Xiaomi's aerogril is not just a kitchen gadget, it's a real helper for those who value healthy food without excess oil and with maximum preservation of flavor. But even this smart device has its own features that affect the outcome of cooking. Many users face problems: dishes are dry, burn or cook unevenly, the reason most often lies in the wrong settings or ignoring the nuances of the work of a particular model.
In this article, we will not only break down the basic features of the Mi Air Fryer and Smart Air Fryer, but also reveal professional secrets: how to choose the optimal mode for different products, avoid typical errors and extend the life of the device. Particular attention will be paid to the integration with the Mi Home application, which provides additional features from remote control to synchronizing recipes. If you just bought an aerogril or want to improve your skills, this guide is for you.
Preparation of Xiaomi air grill for the first use
Before you start, you need to follow a few steps to make sure the device works properly and safely. Start by unpacking and checking the package: the box must contain the aerogrill itself, the grocery basket, the grille (in some models), the user manual and the power cable. Smart Air Fryer Pro models also have a thermometer to accurately monitor the temperature inside the products.
The first thing to do is to wash all removable parts with warm water with a mild detergent, which will remove the factory lubricant and possible contamination. Pay special attention to the basket and grille: they can be washed in the dishwasher (if allowed in the instructions for your model), but it is better to do this manually to avoid damage to the non-stick coating. After washing, dry all the parts thoroughly.
- π Connection: Use only the original power cable. The socket must be grounded and in an accessible place - during operation, the air grill heats up, and an emergency shutdown may be necessary.
- π± Sync with Mi Home: If your model supports an app connection, download it in advance and create an account.
- π§ͺ Trial start: turn on the aerogrill for 10-15 minutes idle (without products) at a temperature of 180Β°C to remove possible plastic odors.
β οΈ Warning: Never use metal objects (forks, knives) to mix products inside the basket - this will damage the non-stick coating. Use silicone or wooden shoulder blades.
Remove all stickers and protective films |Rinse the basket and grille |Dry parts in the air |Plug to the socket with ground |Run idle for 15 minutes-->
Main regimes and their designation
Xiaomi air grills are equipped with several pre-programmed modes that are optimized for different types of products, such as Fry mode is suitable for French fries or chicken wings, and Bake mode is suitable for pies and muffins, but not all users know that these modes can and should be adjusted for specific dishes.
Letβs look at the main programs:
- π Fry (180β200Β°C: perfect for crispy crusts, cooking time depends on serving size β for example, frozen nuggets cook for 12-15 minutes, and fresh potatoes for 20-25 minutes.
- π Roast (160β190Β°C: suitable for large pieces of meat or poultry. It is important to flip the product in the middle of the cycle, so that the warming is uniform.
- π° Bake (140β170Β°C: used for baking. For biscuits, it is recommended to reduce the temperature by 10-15Β°C compared to the oven.
- π₯© Grill (200β220Β°C: creates a grilling effect by the top heating element. Great for steaks and kebabs.
- π Dehydrate (60β90Β°C: drying regimen for fruits, vegetables or herbs. Long-term (from 4 to 12 hours).
In touch-controlled models (such as the Mi Smart Air Fryer Pro 4L), there is Custom, where you can set the temperature in 5Β°C increments and time to within minutes, which is especially useful for experimenting with recipes.
| Regime. | Temperature, Β°C | Time (example) | Examples of dishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fry | 180β200 | 10β25 minutes | French fries, nuggets, squid |
| Roast | 160β190 | 20-40 minutes | Chicken, pork ribs, lamb. |
| Bake | 140β170 | 15-30 minutes | Pie, muffin, cookie. |
| Grill | 200β220 | 8-15 minutes | Steaks, sausages, grilled vegetables |
Fry (Fry)|Burning (Bake)|Grill (Grill)|Roast (Roast)|Other-->
How to load products correctly: the secrets of uniform cooking
One of the most common mistakes is to overload the basket, and if the food is too tight, the hot air doesn't circulate evenly, and the dish will be raw inside or burnt outside. 2/3 For models of volume. 3,5β4 I mean, roughly. 500β700 d.
A few more rules:
- π₯ Slicing: the pieces must be about the same size to cook at the same time. For example, fries cut with a straw thickness of 0.8-1 cm.
- π§ Condiments and oil: add them after preheating (if the recipe allows it), butter is better sprayed rather than poured - so it will be distributed evenly.
- π Stirring: Shake the basket or flip products (like chicken wings) in the middle of the cycle. In models with Shake Reminder, the device will remind itself of this with an audible signal.
For dishes that require layer-by-layer styling (such as lasagna or casserole), use special shapes that are suitable in size for your model. Mi Smart Air Fryer 3.5L can use shapes up to 18 cm in diameter.
π‘
If you are preparing frozen foods (for example, dumplings), do not thaw them before bookmarking - so they will retain their shape and do not stick together.
Integration with Mi Home: Remote management and recipes
One of the key advantages of Xiaomi air grills is the ability to control through the Mi Home app. Once you connect the device to Wi-Fi, you get access to:
- π² Remote start/stop: you can turn on the aerogrill on your way home so that the dish is ready for your arrival.
- π Usage statistics: the app keeps the history of cooked dishes and offers to optimize settings.
- π³ Recipe Library: over 100 proven recipes with automatically substituted parameters (time, temperature).
- π Firmware updates: Regular updates add new modes and improve cooking algorithms.
To connect the aerogrill to the application:
- Open Mi Home and click Add Device.
- Select the category of kitchen β Aerogril.
- Follow the instructions on the screen: Turn on the device, hold the Wi-Fi button (or Menu depending on the model) until the beep.
- Connect to the temporary Wi-Fi network created by the aerogrill, then return to the app and select your home network.
β οΈ Warning: If after updating the firmware, the aerogrill began to work unstable (for example, it does not display temperature correctly), reset the settings: press the Menu button for 10 seconds before the double beep.
How to reset the settings of Xiaomi air grill to the factory?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that ruin the results.
- π₯ Too high temperature: many people think that more degrees = It's faster to cook, but it actually causes the outside to burn and the middle to get wet. For example, 180 chicken legs are optimal.Β°C, not 200.Β°C.
- β³ Insufficient time: aerogril cooks faster than the oven, but not instantly.Frozen foods (such as patties) require 30-50% longer than the recipes for fresh meats.
- π§ Ignoring humidity: If you cook vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli), sprinkle them with water before bookmarking - so they will not dry out.
- π§΄ Excessive use of oil: aerogrils only have 1-2 teaspoons of oil per serving, which leads to smoke and unpleasant smell.
A critical mistake: using aluminum foil without perforation. If you close the food with a dense layer of foil, the air circulation will be disturbed, and the dish will be cooked like in a steamer, not in an aerogril. If you need foil (for example, for fish), make a few punctures in it with a fork.
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Before using a new recipe for the first time, cook 10-15% less time than indicated, then check the readiness and if necessary, bring it up.
Cleaning and cleaning: how to extend the service life
Cleaning the aerogrill after each use is a guarantee of its long-term operation, and the sugar and fat left on the heating element not only spoils the taste of the following dishes, but can also cause breakdown.
- Cooling: Before cleaning, let the device cool to room temperature (20-30 minutes).
- Removable parts: basket, grille and pallet wash with warm water with a soft sponge. For persistent contaminants, use baking soda (1 tbsp. spoon per 1 liter of water).
- Body: wipe with a damp cloth, avoiding water on the electronic panel. To remove fat from external surfaces, a glass washing tool is suitable.
- Heat element: clean it with a dry brush or sponge without detergents. Wet cleaning is not allowed here!
Once a month, you should do a deep cleaning:
- π§½ Soak the removable parts in a solution of water and vinegar (1:1) for 15 minutes, then rinse.
- π Check the sealing gum on the door β it should not be deformed or contaminated.
- π¨ Turn on the aerogrill idle for 5 minutes at 100Β°C to dry the internal surfaces.
β οΈ Warning: Never use abrasive detergents or metal brushes - they will damage the nonstick coating. Use a wooden spatula to remove burnt fat from the basket, not a knife.