05 Cooking basicsAnswer
How to Use an Air Fryer: First Use, Preheating and Basket Tips
How to use an air fryer from the manuals: first-use cleaning and test runs, whether to preheat, how full to load the basket, shaking, oil and checking food.
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Spec sheet05
- Preheat
- Ninja recommends 3 minutes; Philips HD9650 says it is not necessary
- Clearance
- Cosori, Instant and Ninja all specify about 5 inches of space
- Basket load
- One even layer; cook large amounts in batches (USDA FSIS)
- Oil
- Never fill the basket with oil; Cosori caps added oil at 2 tablespoons
- Done check
- Use a food thermometer; poultry 165°F, fish 145°F (USDA FSIS)
To use an air fryer, wash the basket and crisper plate, place the unit with about 5 inches of clear space, and preheat if your manual says to (Ninja recommends 3 minutes). Load food in one even layer, shake or turn it partway through, and confirm meat and fish with a food thermometer.
Every step below comes from a manufacturer’s manual or USDA guidance, with the brand named so you can check it against your own model. Settings differ between machines, so your manual wins if it says something different.
What should you do before the first use?
All four manuals we checked start the same way: remove the packaging material, then clean the parts that touch food. Stickers are one split: Instant says not to remove the safety warning stickers or the rating label, while Philips says to remove any stickers or labels. The bigger differences are in the test run.
| Step | Ninja AF100 series | Cosori Pro LE (CAF-L501) | Instant Vortex Slim 6 qt | Philips HD9650 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wash parts | Basket and crisper plate in hot, soapy water | Basket and crisper plate, dishwasher or non-abrasive sponge | Accessories in hot water and dish soap | Clean the appliance thoroughly, as described in the cleaning chapter |
| Wipe unit | Not listed | Inside and outside with a slightly moist cloth | Interior with a damp cloth | Not listed |
| Empty test run | Not listed | Yes: preheat empty, cool, then run the Steak preset for 5 minutes | Yes: Air Fry at 400°F for 18 minutes, empty | Not listed |
Cosori says its test run helps you get familiar with the controls and clean the unit “of possible residues.” Its troubleshooting table also lists a test run as the fix for a plastic smell.
Where should you put an air fryer?
On a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface with room for the exhaust. Cosori asks for 5 inches behind and above the unit. Instant asks for at least 5 inches above and around all sides. Ninja’s FAQ says to keep the unit at least 5 inches from other surfaces, and notes the exhaust vent on the back heats up. Philips gives no distance for the HD9650: it asks for a level, heat-resistant surface where the drawer can open fully, with nothing on top of or beside the unit.
Keep it away from walls and cabinets that steam could damage, which Cosori mentions. Philips warns that a fire may occur if the unit is covered or touches flammable material such as curtains or walls.
Do you need to preheat an air fryer?
This is where the brands disagree most.
- Ninja (AF100 series): recommends 3 minutes of preheating. Its FAQ suggests adding 3 minutes to the total cook time and waiting before adding food.
- Cosori (Pro LE): recommends preheating unless the unit is already hot and says food will not cook thoroughly without it. Preheat time runs from 2 to 4 minutes depending on the temperature.
- Instant (Vortex Slim): preheating is built into the program. The display shows Preheating, then Add Food when it is ready.
- Philips (HD9650): “Preheating of the appliance is not necessary.”
If your manual’s chart assumes a preheat, follow it; the chart times were written that way.
How full should the basket be?
One layer with space around each piece. Ninja’s guide says to arrange food “in an even layer on the bottom of the basket with no overlapping” and to shake overlapping food halfway through. Philips says not to exceed the amounts in its food table or fill past the MAX mark.
Overfilling is also a safety point. Cosori warns that heaped food may touch the heating coils and cause a fire hazard, and Instant says the same about the heating element. USDA FSIS adds that overcrowding can block the air circulation food needs to cook properly, and suggests cooking large amounts in batches.
When and how do you shake the basket?
Most manuals ask for a shake or turn partway through, but the machines behave differently when you pull the basket out.
- Cosori: pauses automatically when the basket is removed. Its Shake Reminder beeps halfway through, and the manual says to avoid shaking for longer than 30 seconds so the unit does not cool.
- Instant: shows Turn Food partway through. If you do not remove the basket, cooking continues after 10 seconds.
- Ninja AF100: the timer and fan keep running if you simply pull the basket out. Press START/PAUSE first.
- Philips (HD9650): press the QuickControl dial to pause, then lift the basket out and shake it over the sink. For larger amounts such as fries or drumsticks, it says to shake, turn or stir 2 to 3 times.
Cosori also advises tongs instead of shaking when there are hot liquids in the basket.
How much oil should you use?
A little on the food, never in the basket. Cosori, Instant and Philips all say not to fill the basket or pan with oil. Cosori caps added oil at 2 tablespoons and calls oil sprays a good way to apply small amounts evenly. Ninja’s FAQ says oil is not required but suggests starting with 1 tablespoon.
Instant’s manual adds one caution: “Do not spray cooking oil into the cooking chamber.” Spray the food before it goes in.
Refillable oil sprayers for coating food lightly
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Can you line the basket?
Some manuals allow it and some do not. Ninja’s FAQ says parchment paper and aluminum foil are safe in the AF100 basket. Cosori allows parchment or foil but warns never to put paper in without food on top, because moving air can lift it into the coils. Instant’s Vortex Slim manual says not to cover the basket with foil. The Philips HD9650 manual allows baking or parchment paper only with food on top, and its support FAQ does not recommend paper or foil at all.
Our air fryer liners guide covers parchment, silicone and sizing, and can you put foil in an air fryer compares what each brand says about foil.
Reusable silicone liners for basket air fryers
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How do you know when food is done?
Chart times get you close; a thermometer confirms it. USDA FSIS says to “always check that food has reached a safe minimum internal temperature with a food thermometer,” and notes that each air fryer cooks at different speeds while the safe temperature stays the same.
| Food | USDA FSIS safe minimum internal temperature |
|---|---|
| All poultry, including wings and ground poultry | 165°F |
| Fish and shellfish | 145°F |
| Beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, chops and roasts | 145°F, then rest at least 3 minutes |
| Ground meats | 160°F |
| Leftovers | 165°F |
Ninja and Instant both tell owners to use a thermometer on proteins. For starting times and temperatures by brand, see our air fryer cooking times chart.
Instant-read thermometers for checking meat and fish
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What do you do after cooking?
Let the unit cool before cleaning. Ninja suggests about 30 minutes before handling or storing. Cosori says to clean the basket and crisper plate after every use, and to pour out fat drippings to avoid smoke next time. FSIS says leftovers should go in the fridge within 2 hours.
Our guide on how to clean an air fryer covers baskets, crisper plates and coatings. For the full list of add-ons, start at the air fryer accessories hub. Setting one up for someone else? Our air fryer gift guide covers starter add-ons for new owners.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to preheat an air fryer?
It depends on the model. Ninja recommends 3 minutes of preheating for its AF100 series, and Cosori's Pro LE manual recommends preheating unless the unit is already hot. Philips says preheating is not necessary for its HD9650 Premium Airfryer XXL.
What should I do before using an air fryer for the first time?
Remove the packaging material, wash the basket and crisper plate, and wipe the inside. Cosori and Instant also tell owners to do an empty test run, which Cosori says helps clear possible residues.
Can I put oil in the bottom of an air fryer?
No. Cosori, Instant and Philips all say not to fill the basket or pan with oil. Toss or spray the food with a small amount instead; Instant warns not to spray oil into the cooking chamber itself.
How do I know when air fried food is done?
Use a food thermometer. USDA FSIS says poultry is safe at 165°F and fish at 145°F, and that each air fryer has different cooking times but the safe internal temperature is always the same.
Sources
- AF100 Series Ninja Air Fryer FAQsSharkNinja
- Ninja Air Fryer AF100 Series Owner's Guide and Quick Start Guide (2018)SharkNinja (PDF copy hosted by LINCC)
- Cosori Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer User Manual (CAF-L501-KUS)Cosori
- Instant Vortex Slim 6 QT Air Fryer User ManualInstant Brands (PDF hosted by The Home Depot)
- Instant Vortex and Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer User Manual (2019): Recommended Cooking TimesInstant Brands (archived copy of the instantappliances.com PDF)
- Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650 User Manual (US)Philips (Versuni)
- Can I use baking paper/tin foil in my Philips Airfryer?Philips
- Air Fryers and Food SafetyUSDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
- Safe Minimum Internal Temperature ChartUSDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
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