When the smoke alarm goes off using an air fryer, it might be annoying. Some households may experience this, leaving you wondering what’s happening. After all, when an air fryer is operating, it won’t emit smoke.
You might then question why the air fryer is activating the smoke alarm. The most frequent reason for an air fryer to trigger a smoke alarm is that the smoke alarm isn’t working correctly because the battery is weak. The majority of older smoke alarms have this problem. Replace the battery or smoke alarm to resolve the problem.
Many folks are shocked when an air fryer sets off the smoke alarm. The battery will lose power and become much more sensitive to alteration. Running an air fryer in the same space is an example of this. There is no need to fear; simply replacing the smoke alarm’s battery will take care of the issue.
Here’s an explanation of how to prevent your home’s smoke alarm from being triggered by an air fryer.
How To Prevent An Air Fryer From Triggering A Smoke Alarm
1. Change the Batteries in the Alarm
You must ascertain the source of the alarm’s activation if the air fryer does so. Since it’s frequently considered that the air fryer is smoking, it’s to blame for the issue. But it is absolutely not the case.
A smoke alarm gets more sensitive to environmental changes as it gets older. This may entail adding an air fryer to the circuit or causing a small amount of smoke. Yes, the air fryer sets the alarm off, but the smoke alarm’s age and battery life are to blame.
You’ll need to replace the smoke alarm’s entire unit or change the battery to resolve this problem.
2. Move the Air Fryer
You must comprehend how the air fryer affects the smoke alarm if one goes off after utilizing the air fryer. Although this isn’t a long-term fix, you can use it while the smoke alarm’s battery changes. The goal is to relocate the air fryer’s current location within the home.
It won’t cause the smoke alarm to sound if you move it away from it. This is only a temporary fix; do not rely on it; you should still immediately replace the smoke alarm’s battery.
3. Use A Surge Protector
You risk overloading the circuit when you connect the air fryer. The smoke alarm might then also go off as a result of this. Even if it doesn’t happen often, it is something to be aware of. Your objective is to employ a surge protector to ensure that the air fryer operates appropriately without endangering the circuit.
By doing this, you also ensure that the air fryer won’t set off the smoke alarm. If you want things to go as planned, it’s crucial to consider this.
Do Air Fryer Trigger Smoke Alarms?
I adore my air fryer; however, many are curious whether air fryers trigger smoke detectors since they are “frying” food. You must know all the benefits of air fryers if you own one or are considering buying one.
No. When used correctly, air fryers do not trigger smoke detectors. Despite being made to air fry food at a high temperature without creating a fire hazard, applying too much oil or filling the basket to the brim may trigger smoke detectors.
But there is much to learn about why air fryers trigger smoke detectors. You might also be curious to know how you can cut back on smoke. I’ll provide you all of these specifics in this essay. In addition, I’ll offer tips on how to thoroughly clean your air fryer.
In addition to air frying, this appliance grills, bakes, roasts, and dehydrates food—and it doesn’t smoke, either! Like having a barbecue indoors.
What Causes So Much Smoke From Air Fryers?
Smoke should not be produced by your air fryer. However, if it smokes, it’s probably because food crumbs or oil splashes onto the heating element. Overcrowding the basket or using too much oil on the food might also contribute to this.
In this case, turn off the air fryer and use a paper towel to carefully clean away any excess grease from the bottom of the appliance. Even a piece of bread can be placed at the base of the appliance to absorb any oil. The extra oil can still be prevented from smoking by adding a few tablespoons of water to the bottom of the basket.
Stop using your air fryer if you’ve ever worried about how much smoke it produces. Switch to another cooking method, such as your oven, cooktop, or even a deep fryer, then unplug the appliance while you wait for it to cool.
Grease is released by fatty foods, and this grease will splatter over the heating element. Sometimes it’s not just grease but also food fragments. It’s important to note that anything that gets stuck on the heating element will burn and smoke.
Food particles may become caught in the heating element if you cook too much food. Your air fryer is probably burning even though your meal isn’t very fatty because your basket is too full. Or perhaps you started out by putting too much oil on the dish.
Another issue can be that you’re cooking at too-high heat. Some air fryers could cook food too hot too quickly. To avoid smoke, try cooking your food for longer at a lower temperature in your air fryer.
Does My Air Fryer Usually Smoke?
No. Usually, air fryers don’t produce smoke or activate smoke alarms. If it does start to smoke, the cause is probably the extra fat and/or oil that can accumulate while cooking. Cooking fatty dishes like bacon or hamburgers is an excellent example of this.
The air fryer’s bottom of the frying compartment typically becomes caked with extra fat or oil. As a result of the high temperatures forcing it to burn, it will begin to smoke at this point.
Under typical usage circumstances, an air fryer shouldn’t smoke. If it does smoke, the appliance’s usage is more likely to cause it. If food is attached to your air fryer’s heating element at the top, you might even see smoke.
Although the smoke alarm went off five times, using the air fryer for the first time at home on these bad boys was a success overall.
How Do I Get My Air Fryer To Quit Smoking?
When an air fryer starts to smoke while cooking, remove the food basket for a while, put the pan back in, and carefully wipe up any extra oil collected at the bottom because it will still be hot. Additionally, ensure there is no food or grease on the appliance’s interior. If so, wipe again with caution because it will be scorching. You may avoid having your air fryer trigger the smoke alarm by taking a few steps.
First, don’t fry with too much oil. Avoid cooking extremely fatty foods in the air fryer, such as bacon. Avoid the temptation to fill the basket with food to the top. An air fryer only requires a small amount of oil, if any, is one of its benefits. Now, if you cook fatty items, be aware that smoking can merely be a byproduct of the procedure. It’s normal to expect some smoking when cooking high-fat foods at high heat.
Second, test if using the bread at the bottom of the air fryer can help cut down on some of the smoke. But most of it will be caused by fat splashing the heating components. That cannot be avoided unless you prepare your high-fat foods on the stovetop or in an ordinary oven. However, cooking bacon on the stovetop could produce much more smoke and spray of grease than air frying.
If you’re not frying anything with a lot of fat in your air fryer and it’s clean but still smoking, look at the heating components. Food fragments that become adhered to heating components might burn and smoke. Wait until the air fryer has completely cooled before using a soft cloth to clean the heating element of old grease and leftover food.
Lastly, be confident that the temperature setting is appropriate. You risk burning your food and making it smoke if you cook at too high temperatures. The maximum cooking temperature for air fryers is close to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. They are made so that you can cook your meal at high heat without risking a fire. Nevertheless, they risk overheating if the manufacturer’s recommendations are not followed.
Final Remarks
What causes my air fryer to trigger the smoke alarm? The smoke alarm’s age and battery life are typically to blame if the air fryer trips the alert. Replace the smoke alarm’s battery or purchase a brand-new one to solve the issue.
A broken smoke alarm puts you and your loved ones in danger; therefore, it’s essential to make some sort of change. This problem may arise if the smoke alarm has used the same battery for a long time.

Hiiii! My name is Ruth and I am an experienced chef with a passion for food and cooking. My love of baking began when I was nine, and I have since been refining my skills in the kitchen ever since.