Quick answer: To use an air fryer, (1) wash the basket and crisper plate before the first cook, (2) set it on a heat-resistant counter with the rear vent clear (SharkNinja says at least 5 inches for its AF100 series), (3) preheat if your manual recommends it (Ninja’s AF100-series guide recommends 3 minutes), (4) load food in a loose layer below the maximum, with at most a light coat of oil (Cosori: no more than 2 tablespoons), and (5) pause halfway to shake or turn, then check doneness with a thermometer.
Below: what the Ninja, Cosori and Philips instructions actually say, starting times from a real US cooking chart, and the mistakes that cause smoke or pale food.
An air fryer is a compact convection cooker: a heating element warms the chamber while a fan moves hot air around the food. Controls differ by brand, but the method is the same for basket, dual-zone and oven-style models. The skill that matters is matching load, thickness and doneness checks to the appliance in front of you, not memorizing presets.
This guide is manual-led: the model-specific rules come from US owner’s guides and manufacturer support pages listed at the end. We have not hands-on tested these appliances. Your own model’s manual always wins where it differs.
How to use an air fryer in 5 steps
- Unbox and wash. Remove all packaging, stickers and any cardboard from inside the basket. Ninja’s AF100-series guide says to wash the basket and crisper plate in hot, soapy water before first use. Cosori’s manuals recommend a test run to clear the manufacturing smell; some white smoke or steam during that first run is normal, according to Cosori. See before using a new air fryer for the full unboxing checklist.
- Place it with the vent clear. Use a stable, dry, heat-resistant surface, never a stovetop. SharkNinja says the AF100-series exhaust is on the back, gets hot, and the fryer should sit at least 5 inches from other surfaces. Other models state their own gap; the size guide shows how to plan counter depth with the drawer open.
- Preheat when the manual says so. Ninja’s AF100-series guide recommends a 3-minute preheat with the basket inserted, then adding food carefully. If your model has an automatic preheat phase, do not add a second one.
- Load for airflow, not to the brim. Put food on the crisper plate in a loose layer. Ninja documents 2 lb of fries as the AF101’s maximum example, but a load that full needs frequent shaking. Pat marinated food dry and use little oil: Cosori says no more than 2 US tablespoons (30 mL) and never fill the basket with oil, fat or other liquid.
- Shake, check and clean. Pause halfway, pull the basket, shake small food or turn larger pieces, and reinsert it. Check meat, poultry and leftovers with a thermometer (165°F / 74°C for poultry and reheated food). After cooking, pour out fat drippings, let the unit cool, and wash the removable parts.
What the manuals say: first use, preheat, fill and oil
The table quotes or closely paraphrases manufacturer instructions for three exact US models and Philips’ US support pages. “Not cited here” means we have not sourced that instruction for this guide, not that the brand forbids it.
| Topic | Ninja AF101 (AF100-series guide) | Cosori Pro LE CAF-L501-KUS / Premium II Plus CAF-P652-KUS | Philips Airfryer (US support) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before first use | Remove packaging; wash basket and crisper plate in hot, soapy water | Test run recommended to clear the manufacturing smell; “some white smoke or steam” on first use is normal | Not cited here |
| Preheat | Recommends a 3-minute preheat with the basket inserted | Not cited here; follow your manual | Not cited here |
| How full | 2 lb of fries is the documented maximum example for the 4-qt basket; shake overlapping food | Never fill the basket with oil, fat or any liquid | Leave space around a baking dish for airflow |
| Oil | Do not use it to deep-fry with oil | No more than 2 tbsp / 30 mL; pat liquid-marinated food dry | Not cited here |
| Paper, foil and dishes | Not cited here | Never put parchment in without food on top (CAF-P652-KUS): air can lift it onto the heating coils | Advises against baking paper and foil in many basket models; put dishes in the basket, not the lower pan |
| Placement | Rear exhaust gets hot; keep at least 5 in from other surfaces | Not cited here | Not cited here |
| Smoke | Black smoke: unplug and wait before removing the basket | White smoke from fat is normal; dark smoke: unplug immediately | Greasy residue and high-fat food cause white smoke |
Model pages: Ninja AF101 review · Cosori Pro LE vs Lite · why an air fryer smokes.
Starting times from a real US cooking chart
These are the reference settings printed in Ninja’s AF100-series cooking chart for the 4-qt AF101, not universal rules. Thickness, starting temperature and load change the result, so check early. Our air fryer cooking times chart covers many more foods.
| Food and amount | Ninja AF100-series chart | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen fries, 1 lb | 350°F, 20–25 min | Shake and check before the end |
| Frozen fries, 2 lb (maximum example) | 360°F, 28–32 min | A full basket needs frequent shaking |
| Chicken wings, 2 lb | 390°F, 22–26 min | 165°F / 74°C internal |
| Four quarter-pound burgers | 375°F, 8–10 min | Thickness and preferred doneness |
| Two 4-oz salmon fillets | 390°F, 10–13 min | Check early to avoid drying |
Model in this chart: Ninja AF101, 4 qt, 1,550 W, 105–400°F. See AF101 price
Do you need oil or preheating?
Air frying does not need food submerged in oil, and Ninja’s guide says not to deep-fry in the appliance. A light coat helps fresh vegetables, potatoes and lean proteins brown; Cosori caps it at 2 tablespoons. Many frozen breaded foods already contain oil, so adding more mainly adds smoke.
Preheating depends on the model. Ninja recommends 3 minutes for the AF100 series; a hot start helps breading set and the first batch brown. Thin vegetables and leftovers usually do not need it. If your model preheats automatically, do not add a second preheat.
Basket, dual-zone and oven-style differences
A single basket gives concentrated airflow and is easiest to shake. A dual-zone model treats each drawer as a smaller cooker, so its total capacity does not mean one large item will fit. An air fryer oven offers racks and a window but often needs tray rotation because the upper and rear positions brown fastest. Use match-cook or sync-finish only after setting each zone for its own food.
What not to do
- Do not fill the basket with oil, fat or water to cook; Cosori’s manuals forbid any liquid in the basket.
- Do not put parchment or a liner in an empty basket or preheat with it loose; the fan can lift it onto the heating element.
- Do not cover the whole crisper plate with solid foil; check whether your brand allows foil at all (Philips advises against it for many models). See air-fryer-safe containers and utensils.
- Do not block the rear exhaust or run the fryer under a low cabinet.
- Do not leave fat drippings in the drawer between fatty batches; they keep heating and smoke.
- Do not judge poultry or thick meat by color alone; use a thermometer.
Stop and unplug: If you see dark or black smoke, flames, sparks, melting plastic or smoke from the body or cord, unplug the fryer and keep the basket closed until the smoke clears. Cosori and Ninja both say to wait before removing the basket. Never throw water into an energized appliance.
Checklist before pressing Start
- Packaging removed; basket and crisper plate washed
- Stable, heat-resistant surface with the rear vent clear
- Crisper plate seated and basket fully closed
- Preheated if your manual recommends it
- Food in a loose layer below the maximum, oil light
- Thermometer ready for meat, poultry, seafood and leftovers
Related guides
- Before Using a New Air Fryer: 12 Checks
- Air Fryer First Use: Your First Cooking Session
- Air Fryer Cooking Times Chart
- What Can You Put in an Air Fryer?
- Air-Fryer-Safe Containers and Utensils
- How to Clean Inside an Air Fryer and Its Heating Element
- How to Clean an Air Fryer
- Why Is My Air Fryer Smoking?
Sources and method
Clara Bennett updated this guide on November 2, 2026. Model-specific instructions are quoted or closely paraphrased from the manufacturer documents below, as checked for our Ninja AF101 review (October 24, 2026), size guide (October 28, 2026) and smoke guide (October 29, 2026). This is a manual-led how-to, not a hands-on test.
- Ninja Air Fryer AF100 series owner’s guide (US): first use, preheat, cooking chart, cleaning
- SharkNinja AF100 Series FAQs: rear exhaust and 5-inch clearance
- Cosori Pro LE CAF-L501-KUS user manual (US): Safeguards, Food Tips, Troubleshooting
- Cosori Premium II Plus CAF-P652-KUS user manual (US): Safeguards, Troubleshooting
- Philips US support: baking paper and foil and baking dishes
- USDA FSIS: Air Fryers and Food Safety
Frequently asked questions
How do you use an air fryer for the first time?
Remove all packaging, wash the basket and crisper plate in hot, soapy water (Ninja’s instruction), place the unit with its vent clear, and run any test cycle your manual describes. Cosori recommends a test run to clear the factory smell and says some white smoke or steam on first use is normal.
Do you have to preheat an air fryer?
Only if your manual or recipe calls for it. Ninja recommends a 3-minute preheat for its AF100 series (including the AF101), with the basket inserted. Models with an automatic preheat do not need a second one.
How full can you fill an air fryer basket?
Stay below the maximum and keep a loose layer for crisp results. Ninja gives 2 lb of fries as the 4-qt AF101’s maximum example, and a load that full needs frequent shaking. Never fill the basket with oil or liquid.
Why does a new air fryer smell or smoke the first time?
A light smell or white smoke on the first cooks is usually manufacturing residue heating off. Cosori calls some white smoke or steam on first use normal and recommends a test run. Dark smoke, melting plastic or smoke from the body is not normal: unplug and contact the manufacturer.
How much oil do you put in an air fryer?
Little or none. Cosori’s manual sets a maximum of 2 tablespoons (30 mL); frozen breaded foods usually need none. Ninja’s guide says not to use the appliance for deep-frying with oil.
Can you put parchment paper or foil in an air fryer?
Only if your manual allows it, and only with food on top. Cosori says never to add parchment without food weighing it down, because air can lift it onto the heating coils. Philips advises against baking paper and foil in many of its basket models.
Do you add water to an air fryer?
No, unless your exact manual describes a steam or water function. Cosori’s manuals say not to fill the basket with any liquid.
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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
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