New Air Fryer Smells Like Plastic: What Brands Say
If your air fryer smells like plastic, we found no study of new air fryers, so we can't tell you what the smell is. We can tell you what a few brands say about their own. And if you see smoke with nothing in it, melting or a strong burning smell, stop: Cosori says to unplug it and let it cool.
updated November 2, 2026 · 3 min read
The short answer
We found no study on this, so we give no verdict of our own. Breville's manual says to run its oven empty for 20 minutes in a well-ventilated room. Cosori's blog says a light smell may show up in the first few heatings. Cosori also says to unplug and let it cool if you see smoke that isn't from food, or smell strong burning or melting.
What's on this page
What do we know?
We found no study of the smell from new air fryers. We have no lab and measure nothing, so we give no verdict of our own. Below are brands' statements, each about its own appliance. We found nothing from Ninja or other brands. If you own another brand, check your manual.
What does Breville say?
Breville's book covers this under “Before first use”. It says its BOV900 oven needs an empty 20-minute run “to remove any protective substances on the heating elements”, in a well-ventilated area, “as the oven may emit vapors”.
Breville then writes: “These vapors are safe and are not detrimental to the performance of the oven.” That is Breville's statement, about this oven. It doesn't mention a plastic smell.
What does Cosori say?
Cosori's blog names no model, so it's general advice from one brand.
- Cause: “A brand-new air fryer may release a light odor the first time it heats up.” Cosori says it may come from manufacturing leftovers, packaging, dust, or materials heating for the first time.
- How long: the odor appears during “the first one to three heating cycles”. It “often improves after the first few uses.”
- What isn't expected: “the smell should not be intense, smoky, or persistent.”
- Food smells: often linked to food or grease buildup.
What do other manuals say?
These are brands' words about their own appliances.
- Cosori TurboBlaze: “Any air fryer may have a plastic smell from the manufacturing process. This is normal.” It points to Customer Support if the smell stays. Cosori speaks for no other brand.
- Our Place Wonder Oven: on the trial run in a well-ventilated area, “a small amount of smoke and odor may be detected. This is normal and should be expected.”
- Gourmia GAF846: “During the first few uses, there might be a "hot plastic" smell.” It says the smell “will go away after the first few uses.”
More first steps are in air fryer first use. What Gourmia's manual says about its coating is on the Gourmia manual page.
What should I do?
These steps come from Breville and Cosori. Your own manual comes first.
Stop if you see smoke or melting
Cosori says to unplug it and let it cool if you notice “Smoke that is not clearly from food” or “A strong burning or melting smell.”Remove all packaging
Cosori says to remove “all packaging, stickers, films, and inserts”. Breville's list also names promotional labels and tape.Wash the removable parts
Breville says to wash the accessories in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge, then rinse and dry them. Cosori says never to put the base in water.Run it empty only as your manual says
Breville gives 20 minutes for the BOV900. Cosori says to use the time and temperature in your manual and not to leave it unattended. Keep the room ventilated.Air it out and try again
Cosori says the smell “fades after washing, drying, and airing out.” It warns against spraying cleaners into the appliance.
Who should I ask next?
The brand's customer support can tell you what your model is expected to do. Have the model number ready. If you're worried about how you feel, ask your doctor.
Read more in are air fryers toxic?. To compare what brands say about the parts inside, see the material table.
Common questions
My new air fryer smells like plastic. Is that dangerous?
We can't answer that, because we found no study of new air fryers and we have no lab. Cosori's blog says the smell “should not be intense, smoky, or persistent”, and that when in doubt you should stop and contact the brand.
How long does the smell last?
We found no measurement. Cosori's blog says the odor appears during “the first one to three heating cycles” and “often improves after the first few uses”. That post names no model, so it doesn't speak for other brands.
How do I get a smell out of an air fryer?
Cosori's blog says smells often come from food or grease buildup. It suggests warm water, mild dish soap and a soft sponge, drying fully before use. It warns against spraying cleaners into the appliance. Never put the base in water.
You might also like
- Are Air Fryers Toxic? What the Sources SayAre air fryers toxic? No source we read says so, and none gives a clean bill of health. Here is what the FDA and others say, in plain words.
- Air fryer first useWhat to do with a new air fryer before the first meal: wash the parts, check your manual for an empty run, and what Breville, Cosori and Our Place say.
- Air fryer without plasticIs there an air fryer with no plastic? We couldn't confirm one. See where brands name plastic, what they leave out, and what to ask before you buy.
- Material tableSee what 17 air fryers are made of. For each one we list the basket, the inside walls and any coating the brand names, with sources.
Where this comes from
- 1Breville, BOV900 instruction book, p. 9 (Before first use)
- 2Cosori, “Why Your Air Fryer Smells Like Plastic” (blog post, Content Team, May 17, 2026)
- 3Cosori, TurboBlaze CAF-DC601-KUS user manual, pp. 11 and 18
- 4Our Place, Wonder Oven user manual, p. 14 (copy hosted by QVC)
- 5Gourmia, GAF846 manual, section 4, Before First Use (copy on ManualsLib)
Stainless Steel Air Fryer Editorial Team
We are the team behind Stainless Steel Air Fryer. We read what the companies say and explain it in plain English. We don’t run lab tests, and we say so when we couldn’t find something out.