In the last few years, air fryers have been a popular addition to many kitchens. These cooking devices can be used for a variety of tasks that range from frying to baking and grilling. But before you can use an air fryer, you need to know what not to put in it!
These handy appliances have a relatively small capacity and don’t work well with ingredients that take up a lot of space or are too wet. For best results, avoid placing items such as cakes, pies, pizza doughs on wire racks above the heating element. Instead these items should be placed on the bottom level of the appliance so they will cook more evenly throughout.
To avoid a poor outcome, only use foods and ingredients that are recommended by the manufacturer’s manual such as frozen French fries and fish sticks. Although air fryers are definitely useful appliances, they also have some limitations. Do not attempt to cook very dense ingredients like meats or breads in an air fryer because they will simply not cook correctly in these types of appliances. If you want to bake breads or meat items, you should use a convention oven instead of an air fryer for best results.
The same rule applies for freezing foods before cooking with an air fryer. Many people believe that freezing food before placing it in an air fryer will allow the food to cook faster. Although this is true, it will completely ruin the taste and texture if you freeze the food before cooking in an air fryer. Instead, simply allow the food to thaw before placing it in the air fryer.
When using an air fryer, always make sure that it is completely cool before unplugging and removing any frozen foods so they do not become overheated during use. Don’t forget that although air fryers are extremely convenient, they are also very delicate appliances.
What Kind Of Pans Can You Use In An Air Fryer?
Hard-Anodized aluminum pans are the only cooking pans that can withstand the heat of an air fryer. If you purchase a non-hardened aluminum pan, the food will be cooked unevenly because each batch of food will have different results.
Pans that are made from cast iron, stainless steel, or any other non-hardened metal will not only melt very quickly in an air fryer but also result in a poor taste and texture for your food as well. Avoid cooking food in a frying basket and wire racks because the food will be fried unevenly and the moisture content may result in your air fryer becoming clogged with food.
The only time you should use a wire rack or basket is if it is recommended by the cookbook that came with your air fryer. Only use light oils for frying, as heavy oils will not be properly absorbed by the fryer and will cause your air fryer to smoke and require washing.
Can You Use Aluminum Foil In Air Fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in an air fryer but you should never cover the air vent or try to hold ingredients that are larger than the capacity of your air fryer.
Make sure that the aluminum foil does not touch the heating elements, as it will melt very quickly and damage your appliance. Instead, place your food on top of a non-stick pan or in a non-stick cooking basket with proper sides.
Can You Use Plastic Containers In An Air Fryer?
Plastic containers can also be used in an air fryer, but be aware that some types of plastic may melt when exposed to high heat.
For best results, only use plastic containers that are labeled as being safe for use with an air fryer. Even if the container is labeled as being safe for an air fryer, it’s best to avoid using very thin plastic containers with a lid.
Do the Pans Need to Be Non-Stick or Do I Have To Oil Them?
All of the pans will work great in your air fryer without any type of oil or non-stick coating. The only time you need to add oil is when you are preparing frozen foods on an air fried rack or basket. For best results, make sure that you only add a light coating of oil to these items and do not overfill them with oil either.
The whole purpose of having an air fryer is to avoid adding cooking oil to your foods and still enjoy the taste and texture of foods that you cook in an air fryer. To make sure that your air fryer does not become clogged with oil, always allow the oil to drip off all of your foods before placing them in the air fryer.
Don’t forget to remove any excess fat from meats or other types of food before placing it in an air fryer for best results! Although this may seem like a burden at first, it will help you not only save money but also keep your appliance functioning properly for a longer period of time.
What Kind Of Cooking Rack Should I Use And How Do I Prepare It For First Time Use?
Most air fryers will come with a cooking rack that is usually made from metal or plastic. The cooking rack should be coated with a thin layer of oil before first use and then washed thoroughly. After the initial wash, you should place the cooking rack in an air drying location to allow it to completely dry before storing it in your air fryer.
Make sure that you never wash your cooking rack with hot water or place it in the dishwasher because this could result in discoloration over time.
To clean the cooking rack, you must use warm soapy water and then make sure that all of the oils are removed. Wash the cooking rack by hand and allow it to completely dry before storing it in your air fryer.
Do You Need Special Pans For Air Fryer?
No, any type of metal or plastic pan will work in an air fryer. The only exception is hard-anodized aluminum pans because they are the only type of pan that can withstand the heat of an air fryer and not melt right away. While some people think that you must have a special air fried pan to make delicious foods in an air fryer, this is simply not true. You can use any type of container or skillet that is made from metal or plastic to cook delicious foods in your air fryer.
Can You Put A Cake Pan In An Air Fryer?
You’ll have to experiment a bit with cakes, but it is possible to use a cake pan in an air fryer. First, bake the cake according to the recipe’s instructions, plus 15 minutes. Then, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
Once the pan has cooled completely, place it on top of your air fryer tray set up as described previously in this book. To get crispy results, make sure that you use a rack (not the cooking basket) and then bake the cake until it is done.
Can I Use Steel Bowl In Air Fryer?
If you are using a skillet, it should not be of stainless steel because it will most likely start to rust. Remember that because of the high heat inside of an air fryer, you do not want any type of metal that can rust or corrode.
If you are using a bowl made from stainless steel, make sure that you coated it with oil to prevent rusting and corrosion. You should not use any other type of metal cooking bowl in an air fryer because they will most likely melt when exposed to high heat.
If you are using a bowl or container that is not made from metal or hard-anodized aluminum, make sure that all of the items inside of your air fryer have been preheated for at least 5 minutes to avoid any damage to the plastic, ceramic or glass. Remember, the heat inside of your air fryer is very high and can cause some containers to melt if they are not prepared properly.
Final Thoughts:
There are a lot of different types of pans that can be used with your air fryer. The only pan you should avoid is hard-anodized aluminum because it will melt very quickly and cause damage to your air fryer. You can use any metal or plastic pan that is not coated with oils and other coatings because metal conducts heat very well. All of the pieces that are already covered with oil, such as a frying pan or cookie sheet, will come out perfectly in an air fryer!
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