Air Fryers have changed the way of looking at fried food.
The air fryer doesn’t only require cleaning, but some certain bowls and plates shouldn’t go in an air fryer because it may cause the device to malfunction.
When talking about bowls, I see people often inquiring on the internet about stainless steel bowls and whether they can be used in the air fryer.
So, the answer is, Yes, you can put a stainless steel bowl in the air fryer but with some tips.
Metals can handle temperatures up to 500° F, but not all stainless steel bowls are made for air fryers.
Now you must be thinking, what type of stainless steel bowls can be used in an air fryer? Only those stainless steel bowls which are oven safe can be put in the air fryer.
Check the body of the stainless steel bowl before putting it in the air fryer. If it says oven safe, then you’re good to go!
But, if you can’t find it written anywhere in the steel bowl, then avoid using that bowl.
Another thing to look for before putting it in the air fryer is the color and artwork of the bowl.
If the steel bowl is of plain color, then it can be used in the air fryer. If it has some artwork and is painted, then it is not suitable to be used in the air fryer.
Also, if the stainless steel bowl comes with a handle, then you can’t use it in the air fryer because it will occupy a lot of space in the air fryer.
Useful Tip: Stainless steel bowls are easy to clean. That’s why people prefer to use them in the air fryer, but you only have to make sure that the bowl is ideal for your air fryer.
Keep reading this article if you have more questions related to stainless steel bowls!
Can you operate an air fryer with a stainless-steel bowl?
Stainless steel bowls marked “Oven Safe” can be used in an air fryer.
This ensures that it can withstand the heat from your air fryer. Stainless steel bowls are also simple to clean and keep in good condition. Make sure the stainless steel bowl is properly positioned so that no part of it comes into contact with any of the heating elements.
Oven-safe cookware can withstand high oven temperatures (typically up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit) for extended periods of time without melting or becoming damaged. You should not use an air fryer if it is painted or has melted artwork.
Due to the limited space in the air fryer, it is best to avoid using a bowl or pan with a handle.
What kinds of utensils can be used in an air fryer?
A variety of stainless steel utensils can be used in an air fryer.
They are simple to clean and maintain, and they can withstand heat without warping or breaking easily. Other oven-safe metal utensils include stainless steel, ceramic/glass utensils like these, and any other type you can think of!
Air fryers are intended to cook food in a healthy way for the entire family. Spatulas and steel bowls are two examples of utensils that can be used.
The high temperature of the appliance will not harm these materials.
What if the steel bowl doesn’t have oven safe written on it?
If you can’t find oven safe written on the steel bowl, then it would be better not to use it in any way near your air fryer.
As air fryers are very expensive, so it’s better not to risk it with a steel bowl, and more importantly, you need to consider your safety as well first.
However, if you have previously used that stainless steel bowl in the oven at a high temperature to ensure it is only oven safe, then you can take the risk.
Why do you need to use the steel bowl?
There is always a talk about health issues by using nonstick surfaces like Teflon, which makes people use alternatives.
Although it is not common, many manufacturers sell stainless steel baskets which people buy while purchasing a new air fryer.
As I understand, there are a few occasions that need to use stainless steel bowls in which a cake tin scenario might be one of the reasons, but for many occasions, it is not necessary to use stainless steel bowls.
The beauty of air fryer cooking is its speed and consistency as it pushes the hot air around the food to cook it evenly, and this process works best when there is no interruption between the heating element and food.
A stainless steel bowl somehow prolongs the cooking time and reduces the air fryer’s efficiency.
What are the effects of using the wrong steel bowl in the air fryer?
Here are the side effects of putting the wrong steel bowl in the air fryer.
It can poison your food
You might wonder, if steel itself isn’t poisonous, how can it make your food poisonous?
Well, if the steel bowl has some artwork and painting on it, the air fryer heat would melt it. Hence, the artwork and painting chemicals will leech into food and will make it contaminated.
Damage your air fryer
Two things can happen to your air fryer when you use the wrong steel bowl in it.
- Either your device will be damaged, or it might result in a risk to your life.
- If the steel bowl blocks the airflow or heating element, your air fryer won’t operate normally.
In other words, the food wouldn’t cook properly and evenly, and it won’t take long for your air fryer to die.
Things to consider
You need to consider a few things before putting a stainless steel bowl in the air fryer.
First of all, consider the steel bowl itself, whether it is patterned or not, because the base material of the steel bowl might be useable for air fryers but would surface coating be able to handle the air fryer temperatures?
Secondly, the surface coating would damage the air fryer, as many air fryers with the nonstick coating may be damaged due to heat when you put a steel bowl on it.
That means the food particles would stick to the surface, which would be hard to clean later.
You can check out the following video regarding cleaning your air fryer!
What could be the alternatives to steel bowl?
I don’t think there is a need to put a stainless steel bowl in the air fryer as there are many other suitable things that can go in an air fryer.
However, as an alternative to a steel bowl, you can use the following things.
| Ceramics | Ceramics bowls are made to handle the heat and are ovenproof. |
| Glass | Glass bowls like pyrex are designed to tackle the generated heat; hence they are suitable for air fryers. |
| Silicone | Silicone is best for making cakes in an air fryer as they are ovenproof and significantly reduces the risk of damaging the air fryer. |
Conclusion
You can use a stainless steel bowl in the air fryer, but there is no big need to use it, as the air fryer works best without any interruption.
- Metals can handle heat up to 500° F, but not all steel bowls are made for air fryers.
- Only use those stainless steel bowls which have oven safe written on it.
- Before using an oven-safe steel bowl, make sure it doesn’t have a painting or artwork on it.
- The chemicals can leech into your food if the steel bowl surface has artwork or coating on it.
- If oven safe is not written on the steel bowl, you better don’t use it in the air fryer.
- There are many other alternatives to steel bowls to use, such as glass, silicon, and ceramic bowls.