UK households have been urged to avoid making this “biggest mistake” when cooking food in an air fryer. Households have been given a warning about their air fryers by an expert. AO’s small appliance expert, Isabella Forgione, has said that people tend to use one thing in their air fryer that’s not necessary.
She said: “The biggest mistake people make is misusing oil and cooking sprays. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, so technically, you don’t need oil to cook. But if you’re after that golden, crispy finish, a little oil can go a long way if used correctly. This helps crisp up items like vegetables or breaded snacks without damaging the non-stick coating.”
The Kitchn says that cooking spray contains lecithin (an emulsifier), dimethyl silicone (an anti-foaming agent), and a propellant. The spray has a low smoke point and, over time, the lecithin can build up, resulting in a sticky spot.
The site said the tray will actually feel sticky to the touch, as if a sticker had been there and left goo behind when it was pulled off.
They said: “This sticky spot is hard to remove and can degrade the coating so that the nonstick surface no longer does its job.”
The Kitchn said that if you’re following a recipe that calls for spraying the racks or basket, “go for the DIY approach with an oil that has a high smoke point”. The smoke point is the temperature at which oil starts to degrade.
Refined avocado oil, for example, would be a good choice, but The Kitchn says to “use it sparingly”. When possible, oil your food instead of the basket.
The site recommended using silicone-tipped tools and a soft sponge to avoid scratching the coating. It also stated that “obviously, don’t submerge your machine in water”.
