Can You Put Metal in an Air Fryer? Dos and Don'ts

Q: Can You Put Metal in an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can put metal in an air fryer without worrying about horrifying sparks. Most metal utensils/cookware are made to resist high temperatures (up to 500F and more), which makes them perfect for use in an air fryer.

As an Amazon Associate we earn commission from qualifying purchases. We choose, test, and review the products independently from any brand involvement.

Is Using Metallic Bowl in Air Fryer Safe

Yes, it is safe to use metal pots and pans, provided it is oven-safe.

Putting a metal utensil in the microwave will give you a spark show. However, the situation is quite different for using a metal pan, container, dish, or bowl in an air fryer.

There are many prohibitions regarding the proper use of an air fryer and air fryer utensils, but luckily, using metal is not one of them. Below are my findings.

Can You Use Metal Containers In An Air Fryer?

Yes, you can put metal containers in an air fryer without worrying about horrifying sparks and damage to the appliance. Most metal utensils/cookware are made to resist high temperatures (up to 500F and more), which makes them perfect for use in an air fryer.

Many air fryers come with a metal divider that you can put in the basket to create a partition for cooking multiple items simultaneously.

Factors To Consider When Putting Metal Utensils In An Air Fryer

There are no special pans for air fryers, but when it comes to type, using any metal pan in an air fryer is safe. Having said that, you still need to consider a few aspects.

Type Of The Metal

Cooking in the air fryer becomes much easier when you know what you can and cannot put in it. When selecting metal cookware for your air fryer, pay attention to the type of metal you use.

Not all metals have the same temperature resistance. Some can withstand higher temperatures than others.

For Instance: Cast iron is one of the most heat-resistant metals, able to withstand up to 1500F. Hence it is completely safe for use in an oven or air fryer.

Find Oven-Safe Label

The presence of the oven-safe label on the metal bowl/pan/plate is another requirement you must pay attention to. Any metal pan with this label is suitable for use in an air fryer and an oven.

The presence of this label signifies that the material making the metal pan or bowl has been tested to have high heat resistance.

Some examples of oven-safe materials include stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, ceramic, and silicone.

Use When Absolutely Necessary

There is no harm in using a metal pan in an air fryer. For proper cooking, an air fryer swirling hot air needs space around the food to reach all sides.

Using the metal pan can limit airflow around food due to walls on all sides. It is advisable to use a metal pan only when it is necessary for certain recipes and when no other suitable option is available.

Using a metal pan is okay for making foods that need to hold their shape or when the ingredients transform from a liquid or semi-liquid state to a solid state during cooking.

Consider The Dimensions Of The Metal Pan or Bowl

Making Chicken in Metal in the Air Fryer

Ensuring the proper airflow in your air fryer must be your first consideration. To achieve this, paying attention to the dimensions of the pan you use is crucial.

Ensure that the pan allows for adequate and unrestricted airflow around the food. This factor ensures that your food is evenly cooked and crispy.

The pan’s diameter should be smaller than that of your air fryer basket. It should not be too tall to touch the heating element above the cooking compartment.

Direct contact between a metal dish and the heating element in an air fryer can result in the heating element not working properly or failing altogether.

Avoid Plastic Handles

Putting plastic in an air fryer is strictly prohibited. Therefore, the metal pan used in the air fryer must not have plastic elements such as handles.

Plastic can burn very quickly and release toxic fumes, which is detrimental to your health. Plastic can destroy your air fryer too.

Avoid Drawings And Paintings

Some metal pans are safe for use in an air fryer. However, they have drawings and paintings which might not resist heat. Enamel paint is the only exception in this regard; it has been deemed safe for use on cookware by the FDA.

Use metal pans with drawings only when you are sure about their safety—if you are unaware of the chemical properties of the design and paint or how the dyes react to high heat, you better not use them.

| ALSO READ…

FAQs

Can you put a cake pan in an air fryer?

Many air fryers have enough space to accommodate a cake pan, allowing you to bake cakes, brownies, and other similar desserts. However, make sure it is made with oven-safe material and its dimensions fit the size of your air fryer basket. Must check how to bake a cake in an air fryer.

Can you put an aluminum pie pan in the air fryer?

You can put an aluminum pie pan in your air fryer. Aluminum pie pans are small and very convenient for reheating and making cupcakes, muffins, etc., in an air fryer.

Wrapping Up!

With extensive discussion on the topic of putting metal in an air fryer, we hope that things have become much clearer about using metal pans in an air fryer. We have tried our best to outline everything about putting metal cookware (pan, container, dish, bowl) in an air fryer. Simply follow the instructions mentioned in the article above to use your air fryer without causing any harm to the unit or yourself.

Author
Recent Posts

Rostey

My current affair with air fryers led me to create this blog. I am the Founder of KitchenHanker.Com. A website dedicated to providing high-quality, unbiased reviews of the best air fryers on the market, tips, and tricks for using the air fryer.