An air fryer is the model version of a mini oven and should be treated this way while deciding what can be put and cannot be put in it.
Glassware mostly, doesn’t withstand the extreme temperature of the air fryer and probably shatters and ruins the food because they are not safe and the material expands in the air fryer due to its brittle nature and eventually fractures.
But if I talk about Pyrex, it is capable of withstanding the extreme temperature of an air fryer without shattering because of its propriety blend of soda lime glass.
So yes, it is safe to use pyrex in the air fryer because it can withstand the air fryer temperature up to 425° F.
Having said that, there are also some factors that you should keep in mind when you decide to put pyrex in the air fryer.
- The thermal capacity of pyrex glassware and its thickness should be noted down first because both of these factors determine the durability of pyrex glassware in the air fryer. So, if the thermal capacity of pyrex glassware is within the range of air fryer temperature then there wouldn’t be any issue.
- You must be aware that the air fryer temperature goes up rapidly and is volatile, which means the temperature increases towards the higher point which may cause the pyrex to get cracked and damaged. For this reason, it would be best to preheat the pyrex glassware first in the air fryer as it would minimize the safety risk.
- Most pyrex glassware comes as oven safe but it is good to verify it first before putting it in the air fryer. You can just ask the dealer or look for the oven safe stamp on it. If you can’t verify any of these options then it’s better to avoid using pyrex in the air fryer instead of taking a safe risk.
You can also check out the following video to know whether to put glass in the air fryer or not.
Can pyrex be used in an air fryer?
If your Pyrex glassware is oven safe (which most are), it can be used in an air fryer. However, there are a few things to consider before placing the Pyrex container in the air fryer.
The first thing to consider is the thermal capacity of the glassware. You must also keep track of the thickness of the glass container.
Both of these factors influence the durability of your glassware in an air fryer. So, as long as the air fryer temperature is within the thermal capacity of the glassware, there shouldn’t be any cases.
Is it safe to use pyrex dishes in the oven?
Pyrex bowls can be used in the oven and freezer, however, they may not be completely thermal shockproof.
During rapid heating/cooling, different portions of the bowl expand or contract at different rates, producing tension that might lead to cracking. The stress of transition can lead Pyrex bowls to fracture.
When it comes to temperature changes, Pyrex requires some caution because the bowls will break if heated too quickly on stovetops or broilers. Always check the maximum temperature that your Pyrex bowl can withstand before putting it in the oven.
What other types of cookware can be used in the air fryer?
If you cannot find pyrex glassware which is oven safe then you can rely on other containers to use in the air fryer such as:
Silicone cookware
Oven-safe silicone cookware or bakeware is a great alternative to glassware because it is nonstick, smell-free, and easy to clean.
It can also withstand temperatures up to 425° F like pyrex but at a lower cost, because pyrex glassware is expensive while silicone cookware is easy to manufacture, hence there are many competitors of silicone cookware who sell it at lower prices.
Aluminum foil disposable pans
Aluminum foil disposable pans are another low-cost and easy-to-clean alternative to pyrex glassware and the best thing is you don’t have to worry about them exploding in the air fryer.
You can recycle it or throw it away after getting done with it, though you can also wash it to use it multiple times. Aluminum foil disposable pans look great for family outdoor dinners as they are fancy too.
Stainless steel pans
A stainless steel pan would work great in the air fryer as they are already plenty of stainless steel pan that comes in the size of air fryer which is 8 in diameter or smaller and they work perfectly for cooking small batches of food like brownies, cupcakes, or cookies. All you have to do is place them in the pan and pop it in the air fryer.
Corning cookware
Another amazing alternative to pyrex glassware is corning cookware which is also oven safe and can be easily used in the air fryer. Corning cookware is great for making hash browns, eggs and casserole, and other dishes.
If you don’t want to have a full-size casserole but a little bit of it, you can make lasagna in corning cookware.
Ceramic cookware
Ceramic cookware is also a great alternative to glass bowls as they are oven-safe handles that you don’t have to worry about them cracking. But the bad thing about ceramic cookware is, they are not durable so avoid scratching it because it contains a nonstick coating.
What are the pros and cons of heating food in a glass container?
Using glass containers to heat food can affect its results. Here are the pros and cons of it.
Pros
Many people use glass for all types of foods because it is versatile – doesn’t react to acids and can hold heat and this is why glass usage is frequent in homes.
Also, glass doesn’t retain heat like other materials so food is cooked more evenly and quickly in the air fryer and glass is eco-friendly too as it doesn’t require extra supplies for cleaning.
Cons
An air fryer needs airflow to prepare the food and make it crispy and without proper air circulation, an air fryer is useless and would be nothing more than a small oven that produces undercooked and soggy food.
In the air fryer, there is a cooking rack and air fryer basket present, which have gaps and holes to allow air circulation but if you put a glass container in it there won’t be any airflow and this would affect the potential of your air fryer.
What are the materials that shouldn’t be used in an air fryer?
As I mentioned above about things that can be safely used in an air fryer, now it’s time to talk about how some materials become toxic if kept in an air fryer for cooking. Plastic dishes and paper towels are two main things that cannot be put in an air fryer.
Air fryers work by distributing extremely hot air around the dish and if that dish is made up of plastic, there is a high chance of it getting melted and you would end up damaging your air fryer
The air Fryer’s heat is not good for paper towels as they can only end up burning and your air fryer can also catch fire in the process.
Check out the following table to learn the reasons for not putting the following materials in an air fryer.
| Plastic dishes | Plastic can soften in an air fryer. |
| Water | Too much water can catch up with the machine and provoke serious damage. |
| Sauces | Sauces can leak into the machinery and will damage the air fryer. |
| Paper towels | Paper towels can get burned from the heat. |
Conclusion
Even though air fryers can make almost anything, some things must be kept in consideration when you are using an advanced appliance.
- Pyrex glassware can be used in the air fryer but you need to consider a few factors before putting it in the air fryer.
- If the thermal capacity of pyrex is within the range of air fryer temperature which is 425° F then you’re good to go.
- Avoid using pyrex glassware if there is no oven-safe stamp written on it. No need to take the risks.
- You can use silicon, aluminum, ceramic and stainless steel cookware as an alternative to pyrex as they are lower in cost also.