high-fat food, add 1 teaspoon of water (or mix in lemon juice) to the bottom of the frying basket to reduce grease splashing.

4. Safety precautions
Stay away from combustibles: Leave more than 10cm of space around the air fryer when working.
Avoid overtime use: Continuous operation for more than 1 hour requires shutdown for 10 minutes.
Handling abnormal situations: If the smoke is accompanied by a burnt smell or abnormal sound, stop using it immediately and contact after-sales service.

5. Cleaning points for air fryer
(1) Clean it after each use
Even if you only fry a small amount of food, grease and food debris may remain in the frying basket and bottom. These residues will produce smoke and peculiar smells when heated next time, and even affect the taste of the food. Therefore, simple cleaning should be carried out after each use.

(2) Cleaning steps
Cooling: Be sure to allow the air fryer to cool completely before starting cleaning. Do not directly rinse the equipment with water while it is still hot, to avoid damage to internal parts or burns.
Soak: If there is stubborn dirt on the bottom of frying baskets and fryer pots, soak in warm water and a little detergent for about 15 minutes. This effectively softens adhered oils and food debris, making cleaning easier.
Scrub: Use a soft sponge or cleaning cloth to scrub the bottom of fryer baskets and fryer pots. If dirt is difficult to remove, use a soft bristle brush. Remember not to use steel balls or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the non-stick coating.
Clean the heating tube: Make sure there are no grease or food debris around the heating tube. If dirt is found, wipe it carefully with a wet rag or soft brush.

(3) Precautions
Don't use a dishwasher: Although some air-fryer pots claim to be dishwasher friendly, it's best to wash them by hand to protect non-stick coatings. High temperatures and powerful detergents in the dishwasher may accelerate coating aging.
Do not soak the main unit: The main unit of an air fryer (the part with heating elements and fans) must not be immersed in water. Just wipe the outside with a wet rag.
Thoroughly dry: Make sure the frying basket and bottom of fryer pot are completely dry before putting them back into the main machine. A humid environment can cause bacteria to grow or electrical shorting.