Since an air fryer is trendy nowadays and convenient to use, people are being persuaded to buy them.
There are quite many things to consider while using an air fryer, such as what things can be placed inside it. You probably love eating and cooking using an air fryer, but how can you make sure that your cooking procedure is safe?
Are you complacent that everything is allowed in an air fryer and it will not provide any harm to you?
There are different types of oven-proof cookware to be used in cooking using an air fryer. You can choose glass, metal, silicone, or even ceramic to use in an air fryer.
As the metals can be put in an air fryer, metal cans are also free to be used inside an air fryer.
I know that these things are not enough for you to ensure safety in using an air fryer. But don’t worry I’ll discuss these in detail in this article.
Let’s start then!
Why are only oven-safe metal cans allowed to be used in an air fryer?
As the air fryer does not work with radiation, the use of oven-safe metal will not react to it and that is the main reason why oven-safe metal cans are only allowed to be put in an air fryer.
An air fryer does not function with an electromagnetic field or with the presence of any type of radiation. Therefore, metal cans can be put inside it.
Though air fryers have similarities with ovens, their functionality isn’t the same, especially when it comes to heating because they differ in temperature.
Meanwhile, oven-safe metals can freely be put inside an air fryer as it may be the same type of appliance that also provides the same reaction as you put metal cans inside any of them.
Since oven-safe metals contain a specification wherein they can withstand intense temperature, they will not provide any circumstances of them getting broken or damaged.
What are the other types of materials you can not put inside an air fryer?
Not all types of materials or equipment can be put inside an air fryer because it greatly affects the way you cook the foods.
Among the types of materials and equipment which should not be put inside an air fryer are painted metal dishes or utensils, wood or plastic, and paper towels or baking paper.
Here’s why:
- Painted metal dishes and utensils – it is prohibited to put any kinds of painted metal dishes and utensils inside the air fryer. The main reason why you cannot put painted metal dishes and utensils in an air fryer is that they cannot withstand the temperature especially, the pressure of heat.
There are also risks associated with painted metals and utensils. Since these also release toxic gasses as they get heated and the foods might absorb these toxins and can affect your health.
This video tells whether silicone liner or parchment paper is better to use in an air fryer:
- Woods or Plastic – another thing that you cannot put inside an air fryer is wood and plastic. Any materials accompanied with wood and plastic like a tray should not be put in an air fryer. These may not handle the temperature of an air fryer as there is a tendency for them to melt. However, if the handles of any equipment are silicone it is allowed as long as it is heatproof and safe to use.
- Paper towels and baking paper – are the items you should never also put inside an air fryer. Paper towels and baking powder affects the flow of air inside the chamber of an air fryer as it restricts it. Instead of using paper towels and baking paper, there is also a metal-air frying basket. This does the function of paper towels and baking paper because it also absorbs any fats or oil from the food that you are cooking.
Which materials are safe to be used in an air fryer?
You can freely put any items in an air fryer as long as it is oven-safe. Of all the items, the following can be safely put inside an air fryer such as stainless-steel frying pans, glass food containers, ceramic containers, aluminum foil containers, silicone food containers, parchment paper, and banana leaf food containers.
The table below describes the safest items you can put inside an air fryer:
| Stainless-steel frying pans | The stainless steel frying pans are one of the safest to use in frying. This kind of item is durable to use as it can resist heat and corrosion. Also, it doesn’t release any toxins in the food. |
| Glass food Container | Only thick glass can be used in an air fryer to avoid the risk of breaking it. This kind of glass can withstand the intense temperature of an air fryer. |
| Ceramic container | The normal temperature that ceramic can resist is up to 660 degrees, it can be used in an oil-free fryer. |
| Aluminum foil container | Any kind of aluminum can be put in an air fryer whether it is foil cups, foil pans, and foil baking sheets. It is because aluminum foil can restrict the flow of air. |
| Silicone Food Container | The temperature that silicone can withstand is ranged between 215-230 degrees Fahrenheit. When you use a Silicone Food Container, you should not exceed the maximum temperature. |
| Parchment Paper | The parchment paper is protected by a silicone coating that enables it to resist temperatures of 215-230 degrees Celsius. It’s important not to cover the whole basket with parchment paper. |
| Banana Leaves as a Food Container | Banana leaves can also be used in an air fryer. However, there is a warning about using them. They shouldn’t be used entirely and shouldn’t be used with foods that require an overly high temperature. |
Your confusion about putting metal cans inside an air fryer has been cleared. I hope that this article will be helpful as you use your air fryer.
What foods should not be prepared in an air fryer?
One thing should never be cooked in an air fryer. Food with a wet batter should not be prepared in an air fryer. Without oil, the batter would fly everywhere and will not result in anything crispy.
The food becomes chewy, and the bottom of the air fryer becomes a smear of scorched batter.
Other things to avoid when using an air fryer are:
- Cheese – It makes a big mess.
- Burgers- If you want your burgers medium rare, the inside is done long before the outside is brown.
- Greens – They blow everywhere and make a mess.
Is it possible to cook with steel in an air fryer?
Steel may be cooked in an air fryer.
You only need to ensure that the steel you use in your air fryer is microwave and oven safe. This simply means that it can withstand a lot of heat. Finally, as long as the metal is oven-safe, you can use it in an air fryer machine.
Just make sure to check the instructions for your air fryer and metal pan before using them to ensure they are safe to use.
Conclusion
- Metal cans can be used in air fryers. However, how you use them depends on the kind of food, particularly whether they are oven-safe.
- Because an air fryer does not need radiation to operate, using oven-safe metal will not react with it. For this reason, only oven-safe metal cans are permitted to be used in an air fryer.
- Due to the significant impact they have on the way food is cooked, not all materials or pieces of equipment are suitable for use within an air fryer.
- Paper towels or baking paper, painted metal plates or utensils, wood or plastic, and certain other items should not be used with an air fryer.
- As long as it’s safe, you can put anything in an air fryer. Out of everything, stainless steel frying pans, glass food containers, ceramic food containers, aluminum foil food containers, silicone food containers, parchment paper, and banana leaves as food containers can all be securely placed inside an air fryer.