The Air fryer has been a recent trend in the world of cooking where you can enjoy the taste of deep-fried food without affecting your health.
Being the perfect invention in the modern home cooking era, it also has some precautions that must be taken for its long-term durability.
Certain things can and cannot go in an air fryer that a user must know before buying this device so that things don’t go South.
From the various queries on Air Fryers, there is this frequently asked question ‘Can you put cardboard in an air fryer?‘
Well, I think it’s good that people are concerned about the correct usage of an air fryer, You’ll be glad to know that with some precautions, you can put cardboard in an air fryer but it might cause a fire hazard if the air fryer is not turned off or cooled down.
Nonetheless, it is best if you don’t use cardboard at all.
If you want, you must make sure to put cardboard in small pieces so that it doesn’t interrupt the airflow to cook food evenly and a thin piece of it should be used to absorb oil and fat from the food.
You can also check out the following video regarding the use of an air fryer!
If you have more questions related to cardboard going in an air fryer, keep reading till the end to avoid any accidents.
Can cardboard be used in an air fryer?
Using cardboard in an air fryer is not advised. Cardboard items can catch fire at temperatures ranging from 425 to 475 degrees Fahrenheit, releasing hazardous compounds such as Diisobutyl Phthalate. Heat is generated by an air fryer using a convection current. An air fryer’s small size and strong power may produce temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
| Temperatures (oF) | Burns Cardboard | Release of toxic chemicals |
| 400 | No | No |
| 425 | Yes | No |
| 450 | Yes | Yes |
| 475 | Yes | Yes |
What is the composition of cardboard?
Cardboard is formed of cellulose fibres that have been resin-glued together. The most commonly used resin is phenol-formaldehyde, however other resins can also be employed.
There are a few risks to cooking with cardboard in an air fryer. For one thing, cardboard can catch fire and start a fire in the kitchen. Furthermore, toxins in cardboard might leak into your meals and make you sick. Finally, the cardboard can cause your air fryer to break down.
Does Cardboard burn in an air fryer?
Yes, if the temperature is too high, cardboard can burn the air fryer as it will catch fire and can cause human injuries as well.
The fire will also spread on the food and will burn it too.
So, make sure to set the temperature low enough for safety purposes before putting cardboard in an air fryer, and keep checking in between to ensure your food doesn’t get burned.
Another important factor is chemicals in a cardboard can spread in your food so for health reasons, you may want to avoid putting cardboard in an air fryer.
When cardboard is heated it releases toxic fumes which could be harmful. So, a window must be open immediately after turning off the air fryer if you smell something burning in your air fryer.
Why you should never use cardboard in an air fryer?
There are these reasons for not putting cardboard in an air fryer.
Increased cooking time
Putting cardboard in an air fryer makes your food cook slower which increases the cooking time. So, cardboard is not only a safety hazard but also takes your time and energy in cooking food.
Food tastes weird
One of the most important reasons for not putting cardboard in the air fryer is it makes food taste weird because it releases an unpleasant smell when heated which is later absorbed by food and makes it taste awful.
I don’t think it would be a great experience for anyone to taste weird food caused by cardboard chemicals.
Cardboard Ignition Temperature
The cardboard would start burning at 175 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. So, going above the 175°F would definitely damage your air fryer also as to utilize the best and maximum benefits from an air fryer the temperature is recommended to be at 450°F to have the taste and perfect crisp of deep fried food.
The ignition temperature can also vary from cardboard to cardboard depending upon its thickness, coating, and chemical elements of it.
But, just to remember, the standard ignition temperature of cardboard is 175°F.
What happens when you put cardboard in an air fryer?
The ignition temperature means the lower temperature in which a thing can ignite. If the ignition temperature is high, the chances of it catching fire also become high. So, if you piece a piece of paper of cardboard at 350°F, the chances of cardboard catching fire are very high.
As cardboard is not micro cable and contains wax which makes it dangerous to put it near any heating element. The heat would ignite and catch fire and would be spread to your food as well as your kitchen also.
The fumes emitting from cardboard are dangerous to breathe in which could lead you disastrous health conditions.
Also, you must not use any paper in the air fryer which contains wax or waxy coating as it would leave you with some toxic fumes in your kitchen.
The above-mentioned reasons are enough to not use cardboard in an air fryer as nothing is more precious than personal safety and health.
Is it safe to put the paper bowl in an air fryer?
No, it is not safe to use a paper bowl in an air fryer because it will catch fire if comes in contact with the heating element.
However, if it is needed to use a paper bowl in an air fryer make sure to place it on the metal rack which is at a distance from the heating element of an air fryer.
Just like cardboard, the paper bowl also releases toxic fumes which are absorbed in food and can cause health problems.
So, I would not recommend using a paper bowl in an air fryer even if you’re tempted as it wouldn’t be worth the risk. As an alternative to a paper bowl, you can use a silicone liner in an air fryer as it prevents food from sticking to the bottom of the basket.
For better understanding, here’s a list of things that you can and things you cannot put in an air fryer!
| Things safe to put in an air fryer | Things to not put in an air fryer |
| Parchment paper | Water |
| Foil | Plastic |
| Pyrex dish | Sauces |
| Steel bowl | Paper towels |
Conclusion
Cardboards are treated with chemicals and are made up recycle paper so it is better to not use cardboard in an air fryer as it could lead to many harmful conditions.
- Using cardboard in an air fryer can cause a fire hazard.
- Use small pieces of cardboard in an air fryer to avoid fire eruption.
- When cardboard is heated, it releases toxic chemicals which are absorbed in food and could be harmful to health.
- The ignition temperature of cardboard is 175°F temperature.
- Putting cardboard in an air fryer slows the cooking process and increases the cooking time hence, more energy and time are needed for cooking.