Xiaomi Airgrill: a full overview of all modes and their application

Xiaomi aerogrils have gained popularity because of their versatility and smart technology, combining the capabilities of an oven, grill, deep fryer and even a yogurt in one compact package, but many users are using only 20-30% of their appliances’ potential, simply because they don’t know about all the modes available.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the operating modes of Xiaomi aerogrills (using the example of Mi Smart Air Fryer, Mijia Air Fryer Pro and Xiaomi Smart Oven models), explain their purpose and give practical tips for use. You will learn how to properly cook meat, pastries, vegetables and even desserts using optimal temperature and time settings.

We'll focus on hidden features that aren't mentioned in the standard instructions, but that can make your cooking much easier, like how to use convection mode to baking evenly, or why preheating is important for crisp crust, and what modes are available only in the latest firmware and how to activate them.

Basic modes: what can be prepared "out of the box"

Even with the basic set of aerogrills Xiaomi offers 5-7 pre-programmed modes that cover 80% of everyday tasks, these programs are optimized for specific types of dishes, so you do not need to choose the temperature and time, just select the desired mode and download the products.

Among the most sought after:

• 🍗 The roast is perfect for chicken wings, French fries, or breaded fish, and the temperature is automatically set to the top of the plate. 180-200°C, and the fan ensures uniform roasting on all sides.
• 🥩 Grill - used for crusted meat (steaks, cutlets, barbecue) in which the upper heating element is operated at full capacity, creating an open fire effect.
• 🍞 Baking is suitable for cakes, muffins and even bread, where temperature accuracy (usually) is important. 160-180°C) and no sudden heat surges.
• 🥶 Defrosting: thawing food carefully without losing juice. 40-60°C with minimum fan speed.
• 🍟 Fritür is a mimick of deep-fried frying, but with a minimum amount of oil (just 1 tbsp is enough) suitable for potatoes, onion rings or chicken nuggets.

Xiaomi Smart Oven models (such as Mijia Air Fryer Pro MAF01) also have a "Dehydration" mode for drying fruits, mushrooms or herbs. It works at low temperatures (50-70 ° C) with a long time (up to 12 hours), which allows you to remove moisture without heat treatment.

It's important to understand that basic modes are just "patterns." They can (and should!) be adjusted to a specific recipe. For example, for a crispy chicken crust in roast mode, you should increase the time by 3-5 minutes, and for gentle baking in baking mode, you should reduce the temperature by 10-15 ° C.

Advanced modes: the hidden possibilities of your aerogrill

In addition to standard software, Xiaomi aerogrills support a number of advanced features that often go unnoticed, these modes are activated via the Mi Home mobile app or a combination of buttons on the control panel (depending on the model).

Here are the most useful ones:

• 🔥 Turbo mode - accelerated cooking by maximum power of heating and fan, suitable for heating ready meals or fast roasting of small foods (for example, nuts), switched on by holding the Temperature button for 3 seconds.
• 🍳 Multi-cooker is a combined mode that combines convection and lower heating. Ideal for stewing or cooking dishes in pots (pilaf, stew). Activated via the menu Additional → Multi-cook.
• 🧊 Shock Freeze – Quickly cooling ready meals to the end of the day +4°C to preserve texture. Useful if you're going to do the future. Only available in models with Smart Cooling.
• 🔄 2-in-1 mode allows you to cook two dishes simultaneously at different levels (e.g. meat on the top grille and vegetables on the bottom), and the temperature and time are adjusted separately for each level.

One of the most interesting hidden modes is Eco-Cooking, which reduces energy consumption by 20-30% by optimizing heating cycles, but increases cooking time by 10-15%, which is a great option for night cooking (like stewing meat) or if you want to save energy.

Another little-known feature is self-cleaning. In Xiaomi Smart Oven MAF02 and later, there is a pyrolysis mode that heats the chamber to 250°C to burn fat. After the cycle, you only have to wipe the walls with a wet cloth. However, it is not recommended to use it more than 1 time a month - this reduces the life of the heating elements.

Table of modes and recommended settings

To make it easier to choose the best options, we have compiled a table with recommended settings for popular dishes, which are based on user tests and Xiaomi recommendations, but can be adjusted to your preferences.

Important: Smart Sensor models (e.g. Mijia Air Fryer) 3.5L) You don't have to manually set the temperature and the time, because the sensors automatically detect the type of food and select the optimal settings, but for accuracy, we recommend that you check the readiness of the dishes. 2-3 minutes before the time specified.

How to choose the right mode: step-by-step instructions

The right mode depends on the type of product, its initial state (fresh/frozen) and the desired result (crispy crust, juicy pulp, uniform bakedness).

1. Identify the category of the dish: meat, fish, pastries, vegetables or dessert, this will narrow the range of possible modes to 2-3 options.
2. If the product is frozen, start with the defrosting mode or increase the main cooking time by 20-30%.
3. Decide if you need a crust. For a crispy surface, choose a Grill or a preheated roast. For a delicate texture, Bake or a Multi-Chair.
4. Consider the size of the portions. For large pieces of meat or whole poultry, use Convection mode for even baking.
5. Set up additional parameters: 🔄 Fan speed: high for frying, low for baking. 🕒 Preheating: mandatory for baking, not necessary for defrosting. 📱 Smart scenarios (in the Mi Home app): for example, "Medium-roast steak" or "Apple pie".

Check that the cart and grilles are clean and dry

Set the temperature and time according to the recipe

Spread the products in one layer without piling up

Close the lid before clicking (in models with a security sensor)

Press Start and wait for the start beep to start working.-->

If you're cooking for the first time, use the Test mode (available in Mi Home): the device will start cooking at 50% power and time, after which you can evaluate the result and adjust the settings, which is especially useful for experimenting with new recipes.

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For cooking dishes with several ingredients (for example, meat with vegetables), use the multi-cooker mode with level division: on the upper grille, put foods that require more intense heating (meat), and on the lower one - those that cook faster (vegetables).

Modes for specific models: what your aerogrill can do

The functionality of Xiaomi air grills varies depending on the model and year of release. For example, the budget Mi Smart Air Fryer 3.5L (2020) has 7 basic modes, while the flagship Mijia Air Fryer Pro MAF02 (2023) supports 12 programs + smart control through the application. Below is a comparison of the capabilities of popular models.

Mi Smart Air Fryer 3.5L (2020):

• 🍗 7 preset modes: frying, grilling, baking, defrosting, deep frying, dehydration, heating.
• 📱 Management through Mi Home (basic settings).
• 🔄 Mechanical temperature regulator (up to 200)°C).
• ⚠️ No preheating and turbo mode.

Mijia Air Fryer Pro MAF01 (2022):

• 🍳 10 regimes + 3 user programs.
• 📱 Full management through the application (including smart recipes).
• 🔥 Pre-heating and turbo mode.
• 🧊 The function of shock freezing and self-cleaning.

Xiaomi Smart Oven MAF02 (2023):

• 🎛️ 12 regimes + 2 in 1 mode and multi-cook.
• 📱 Integration with Mi Home and Xiao Voice Assistant AI.
• 🌡️ Smart Sensor for Automatic Product Recognition.
• 🔄 Adjustable fan speed (3 levels).

If your model doesn't support the desired mode, you can simulate it manually. For example, for dehydration in Mi Smart Air Fryer 3.5L set the temperature to 60 ° C, fan speed to a minimum and a time of 4-6 hours. For turbo mode, just increase the temperature by 10-15 ° C and reduce the time by 20%.

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Before buying a Xiaomi aerogrill, check if the model supports the function. OTA-This will allow for new modes and improvements over the Internet (e.g., in the MAF02 After the firmware update, the "Yoghurt" mode appeared").

Common Mistakes in Selecting Modes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to overdried or undercooked meals, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

⚠️ Warning: Never use the Grill mode to cook fatty foods (bacon, lard, pork ribs) on the top grille. Fat sprays can ignite when in contact with the heating element.

Mistake 1: Ignoring preheating

Many users skip this step to save time, but it results in uneven cooking: Preheating (3-5 minutes) is especially important for baking and dishes that require crispy crust (such as pizza or chicken with skin).

Mistake 2: Overloading the basket

If the food is in several layers or tightly pressed together, the hot air does not circulate evenly. The optimal load is no more than 60% of the basket volume. For large pieces of meat, leave a gap of 1-2 cm on all sides.

Mistake 3: The Wrong Level Choice

In multi-grating air grills, the lower level is heated more intensely, and the upper level is suitable for delicate foods, for example, for steak and side dish, put meat on the upper grille at the same time, and vegetables on the lower one.

Mistake 4: Using metallic utensils

Aluminum or stainless steel baskets and lattice can block air circulation and create "dead zones." Use only perforated accessories that come with the kit or silicone molds.

⚠️ Note: In models with Smart Sensor function (MAF02) Do not put food directly on the bottom of the camera. Temperature sensors are located at the bottom, and contact with food can lead to incorrect readings and program failure.

Another common problem is improper cleaning after cooking fatty foods, if you don't remove fatty deposits immediately after cooling, they polymerize and form a hard-to-remove plaque, use Self-clean mode (if any), or wipe the walls with a wet sponge with detergent no later than 30 minutes after cooking.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about the regimes of aerogrill Xiaomi