What is the difference between ceramic and stainless steel air fryer?

The main difference between a ceramic and stainless steel air fryer is the coating on the interior and exterior. When we say ceramic air fryer or stainless steel air fryer, it does not imply that the whole air fryer is made with these materials. It has some parts that are coated with ceramic or stainless steel.

Is air fryer healthier?

Yes, food cooked in air fryer is healthier. Some critics say air fryers cause cancer; others say they are toxic. There is no truth to these claims. We say that because even the culinary guru Gordon Ramsay uses air fryers to make healthy recipes.

Air Fryer Ceramic Vs Stainless Steel [Detailed Comparison]

Air fryers have become the talk of the town, haven’t they? But did you know they come in various materials?

Yes, it’s true.

Some air fryers are stainless steel, while others are ceramic ones; each having its own pros and cons.

Today, I am going to make a head to head comparison between stainless steel and ceramic air fryers, helping all of you to make an informed decision.

The main difference between ceramic vs stainless steel air fryer is that ceramic air fryers heat up faster and more evenly than stainless steel models. Stainless steel have excellent heat retention. Ceramic interiors are also easy to clean compared to stainless steel.

Ceramic Vs Stainless Steel Air Fryers [Detailed Comparison]

Stainless Steel Air Fryer	Ceramic Air Fryer
Requires seasoning to acheive non-stickiness	Ceramic coating has excellent non-stick properties
Excellent heat distribution and retention	Decent heat distribution and retention
Highly durable, rust and stain resistant	Coating can cheap or peel over time
100% safe with no risk of contaminating food.	Safe, but coating can chip-off and mix with food.
Easy to clean but avoid harsh cleaning methods	Easy to clean, resistant to scratches.

Benefits Of Ceramic Air Fryers

When someone says that they have a ceramic air fryer, it means their basket and exterior is layered with ceramic.

These units are free from Teflon and BPA and are rated among the best non toxic air fryers.

Side by side, it creates a non-stick layer on the air fryer basket; hence, they are ceramic non-stick air fryers.

Many people prefer them over other air fryer materials such as Teflon. We have mentioned some of the benefits below.

Ceramic Is Safe for Health

Ceramics is free from BPA (Bisphenol A), PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene), and calcium substances. Hence, it is healthier.

Withstand High Temperatures

Ceramic is extremely heat resistant. It can tolerate temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Celsius, or 3,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

Therefore, this coating is ideal for being used in cooking appliances.

Does Not Release Toxic Fumes

Traditionally, appliances were often coated with Teflon or other PTFE-based coatings

Some researchers have proved that Teflon releases toxic fumes when heated at high temperatures.

However, ceramic does not release any toxic fumes when heated at high temperatures.

Therefore, ceramic coating is considered a safe and eco-friendly option.

Ceramic Air Fryers are Long-Lasting

Traditionally, the major complaint about ceramic air fryers has been that the coating is not permanent and degrades over time.

But this apprehension has been sufficiently addressed too.

New technology has been developed that coats cookware with ceramic more efficiently.

Now manufacturers can add more than one layer to improve the coating’s quality and increase its lifespan.

Additionally, you can also season ceramic-coated air fryer baskets to increase the durability of the coating.

Cleaning Ceramic Air Fryer

Cleaning Air Fryer Basket and Heating Element

Cleaning air fryer with ceramic coating require you to be very careful.

You must not use an abrasive sponge, steel wire, or utensils (forks, knives) to remove grease and stuck-on food because they will destroy the coating.

Use warm water with some dishwashing liquid and a soft mushy sponge to scrub the it gently.

For easier and more efficient cleaning, wash the air fryer basket right after use when the grease is still warm.

The longer the basket stays dirty, the tougher it becomes to remove the burnt-on grease and food.

Among all the air fryers I have reviewed on KitchenHanker.Com, Ninja air fryers have the best non-stick coating.

Advantages Of Stainless Steel Air Fryers

There are high-quality air fryers that come with stainless steel exterior and accessories.

Unlike ceramic made air fryers, the interior of some air fryers is also made of stainless steel.

So, there is no fear that its overuse will damage or peel off the coating.

Stainless steel made air fryers possess their own benefits. Some of those benefits are:

Withstand High Temperature

Like ceramic coating, stainless is also ideal for making cookware because it can endure high cooking temperatures.

The max temperature in an air fryer is 550F, and stainless steel can withstand above 1500F. So, as far as temperature is concerned, a stainless-steel air fryer should be a sure pick.

Safest Option for Use

Stainless steel is the safest option for use in the house. The risk of stainless releasing any toxic fumes is non-existent.

Additionally, stainless steel cookware is considered non-reactive. Therefore, you will not experience a metallic taste interfering with the taste of your food.

Stainless is Long-Lasting

Stainless steel is more durable due to the absence of any coating.

It is much stronger than having a ceramic coating, and you can expect your air fryer basket to last much longer.

Cleaning Stainless Steel Air Fryer

The only issue with a stainless steel air fryer is that it is a little more challenging to clean than an air fryer with a non-stick coating.

Below is how you can clean a stainless steel air fryer.

Cleaning Burnt Areas

When you cook food in an air fryer, some of it burns on the basket and leaves burnt stains.

However, you can reduce the mess by using aluminum foil or perforated parchment paper before placing the food in the air fryer basket. As for cleaning, it can be made a little easier by using the right tools.

For cleaning hard-to-clean burnt areas, soak the basket in the kitchen sink filled with soapy water. Let the basket stay in there before scrubbing it to remove the leftover food and stains with a soft sponge.

Cleaning Burnt Grease

Unlike ceramic, stainless steel is not non-stick, so you will often find burnt grease sticking to the basket's bottom. For cleaning burnt grease, first:

Use paper towels to remove the excess oil while the basket is still warm.
Place the basket in the sink when that is out of the way.
Fill the sink with water and vinegar in a 9:1 ratio.

For instance, if you add nine cups of water, add one cup of vinegar to make a cleaning solution.

Dip the basket in the water-vinegar mixture for ten to fifteen minutes. Later, use a non-abrasive sponge to remove the grease.

If the grease still does not come off, sprinkle a little (between a teaspoon to a tablespoon) baking soda on the sponge and then rub the affected area.

Chefman air fryers and Instant Vortex air fryers produce some of the best units made of stainless steel.

FAQs

Is ceramic safe in an air fryer?

Ceramic is completely safe in air fryers. Ceramic coating can withstand high temperatures and does not release any toxic fumes upon heating at high temperatures. In fact, many high-quality air fryers add ceramic baskets due to its health benefits.

Is stainless steel OK in the air fryer?

Stainless steel is completely OK in an air fryer. It is non-reactive and can tolerate high cooking temperatures. Also, stainless steel does not have any coating; therefore, the air fryer's surface won’t peel off even after repeated use.

Are ceramic air fryers safe for birds?

Yes, ceramic air fryers are safe for birds. Unlike Teflon, overheated ceramic does not produce any toxic fumes that can harm birds.

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Wrapping Up!

We tried our best to solve the air fryer ceramic vs stainless steel mystery by presenting some solid arguments. Choosing any of them won’t harm your health. But we recommend buying a stainless steel air fryer; it is more durable and an investment for the future. As for cleaning, it might be a little challenging, but you can make it easier by using parchment paper to reduce the mess and make cleaning more effortless.