Advice | I was an air fryer skeptic. Here’s why I can’t stop using it. (2024)

FAQs

Why you shouldn t use an air fryer? ›

The two biggest concerns are potential carcinogens called acrylamides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are created in the process of cooking.

Summary. In conclusion, while air fryers offer certain benefits such as reduced calorie intake and faster cooking times, they are not without their limitations. Size constraints, limited cooking options, and concerns about crispiness are driving some people to look for alternatives.

Issue: One of the most common problems with air fryers is the unit not heating up as it should, which results in undercooked or unevenly cooked food. Solution: Ensure that the air fryer is placed on a flat, stable surface. Also, make sure the basket is securely inserted and that the food is not overcrowded.

Potential Weight Gain: Overconsumption of air-fried foods, despite their lower fat content, can still contribute to weight gain due to calorie-dense preparations. Carcinogen Production: Certain cooking oils and high-temperature cooking in air fryers can produce carcinogenic compounds, posing long-term health risks.

Limited Cooking Applications

Air fryers aren't logical appliances for every restaurant's offerings, as their temperature settings can dry out or burn the food. Investing in combination ovens and deep fryers is a far more valuable and efficient solution for modern establishments.

Cons of Air Fryer

These include stews, rice and pasta, batter and more. This means that Air Fryers are not completely versatile and cannot cook as many things as a traditional oven. If you're feeding a large family, you may find that the Air Fryer's capacity just won't do.

The evidence so far suggests that air frying is healthier than deep-frying, but it's not necessarily healthier than pan frying or baking in an oven. What really matters is your overall dietary pattern and the quality of the food you're eating.

Increased air fryer recalls since 2021

But that doesn't mean air fryers pose no risk. Faulty wiring or user error can cause air fryers to overheat, burn the food inside or melt the machine itself, leading to several reported cases of kitchen fires and burns. To date, there have been no deaths reported.

Some say it's too good to be true, that you can't effectively “fry” something with a few tablespoons of oil and hot circulating air. Some say yeah, it works but it takes up too much countertop space for what it's worth. Some swear by it for a few things like frozen french fries and nuggets.

Why restaurants don t use air fryers? ›

Air fryers typically have smaller baskets, making them less suitable for mass-volume food preparation typical in many eateries, hence contributing significantly towards reasons restaurants don't use them extensively as one might expect given their health benefits.

Acrylamide is a chemical that can be created by cooking processes including baking, air frying, and toasting. Acrylamide is considered a probable human carcinogen based on the results of studies in laboratory animals.

While acrylamide formation increases with time and temperature in deep frying, it is minimized by combining high temperature and short time (200°C, 8 min) in an air-fryer (3).

3. Healthier - air frying gives you the taste and texture of deep fried foods but with minimal oil, which reduces the amount of fat and calories in your meal. 4.