Air fryers have become increasingly popular due to their ability to air fry food similar to deep frying but without the extra grease and calories of deep fried food. An air fryer allows you to enjoy delicious crisp food like chicken nuggets, fried chicken, and french fries that taste great without the negative health effects of cooking with a deep fryer.
It makes sense that as a kitchen appliance, it should be easily accessible from your kitchen.
But where specifically in the kitchen should you put your air fryer? This article will address that question and provide tips on the best location for your air fryer.
Air fryer safety is the first concern when it comes to placing the appliance. A countertop with plenty of clearance above and to the sides is a great spot for an air fryer. Air fryers can generate a lot of heat, so you don’t want them too close to walls or cabinets.
You’ll also want to make sure that you have enough room to remove the hot air fryer basket without bumping into walls or other items on the kitchen countertop. Air fryers damage countertops when you don’t take the necessary precautions.
A countertop with plenty of clearance above and to the sides is a great spot for an air fryer
Even the best air fryer is going to take up some space in the kitchen. The answer to this question may depend on:
With this in mind, here are some tips on where to put your air fryer in your kitchen:
An air fryer is a countertop appliance, so it only makes sense you'd find a home for yours on your countertop. This is especially convenient if your kitchen is on the smaller side.
But it's important to make sure you have enough counter space for other appliances and food prep items.
If you're tight on countertop space, you can always clear off a spot temporarily when you need to use the air fryer. Just be sure to put it back when you're done.
If you have a kitchen island, this can be a great spot for your air fryer. It's usually out of the way but still easily accessible.
A kitchen island can be another air fryer location that gives you room to prepare food - just make sure the kids can’t reach the air fryer
And if you have guests over, they can even watch you cook with the air fryer. Just be sure your kitchen island is sturdy enough to support the weight of the air fryer.
Another good option is to put your air fryer under the cabinets.
This can help free up counter space, and it's usually out of the way. But it can be a little more difficult to access, so you might want to consider this option if you don't plan on using the air fryer very often.
If you have an empty cupboard, this can be a reasonable spot for your air fryer. It will be out of sight, and you can still easily access it when you need to use it.
Just be sure the cupboard is big enough to accommodate the air fryer and that it's not too crowded.
A pantry is another great option for storing your air fryer. It would be reasonably out of the way and protected from dust and other debris
Again, just make sure the pantry is large enough to accommodate this appliance, as air fryers require proper ventilation, and you don't want to block the vents.
A storage room can be a suitable location for an air fryer, especially if it's right next to your kitchen. However, it's not the most convenient.
If you have a storage room, you might want to consider putting the air fryer on a shelf so it's not taking up valuable floor space.
The material of the surface is essential to consider when deciding where to put your air fryer.
Some materials, like wood, can be damaged by the heat of the air fryer. Others, like glass, can crack under the weight of the air fryer.
So, what is the most suitable surface to place an air fryer on? The best surface to put an air fryer on is a heat-resistant surface. This can include the following:
A heat-resistant countertop is the most popular option for an air fryer. This is because it's easy to clean, and it can withstand the heat of the air fryer.
However, it's important to make sure the countertop is truly heat-resistant. Some countertop materials, like laminate, can start to warp and peel at high temperatures.
An air fryer rack is a good option if you want to protect your countertop from the heat of the air fryer.
An air fryer rack is also a good option if your air fryer recipe calls for cooking multiple items simultaneously. Just be sure the rack is made from heat-resistant material, like stainless steel.
A heat resistant mat is another popular option for an air fryer. It can protect your countertop from the heat of the air fryer, and it's easy to clean. Heat-resistant mats are typically made of silicone or fiberglass.
Silicone Mats Stay in Place and Help to Prevent Heat From Reaching Your Countertop
A heat-resistant tray is a less common option, but it can be a good choice if you want to protect your countertop or table. Heat-resistant trays are typically made of metal and can be used on any surface.
A silicone baking sheet or aluminum foil are other options to consider. They are heat-resistant but are not the most popular option because they're not very sturdy.
Finally, you could use a ceramic plate if you need a heat-resistance material to put an air fryer on.
However, this depends on the size and weight of your air fryer. Ceramic plates are not as sturdy and strong as some other options, so they might not be the best choice for a heavier air fryer.
Here are a few key things to remember when choosing where to place your air fryer in the kitchen.
When choosing a place for an air fryer, it's essential to remember that it needs proper ventilation. Air fryers typically have fans that circulate hot air around the food, and this process can produce some smoke and grease.
Because of this process, you'll want to ensure the air fryer is in a well-ventilated area. This will help to prevent smoke and grease from building up in the kitchen, and it will also prolong the life of your air fryer.
You'll also want to make sure the air fryer is easily accessible so you're not struggling to reach it every time you want to use it. This point is especially crucial if you plan on using your air fryer everyday or every other day.
The most accessible spot for an air fryer is usually on the countertop, but this might not be possible in every kitchen. If you don't have counter space, you might consider putting the air fryer on a shelf or in a storage room.
Another factor to keep in mind is stability. Like a rice cooker, an air fryer can be heavy and sometimes produce a lot of heat.
Because of this, you'll want to ensure the air fryer is on a stable surface. A stable surface will help prevent the air fryer from tipping over and potentially causing a fire.
Some air fryers have built-in safety features that will shut off the device if it tips over. However, it's still important to ensure the air fryer is on a stable surface to prevent accidents.
If you have young children at home, you'll want to keep the air fryer out of their reach. Air fryers can get very hot, and young children could burn themselves if they touch the hot surface.
You'll also want to keep the air fryer away from flammable materials. This includes things like curtains, towels, and paper.
Now that you know all the critical factors to consider, you're ready to choose the perfect spot for your air fryer. Just remember to keep ventilation, accessibility, and stability in mind, in addition to safety factors like children's access and flammable materials.
If you're still unsure of where to put your air fryer in your kitchen, here are brief, helpful answers to commonly asked questions on the subject.
Yes, you can place your air fryer on the countertop. Just make sure to choose a spot that is well-ventilated and easily accessible.
You'll also want to make sure the surface is stable enough to support the weight of the air fryer and that the counter's material can resist extreme heat. We recommend using a heat resistant mat - like one made of silicone - to protect your countertop.
You can put an air fryer under cabinets, but it might not be the best option. If you choose to put your air fryer under cabinets, ensure there is at least 10 inches of clearance on all sides.
Air frying will produce some smoke and grease. By ensuring plenty of clearance, this will give the air fryer enough space to circulate air and prevent smoke and grease from building up.
Some people already have a wide variety of appliances in their kitchens.
If you resonate with this issue and don't have much counter space, you might want to consider putting the air fryer on a shelf or in a storage room. Just make sure the air fryer is easily accessible and in a well-ventilated area.
You can put an air fryer near a wall, but you should avoid putting it directly against it. An air fryer should have at least 5-10 inches of clearance on all sides to ensure proper ventilation.
Putting the air fryer too close to the wall could cause smoke and grease to build up, which could be a fire hazard.
First, we need to understand how an air fryer works. A conventional oven (and traditional toaster ovens) have a heating element, but no way to move the air around to ensure even heating.
An air fryer works through the use of convection, or convective heat transfer, to heat food at a very high temperature, which means hot air circulates around the food to cook it. This cooking process results in a reduction of cooking time when compared to conventional baking. It also ensures that with air frying, your food is consistently heated throughout. This is the exact same technique used in convection ovens.
If an air fryer doesn't have enough space, the hot air won't be able to circulate properly, and the food won't cook evenly.
Air fryers are not dangerous if used correctly. However, like all appliances, there is always a risk of accidents happening.
Specific air fryers have posed significant dangers and fire hazards and thus have been recalled from stores.
To avoid accidents, keep the air fryer away from young children and flammable materials. You should also make sure the air fryer is on a stable surface and in a well-ventilated area.
It would be best if you avoided putting an air fryer on the stove because you might accidentally turn it on, and the air fryer could be damaged, melt, or even pose a fire risk.
Always place an air fryer on a heat-resistant surface - like on top of a silicone mat - that way you shouldn't have to worry about damaging your countertop. While granite, quartz, and concrete are all heat-resistant materials up to a point, you’ll want to take the proper steps to protect your countertops by not placing your air fryer directly on your kitchen counters while the air fryer is in use - or while it is hot.
Some countertops are less suitable than others for air fryers, mainly depending on how heavy the fryer is, how hot it gets, and how much you plan on using it.
To be safe, always place an air fryer rack or a heat-resistance mat under the air fryer before use.
