Dos and Don’ts of Air Fryer

Since its inception in 2010, the demand for and growth of air fryers has increased significantly over the last several years. In Malaysia, the popularity of air fryers has skyrocketed as a result of the first Movement Control Order (MCO) in early 2020. Despite the fact that more people are purchasing air fryers, some are still unfamiliar with them and are unsure of how to use and care for them. So, we're here to help! Here are some pointers on how to keep your air fryer in good condition.

Dos

DO read the instruction manual that came with your air fryer. There is valuable information regarding safety and how to use the air fryer properly, which will assist you in using it and avoiding hazards.
DO finds a suitable location in your kitchen for your air fryer. Always place your air fryer on a heat-resistant countertop and allow enough space around the air fryer for the vent to circulate.
DO preheat your air fryer before using it. Simply heat your air fryer to the desired temperature for about 2-3 minutes, and when the timer goes off, the air fryer is preheated and ready to use.
DO shake the basket once or twice while cooking. This is to ensure that heat reaches all sides of the foods evenly, especially for foods that are stacked on top of each other in the air fryer basket, such as fries.
DO monitor your food while it is cooking. The amount, size and quantity of food in the basket, as well as the size of the air fryer, determine the cooking time in an air fryer. To avoid burning anything, keep an eye on the food as it cooks.

Don’ts

DON’T leave your air fryer plugged-in when not in use. It’s a safe habit to practice with any electrical appliances to avoid any unexpected incidents.
DON’T put too much food in the basket. Overcrowding the basket will cause foods to crisp and brown unevenly, taking longer time to cook.
DON’T pour or use too much oil. Some foods may not require any oil, while others may just require a small amount. Using too much oil, on the other hand, can cause oil to leak and fall into the bottom tray, causing the extra oil to burn and smoke.
DON’T use perforated parchment paper with foods that are lighter than the paper. If there isn’t enough food to weigh down the parchment paper, it will fly around and cover the food as the hot air circulates. The food will cook unevenly, and the paper may burn if it flies around and hits the hot heating source.
DON’T leave the air fryer unwashed after using it. If you don’t clean your air fryer on a regular basis, it will stink and ruin whatever new dish you’re preparing. Soak the dirty racks and baskets for about 20 minutes in hot soapy water for safe cleaning. The crusted food should come cleanly off the pan.