Absolutely! A sturdy, heat-resistant cutting board—like bamboo or maple—is a fantastic option. A wooden board provides excellent insulation against heat while offering stability to keep your air fryer secure. Plus, it can catch any drips or spills, simplifying cleanup.
Most of the waste heat from an air fryer goes up, so it's perfectly safe to use it on wood.
A wooden cutting board is a great option to place under your air fryer, and you probably have one in your kitchen already. Wooden cutting boards are seasoned and can withstand heat up to 500°F, which is in the range of an air fryer's maximum temperature.
you will be good without anything under your air fryer. If you decided you wanted something, you can use cutting boards or get mats specifically made for air fryers.
Air fryers should also be positioned on a stable, heatproof surface when in use, so keep an eye on your benchtop to prevent potential damage. "You may want to invest in a heatproof board the air fryer can sit on," she adds.
Opt for Heat-Resistant Surfaces
If you use your air fryer often, I highly recommend adding a heat-resistant silicone pad or trivet. This simple step helps prevent potential air fryer damage and keeps your surfaces looking pristine.
Lining the bottom of the cooking basket with foil or parchment paper will block the airflow necessary for air frying and result in undercooked or unevenly cooked food. It's best to cook directly on the bottom of the nonstick basket whenever possible.
An unventilated area
If, for example, you put your air fryer under a low cupboard or another unventilated area, this restricts the air it's getting and prevents the heat from escaping. Not only can this result in your appliance overheating but it can also damage your kitchen cabinets.
Risks such as acrylamide formation, electrical malfunctions and toxic coatings can all result from using an air fryer and be a source of potential harm. Similarly, while they are supposedly healthier, air fryers are often used to cook processed foods which can give the illusion of eating better.
As a seasoned air fryer expert, Jenny recommends placing your air fryer on the kitchen countertop for convenient use. Maintain at least 5cm of space around the appliance for proper ventilation and to avoid overheating.
Softer woods wear out knives and chip tiny wood shards in your food. Don't: Cut raw meat or seafood on wood. Wood's main flaw is that it's hard to disinfect and can absorb and retain food odors. Veggies, bread, cheese, and fruit are better candidates.
Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.
PROTECTION OF THE COUNTERTOP: When air fryer works, they can generate high temperatures. If these heat directly transferred to the kitchen countertop through the bottom of the air fryer, it can burn the surface and cause irreversible damage. Therefore, you need an air fryer heat resistant pad to avoid this problem.
Plastic and certain types of glass should never be placed in an air fryer.
Don't leave the air fryer on and unattended
Air fryers get hot and they get hot fast. As with any oven, you shouldn't walk too far away from it while it's in use. Monitor for smoke or unusual smells like burning food or plastic. And always adhere to the cooking instructions.
Wooden surfaces
If you have a wooden surface in your kitchen or dining room, it's best to keep your air fryer away from it. Wooden surfaces, like a wooden cutting board or a dining table, aren't heat resistant so if they're introduced to too much heat, you could damage the surface and even burn it.
The Ninja Foodi XL Air Fryer Oven emerged as the clear top pick. It delivers uniform cooking results, precise temperature control, and a spacious interior. For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven provides good value for almost $200 less than the Ninja.
While air fryers are popular, the most expensive models can start to get a little pricey, which could undermine their status as a budget item. Taking to social media to share their opinions, many people have revealed that they reckon halogen ovens are the best option for frugal cooking.
In most cases, simple silicone mats, heat-resistant mats, cutting boards, and even trivets will provide ample protection. Just think about the heat output of your particular model and the material your countertop is made of. Using protection under your air fryer is a wise idea for all of us.
Adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer can create steam, which keeps the inside of the food tender while allowing the outside to crisp up. For baked goods, such as pastries or bread, a little water can mimic the humid environment of a traditional oven, giving a softer texture or a better rise.
“You can use any vessel you would use in an oven to cook in an air fryer. The shape and size can be a bit tricky. I find using a cake tin works really well for most cooking – just make sure it's not a loose base one.”
It's also a more sustainable option than lining your air fryer with aluminum foil. Lining your air fryer basket with a round of parchment paper is the perfect way to keep your air fryer squeaky clean and slash the time it takes to clean up. It just got a whole lot easier to make air fryer chicken drumsticks!
Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean up a bit easier. If you're tempted to use parchment every day or are simply waste-conscious, consider instead a silicone liner for air fryers. They're reusable and dishwasher safe, cutting down on both waste and worry.