It’s been a few months since I have been using my air fryer, and it has been a game-changer for my family and me.
I can safely assume that I will be using an air fryer (or a similar air frying appliance) for many years.
As for my current air fryer, while it’s excellent and works well, I sometimes wonder when will give it up and usually how long air fryers last.
In this article, I will cover how long air fryers last and the factors that can help prolong the life of the air fryer.
How Long Do Air Fryers Last?
On average, an air fryer can last anywhere from six months to three years.
According to manufacturers of good brands like Ninja foodie, Gowise, and Cosori, in an ideal situation where it is treated and cared for well, an air fryer can last anywhere from 2-3 years.
Air fryer lifespan comes down to the model you have, your usage, and your care /maintenance.
I went through reviews of a few air fryers.
The cheap ones lasted six months to a year before problems started creeping up. The branded ones started showing issues after 1.5-2 years.
Also read: Air Fryer Won't Turn On When Plugged In
What Affects the Lifespan of an Air Fryer?
Three things can affect the lifespan of the Air fryer
The Brand
A good quality brand does a lot of quality testing before releasing the product in the market.
Lesser-known manufacturers don’t have brand names to care about, so they may use low-quality products to save costs.
The low-quality products wear out and break down faster.
Your Usage Frequency
If you use your Airfryer every day for long durations, it can lead to the gradual wearing down of any of the components.
The everyday wear and tear shortens the life span.
Using it less frequently increases the lifespan in the long run.
Care and Maintenance
You need to follow the instructions for using and maintaining your air fryer.
An air fryer has several parts that work together to cook your food. Caring for it well keeps the stress out of the components.
Happy components give the air fryer a long life.
The parts that need to be cared for are:
- The non-stick coating of the basket
- The power cord
- Exterior body of the air fryer
- Buttons or dials
- Heating element
- Thermostat
- Cooking basket
- Motor
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to care for the components well.
This will prolong the shelf life of your air fryer.
Also read: Can I Bring an Air Fryer on a Plane?
Signs Indicating You Need to Replace the Air fryer
Here I have summed up some common signs and signals that indicate it’s time to change your Airfryer:
The Air Fryer is Breaking Down Frequently
If your Airfryer is breaking down frequently, it is time to replace it with a new air fryer.
The breakdown is a sign that the inner setup isn’t working well.
It is better to spend money on a new Airfryer rather than spending money in installments trying to repair the device repeatedly.
The Air Fryer Does Not Heat Well
If the Airfryer takes a long time to reach the desired temperature or isn’t reaching the desired temperature levels, it is time to replace the air fryer.
The Non-Stick Coating Starts Peeling Out
This is the most common problem in air fryers. Unfortunately, the only cure is to replace the basket or the air fryer.
Once the non-stick coating starts to peel off, it will eventually come right off. This will cause food to stick and rust to form inside the basket.
Smoke Comes Out Whenever You Use the Air Fryer
If you see black or blue smoke coming out of the air fryer whenever you use it, it means there is an electronic failure.
Switch your appliance off. Call customer care. If it is under warranty, hopefully, they will repair it at no extra cost.
If it is past warranty, it is economical to get a new air fryer rather than replace the internal components of the air fryer.
The Air Fryer Has Unclean Parts that Can’t be Cleaned
At times, there can be a lot of gunk or debris accumulated that refuses to be cleaned.
It could be in any inaccessible or hard-to-reach areas. In such a situation, the stuck dirt becomes a haven for bacterial growth.
It is best to purchase a new Airfryer.
Also read: Best Microwave Air Fryer Combo
How to Prolong the Lifespan of the Air Fryer
Fortunately, there are some tips you need to follow that will help to increase the lifespan of your air fryer.
Buy a Good Quality Air Fryer
Cheap-quality air fryers will break down faster. To cut costs, the manufacturers add low-quality components to the air fryer.
It is better to invest once in a good quality Airfryer rather than spending money on repairing it.
Keep the Air Fryer Clean
Keep removing the debris and food particles from the Air fryer.
Food gunk can choke the vent, get stuck on the heating element or the fan and cause malfunctioning.
Clean up your Air Fryer after cooking.
Clean with mild soap and a soft scrub. Do not use a harsh detergent or scrub, as it can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer.
Check the Heating Element
The heating element is the most sensitive part of the Airfryer. Make sure to remove dirt and stuck food debris from it.
If the heating element has food debris on it, it can cause overheating and burning of food.
Give it Space
There should be sufficient space for ventilation all around the Airfryer. The back of the Air fryer has a vent that needs space from the wall.
The absence of space can choke the vent, causing overheating and malfunctioning of the air fryer components.
Also read: What to Put Under Air Fryer to Protect Countertop?
Dry it Up After Cleaning
As the air fryer is an electrical device, it should always be dried up before use.
Water or moisture can cause rust formation or a short circuit by entering the electrical components of the Air fryer.
Don’t Overfill Your Air Fryer
Overfilling the basket adds stress to the heating element and can lead to uneven cooking.
As the heating element will work harder, some parts may get burnt while other parts not facing the heating element will be left uncooked.
Free airflow becomes problematic when the basket gets overloaded with a lot of food.
Also read: Do Air Fryers Smoke? Common Causes + Fix!
Avoid Over Seasoning
All the extra seasoning whirls inside the chamber end up on the walls, the heating element, and the fan.
Once the debris gets inside the electric components, it can cause overheating and damage to the air fryer.
It is a good idea to use a seasoning that will stick to the food and not fly around.
Don’t Use Pam Aerosol Spray Cans
You may want to spray some oil on the basket to prevent food from sticking to the basket. Just make sure not to use Pam aerosol spray cans.
Pam sprays contain an agent that peels off the non-stick coating of the air fryer basket.
The Best Long Lasting Air Fryers
Some of the best long-lasting air fryers are
Philips Airfryer
Almost all models of the Philips air fryer last for a long time. One particular model standing out is the Philips xl air fryer.
It has been crafted by a team of experts who have been working for over 10 years in air fryer technology.
Although it comes with a one-year warranty, there were a lot of positive reviews that mentioned it going strong even after two years.
GoWise Air Fryer
GoWise air fryers are made from stainless steel making them durable and sturdy compared to other air fryers.
Another good part is that it is made in the United States and has good customer service. When cared for properly, it can last up to five years.
Nuwave Brio Air Fryer Oven
Nuwave Brio is an air fryer oven made up of stainless steel.
This makes it last for a very long time due to the absence of non-stick coating. Even after a lot of usages, all you need to do is replace the tray.
Final Thoughts
With proper care, a high-quality branded air fryer can last for many years.
Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The booklet has a lot of information about how to use the Airfryer.
The lifespan of the air fryer depends on the brand quality, the right usage, and proper care.
With the right approach and proper maintenance, your air fryer will be your partner for years. Cheers to many weekends of delicious crispy fried chicken and more!
Other articles you may also like:
- Can You Add Water to Air Fryer? Do’s and Dont’s!
- Can Air Fryer Catch Fire or Explode? What to Do if Air Fryer Catches Fire?
- Are Air Fryers Loud (Do Air Fryer Make Noise)?
- Steam Coming Out of Air Fryer – What it Means?
- 10 Reasons Why Air Fryers are So Popular
- 8 Benefits of Using an Air Fryer (Why Use an Air Fryer)?
- Do Air Fryers Smell up the House?
- Why Does Your Air Fryer Burn Everything? 10 Possible Reasons!
