Air Fryer
E1
The E1 error code on a Breville air fryer indicates a temperature sensor fault — the appliance is either unable to read the internal temperature accurately or has detected an abnormal temperature reading, so it shuts itself down as a safety precaution. In most cases this is not a disaster: it can be triggered by something as simple as overheating from poor ventilation or a light coating of grease on the sensor. In this guide you’ll learn exactly what causes the E1 error, which fixes you can safely try at home today, and when it’s time to call in a professional or consider replacing the unit.
What does this error mean?
The E1 error code on Breville air fryers is a temperature sensor error. Inside every air fryer sits a thermistor — a small electronic sensor that continuously monitors the air temperature inside the cooking chamber. The appliance’s control board uses this reading to regulate the heating element and keep cooking temperatures accurate and safe. When the E1 code appears, the control board has detected that the thermistor’s reading is either outside the expected range, has changed too rapidly, or has stopped responding altogether. As a result, the air fryer immediately cuts power to the heating element and displays E1 to alert you. Think of it as the appliance saying: ‘I can’t trust my own temperature readings, so I’m stopping until the problem is resolved.’ This is a built-in safety feature — it prevents the unit from overheating or cooking at the wrong temperature without your knowledge.
Est. repair cost
DIY thermal fuse replacement: £3–£8 for the part. Professional thermistor replacement: £50–£100 (parts + labour). Professional control board repair: £80–£150. New replacement Breville air fryer: £50–£160.
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Step 1 — Switch off and unplug immediately. As soon as you see E1, turn the air fryer off at the unit and unplug it from the wall socket. Never attempt any inspection or cleaning while the appliance is connected to power.
Step 2 — Allow the unit to cool completely. Leave the air fryer unplugged on a clear, well-ventilated worktop for at least 30 minutes. Residual heat is a common trigger for E1 after a long cooking session, and a full cool-down is the simplest fix. No tools needed.
Step 3 — Check and clear the ventilation vents. Inspect the air intake and exhaust vents (usually on the sides and rear of the unit) for any blockages — dust, grease build-up, or objects pressed against them. Use a soft dry brush or a blast of compressed air to clear any debris. Reposition the fryer so it has at least 10–15 cm of clear space on all sides.
Step 4 — Deep clean the cooking chamber and basket. Remove the basket and drawer completely and wash them thoroughly. Then, using a slightly damp cloth or a cotton bud dipped in warm soapy water, carefully wipe the interior walls of the cooking chamber. Look for the thermistor — it typically appears as a small metallic probe or bead on a wire, located near the top of the interior cavity or close to the heating element. Gently wipe any grease or residue from the sensor surface. Do not use abrasive pads or soak the sensor. Allow everything to dry fully before reassembling.
Step 5 — Perform a hard reset. Once the unit is clean and fully dry, plug it back in and switch it on. If your Breville model has a reset button (check your model’s manual — some are located on the underside of the unit), press and hold it for 5 seconds. If there is no dedicated reset button, simply powering the unit back on after a 30-minute rest acts as a soft reset on most Breville air fryer models.
Step 6 — Run a short test cook at a low temperature. Set the air fryer to 160°C for 5 minutes with nothing inside. Watch to see if E1 reappears. If it completes the cycle without the error, the issue was likely overheating or a dirty sensor and has been resolved.
Step 7 — Check your model’s manual for model-specific reset instructions. Breville produces several air fryer ranges in the UK (including the Halo, Smart Cook, and multi-function Combi models). Some have specific reset sequences. The manual is also available as a PDF on Breville’s UK website (breville.com/uk) if you no longer have the paper copy.
Step 8 — Inspect the thermal fuse (proceed only if you are comfortable with basic appliance inspection and the unit is unplugged and fully cool). On some Breville models, the thermal fuse is accessible by removing the outer base panel with a Philips screwdriver. The fuse is a small cylindrical component in the temperature circuit — a blown fuse will show visible scorch marks or can be confirmed open-circuit with a cheap multimeter set to continuity mode. Replacement thermal fuses are available online for £3–£8. IMPORTANT: If you are not confident working with internal appliance components, skip this step and go straight to calling a professional.
Step 9 — If E1 persists after all the above steps, do not attempt to replace the thermistor or control board yourself. These repairs require opening the sealed electrical housing and working with wired components — at this point, the fault needs a qualified appliance repair technician or you should consider whether replacement is more cost-effective (see below).
📞 When to call a professional
Call a professional appliance repair technician if: the E1 error returns immediately after a full cool-down and clean; the error appears even on a short, low-temperature test cook; or you have inspected the thermal fuse and found it blown but are not comfortable replacing it yourself. You should also call a professional if you suspect the thermistor itself or the control board is faulty — both require disassembling the unit’s electrical housing, which carries a risk of electric shock and could void any remaining warranty if done incorrectly. When you call, tell the technician: the exact error code (E1), your Breville model number (found on the label on the underside of the unit), roughly how old the appliance is, how frequently it’s used, and what steps you’ve already tried (cool-down, clean, reset). This saves diagnostic time and cost. For UK repair services, search for ‘appliance repair technician’ on Checkatrade or Rated People, or contact Breville UK customer support directly on 0344 847 0825 to ask about authorised service agents in your area.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
The honest answer depends on the age and model of your Breville air fryer. If the fix is a thermal fuse (£3–£8 part, straightforward to replace if you’re handy) or a DIY clean of the thermistor, repair is clearly worth it. If the thermistor itself needs replacing, parts typically cost £10–£25 online and a technician will charge £40–£80 in labour — making a professional repair viable for any Breville air fryer that cost more than £60 new and is under three years old. If the control board has failed, repair costs rise to £60–£120 for parts and labour combined — at that point, weigh this against the cost of a new Breville air fryer, which ranges from around £50 for a basic model to £150+ for a multi-function unit. A general rule of thumb: if the repair cost exceeds 50% of the replacement cost, and the appliance is more than three years old, replacing it is usually the smarter financial decision. Breville is widely stocked in the UK (Argos, Currys, Amazon), so finding a like-for-like replacement is straightforward. Spare parts for popular Breville air fryer models are reasonably available through UK spare parts retailers such as eSpares, 4ourhouse, and BuySpares — but availability can be patchy for older or discontinued models, which is another factor in the repair-or-replace calculation.