How to Set Up Your Air Fryer

Last reviewed on 28 April 2026.

Congratulations on your new air fryer! Setting it up properly ensures optimal performance and safety. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the complete setup process from unboxing to your first cook.

Step 1: Unboxing Your Air Fryer

Carefully remove your air fryer from its packaging. You should typically find:

• The main air fryer unit
• Removable cooking basket
• Drip tray or crisper plate
• User manual and quick start guide
• Recipe book (with some models)
• Accessories (depending on your model)

Remove all packaging materials, including any protective plastic wrap, foam inserts, and cardboard. Check inside the basket and cooking chamber for any packing materials.

Step 2: Initial Cleaning

Before first use, wash all removable parts to remove any manufacturing residues:

1. Remove the basket and tray from the main unit
2. Wash with warm soapy water using a soft sponge or cloth
3. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with a clean towel
4. Wipe the interior of the main unit with a damp cloth (never immerse the main unit in water)
5. Wipe the exterior with a clean, damp cloth

Most baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing for the first cleaning is recommended to inspect the non-stick coating.

Step 3: Find the Perfect Location

Choosing the right location for your air fryer is crucial for safety and performance:

Surface Requirements

• Flat, stable, heat-resistant surface (countertop, kitchen island)
• Never place on stovetops, plastic surfaces, or unstable tables
• Ensure the surface can support the weight of the unit plus food

Clearance and Ventilation

• Minimum 5-6 inches clearance on all sides
• Keep away from walls to prevent heat damage and discoloration
• Never place under cabinets unless there's adequate clearance
• Ensure good ventilation – blocked vents can cause overheating
• Keep the back vent clear for proper airflow

What to Avoid

• Near curtains, paper towels, or other flammable materials
• Areas with poor ventilation
• Directly beneath smoke detectors (steam may trigger them)
• Places where the cord might be a tripping hazard
• High-traffic areas where it could be bumped

Step 4: Burn-Off Run (Highly Recommended)

Before cooking food, run your air fryer empty to eliminate any manufacturing odors or residues:

1. Ensure all removable parts are clean and properly installed
2. Place the empty basket back into the unit
3. Plug in the air fryer
4. Set temperature to 400°F (200°C)
5. Set timer for 5-10 minutes
6. Run in a well-ventilated area or open a window

You may notice a slight odor during this first run – this is normal and should dissipate quickly. The burn-off helps:

• Remove manufacturing oils and residues
• Eliminate the "new appliance" smell
• Prepare the non-stick coating for optimal performance

Step 5: Understanding Your Controls

Basic Controls

Familiarize yourself with the main controls:

• Power Button – Turns the unit on/off
• Temperature Control – Usually 180°F to 400°F (80°C to 200°C)
• Timer Control – Typically 1-60 minutes
• Start/Pause Button – Begins or pauses cooking

Advanced Features (Model Dependent)

• Preset Buttons – Pre-programmed settings for common foods
• Preheat Function – Automatically preheats to desired temperature
• Shake Reminder – Alerts you to shake the basket mid-cook
• Keep Warm Function – Maintains temperature after cooking
• Dual Zone Controls – For models with two cooking baskets

Step 6: Safety Checks

Before your first cook, verify these safety points:

• ✓ Cord is fully extended and not crimped or damaged
• ✓ Outlet is grounded and can handle the wattage (check user manual)
• ✓ Unit is stable and won't tip over
• ✓ Nothing flammable is nearby
• ✓ Basket releases and inserts smoothly
• ✓ All parts are dry before use
• ✓ You have oven mitts or heat-safe gloves ready

Step 7: Your First Cook

For your inaugural air fryer experience, start with something simple:

Recommended First Recipes

• Frozen French Fries – Hard to mess up, shows you how crispy air frying can be
• Chicken Wings – Demonstrates the air fryer's ability to handle fatty foods
• Frozen Vegetables – Quick, healthy, and forgiving

Simple Frozen Fries Test

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes
2. Add a single layer of frozen fries to the basket (don't overcrowd)
3. Cook for 12-15 minutes
4. Shake the basket halfway through (around 7 minutes)
5. Check for desired crispiness – cook 2-3 more minutes if needed

Troubleshooting Common Setup Issues

Unit Won't Turn On

• Check that it's plugged in securely
• Ensure the basket is properly inserted (safety feature)
• Try a different outlet
• Check your circuit breaker

Strong Chemical Smell

• Normal during first 1-2 uses
• Run the burn-off cycle again
• Ensure good ventilation
• Wash all parts again with soapy water

Basket Doesn't Fit Smoothly

• Ensure you've removed all packing materials
• Check that you're inserting it in the correct orientation
• Don't force it – consult your manual

Next Steps

Now that your air fryer is set up and ready to go:

• Read through the complete user manual when you have time
• Register your product for warranty protection
• Explore our cooking times guide for temperature and time references
• Check out beginner tips for best practices
• Review our safety guidelines

What You Need Before You Start

Getting the setup right from the beginning saves frustration later. Before you plug anything in, run through this quick checklist so your first cook goes smoothly.

Counter Space and Clearance

Air fryers need room to breathe — literally. Hot air exhausts from the back or top depending on the model, so you need at least 15 cm (6 inches) of clearance on all sides, and ideally more above. Never push the unit flush against a wall or tuck it under a low cabinet while it is running. The exhaust will build heat that can damage cabinets, discolour surfaces, and in worst cases cause a fire hazard.

A Heat-Resistant Surface

Place your air fryer on a heat-resistant mat or a solid worktop — not a wooden chopping board, not a cloth, not a silicone trivet that is thinner than 5 mm. The underside gets warm during use, and a proper surface protects both the unit and your counter.

A Dedicated Outlet

Air fryers draw between 1,400 W and 2,000 W depending on the model. That is a significant load. Do not share a socket or extension strip with another high-draw appliance — a kettle, toaster, or microwave on the same circuit can trip a breaker or, worse, overheat older wiring. Plug directly into a wall socket rated for the wattage.

Accessories Worth Having on Day One

The basket or tray that ships with your air fryer is genuinely all you need to start. However, a few extras are useful from the first week: parchment liners sized for your basket (they catch drips and cut cleaning time), a pair of silicone-tipped tongs for turning food without scratching the coating, and an instant-read thermometer if you plan to cook chicken or meat regularly. For a full rundown of what is worth buying and when, see the air fryer accessories guide.

Basket-Style vs Oven-Style Setup

The two most common air fryer designs handle setup slightly differently. Getting these details right on the first use means fewer odd smells, better airflow, and safer operation.

Basket-Style Models

Drawer-style air fryers have a basket that slides into a housing. When setting up:

• Seat the drawer fully. Push it in until you feel or hear a definite click. A half-inserted drawer disrupts the airflow seal and will produce uneven cooking and strange fan noises.
• Check the drip area beneath the basket. Most baskets sit in a drip tray. Make sure nothing is blocking the gap between the basket and the outer drawer — grease needs somewhere to drain, and a blocked drip area creates smoke.
• Remove any packing material from inside the basket before the first run. It sounds obvious, but cardboard inserts are easy to miss.

Oven-Style Models

Toaster-oven-style air fryers have a front door and multiple rack positions. Setup differences include:

• Insert racks and trays in the correct slots. Most manuals label the slots 1 (bottom) to 3 or 4 (top). Air fry mode generally uses the middle or upper-middle slot for best circulation.
• Rotisserie fitting. If your model includes a rotisserie spit, test the mounting brackets before loading food — they can be fiddly and you do not want to discover a misfit mid-cook.
• More clearance above is essential. Oven-style units exhaust heavily from the top rear. Allow at least 20–25 cm (8–10 inches) above the unit when running, and keep the top surface clear at all times.

For a deeper comparison of how these two types perform and which suits your kitchen, read the basket vs oven-style air fryer guide.

Do You Need to Preheat? Building Good Habits

Preheating your air fryer is one of those habits that makes a noticeable difference for certain foods — and almost no difference for others. Here is when it matters.

When Preheating Helps

A 2–3 minute preheat (to cooking temperature, with the basket empty) is worth doing for:

• Frozen foods — chips, nuggets, battered fish. The immediate hit of heat starts the crisping process before the food has time to steam in its own moisture.
• Meat and fish — chicken pieces, salmon, sausages. A hot environment from the start gives you better browning and more accurate timing.
• Anything you want genuinely crispy. If texture is the goal, preheat.

When It Barely Matters

For longer bakes — cakes, frittatas, stuffed vegetables — starting from cold is fine. The food will come up to temperature alongside the air fryer and the extra minute or two evens out.

Four Habits That Improve Every Cook

• Single layer only. Stacking food blocks airflow and gives you half-steamed, half-fried results. Cook in batches if needed.
• Shake or flip halfway. Basket models benefit from a shake at the halfway point; oven-style models benefit from flipping food with tongs.
• Light oil, not heavy. A spray or light brush is all you need. Too much oil drips into the tray and smokes.
• Pat food dry before cooking. Excess surface moisture turns to steam and softens the crust. A quick pat with kitchen paper makes a real difference, especially for frozen food that has thawed slightly.

To understand why these habits work at a mechanical level, read how air fryers work.

First-Week Settings Cheat Sheet

These eight foods are ideal for your first week — straightforward, forgiving, and a reliable way to learn how your specific model behaves. Times are for typical basket-style units; oven-style models often run 2–3 minutes longer. Always check food is cooked through before serving.

Food	Temp	Time	Note
Frozen chips / fries	200°C / 400°F	15–18 min	Shake halfway; single layer for crispiest results
Frozen chicken nuggets	200°C / 400°F	10–12 min	Flip at 6 min; check coating is golden and firm
Chicken breast (boneless)	190°C / 375°F	12–15 min	Internal temp must reach 75°C / 165°F; rest 2 min before cutting
Sausages	180°C / 360°F	12–15 min	Turn once; prick thick sausages before cooking
Bacon rashers	200°C / 400°F	7–10 min	Lay flat; check at 7 min and adjust for preferred crispness
Salmon fillet	200°C / 400°F	8–10 min	Skin side down; flesh should flake easily when done
Reheated pizza slice	160°C / 325°F	3–4 min	Far better than microwave; base crisps up nicely

For a comprehensive chart covering vegetables, baked goods, and more unusual cuts of meat, see the full air fryer cooking times guide.

Air Fryer Setup FAQ

Do I need to season or oil a new air fryer?

No. Air fryers do not need seasoning the way cast iron pans do. The non-stick coating on the basket is ready to use after a simple wash and the burn-off run described in the main setup guide. Applying oil to an empty non-stick basket can actually degrade the coating over time, so save the oil for the food itself.

Why does my new air fryer smell?

A chemical or plastic smell on first use is normal. It comes from manufacturing residues — protective coatings, lubricants, and adhesives used during production — burning off for the first time. The smell is not harmful in a well-ventilated kitchen and fades significantly after the initial burn-off run. If a strong smell persists beyond three or four cooks, check that all packing materials have been removed and contact the manufacturer. For more on keeping your kitchen safe while using an air fryer, see the air fryer safety tips guide.

How long should the burn-off run be?

Run the empty air fryer at its maximum temperature for 10–15 minutes with good ventilation — open a window or run the extractor fan. This is enough time to burn off the majority of manufacturing residue. Do this before your first cook, not during it. Some models produce visible wisps of light smoke during this run; that is normal. Heavy or dark smoke is not — switch off and investigate.

Can I put it under a kitchen cabinet?

Only if there is adequate clearance above the unit. The hot exhaust from most air fryers rises from the back or top, and repeated exposure to that heat will discolour, warp, or damage cabinet surfaces and the material beneath them. As a working minimum, allow at least 15 cm (6 inches) of clear space above the air fryer — more is better, especially for oven-style units. If your cabinets sit lower than that, find an open counter position instead.

Do I need special accessories to start?

No. The basket, tray, or rack that came in the box is everything you need for the first week. Parchment liners, silicone moulds, rack inserts, and skewers are all useful eventually, but none of them are necessary to get started. Learn how your machine cooks first, then add accessories that match what you actually make. The beginners guide to air frying covers which accessories are genuinely useful at each stage.

How soon can I cook after cleaning the basket?

Once the basket is completely dry. Water left in the basket or on the non-stick coating can spit, steam aggressively, or in some cases cause the coating to bubble if water is trapped beneath. After washing, either air-dry fully or dry by hand with a clean cloth. Running the empty air fryer for two minutes at 100°C / 210°F is also an effective way to dry the basket quickly if you are in a hurry.