Just got a Cosori air fryer in June and it's been working fine, but lately whenever I use it the whole kitchen smells like melting plastic. I've cleaned the basket and basket holder multiple times but the smell won't go away. Is this normal or is something actually wrong with it?
A burning plastic smell from an air fryer usually means either the heating element is degrading or there's a manufacturing residue that didn't fully burn off during initial use. Since you've had it for 3 months and it's only started recently, I'd first try running it empty at max temperature for 10-15 minutes with the kitchen window open - sometimes trapped oils or coatings can release that smell. If it persists after that and smells acrid rather than like a light plastic odor, it might be worth contacting Cosori's support since it could indicate an internal component issue, especially if you're not seeing any visible damage or discoloration inside the basket.
I had something similar happen with a kitchen gadget once - that plastic-y smell that just won't quit even after cleaning. In your case, three months in is kind of a weird timing. If it was a manufacturing residue thing, you'd usually catch that in the first few weeks of use. The fact that it's showing up now suggests something might actually be wearing out or degrading inside, possibly the heating element coating or some internal component breaking down from heat exposure.
Here's what I'd try: run it empty for like 10-15 minutes with your kitchen well-ventilated to see if the smell gets stronger or if anything actually looks discolored inside. Check the heating coil area if you can safely access it - sometimes debris gets trapped there and burns. If the smell is definitely coming from the heating element itself and not just residual food buildup, that's probably your sign that something's off. Cosori typically has decent warranties, so if you've still got your receipt and it's within the return window, this might be worth swapping it out.
If you're not comfortable doing that, just keep an eye on whether it smells worse over time or if the performance changes at all. A lot of times these things are harmless quirks that fade, but a consistent burning plastic smell that showed up suddenly isn't something to ignore completely.
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