Airfryers are a popular kitchen appliance for making healthy and delicious meals. However, when not cleaned regularly, it can increase the risk of poisoning and cancer due to the accumulation of toxins and microorganisms. So, is an airfryer harmful and how to clean it? In Sputnik’s news.
Airfryer is preferred as a kitchen appliance that has recently attracted attention with popular recipes on social media. However, the air fryer is causing controversy over whether it is healthy or harmful.
Despite the advantages of preparing practical meals using less oil and taking up less space in the kitchen, air fryers can pose many health risks. Cooking at high temperatures can lead to the formation of harmful compounds such as acrylamide, heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Research has shown that food cooked in an airfryer has less starch gelatinization. This can affect the texture of the food, giving a tough and dry result. In addition, food such as meat that remains uncooked or raw inside can cause health problems such as food poisoning, diarrhea and stomach pain.
While using an airfryer may seem healthier than deep-frying, the potential risks should be considered. It is important that users are mindful of these issues and cook food correctly.
What is an airfryer and how does it work?
An airfryer is a kitchen appliance, also known as an “air fryer”. It allows you to fry, bake and grill food using little or no oil. It cooks food in a healthier way than traditional air fryers, giving users the option to prepare lighter meals.
The Airfryer can be used to prepare a variety of foods such as French fries, chicken wings, vegetables, fish and desserts. The appliance is considered healthier to use than traditional frying methods because it uses less oil and does not require the food to be completely submerged in the oil.
The working principle of an airfryer:
- Hot air circulation: The airfryer cooks by blowing hot air that circulates quickly around the food. This crisps the outside of the food and cooks the inside.
- Rotating basket or tray: The airfryer usually includes a basket or tray for placing the food. This area ensures that the hot air evenly touches all sides of the food.
- Settings: The appliance usually includes a control panel for temperature and time adjustments. Users can select the appropriate settings according to the type of food to be cooked.
- High efficiency: Airfryers cook food quickly and are generally energy efficient.
How to make your Airfryer last longer?
- To ensure the long life of your Airfryer, you can follow the tips below:
- Clean your Airfryer after each use. This prevents grease and dirt from accumulating.
- When using your Airfryer, put in the appropriate amount of food for the width of the cooking container. Do not overfill it.
- This ensures that your food cooks evenly and prevents your appliance from overheating.
- When you are not using your Airfryer, unplug the appliance. This saves electricity and prevents damage to your appliance.
- When cleaning your Airfryer, do not immerse it directly in water or spray it with water. This way, you will not cause electric shock or breakdown of your appliance.
- When cleaning your Airfryer, do not use chemicals or abrasive substances. This protects the surface of your appliance and keeps your food healthy.
Oven or airfryer healthier?
Between an oven and an airfryer, which is healthier can vary depending on the type of food, cooking method and usage habits. Both kitchen appliances offer different advantages and disadvantages when cooking food:
Ovens:
- Even cooking: Ovens cook food evenly and offer a large cooking area. Ideal for cooking large quantities of food.
- Various Cooking Methods: Ovens are suitable for many different cooking methods such as frying, baking, roasting, grilling, etc.
- Less Risk: Ovens tend to cook food for longer and at lower temperatures. This can reduce the formation of harmful compounds such as acrylamide formation.
- Low Fat Use: Oven cooking does not require food to be fully submerged in oil, so it is a healthier cooking method.
Airfryer
Fast Cooking: Airfryer cooks food faster and cooks the inside while crisping the outside.
Less Oil: The Airfryer can cook food using little or no oil, which means less calories and fat intake.
Ease of Use: Airfryer is practical and easy to use. It also takes up less space in the kitchen.
Potential Risks: Fast cooking at high temperatures can lead to the formation of some harmful compounds. Also, raw food can increase the risk of food poisoning.
Overall, both kitchen appliances can be used for healthy cooking. However, which appliance the user prefers depends on the type of food they are preparing and their personal preferences. It is important to check cooking temperatures and use the correct cooking times to determine the healthiest option.
