Air fryers have changed my life. It’s nearly impossible to return once you’ve tried preparing anything on them. I never imagined I’d be able to enjoy my favorite snacks without the grease and excess oil that usually comes with preparing them. If you’re like me and you enjoy eating delicious foods while also paying attention to your health. It’s a win-win situation that would be impossible without air fryers. They are necessary in any modern kitchen around the world.

So, why is my air fryer not heating up? If your air fryer is not heating up, it could be as a result of several problems. It could range from a faulty power source to a blown thermal fuse. Because these appliances are much more complex than they appear, attempting to repair whatever is wrong with them can be difficult without the proper steps to follow. But do not think about it: I’ve got you covered.

Why is My Air Fryer Not Heating Up?

One of the most common causes is a faulty cable, heating element, or blown a fuse. Other possible causes include failing to set the temperature manually, failing to set the cooking time duration, or failing to close your air fryer properly.

Let’s take an in dept look at some of these reasons:

1. Faulty power cable

It is one of the primary causes of the heating problem. Normal wear and tear can damage the power cable. So inspecting an air fryer’s power cable should be your top priority. You can use a multimeter to check continuity or a tester to ensure proper power supply at the other terminal.

2. Setting the manual temperature

Most advanced air fryers include a pre-heat setting based on the food you select on display. However, if you fail to set it manually, your air fryer will not begin heating automatically.

3. Setting the cooking time

Also, forgetting to set your air fyer’s cooking time can cause it to not heat. The air fryer will not begin to heat so that your food does not burn and start a fire. its a safety measure.

4. Open air fryer door

If you overfill the air fryer basket or pot, the door may not close properly, or there may not be enough space for hot air to circulate. In these cases, the air fryer will not begin heating.

5. Heating element

If none of the above caused the heating issue, the heating element may not be receiving power. In this case, you should contact a technician or visit a brand store for assistance.

How Hot Do Air Fryers Get?

Air fryers are essentially miniature countertop convection ovens. They work by using a fan to move heat around the food. This function is similar to the convection feature in a full-sized oven or a large toaster oven.

However, air fryers are not as hot as your oven. None of the air fryers available on sale can exceed 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

For instance, the COSORI Air Fryer. The Cosori has received rave reviews and is reasonably priced. It is best for someone who wants to try air frying without investing much money in something they’re not sure about.

Aside from the fact that they are inexpensive, there are numerous advantages to owning an air fryer. They are straightforward to use and clean. You only just need to set both the time and temperature. When your food is ready, it will beep or ding and turn off.

Some of the more expensive models include WiFi connectivity and presets for specific types of food. The best part about using an air fryer is that it doesn’t stink up my entire house as deep frying does.

Why Does My Air Fryer Set Off the Smoke Alarm?

You’ve probably heard about all the benefits of air fryers if you own one or are considering buying one. However, many people are curious as to whether air fryers trigger smoke alarms.

The smoke alarm will most likely go off if there’s smoke from your air fryer. The smoke is usually due to food or oil splattering on the heating element. If this occurs, turn off the air fryer and carefully wipe the bottom of the machine with a paper towel. Attempt to remove all of the excess grease. 

Another option is to place a piece of bread at the bottom of the machine to absorb any oil. You can do a few things to keep your air fryer from smoking and setting off the smoke alarm. When frying, don’t use too much oil. One of the benefits of using an air fryer is that you only need a small amount of oil occasionally. 

Avoid cooking super-fatty foods in the air fryer, such as bacon. If you cook fatty foods, keep in mind that smoking may be a byproduct of the process. Smoking is likely to occur when high-fat foods are cooked at high temperatures. Place bread at the bottom of the air fryer to see if it helps reduce some of the smoking. 

The majority of it, however, will be due to fat splattering on the heating elements. You can’t avoid this unless you cook high-fat foods on the stovetop or in a conventional oven. However, it should be no surprise that stovetop-cooked bacon produces more grease splatter and smoking than air fryer-cooked bacon.

Inspect the heating elements if you still detect smoke after cleaning the air fryer and not using it for cooking high-fat foods. Food particles may have become stuck to the heating elements and are now burning.

Allow the air fryer to cool completely before wiping down the heating element to remove old grease and food particles. Finally, make sure that the temperature is set correctly. If you cook at too high a temperature, you risk burning your food and producing smoke.

Do Air Fryers Catch on Fire?

Due to their popularity, air fryers receive a lot of reviews, some of which are unfavorable. There are risks and safety precautions you may need to think about with this equipment, just like with other electrical items. But do air fryers actually catch fire?

It is unlikely for an air fryer to catch on fire despite people’s belief that it is prone to causing fire hazards. But, it is not impossible. User error, dirty machines, and even faulty machines can all cause a fire. For example, it may catch fire if you do not follow the manufacturer’s instructions and are not cautious.

As a result, it is not limited to air fryers and can occur with other household appliances. In addition, an air fryer catching fire is a rare occurrence. A deep fryer is an alternative to an air fryer. An air fryer sounds far more dangerous than a large vat of hot oil on your countertop or stovetop.

However, air fryers are far safer than traditional deep fryers. Have you ever made frozen french fries in your deep fryer? If you have, you may be aware that when you place frozen fries in your deep fryer, they splatter all over the place. I know this because when I deep fry french fries, I always dump and run! With my air fryer, however, I simply place some fries in the basket, set the temperature, and wait. Simple as that.

What Should I Put Under My Air Fryer to Protect the Countertop From the Heat?

Do not place your air fryer directly on your stovetop or countertop. When used on a stovetop, it can cause the unit to melt and even catch fire. While it is probably fine on your stone or granite countertop, do you want to risk cracking your countertops? If you have Corian or similar countertops, you may risk melting them.

You can protect your countertops by placing a few items beneath your air fryer. So, using something as simple as a wooden cutting board to protect your countertops works well. If you don’t have a wooden cutting board, you can get protective mats for as little as $15.00 on Amazon.

These Amazon Supmat XL Extra Large Silicone Mats come in a set of two and would be ideal. They are also multifunctional. You can line your oven with one and use the other to protect your countertops!

Best Air Fryers

1. DASH Compact Air Fryer

The Dash Compact is an excellent air fryer for people who only cook for themselves or for those who are new to air frying and want to give it a try. With a capacity of 1.7 liters, it can quickly cook one portion of food. Its small footprint means it takes up less space on your counter, and the compact basket makes cleaning easier. 

This model has a dial timer, which makes it difficult to program to the minute. A dial also controls the temperature, and there aren’t many options, but I found the Dash a good choice because I air fry most foods at the maximum 400°F temperature. It comes in various vibrant colors, unlike most air fryers on the market. The aqua color variant is a personal favorite.

Pros:

• Available in varieties of colors
• It does not take up as much counter space as full-size models

Cons:

• Homemade fries did not cook uniformly.

Conclusion

Failure to do the one thing your air fryer was designed to do can defeat the purpose of owning it and leave you extremely frustrated. As you’ve discovered, this problem could be caused by various factors. Because the components in your air fryer are interdependent, a single failure can create a chain reaction.

Safety should always be your priority, so if you have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact a technician.