Food in an air fryer is stress-free and a much easier approach to cooking. It’s a healthy alternative to deep-frying and is super fun to work with. However, when you’re cooking something in an air fryer, you get tempted to open it from time to time to see what’s going on inside. So, is it safe to do that?
Yes, it is safe to open your air fryer while it’s on. As long as it slides open from the side or front, you can open it to shake the contents in the basket or check the food.
As we know, the air fryer heats the air inside the chamber and then circulates it to cook the food. If you keep the air fryer open for longer periods while it’s on, it will probably lose all that hot air. This will make your food turn out undercooked.
Pro-tip: So, remember to only open your air fryer for a couple of seconds while you’re checking on the food or shaking the basket so that it doesn’t lose all that hot air in the chamber!
How to open an air fryer while it’s on
It is much easier to operate an air fryer than you might think. You just need to be a little careful and be mindful of any potential hazards.
Follow the steps below:
- To open the machine, just pull very gently on the handle grip.
- Do NOT push on the red release button while removing the easy-load basket.
- Pull the easy-load basket out and put it on a protected surface.
- Then, press the red release button, which will separate the fry basket from the easy-load basket. And you’re done!
Note: Always remember to put the easy-load basket on a secure surface before removing the frying basket.
Stopping an air fryer halfway
You can totally stop an air fryer halfway. Some air fryers come with a pause button that can be used for this purpose. Other air fryers pause automatically when you pull the air fryer basket out and resume cooking when you put the basket back in.
However, some air fryers come with a safety feature that prevents you from taking out the basket while the air fryer is cooking. Make sure to read your air fryer’s specifications and manual thoroughly before operating it!
Removing the basket while the air fryer is cooking
You can safely remove the basket while the air fryer is cooking. Just pull the basket out while the air fryer is running to check on the food or give the basket a shake to spread the food out. Then, just pop the basket back in to resume cooking.
Ensure that you have oven mitts on when you’re taking out the basket to prevent any burns. The air inside the chamber is super hot and the basket itself is heated, so make sure to deal with the air fryer with care.
Also, remember what we mentioned above! Your air fryer model might have a safety lock to prevent you from pulling out the basket, so make sure to read the manual.
Related FAQs to opening an air fryer when it’s on!
Why did my air fryer explode?
If you don’t follow the specifications of your air fryer, it might explode. For example, if you fill it with water or food at the very bottom. Or, if you overfill it such that there’s barely any room left for air circulation, your air fryer will overheat and thus explode.
You always need to be extra careful with electrical appliances. An air fryer doesn’t explode under normal circumstances, but you should always read the instruction manual before using it.
Do you need to burn off a new air fryer?
Yes, you need to burn off some new air fryers. Some air fryer brands suggest we run it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes before using it for cooking for the first time. This is done so that the plastic in the air fryer burns off. It might give off an unpleasant smell, but it isn’t a cause for concern.
There can be several reasons behind this smell, but the major one is that the air fryers are covered with a protective coating. This coating gets exposed to high temperatures in the air fryer when you start using it, and it starts to burn, which causes the smell.
The coating burns away completely after a few uses, and the smell will eventually go away after that.
Should air fryers be unplugged when not in use?
It would be a much smarter move to unplug your air fryer when not in use. As it is an electronic appliance, you don’t want any unfortunate incidents to happen if you leave it plugged in.
Where should I place my air fryer?
Make sure to keep your air fryer on a level, heat-resistant countertop, with at least five inches of space behind the air fryer where the exhaust vent is located.
Can air fryers catch fire?
Like any other electrical appliance, an air fryer can catch fire. However, the chances for it to happen are very low.
Not using an air fryer properly can make it catch fire. For example, using it near water or overstuffing it with food may turn out to be hazardous.
How do you get the taste out of a new air fryer?
To get the taste out of a new air fryer, take a small ovenproof dish and put 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar in it. Mix these two up and place the small dish inside the air fryer. Set the temperature to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit and let the air fryer run for 3 minutes.
After that, let the air fryer cool down with the dish inside for 15 minutes. This will help the vinegar and lime to get coated on the insides of the air fryer and absorb all the unpleasant fumes.
Alternate method
Clean the air fryer, then turn it on with no food inside. Let it run at 350-400 degrees for 40 minutes. After you are done with that, let it cool down for 10-15 minutes. You can repeat this process 2-3 times until you have completely ridden the appliance of the smell.
Final thoughts
Although the entire process of opening the air fryer is easy, considering that it is an electrical appliance, there can be potential dangers while using it. We’ve made sure to include all the safety tips that will help you make the most of this appliance while also staying safe. Happy air frying!
Here is a helpful article on preheating an air fryer!