If your old air fryer still works, the best moves are to donate it, sell it, or give it away. If it is broken, recycle it as electronic waste (e-waste) instead of tossing it in your curbside bin. An air fryer has a heating element and a small circuit board inside, so it is really an electronic, not just a hunk of plastic.
Here is how to pick the right path in a few minutes, plus one quick safety check most people skip before they get rid of one.
First, Is It Working or Broken?
Plug it in and run it empty for a minute or two. If it heats up, the fan spins, and the timer works, it still has plenty of life left and someone will happily take it. If it will not turn on, smells like burning plastic, or trips your breaker, treat it as broken and head to the recycling section below.
If It Still Works: Donate, Sell, or Give It Away
A working air fryer is an easy thing to pass on. Clean out the basket and wipe it down first, since a tidy unit is much easier to rehome.
- Donate it. Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and most thrift stores take small kitchen appliances that work. Local shelters and community kitchens sometimes need them too, so call and ask.
- Sell it. Clean, name-brand air fryers move quickly on Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp. Snap a photo, list the brand and size, and price it a bit under a new one.
- Give it away. Post it in a Buy Nothing or local group. Someone setting up a first apartment or dorm will grab it fast.
If you are clearing counter space in general, our guide on how to declutter your kitchen and pantry walks through what to keep and what to let go.
If It Is Broken: Recycle It as E-Waste
A dead air fryer should not go in your blue curbside bin, and it really should not go in the trash if you can help it. The electronics and metal inside can be recycled, and the plastic and wiring do not belong in a landfill. Try these spots:
- Best Buy. Many stores take small electronics for recycling, often for free or a small fee. Check your local store’s rules first.
- Your city e-waste program. Most towns hold household hazardous waste or electronics drop-off days. Search your city name plus “e-waste drop off.”
- Scrap metal yards. Some accept small appliances for the metal inside. A quick phone call tells you if yours does.
- The maker. A few brands run take-back or mail-in recycling. Look on the box or the company website.
This is the same approach you would take with other dead electronics, like old electronics cables, a broken laptop, or an old electric toothbrush.
Quick Check: Was Your Air Fryer Recalled?
Air fryers have been part of safety recalls for fire and burn risks. Before you donate or toss yours, take two minutes to check. Search the brand and model at SaferProducts.gov or CPSC.gov. If it is on a recall list, do not pass it on to someone else. You may be owed a refund or a free replacement, and the maker will tell you how to return or dispose of it safely.
Can an Air Fryer Go in the Trash?
As a last resort, yes, most household trash services will take a small appliance. Still, recycling is the better choice because of the metal and electronics inside. If the trash is your only option, cut or coil the cord neatly and check your local rules first, since some areas ask you to keep electronics out of the regular bin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you throw an air fryer in the trash?
You usually can, but you should not if recycling is available. An air fryer is an electronic with metal parts, so an e-waste drop-off is the cleaner choice.
Can air fryers be recycled?
Yes. Take it to an electronics recycler, a city e-waste event, or a store that accepts small electronics. The metal and circuit board can be recovered.
Does Best Buy take air fryers?
Many Best Buy stores accept small electronics for recycling. Policies and fees vary by location, so check your store before you go.
Where can I donate a working air fryer?
Goodwill, Habitat ReStore, thrift shops, shelters, and community kitchens often take clean, working small appliances. Call ahead to be sure.
Are used air fryers worth anything?
Clean, working, name-brand models sell well secondhand. Price it a little under a new one and it will usually find a buyer fast.