Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Casual Cooking
Topics: Health, Technology, Air Fryers
Joe Yates
Air fryers—need I say more? Well, yes, because while almost everyone knows about them, fewer people understand how they work.
Since its introduction to the US market in 2017, sales have boomed, and the air fryer has continued to gain plaudits—almost two-thirds of American households own one, according to Nestle’s Adam Graves.
The countertop product is perfect for making fries at home or making just about anything - with the exception of a whole roast chicken maybe?
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Most of the air fryer models tend to look alike, with only a handful of them having windows so you can see what's going on.
So, what is going on and what are they hiding? Well, YouTube channel Casual Cooking found out in 2021.
The channel investigated what went on by popping an LED light and a lens-up GoPro action camera into the tray.
Not wanting to cook their devices, they set the temperature as low as possible and threw some tortilla slices in to see whether they moved around - which I think we all know the answer to that.
The air fryer is as simple as the investigation really - well I'm sure if you invented the convection oven you'd strongly disagree with me, and I would like to apologise to you.
Inside, a coiled heating element and a large fan work together to cook whatever is inside - in this case tortilla slices, an LED light and a GoPro.
The two components work together with the fan distributing the heat throughout, while the tray that the food sits on helps 'air fry' the food - with the holes allowing for circulation to flow evenly.
The tortilla which was placed inside with the camera is not seen again in the video due to the GoPro being angled at the ceiling of the cooker, suggesting there isn't enough circulation for items to levitate and move around.
And many were left pretty impressed, as one person wrote: "I’m so glad you did this because I really wanted to know what it looked like inside. I’m glad everything is OK!"
While another said: "THIS. THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW. Thank you".
But while air fryers might seem like a quick and easy way to heat up your food, it is important that you are taking care of your equipment.
Speaking about using an air fryer, Dr Karan Rajan explained to his TikTok followers that the ovens are coated in something called polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are a group of chemicals, used in food packaging, toiletries, non-stick cookware and carpets.
According to the American Cancer Society, PFAS have the potential to be a health concern.
But Dr Rajan says that unless you 'plan on eating the lining of your air fryer', then you'll be a-okay, adding that it only becomes a potential hazard if the fryer is damaged.