Air Fryer Die? How to Know If A Broken Air Fryer Is Salvageable

If you rely on your air fryer often, it can really wreck your day if it stops working. While it’s not a good idea to try to fix it yourself, there are ways to troubleshoot and possibly get it back up and running. Ahead, learn how to do just that, with expert advice from Caleb Caviness of AryCo.

Why Did My Air Fryer Stop Heating Up?

“There are multiple failure points that could happen in an air fryer,” Caviness says. Common issues include an improperly seated basket, dirty heating coils or a blown thermal fuse. Less common, but still possible problems are a broken fan motor, faulty safety sensor or electrical issues.

What to Do If Your Air Fryer Dies

Don’t panic, and follow these troubleshooting steps:

Check the outlet

“Before you blame your fryer, make sure that the outlet itself is working, as kitchen GFCIs are notorious for tripping under the load of an air fryer,” Caviness says. Fix any flipped breakers or press the reset button on a GFCI outlet to fix this problem.

Reseat the basket

Reseat the basket firmly and make sure there’s no food or debris blocking the safety switch from engaging. Make sure you hear or feel the basket click into place, which activates the safety feature and allows the unit to heat up.

Thoroughly clean

Regular cleaning prevents grease or oil from building up on the heating coils. “Grease splatter can bake onto the coil, which creates hot spots that eventually snap the heating element,” Caviness says. To clean, unplug the appliance and use a soft brush to remove any carbonized grease and oil from the heating coil.

Unplug for 30 minutes

Most air fryers have a safety feature that powers the appliance down if overheating. This can happen during extended use or with high temperature settings. Caviness suggests unplugging it for 30 minutes to let the overheat sensors reset.

Investigate the fan

Air fryers rely on fans to circulate hot air and properly cook food. If the fan is failing, you’ll hear a rattling, labored sound, and if it stops working altogether, the unit will be very quiet during use, and food will fail to cook. Buy a new air fryer if this is the case.

Check the plug

“Run your hand down the power cord, and if you feel a soft spot or see browning around the plug area, the internal wires probably melted from high amperage,” Caviness says. It’s time for a replacement if you find this electrical issue.

Consider age

Most air fryers last between two and five years, depending on the quality and frequency of use. High-priced models may last a bit longer, but if your air fryer falls within this time frame, it might be time for a new one.

Can You Get an Air Fryer Repaired?

While you can get an air fryer repaired, it doesn’t make much practical sense. “Most air fryers cost between $60 and $150 and professional electrical labor is usually $80-$120 per hour,” Caviness says. “So, unless it’s a high-end commercial-grade fryer, you’re probably better off just getting a high-quality replacement than paying for labor.”

Trying to repair an air fryer yourself is also not recommended, as it involves high-voltage parts (even when unplugged) and voids the warranty.

How to Tell If an Air Fryer Is Good Quality

Higher prices will generally reflect a higher quality, but look for other features as well, like sturdy, heavy-duty power cords. “Thin cords overheat and can lead to internal failure,” Caviness says.

Also, look for mechanical dials instead of cheap touchscreen interfaces, as these can often withstand heat exposure longer.

Finally, “look for fryers with stainless steel interiors because they hold heat better and are easier to clean than thin non-stick coatings that chip and flake over time,” Caviness says.

About the Expert

• Caleb Caviness is general manager at AryCo, a family‑owned HVAC, electrical and plumbing company in Decatur, Texas.

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