Introduction of Air Fryers
According to surveys on major shopping platforms, air fryers have been selling around 320,000 units daily since their launch. The power of food bloggers, influencers, and celebrities in driving sales is undeniable.
Consumers are mainly drawn to air fryers because of their versatility, making cooking more convenient and improving quality of life for those preparing meals at home. Since the air fryer involves the word “fry,” most of the food prepared in it is fried. During the cooking process, large amounts of cooking oil are often added to enhance the texture and flavor of the food.
How Do Air Fryers Work?
First, the air fryer’s heating element heats the air rapidly. Then, a high-powered fan circulates the hot air quickly inside the food basket. The basket’s unique design creates a vortex that rapidly removes steam, giving food a crispy, fried texture. The principle behind this is high-speed air circulation. Heated tubes within the device generate hot air, which is then blown onto the food by a fan, cooking it.
This process circulates hot air in a closed environment, using the food’s natural oils to fry it, which dehydrates the food, leaving the surface golden and crispy, creating a frying effect. However, unlike traditional frying, which involves large amounts of oil soaking into the food or batter (if used), air frying does not produce the same flavor or texture.
Some air fryers also come with accessories for specific cooking types, such as pizza pans, grills, baking trays, and cake barrels. Similar to convection ovens, air fryers can bake, steam, and dehydrate food.
Is the Air Fryer a “Cooking Machine” or a “Carcinogen Tool”? Let’s See What Doctors Said
There have been many professional organizations that conducted tests on various air fryers purchased from the market. They found that four of the models tested were from non-compliant manufacturers. The food cooked in these non-compliant air fryers did, in fact, contain carcinogens. According to related experimental investigations, food prepared using these poorly-made air fryers had traces of carcinogenic substances.
To confirm the potential dangers of air fryers, the National Consumer Association conducted its own investigation. They purchased 10 different types of air fryers from the market and conducted performance and safety tests.
Following strict cooking guidelines from the manuals, five out of the 10 fryers were found to contain excessive levels of heavy metals and acrylamide, both of which surpassed the national food safety standards.
Thus, the issue isn’t with the air fryer itself, but with the cooking method. Specifically, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause foods to generate large amounts of acrylamide. Conversely, when time and temperature are controlled, the amount of acrylamide produced remains within acceptable limits.
What Are the Advantages of Air Fryers?
- No Smoke: Since there’s no direct flame or large amounts of oil, and due to the sealed design of the air fryer, cooking produces no smoke from oil breakdown.
- Low Fat Content: Fresh fries cooked in an air fryer contain only 1.5% fat, while frozen fries have 5.5% fat. Compared to traditional deep fryers and ovens, the fat content in these foods is significantly lower, promoting a healthier diet.
- Easy Cleanup: After using the air fryer, simply discard the contents of the basket and wipe down the fryer with a cloth or a damp paper towel. Cleaning is quick and easy.
- Non-Stick Surface: Many air fryers come with non-stick coated baskets, which are easy to clean, but make sure not to use metal utensils to avoid damaging the non-stick surface.
Safety Tips for Using an Air Fryer
- Avoid Closed Containers: When heating liquids, use open containers as the heat in a sealed container can cause dangerous pressure build-up and potentially lead to an explosion. If cooking food with a shell, like eggs, puncture the shell first to prevent bursting during cooking.
- Do Not Rinse with Water: After baking, unplug the air fryer and wait for it to cool down before cleaning. Wipe the interior with a dry cloth. If there are any stains or oil residues, use a cloth dipped in soapy water to gently clean the inside. Avoid rinsing the interior with water, as it could damage the electronic components.
- Handling After Cooking: The air fryer basket gets extremely hot after use, so place it on a heat-resistant surface to cool before handling. Always unplug the fryer after use to prevent overheating or accidental fire hazards.
- Initial Cleaning: Before the first use, make sure to soak the basket and bucket in hot water (over 100°C). You can also use detergent to clean them before thoroughly drying them for the first use.
Additional Consideration: Are Air Fryer Liners Toxic?
Under normal conditions, air fryer liners are not toxic. However, if they burn, they can release harmful substances. Air fryer liners, made from silicone-coated paper, have three layers: base paper, a film layer, and a silicone oil layer. Silicone paper contains certain toxic substances, such as resin and varnish, which include harmful chemicals like benzene and xylene. These substances can pose risks to human health, especially to the eyes and skin, so it’s best to minimize their use.
That being said, air fryer liners aren’t strictly necessary for cooking. Their main purpose is to help food cook more evenly and retain moisture. However, if the food you’re cooking is naturally low in fat and you don’t have foil on hand, you can safely cook without liners in the air fryer.
FAQ: Air Fryers – Safe Cooking Tool or Health Risk?
1. What is an air fryer, and how does it work?
Air fryers use high-speed air circulation and heat to cook food. A heating element quickly heats the air, and a powerful fan circulates it around the food, giving it a crispy, fried texture without needing large amounts of oil.
2. Does using an air fryer reduce fat content in food?
Yes, compared to traditional deep frying, food cooked in an air fryer has significantly less fat. For example, fresh fries have about 1.5% fat, and frozen fries have 5.5%, making it a healthier option.
3. Can air fryers cause cancer?
If used correctly, air fryers do not pose a carcinogenic risk. However, food cooked in non-compliant air fryers or at excessively high temperatures for long periods may contain harmful substances like acrylamide, a potential carcinogen. It’s crucial to control cooking time and temperature.
4. Are air fryer liners toxic?
Air fryer liners are not toxic under normal use but can become harmful if burned. Some liners contain chemicals like resin and varnish that may release toxic substances if exposed to high heat. You can safely cook without liners unless they are needed to evenly distribute heat.
5. What are the benefits of using an air fryer?
- No oil splatter or smoke
- Lower fat content in food
- Easy to clean with a non-stick surface
- Convenient for various cooking methods like baking, roasting, and grilling
6. What safety precautions should I take when using an air fryer?
- Avoid using closed containers; they can explode under pressure.
- Don’t rinse the fryer’s interior with water; use a damp cloth instead.
- Allow the fryer basket to cool after use, and unplug the device to prevent overheating.
- Always clean the air fryer thoroughly before the first use.
7. What are the health risks of non-compliant air fryers?
Tests have shown that some air fryers from non-compliant manufacturers may release carcinogens or contain excess heavy metals, which can be hazardous to health. Always choose products that meet safety standards.