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Do Deep Fryers Smell? (Yes, But Here’s Why and How to FIX It!)

Remember the first day when you bought your deep fryer and made something with it?

The aroma of freshly fried food permeated your home, but now that smell can’t be described as anything but a putrid odor.

You’re not sure what to do about it—should you just get rid of the deep fryer? Or is there something else going on here?

In this article, we’ll explain why deep-fryers start smelling bad and how to get them back into prime working condition without having to spend a ton of money or time on repairs.

Do deep fryers smell?

Yes, deep fryers can produce an odor, whether they’re on or off. The smells coming from a deep fryer can depend on the type of oil, the cleanliness, whether your deep fryer is new, how it’s stored, or even if there is a leak.

Fortunately, there are multiple possible solutions to this issue.

If you have ever noticed an unpleasant smell coming from your deep fryer, it is likely due to the build-up of grease and food particles.

Over time, these can start to decompose and release foul-smelling gases. Additionally, the heating element of the fryer can also contribute to the problem by burning food residues.

Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to get rid of the smell.

First, make sure to clean your fryer regularly with hot soapy water. You should also scrape away any burnt food from the heating element.

Consider the type of oil you’re using. Some oils have lower smoke points and if the temperature set on your deep fryer is high enough, it can cause the oil to decompose, smoke, and produce strong odors.

Finally, consider using a deodorizing agent such as baking soda or vinegar to absorb any lingering odors.

Why do deep fryers smell?

The cooking oil

The type of oil you use can affect the smell of your deep fryer. If you use an oil that has a strong odor, like peanut oil, the smell will be more pronounced.

Over time, all oils will break down and release odors. This is especially true of refined oils, which have had much of their natural aroma removed.

Deep frying can cause oil to splatter and smoke, which can make your kitchen smell like a grease fire.

You might be burning your oil

Check the oil temperature. The oil should be between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s too hot, turn off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.

If you’re using a gas fryer, make sure the vent is open so that the fumes can escape.

Clean the fryer regularly to prevent the build-up of grease and food particles.

Not properly cleaning your deep fryer

  1. Unplug the fryer and let it cool completely.
  2. Remove the oil filter, if your fryer has one, and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  3. Pour out any old oil and dispose of it properly.
  4. Wipe down the inside of the fryer with a paper towel or a clean cloth dipped in hot soapy water.
  5. Dry the fryer thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towel.
  6. Replace the oil filter, if your fryer has one, and fill the fryer with fresh oil according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

It’s a new deep fryer

Have you ever bought a new deep fryer, only to be greeted by an unpleasant smell when you first use it? If so, you’re not alone.

Many people experience this problem, but the good news is that there are some things you can do to get rid of the smell.

The first thing to understand is that the smell is coming from the manufacturing process. The chemicals used to manufacture the deep fryer are usually benign but it doesn’t hurt to give it a good cleaning before you use it for the first time.

When you start using your deep fryer, it releases these chemicals into the air.

These chemicals can be smelly but otherwise won’t cause any harm to you or anyone around you. It’s just really unpleasant. That’s why it’s important to get rid of the smell as soon as possible.

You can also Prime your deep fryer by running it once with a batch of water and cooking the water so that it will remove any chemicals left on the surfaces of the deep fryer.

Once done, let the fryer cool down, and then open all the windows in your kitchen to air it out.

Old food left behind

When you deep fry foods, the oil gets very hot and can easily cause fires.

If you leave old food in the deep fryer, it can start to smoke and smell bad.

This is because the oil has been heated to a high temperature and has started to break down the food and potentially burn it as well.

Not properly storing the deep fryer away

If you have a deep fryer, you know that it can be a bit of a pain to store away.

They’re bulky and often have cords that need to be wrapped up.

Plus, if you don’t properly clean and store your deep fryer, it can start to smell bad.

Here are some tips on how to properly store your deep fryer:

  • Make sure the fryer is completely cool before storing it. This will help prevent any grease or oil from leaking out and making a mess.
  • Wipe down the outside of the fryer with a damp cloth. This will remove any grease or oil that might be on the surface.
  • Unplug the fryer and wrap up the cord. This will prevent the cord from getting tangled or damaged while in storage.
  • If your fryer has removable parts, such as a basket or lid, wash these parts in hot soapy water before storing them with the rest of the fryer.
  • Store your deep fryer in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. A basement or closet is usually a good spot for storing appliances like this.
  • You can also cover your deep fryer with a cloth or towel so that it won’t attract dust and debris if you don’t plan to use it for a very long time.

There’s a leak

If there are any structural damages or manufactured defects yeah, there’s a possibility of oil leaking out of your deep fryer.

Chances are you won’t know about it until you start to smell old rancid oil left on the corner of your deep fryer that you forgot to scrub down.

If oil is left out for a length of time, it can attract mold. Mold has a distinct musty and earthy smell that sometimes smells like rotting vegetables or plants.

How to prevent a deep fryer from smelling?

Open your doors and windows

If you’re deep frying, the smell can be overwhelming. To help get rid of the smell, try improving your ventilation.

Open windows and doors to let fresh air in. If you have an exhaust fan, turn it on to help remove the smell from your home. You may also want to consider cooking outdoors if the weather permits.

Cut off access to your rooms

Just close the doors that lead into your rooms to cut off access.

The fumes from deep frying will quickly fill up a room, so closing the doors will trap them inside.

This will help to contain the smell, keep it away from the bedrooms, and make it easier to bear.

Of course, you’ll still need to open the doors eventually to let the smell out. But this should help to reduce its impact while you’re cooking.

Use filters

Use a filter on your deep fryer. This will help to remove the smell from the air. Filters can help remove particles that cause bad smells.

If your deep fryer is equipped with filters then they need to install them or replace them with new ones.

Turn on your kitchen exhaust fan

Also, turn on your kitchen exhaust fan to remove the smell from the kitchen.

Kitchen exhaust fans try to lower emissions by removing particles in the air. It works by actively pulling the air and transferring these particles outside of the home.

Clean up immediately after use

Your deep fryer should not stink. It should be relatively odorless. One way to prevent your deep fryer from stinking is to clean it up as soon as you are done.

By removing the oil from the fryer and either getting rid of it or storing it for another use you can then clean the deep fryer and prevent that burnt food or rancid oil smell.

Bake cookies

Masking the smell is another way you can prevent it from stinking.

If you just do not like the smell of a deep fryer, you can do things like burning a candle, use an air freshener or baking cookies to help mask the odor of the deep fryer while in use and immediately after using it.

Use air fresheners and candles

Air fresheners and candles are a great way to get rid of the deep frying smell. All you need to do is place them around the kitchen and let them work their magic.

The scents will help mask the smell and make your kitchen feel fresh. You can also use air fresheners to keep your home smelling great all year round.

Deep fry food outside

Another way to reduce odor is to cook your food outside.

By taking the fryer out of the enclosed space you can help to dissipate the smell and keep your home from smelling like fried food.

Clean with a vinegar and water solution

If you are dealing with a deep fryer that is particularly stinky, you can use vinegar and water to help clean it out.

This solution is going to help remove the smell from the oil.

You can also leave bowls of vinegar out to help absorb the smell overnight after you have used your deep fryer if you find that the smell of your fried food is lingering in the air.

Use baking soda and coffee grounds

Coffee grounds and baking soda are also great for absorbing the smell of fried foods in the air.

If you notice that your home still smells like fried food, even after the food has been cleaned up, you can set bowls of baking soda and coffee grounds out to help absorb the smell in the air.

Use water and softener

If you find that your fabrics, like the sofa or carpet, have absorbed the smell of fried foods, you can always make a solution of water and fabric softener to spray on them.

This can help get rid of the fried food odor and make your fabrics smell super fresh.

Deep fry on the lowest heat

Frying on the lowest setting is also going to help with odor and splatter. Cooking on the lowest heat setting is also going to help with burnt food and will help keep your oil at a lower temperature so that the smell of the oil does not travel as far and does not splatter onto your surfaces.

Use a deep frying screen

One other thing you can do to help reduce the smell of frying food in your home is to use a deep frying screen. What this does is prevents the oil from splattering and from leaving the deep fryer.

With a screen, you can minimize the amount of oil coming out of your fryer and onto your surfaces. It can also help make deep-frying safer for you. With a splatter screen, you can keep the oil from hitting you and potentially burning you as well.

These screens are cheap and easy to use and great for anyone that is going to be frying any kind of food.

Use refined oils

You can solve the deep fryer smell issue with refined oils. These oils have been treated to remove impurities and have a higher smoke point, so they’re less likely to smoke and create that intense smell.

Deep fry in batches

Another option is to fry foods in batches. This way, the oil doesn’t get too hot, and start smoking.

It’s true that the more food you cook at a time, the longer it takes to cook it.

But in this case, adding larger batches at a time into your hot oil will help lower the temperature and keep it from accidentally burning.

Replace your oil frequently

Make sure you are using fresh oil for each batch of food you fry. Old oil will not only make your food taste bad, but it will also make your kitchen smell bad.

If you have old oil that you need to get rid of, pour it into a sealable container and dispose of it in the trash.

Consider the odorless deep fryer: T-Fal Odorless Deep Fryer

The T-Fal Odorless Deep Fryer is a multi-functional appliance that allows you to cook all your favorite foods, including breaded chicken and fish, vegetables, and more. The deep fryer features technology that is designed to eliminate odors, making it safer and easier to operate.

Active filtration system

  • The T-Fal Odorless Deep Fryer’s active filtration system reduces odors by 74%, directing smoke away and into a filter.
  • This fryer features an automatic temperature control that can be set between 175°F to 400°F, with an indicator light that shows when the fryer is preheated.
  • The T-Fal Odorless Deep Fryer has a unique closed lid design that allows you to remove food from the oil even with the lid closed.

Lift and lower the basket from the oil without having to open the lid

The basket can be lifted up and lowered into the oil while the lid stays closed. This means that you don’t need to open it, which is a major safety feature that prevents burns from hot oil.

The fryer also has a locking device, so if it’s not in use, the lid cannot be removed from its place.

Anti-fog window lid to prevent smoke and splashes

The Odorless Deep Fryer has a clear window so you can see what’s going on inside the fryer.

A built-in thermometer helps keep the cooking temperature consistent and prevents splattering or smoke from escaping, ensuring that your food is evenly cooked from start to finish.

Variable temperature controls

The variable temperature controls allow you to adjust the temperature to fit your needs. With a range of 175 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, this fryer can be used for any type of food or cooking method.

The adjustable temperature controls are easy to use and ensure that you can always cook at the right level for whatever you are making.

The T-Fal takeaway

The T-Fal Odorless Deep Fryer is the perfect appliance for anyone who wants to enjoy fried foods without all the grease and odor.

The fryer has easy-to-use controls; a handle for lifting and lowering baskets from the oil without opening the lid; a filter that captures smoke before it can escape into your kitchen air; and an anti-fog window lid so you can see your food cooking inside without getting splashed or fogged up by steam.

With its variable temperature control settings, there’s no need for guesswork.

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