If you spot the food getting stuck, soak the basket in lukewarm, soapy water for 15 minutes. It will loosen the food residue without scrubbing hard. Never preheat the air fryer for longer period without any food inside. Excess dry heat may weaken the non-stick coating over a period of time.
Air fryers have emerged essential kitchen appliance that can cook healthy, crispy, and tasty foods with minimal oil. But, with regular use and poor handling, the non-stick coating inside basket or try may get damaged. When the non-stick coating of the air fryers get scratches, peeling, or flaking, it does not only impact the cooking performance but can also pose health issues. Check the guide below that can help you prevent non-stick coating damage and reasons why it happens:
Non-stick coatings have been designed to make cooking and cleaning a hassle-free job. But it may get sensitive to metal utensils that may causes scratches to the surface. Use of harsh scrubbers can cause damage to the non-stick cooking. Abrasive cleaning agents, overheating, or running the air fryer empty can also causes damage to the non-stick coating. Constant and repeated exposure to these factors can cause the coating to wear off over time.
You should opt for silicone or wooden utensils. Try to refrain use of forks, spatulas, or metal tongs inside the air fryer basket. Instead, try using silicone, wooden, or heat-resistant plastic utensils to prevent scratches.
Try to avoid cooking sprays. Aerosol cooking sprays can cause a sticky residue that builds and harms the coating. Instead, opt for brush or oil mister for even and controlled application.
The way you clean also matters a lot. You should always let the basket cool before washing. Use a soft sponge or cloth with a mild dish soap. Don’t use abrasive scrub pads even if there is stubborn food residue.
If you spot the food getting stuck, soak the basket in lukewarm, soapy water for 15 minutes. It will loosen the food residue without scrubbing hard.
Never preheat the air fryer for longer period without any food inside. Excess dry heat may weaken the non-stick coating over a period of time.
Frequent dishwasher can wear down the coating even if the manufacturer claims that basket is dishwasher safe. Hand washing is a better option.
If you spot the coating with minor scratches without heavy flaking or peeling, you may still use the basket with proper caution. Check ways to fix minor non-stick damage below:
Try to stop using metal tools right away. Instead switch to non-abrasive utensils.
Use parchment papers or liners. They are silicone mats that can create a protective layer between food and the damaged surface that can bring down direct contact.
Season lightly if recommended. Some manufacturers recommend rubbing of small amount of cooking oil on the surface to maintain smoothness. Make sure to check the manual of your appliance.
If you notice the coating getting peeled or chipped excessively, it is ideal to get the tray or basket replaced. Flakes can get mixed with the food and cooking performance may dip. A large number of brands provide replacement baskets that can be compatible with your model.
Do not try DIY (do it yourself) repainting or non-stick sprays as they may pose health issues and release dangerous fumes upon heating.
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