Airfryers: these mistakes that you will never make again with the oil-free fryer
Airfryers, or oil-free fryers, are becoming more and more common in our kitchens. Riding the trend of “healthy eating”, they have many arguments to appeal, first and foremost the promise of a tasty, balanced and quickly prepared meal.
Considered a healthy alternative to the traditional fryer, the airfryer nevertheless presents itself as a much more versatile device since we now know that we can cook meat, vegetables, cakes, steam, or even dehydrate fruits and vegetables. Technically very similar to a fan oven, the oil-free fryer nevertheless meets a few prerequisites and needs to be tamed. Here is the list of mistakes to avoid so as not to damage your device.
1 / Have a really full tank (title!)
The capacity of the airfyers depends on the models chosen. Certain references such as Philips Airfryer XXL or the Ninja Air Fryer Foodi Flex are more suitable for a household of four to five people, when the Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer 3.5L And Ninja Air Fryer AF100EU are best suited for individual or duo use. In all cases, it is important not to overload the tank so that the appliance can ensure even cooking. We advise you to limit the quantities up to the Max graduation often indicated inside the bowl, or even slightly below.
2 / Add too much or not enough fat
It's a bad habit of many consumers: putting too much fat in the tank. Airfryers indeed promise healthy cooking and have the ability to prepare meals with little fat. Some users take the concept literally and cook without any oil, others are less confident and use too much. It is best to respect the doses indicated by the manufacturer – they vary depending on the model and type of dish.
3 / Preheat the airfryer (too much)
Most airfryers skip preheating, and this saves time and energy. Food can be added directly and cooking starts cold. There are models that require preheating, but this should not exceed 5 minutes.
4 / Do not use baking paper or aluminum
Parchment paper or aluminum are not recommended when using an airfryer. On its site, Philips explains that “covering the bottom of the basket reduces air circulation inside the airfryer. This affects cooking performance”. And to add: “Placing parchment paper or aluminum foil at the bottom of the pan, where grease and residue collects, disrupts air circulation. You will not get good cooking results”. Ultimately, poor air circulation could deteriorate cooking performance. Furthermore, the parchment and aluminum papers can move in the tank by the effect of the air flow, be in contact with the ventilation holes or in direct contact with the resistance. This could then cause the device to overheat, or even… a fire.
5 / Use unsuitable utensils
To avoid damaging the walls and the tank of your aifryer, and therefore ensure its longevity, we advise you to use wooden or silicone utensils rather than aluminum accessories or knives, forks and spoons, which could cause scratches. the tank of the device.
6 / Postpone cleaning the airfryer
Many users put off cleaning their airfryer, just as they might do with their built-in oven or microwave. However, it is essential to clean your oil-free fryer after each use. And for good reason: improperly cooking meat or chicken, for example, could contaminate the appliance, particularly with salmonella. And even if the surface is dry and the bowl appears clean, germs can grow and contaminate the food you put in it. The risk? Cause food poisoning. What is necessary must be done: it is essential to clean the tank after each use.
