Worried About Toxins In Air Fryers? Here's What Health Expert Says

Air fryers have become a common kitchen item, as the gadgets use much less oil. It works by circulating hot air around the food, creating a crispy exterior without the need of much oil. This makes them a popular choice to prepare healthy meals. However, there have also been certain health concerns regarding air fryers. Some people worry that these materials might release toxic substances when heated. Dr Karan Raj, addressing the concerns, explained that problems can only happen if the air fryer is damaged. He also shared that proper cleaning is crucial to maintain air fryers’ non-stick surface. To prevent damage, he advised using wooden or silicone utensils rather than metal scrubbers.

The doctor said, “The biggest worry from fear mongers centres around the non-stick materials used, also known as forever chemicals. In less scientific terms, proprietary materials like Teflon. Fun fact, every time you sit down to eat, micro plastics float from the air and land in your food or are already part of your food, invisibly becoming part of your stir fry. Now, when it comes to air fryers the worries about toxic chemicals leaching into your food is only really an issue if the material is damaged. So as long as you don’t plan to eat the lining of your air fryer you’ll be fine."

“Just try to minimize damage and scratching there is to the non-stick coating. Clean it safely, avoid using abrasive scrubbing tools. Use wood or silicone utensils and use liners and if you’re really worried about the non-stick coating, you can use a ceramic or stainless steel air fryer. Please continue to responsibly enjoy your air fried goods," he added.

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “If the Teflon doesn’t kill you, the 99 million other things you’ve surrounded yourself with probably will."

Another one jokingly shared, “My personal strategy to avoid problems from micro plastics is eating so much other plastic that the amount of micro plastics from the air are negligible."

“Everything around us is dangerous. As some people say, ‘If you want to be safe, then just stay in bed.’ There’s too much to worry about anything," a comment read.

“Instead of using silicone liners in our air fryer we use paper coffee filters. They soak up any excess oils and we just throw them away after the food is done. 99% of the time we don’t even have to wash it, just a quick wipe with a damp cloth," noted another person.

“Also always be sure to unplug your air fryer afterwards as to be sure no accidental fires occur," added a person.