Air Fryer Parts and Components Explained: Names, Jobs and What the Manuals Say

Owners usually look up air fryer part names for a practical reason: to clean something correctly, order a replacement or describe a fault to support. Names vary by brand, so the manual for your exact model number remains the final parts diagram. Below, we explain each component in general and then show exactly how three widely sold US models label and care for theirs.

Air fryer parts diagram in words

Follow the airflow from top or rear to the food:

1. Air inlet admits room air to the fan system.
2. Heating element converts electrical energy to heat.
3. Convection fan pushes heated air through the chamber.
4. Air guide or shaped chamber directs flow around the food.
5. Crisper plate or basket holes let air reach the underside.
6. Basket or drawer floor collects crumbs and rendered fat.
7. Air outlet releases hot, moist air—usually at the back.
8. Sensor and controls cycle heat to approach the selected temperature.

What the manuals call each part: Ninja AF101, Cosori TurboBlaze and Cosori Pro LE

These are the part labels and care rules printed in the US owner’s manuals of three basket air fryers. Wording is quoted or closely paraphrased; we have not disassembled or tested these units.

What the manuals add beyond the generic picture:

• “Basket” can mean the whole drawer. On the Ninja AF101 and both Cosori models there is no separate outer pan: the basket is the coated container you pull out, and the crisper plate sits inside it. Older two-part designs use a basket that clicks into an outer pan instead.
• The crisper plate has its own fitting rules. Cosori’s TurboBlaze plate has 4 food-safe silicone stoppers that hold it to the basket floor; the manual says to tilt it in one side first, then press the other side down, and warns that forcing it in incorrectly may cause damage. The Pro LE manual cautions that the hot plate may fall out when you turn the basket over.
• The basket release button is a real part name. Both Cosori models have one; you press and hold it to lift the basket out of the drawer area. Cosori also says not to unscrew the basket handle from the TurboBlaze basket.
• The air outlet is usually at the back. Ninja places it on the rear of the AF101; Cosori asks for 5 inches of space behind and above. Blocking it traps hot, moist air against walls and cabinets.
• Heater cleaning is allowed, but only dry and gently. Ninja says to use a cleaning brush; Cosori says to remove food debris from the heating coil if needed and to let it dry completely before switching on.

Other brands use other words—“pan”, “drawer”, “tray”, “rack” or “grill plate”—for similar parts. If you are ordering a replacement, use the label from your own manual together with the full model number.

Air fryer parts and what they do

Air fryer basket vs tray vs crisper plate

The terminology is inconsistent, but in most drawer-style models:

• the basket (Ninja, Cosori) or pan/drawer (some other brands) is the container you pull out;
• the crisper plate is the flat perforated insert that sits inside it and lifts food off the floor;
• on two-part designs, an inner perforated basket clicks into an outer pan, often with a release button;
• the rack is a raised wire support used in ovens, some baskets and as an optional extra (Ninja’s multi-layer rack);
• the drip or crumb tray catches residue below the active cooking level, mainly in oven models.

Do not order a “basket” based on a photo. Match the exact model number, product revision, dimensions, latch and coating. A near fit can interfere with the safety switch or place food too close to the heater. If your basket will not slide in, see what the manuals say when a basket won’t close.

Heating element

The element is commonly above the basket and may resemble a metal coil. It becomes extremely hot and can collect airborne grease or food particles. Residue can smoke when reheated.

Unplug the appliance and let it cool completely before any permitted cleaning. Ninja’s AF101 guide allows a cleaning brush; Cosori’s manuals say to remove food debris from the coil if needed and let it dry completely. Do not bend the element, pour water into the housing or spray cleaner toward electrical parts. Our maintenance guide covers the full cleaning routine.

Convection fan, air inlet and air outlet

The fan is usually behind a guard near the element. Air enters through the inlet and hot moist air leaves through the outlet—on the back of the Ninja AF101 and both Cosori models above. Blocking either path can change performance and raise temperatures around the appliance.

Keep the appliance the specified distance from walls and cabinets (Cosori: 5 inches behind and above). A rattling, scraping or suddenly silent fan can indicate debris or a fault. Stop using the appliance if the heater appears to operate without normal airflow, or if smoke, melting or an electrical odor comes from the body.

Sensor, thermostat and thermal protection

A temperature sensor feeds the electronic or mechanical controls, which cycle the heater. Separate thermal protection is intended to limit dangerous overheating if control fails. These components are not normal DIY replacement parts because opening the appliance exposes mains wiring and can compromise insulation or safety systems.

If food consistently burns far below the set temperature, the unit overheats, breakers trip or an error persists after the manual’s safe reset steps, stop using it and seek manufacturer or qualified service advice. Our error codes and repairs guide explains common fault messages.

Basket, door and safety switch

Many basket models pause when the basket is removed; many ovens monitor door position. The mechanism may be a switch, magnet or other sensor. Never defeat it to make the appliance run open. A warped basket, damaged handle or misaligned door can affect both airflow and safety.

Dual-zone and steam-specific parts

A dual model adds a second basket or a divider, separate sensors and sometimes separate heaters or airflow paths. Record which plate belongs in which zone when they differ.

A steam combination can add:

• water reservoir and cap;
• pump, boiler or steam generator;
• steam outlet and seals;
• drain, collection tray or cleaning cycle;
• descaling requirement.

Empty and dry water parts as directed. Standing water and mineral scale are maintenance problems that a normal dry-air fryer does not have.

Which parts are removable and dishwasher safe?

“Dishwasher safe” applies only to named parts. In the three manuals above that means the basket and crisper plate, plus Ninja’s accessories. Coatings, silicone stoppers, handles and seals on other models can have different limits, so check whether your manual recommends the top rack or hand washing. Cosori also says to avoid metal utensils and abrasive cleaning materials on the coated parts.

How to buy replacement air fryer parts

For optional add-ons such as racks, liners and skewers, see air fryer accessories and parts and the guide to safe containers and utensils.

When a part means you should stop using the air fryer

• frayed, crushed or heat-damaged cord;
• loose, discolored or unusually hot plug;
• cracked handle, failed latch or basket that will not close;
• peeling, blistered or deeply scratched food-contact coating;
• cracked glass or distorted plastic near a hot zone;
• fan scraping, sparking, repeated breaker trips or electrical odor;
• heater glowing or heating while airflow appears absent;
• a recalled exact model.

For broader safety checks, read Are Air Fryers Safe?. For food-contact surfaces, use the coatings guide.

The bottom line

The basket and crisper plate are only the visible end of a system that includes a heater, fan, air inlet and outlet, sensor, controls and safety protection. Learn your manual’s names so you can clean and order removable parts correctly—on the Ninja AF101 and Cosori models we checked, only the basket and crisper plate go in the dishwasher—and treat internal electrical and thermal parts as professional-service territory.

Sources and method

Clara Bennett updated this guide on October 28, 2026. Part names and care rules are quoted or closely paraphrased from the US owner’s manuals below, accessed October 28, 2026. This is a manual-led explainer, not a teardown or hands-on test.

• Ninja Air Fryer AF101 Owner’s Guide (US): Parts, Important Safeguards, Cleaning & Maintenance
• Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer CAF-DC601-KUS user manual (US): Getting to Know Your Air Fryer p. 7, Care & Maintenance p. 17
• Cosori Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer CAF-L501-KUS user manual (US): Getting to Know Your Air Fryer p. 7, Care & Maintenance p. 14
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls and Product Safety Warnings

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Frequently asked questions

About the Author

Clara Bennett

I write practical, model-specific air fryer reviews and comparisons. I focus on usable capacity, household fit, cleaning, materials, day-to-day ownership and value so you can choose the right appliance with fewer surprises.

Read my full profile and review method