How to set up a Xiaomi aerogrill: a complete guide from unpacking to cooking

Xiaomi's aerogril is not just a kitchen gadget, it's a real helper for those who value healthy eating and want to cook with minimal time. But to make the device work effectively, it needs to be set up correctly. Many users face problems: the dishes are lit up, cooked unevenly or take too long, most often due to incorrect temperature settings, regimes or food location.

In this article, we will look at all the steps of setting up Xiaomi aerogrills, from the first turn on to the intricacies of cooking different dishes, you will learn how to choose the optimal mode for meat, fish or baking, which accessories to use, and how to avoid typical mistakes, and share life hacks that will save energy and extend the life of the device.

Preparation of Xiaomi air grill for the first use

Before the first activation of the Xiaomi Mi Air Fryer (or any other model of the brand), several mandatory steps must be taken: this will not only ensure safety, but also prolong the life of the device.

Start by unpacking and checking the equipment. The box should include the device itself, the glass bowl, the heater cap, the grille, the forceps (in some models), the manual and the warranty card. If anything is missing, contact the seller immediately.

• 📦 Check the integrity of the package - there should be no dents or autopsy marks on the box.
• 🔌 Inspect the power cord – it should be undamaged, and the fork – to match the sockets in your country.
• 🧼 Wash removable parts (bowl, grille, lid) with warm water with mild detergent. Do not use abrasive sponges!
• 📄 Read the instructions – especially the sections on maximum load and prohibited foods (e.g. liquid dishes without a special form).

After washing, all the parts must be thoroughly dried. The moisture on the heating element can lead to a short circuit. It is also recommended to conduct a "idle start" before the first switching on: install the bowl, close the lid and turn on the aerogrill for 10-15 minutes at a temperature of 200.°C. This will help eliminate possible manufacturing odors.

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If you have a slight plastic smell after idling, repeat the procedure 1-2 times, which is normal for new devices and does not affect safety.

Main elements of management and their functions

Xiaomi’s aerogrill control panel may differ depending on the model (e.g. Mi Air Fryer) 3.5L, Mi Smart Air Fryer or Mijia Air Fryer Pro, but most buttons and features are universal.

In touch-controlled models (such as the Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer), instead of physical buttons, you use a display, you can select touch programs, and you can see the current temperature and the remaining time. If your aerogrill supports connection to the Mi Home, you can control it from your smartphone, which is convenient for monitoring the process from a distance.

Optimal settings for different types of dishes

One of the great things about aerogrills is that they're versatile, but to get the perfect result, you have to get the temperature, the time and the accessories right, and here's a proven setup for popular dishes.

🍗 Meat and poultry

For cooking chicken, pork or beef, use a temperature of 180-200.°C. Time depends on the size of the pieces:

• 🍗 Chicken wings or legs - 20-25 minutes, turn over after 10 minutes.
• 🥩 Steak or chop - 12-15 minutes at 200°C for medium roasting.
• 🐖 Pork ribs - 30-40 minutes at 160°C, pre-marinated.

🔹 Tip: For juicy flesh, use a grille, so that the fat will drain into the bowl, and the meat will not "boil" in its own juice. If you want a crispy crust, in the last 5 minutes increase the temperature to 200°C.

🐟 Fish and seafood

The fish in the aerogrilla is delicate and fragrant, but it's important not to overdry it.

• 🐟 Salmon or cod fillet - 160°C, 10-12 minutes.
• 🦐 Shrimp - 180°C, 6-8 minutes (pre-freeze!).
• 🦑 Squid - 200°C, 5-7 minutes (so as not to become "rubber").

🔹 Important: Fish should be cooked on a grille or in a special basket so that it does not stick to the bowl. If you use a marinade, soak the fillet with a paper towel before cooking, so the crust will be crispy.

🍟 Potatoes and vegetables

For French fries or baked vegetables, set the temperature 180-190°C. Time depends on the size of the pieces:

• 🍟 French fries – 15-20 minutes, shake every 5 minutes.
• 🥔 Baked potatoes - 30-40 minutes at 170°C (pierce with a fork before cooking).
• 🥦 Broccoli or cauliflower - 10-12 minutes at 180°C.

🔹 Lifehack: To make fries crisp, soak them in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking, then soak and sprinkle with butter.

🍰 Baking and desserts

You can bake cakes, cupcakes, even cookies in an air grill! Use a temperature of 150-170°C and special forms:

• 🍪 Cookies - 10-12 minutes at 160°C.
• 🍰 Cupcake or muffins - 20-25 minutes at 150°C (check with a toothpick).
• 🥖 Bread or pizza - 180°C, 12-15 minutes (dough should be thin).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when using aerogrills, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Warning: Never fill the bowl with more than a liquid. 2/3 — This can cause overflows and damage to the heating element.

• 🔥 The dish burns on the outside, but the raw inside is because it's too hot or too big. Solution: reduce the temperature by 20.°C and increase the time, or divide the products into two lots.
• 💨 The products are not baked evenly — you may have overloaded the bowl or not shaken the contents. Solution: load no more than 70% of the volume and turn the products over every 5-10 minutes.
• 🧂 The food turns dry - most likely too long to cook or too high a temperature.Solution: use marinade or splash the food with oil before cooking.
• 🔌 The aerogrill suddenly shuts down, which could be an overheating protection, so you can let the device cool down for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn it on again. If the problem recurs, check the vents for blockages.

Another common problem is that you have a foreign smell when you first use it, which is normal for new devices, but if the plastic smell persists after 3-4 runs, contact the service center, and it is not recommended to cook in the air grill products with a strong flavor (such as fish) immediately after baking - the smells can mix.

Make sure the cup is installed correctly|Check if the cover is closed before clicking.|Do not exceed the maximum weight of products (specified in the instructions)|Remove food residues from the heating element (if any)|Connect the device to a grounded outlet-->

Care and cleaning: how to extend the life of aerogrill

Not only does regular cleaning keep you hygienic, it also prevents breakages. The fat-coated heating element is less efficient and can overheat. Here's how to properly care for the device:

1. After each use: Let the aerogril cool (at least 30 minutes); Remove the bowl, grille and other removable parts; rinse them with warm water with a mild detergent (do not use metal sponges!); Wipe the inside of the lid with a damp cloth.
2. Once a week: Clean the heating element of fat and soda with a wooden shoulder blade or a special brush. Wipe the outer body with a wet wipe. Check the ventilation holes for dust.

Once a month:

• Conduct a "general cleaning": soak the removable parts in a solution of water and vinegar (1: 1) for 15 minutes, then rinse.
• Check the power cord for damage.

⚠️ Warning: Never immerse the heating element cover in water! this may cause a short circuit. Use a wet cloth or special wipes for the appliances to clean.

If a persistent soda appears on the heating element, it can be removed with a paste of soda and water (apply for 10 minutes, then gently wipe with a soft sponge). To eliminate odors after cooking fish or spices, put a slice of lemon or a cup of water with vinegar in a bowl and turn on the aerogril at 100°C. 10 minutes.

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Regular cleaning of the heating element increases the service life of the aerogrill by 30-40% and reduces electricity consumption by 15-20%.

Additional accessories: what is worth buying

The basic configuration of Xiaomi aerogrill is usually enough for most dishes, but some accessories can significantly expand the capabilities of the device.

• 🍳 Silicone baking mold is perfect for muffins, muffins or lasagna. It doesn't stick and it's easy to wash.
• 🥩 Grilling Grill – allows you to cook steaks or vegetables with beautiful stripes, like on coals.
• 🍗 Spinner for chicken - suitable for evenly baking a whole carcass (is included in some models).
• 🧀 Form for fondue – if you like cheese or chocolate desserts.
• 📦 Separators – to cook multiple dishes at the same time without mixing odors.

It is also useful to purchase: a meat thermometer (to accurately determine the degree of roasting), silicone forceps (do not scratch the coating of the bowl) and protective gloves (the bowl is heated to high temperatures).

🔹 Savings tip: Many accessories can be replaced with improvised tools. For example, instead of a special form for baking, use heat-resistant glassware, and instead of a spit, use wooden skewers.

Compatibility with Mi Home: setting up smart control

If your Xiaomi aerogrill model supports connectivity to the Mi Home ecosystem (like the Mi Smart Air Fryer), you can control the device from your smartphone, which is convenient for controlling the process from a distance or creating a schedule.

1. Install the Mi Home app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
2. Create an account or sign in to an existing one.
3. Click Add Add the device (+) and select the Kitchen category.
4. Turn on the aerogrill and put it in pairing mode (usually you need to hold the power button for 5 seconds until the indicator blinks).
5. Follow the instructions in the Wi-Fi connection app (2.4 GHz! only).

After you connect, you can:

• 📱 Manage temperature and time remotely.
• 🔄 Create your own recipes and save them in the application.
• ⏰ Set a timer with a notification on a smartphone.
• 📊 View the history of cooked dishes.

⚠️ Attention: When connecting to Mi Home, the aerogrill may receive firmware updates. Don't interrupt the update process, this may cause the device to malfunction. If the update is suspended, disconnect the aerogrill from the network for 1 minute, then try again.

You can also use the app to configure voice control (if you have a Xiaomi Smart Speaker speaker), such as saying, "Prepare chicken wings in an air grill for 25 minutes," and available in Chinese and English (Russian support is limited).

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi aerogrill