The modern kitchen is increasingly reminiscent of a flight control center, where every device must work with maximum efficiency. The Xiaomi Air Fryer Pro has become a hit among health food lovers, offering the ability to cook meals with minimal oil. However, many users buy the device without fully understanding how to unleash its full potential and avoid common mistakes in the first operation.
Getting your device ready for the first run is not just a formality, it's a necessity that will prolong the life of heating elements and non-stick coating. Unlike conventional ovens, it uses 360° hot air technology, which requires a special approach to placing products. If you've just unpacked the box, don't rush to load the ingredients - you first need to do a series of preparatory procedures.
In this guide, we will take a look at how to use a smart deep fryer, connect it to your smartphone and choose the optimal modes for different types of products. You will learn about the nuances of care that are often ignored but critical for safety. Smart heating technology allows you to reach temperatures up to 200 degrees, so compliance with the rules of operation is a must.
Primary configuration and preparation of the device
Before you turn the appliance on, you need to carefully inspect the bowl and the heating element for the presence of a transport packaging. Often inside the bowl or on the grille, you can find residues of cardboard or protective film, which when heated release toxic substances, remove all the excess elements and wipe the inner surfaces with wet cloth without using aggressive chemistry.
The next step is what's called a "idle run," a procedure that is necessary to burn out the factory lubricant and eliminate the specific technical smell that new appliances may have. Set an empty bowl in the case, select the maximum temperature and start the timer on the 10-15 minutes, while ensuring good ventilation in the room.
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During the first run open the windows wide open as the smell can be quite sharp, but this is absolutely normal for a new heating element.
Once the device cools down, wipe the bowl again. Now your Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro is fully ready to work with products. Don't ignore this stage, as it directly affects the taste of the first cooked dishes and the general condition of the non-stick coating.
Interface and management through OLED-screen
Control of the device is implemented through a rotary mechanism and sensory OLED-It's a display that makes the interaction intuitive, and by turning the pen, you pick the parameters, and by short pressing, you confirm the choice or you start the process. The screen displays the current temperature, remaining time and selected cooking mode, which allows you to control the process without using a smartphone.
The main menu contains pre-installed programs for popular dishes such as French fries, steak, chicken and pastries, which have already been optimized by the company's engineers, but the user can adjust the time and temperature manually.
⚠️ Attention: Don't touch OLED-screen with wet hands or metal objects to avoid damage to the touch layer and short circuit.
The special feature is the ability to save your favorite recipes. If you often cook the same dish, the device allows you to fix the settings, and then access them in one click, which saves time and eliminates the need to reconfigure Time and Temp every time.
Connection to the Mi Home Smart Home System
One of the main features of the model is the ability to integrate into the Mi Home ecosystem. To start, download the application to your smartphone, making sure that it is connected to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. In the application, click “Add device” and the system will automatically find your aerogrill if it is included in the socket and is nearby.
Once paired, you'll have more management options, you'll be able to start cooking remotely, receive notifications of completion, and most importantly, use cloud-based recipes, and the recipe database in the app is constantly updated to offer new ideas for dinner with options already set up.
The device plugin menu has additional settings, such as temperature calibration or firmware updates. Regular software updates are important because manufacturers often improve the heater’s algorithms and add new automation scenarios, such as setting up a scenario where the aerogrill turns on automatically when you leave the office.
What to do if the device is not connected?
Preparation technology and choice of modes
The secret to success is to circulate hot air, which bakes food evenly from all sides. Unlike traditional frying, you don't have to dip food in butter. The air circulation creates a crispy crust, keeping the food juicy inside, which makes the food significantly less caloric, but no less delicious.
Different strategies are appropriate for different foods: meat and poultry are better cooked at high temperatures (180-200°C) for quick sealing of juices inside, vegetables and more gentle foods require a gentler regime (160-170°C) and perhaps periodic shaking of the basket for uniformity.
| Product | Temperature (°C) | Time (min) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| French fries | 200 | 15-20 | Shake in the middle. |
| Chicken wings | 180 | 12-15 | marinate |
| Salmon steak | 170 | 8-10 | Don't overcook. |
| Vegetable mix | 160 | 10-12 | Add the oil spray |
Use preheating if you're cooking dough or meat that requires instant temperature shock. This only takes 2-3 minutes, but greatly improves the result. Experiment with time, as the size of the pieces can affect the speed of cooking.
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To achieve restaurant quality, it's important not to overload the basket. The air must circulate freely between the pieces of food. If you're cooking for a big company, it's better to make two batches than to fill the bowl with a batch, otherwise you'll get boiled rather than fried.
Use parchment paper or silicone mats to avoid burning and make it easier to wash. However, make sure the paper is pressed by products or has airflow holes, otherwise airflow can lift it up to the heating element. Never turn on an empty aerogrill with a sheet of paper inside without products.
To make a golden crust, sprinkle a small amount of spray oil before cooking. This will be enough to trigger the Maillard reaction responsible for the taste and color of fried food. Don't pour the oil directly onto the bottom of the bowl - it makes no sense, since the frying is done by air.
⚠️ Warning: When cooking high-fat foods (such as bacon), a lot of liquid can accumulate at the bottom. Pour it during cooking to avoid smoke and unpleasant smell.
Care, cleaning and maintenance
Regular cleaning is a guarantee of long service Xiaomi Air Fryer. After each use, allow the device to completely cool. The bowl and grille can be washed with warm water with a soft detergent. Abrasive sponges and metal brushes are strictly prohibited, as they will damage the non-stick layer.
The heating element also requires attention. Periodically wipe it with a wet cloth to remove the grease splashes that may burn the next time you turn on. The accumulation of tanning on the heater leads to smoke and foreign smells during cooking.
Clean the outside of the case with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Watch the vents on the back, they should always be free of dust and kitchen debris. If the ventilation is disturbed, the device may overheat and go into defense.
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Stick-free coatings will last years if you wash the bowl with a soft sponge and don't use knives or forks inside the basket.