8 Signs it's time to replace your air fryer, according to appliance experts

As someone who's borderline obsessed with the best air fryers (yes, I own two), I can confidently say they’re a game changer in the kitchen. But like all appliances, they need some TLC.

As a rule of thumb, most air fryers last between three to five years depending on how frequently you use them (and how well you take care of them). Regular cleaning and maintenance can make your air fryer last longer, but when red flags start popping up, it’s time to call it quits.

Ignoring the signs of a failing air fryer can lead to undercooked food, longer cooking times, and even potential safety hazards – trust me, toxicity in your food is not something you want to gamble on.

So, how do you know it’s time to part ways with your trusty air fryer? Here’s what to look to recognize the warning signs.

Signs it's time to replace your air fryer

I’ve chatted with appliance experts, and they all agree – these are the top signs to watch for when deciding if it’s time to replace your air fryer. You can check out our guide for the best air fryers if you want guidance for an upgrade.

1. Decreased Performance

If your once-crispy fries are now coming out pale or unevenly cooked, your air fryer might be losing its power. Air fryers are designed to circulate hot air rapidly, and if the air circulation or heating element is compromised, it’s time to start considering a replacement.

Sarah Johnson, kitchen appliance expert at Big Air Fryers explains, 'If you notice that your air fryer takes significantly longer to cook your food or doesn't produce the same crispiness it used to, it may be a sign of declining heating performance. This reduced efficiency can result from a variety of factors, including worn-out heating elements or a malfunctioning fan.'

2. Overheating

Dim Nikov, cookbook author and the editor of Home Cook World explains: 'If you find your air fryer shuts off often, it’s most likely because it’s overheating. If this is happening and you find there are no obvious reasons for it, it could be a malfunction in the machine.'

'Sometimes overheating happens because the heating coils are dirty, or the basket is too full' says Dim. 'Try to cook food in smaller batches to increase ventilation.'

If you find this doesn’t work, you should replace the machine. It's not safe to use an air fryer that overheats often, especially if it means your meat is ending up under-cooked or burnt to a crisp.

3. Damaged Non-Stick Coating

Many air fryer baskets are coated with Teflon – a non-stick lining for a quick, easy cleanup. However, if you notice chips, scratches, or peeling in the coating of your air fryer basket, it's not something to ignore. It's time to get a new air fryer.

It’s more than just a nuisance – it can actually be a health risk. Pieces of the coating can get into your food, making it unsafe to eat. You might prefer to invest in one of the best non-toxic air fryers, made from stainless steel or ceramic materials that stay intact and don't contain potentially harmful chemicals.

4. Unpleasant smells

While a little bit of a cooking smell is normal, a strong burning odor is a red flag. Matt Kerr, electrical engineer and co-founder of Appliance Geeked explains, 'Oil and food debris build-up can interfere with the air fryer's performance.' There could be food particles trapped in hard-to-clean areas, getting burnt and causing unsavory tastes.

Before replacing your air fryer, you could try using vinegar to shift baked-on grease on your air fryer. We recommend using this OXO Good Grips deep clean brush set, from Amazon, and this KH-7 decrease spray, from Walmart. If cleaning doesn’t solve the problem, your air fryer might have internal damage or overheating issues.

5. Strange noises

'While air fryers do make some noise while they are running, excessive or unexpected noise might be concerning. If your air fryer is making more noise than normal, the fan or motor may be damaged,' explains Matt Kerr, electrical engineer.

In such cases, the air fryer may not be cooking consistently or providing optimum air circulation. The Cosori 5-Qt Air Fryer could be a good upgrade, we were amazed by the AirWhisper technology. Your kitchen will be near-silent when this machine is running.

6. Unresponsive controls

One of the more subtle signs an air fryer needs replacing is a loss of functionality. 'If your air fryer has a temperamental timer, buttons that don't respond, or a malfunctioning display, it can be frustrating and unreliable,' says Gabrielle Yap from Carnivore Style.

Air frying should be a breeze, and if your air fryer isn't cooperating, it's probably time for an upgrade.

7. Smoke, sparks or safety hazards

If you notice signs of electrical hazards, immediately stop using your air fryer and consider a new one.

Gabrielle Yap says, 'If you notice sparks, smoke, or any electrical issues, unplug your air fryer immediately. Safety should always come first in the kitchen, and these signs may signal an impending breakdown.'

Cooking with an unreliable appliance can be a fire hazard and a recipe for disaster.

8. Outdated features

'As technology advances, newer air fryer models are updated with innovative features that can greatly enhance your cooking experience,' says air fryer expert, Sarah Johnson.

You might also find that your air fryer is simply taking up too much space, and you want to upgrade to a modern, space-saving design. Or, you might prefer to speed up the cleaning with a non-toxic, dishwasher safe basket.

As H&G's kitchen appliances editor, I'm testing the latest and greatest models all the time. My favorite air fryers include Wi-Fi connectivity, smart presets, and double-stacked levels.

If any of these issues sound familiar, don’t wait too long to upgrade. You’ll notice a big difference in the quality of your meals and the efficiency of your cooking process with a newer, more reliable machine. Plus, the latest models often come with added features that make them even more versatile than the older versions. So if your air fryer is showing its age, take it as an opportunity to treat yourself to a new one – you won’t regret it!