Air fryers are indeed a blessing for all those who enjoy the crispy texture and rich flavor of fried foods but who don’t want to consume too much fat. They’re also great for making cookies, pastries, and more.
However, a common problem with new air fryers seems to be the presence of a strong plastic smell when the appliance is heated. This can be worrying (is it safe?) and off-putting (who wants their food tasting of plastic?).
It is probably due to some plastic having been left inside the fryer from food packaging or the air fryer’s original packaging. When the fryer was turned on, it would have caused this plastic to melt, leaving a nasty odor.
All is not lost, however, and in this article, we’ll tell you about some of the ways to eliminate this plastic smell from your air fryer for good.
How to Get Plastic Smell Out Of Air Fryer?
1. Check for plastic
There’s no point in trying to get rid of the plastic smell if there’s still some plastic inside the fryer. Open the appliance and check inside for any traces of plastic. Check the racks and lid, and remember to also check the heating element.
2. Lime juice, lemon juice, or vinegar
Lime or lemon juice and vinegar are among the best solutions for many household cleaning problems. Most people already have one of these natural cleansers in their kitchens. They contain no toxins and are very effective at eliminating odors and stains.
To use one of these fresh-smelling natural cleaning solutions, take an oven-safe dish and pour a couple of tablespoons of either lime juice, lemon juice, or vinegar into it.
You can use a mixture of all three if you like. Mix this with an equal quantity of water. Now, place the dish in your air fryer and let it run for around 3-5 minutes at 300-350 degrees Fahrenheit.
The solution will evaporate and work on the plastic fumes. After everything has cooled down, take a cloth and dip it into the remaining solution. Wipe inside the air fryer to eliminate any remaining traces of plastic smell.
3. Aluminum Foil
Another cool trick that you can use to avoid such smells being absorbed into your air fryer in the first place is to use aluminum foil. Remember to only put the foil into the basket or it will interfere with the air circulation inside the appliance.
Always ensure that the foil is weighted down with food to prevent it from blowing onto the element. Parchment paper is also useful and will not react with acidic foods the way aluminum foil does.
4. Preheating
Preheating might sound simple but it is the best way to get your air fryer free of any plastic smell that might be in there.
If the smell is mild, you just need to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes and that should be enough to eliminate the smell. Of course, do this before adding any food.
5. Kitchen Cleaner
There are also some safe and effective kitchen cleaning products available on the market that are designed for perfect cleaning. For a start, we recommend using a little ordinary dish soap on a damp microfiber cloth.
Wipe down the entire inside of your air fryer then rinse with a clean, damp cloth. This alone should eliminate any dirt, bad smells, or remaining pieces of burnt plastic. You can also try an ammonia-based liquid household cleaner.
Be sure to rinse it well and preheat the air fryer afterward so that your food isn’t tainted. Please remember that your air fryer has a non-stick coating so never try to scrape bits of plastic or burnt-on food with metal utensils. Instead, use a non-abrasive scourer or bristle brush.
6. Baking Soda
What would we do without good old baking soda? It has been used for decades to gently clean surfaces and appliances and eliminate odors. First, remove any removable parts and wash these in the dishwasher.
Next, make a paste of baking soda and water and use this to clean the inside of the appliance. Use a soft cloth or brush. When you’re done, rinse off the paste with a soft, damp cloth.
To Conclude
We’re confident that our tips will effectively eliminate that awful plastic smell from your air fryer. Please let us know which of them worked for you by posting your message in the comments section.