As air fryers become more popular, people are discovering new and exciting ways to cook with them. A common question is whether you can use a glass bowl in an air fryer. The simple answer is yes they can, so long as a few precautions are considered.
Glassware has been used for years for baking food items in the oven and for storage. Since people are using air fryers more and more, they naturally want to use the glassware they've been using forever.
Oven safe glass can be used in an air fryer, but how do you know if it's oven safe? Today, we'll look at the differences in glass cookware, and how to know if it is oven safe.
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What Is Glass Cookware?
Oven safe glassware is glass that has been tempered at 1,000° F. This high heat makes the glass suitable for cooking purposes.
They are non-toxic and non-porous so odors and other flavors don't seep into the food or spill out. Glassware also looks good on display in your kitchen.
Borosilicate glass, such as Pyrex, is a type of tempered glass that is the safest choice for cooking. It can withstand high heat and ensures your food is cooked without compromising safety.
On the other hand, soda lime glass, recognized by its greenish tint, is not suitable for cooking due to its low heat resistance and tendency to break easily. Stick with borosilicate glass to cook with confidence.
Can Glass Go Into an Air Fryer?
Regular glass cannot go into an air fryer because the sudden temperature change will cause it to undergo thermal shock and shatter. Even oven safe glass bowls can break in an air fryer.
The first thing you should do when determining if you can use your glass bowl or pan in an air fryer is to look for the oven safe symbol on the bottom. If there is no symbol, assume it's not oven safe and don't use it.
Pyrex is rated for a 425°F maximum temperature and other glass cookware is only rated for 350°F, so checking the temperature stamp is critical.
Next, check the glass bowl for any other deficiencies. Even if your glass cookware has passed the visual test, you should place it in your air fryer empty while the air fryer is preheating.
That way, even if it breaks, it doesn't ruin the food. This is the safest way to test glass baking dishes.
Related: Can You Put Metal In An Air Fryer?
Potential Risks of Using Glass in an Air Fryer
Despite the convenience of using glass in an air fryer, it's crucial to be aware of potential risks. One major risk is thermal shock, which can occur when a glass dish experiences a rapid change in temperature. If a hot glass dish is placed on a cold surface or if a cold dish is introduced into a hot air fryer, it could shatter.
Another risk is damage to the air fryer itself. If glassware is not suitable or too large for the air fryer, it could obstruct the circulation of hot air. This can cause uneven cooking or overheating, which may, in turn, damage the appliance. Therefore, it's paramount to ensure that the glassware used is appropriate both in material and size for your specific air fryer model.
How To Cook With Glass in an Air Fryer
After checking for deficiencies and the manufacturer stamps, you should preheat the empty glass cookware in the air fryer while it is preheating.
When you are air frying the temperature goes up rapidly and if there are any cracks in the glass the heat makes them spread or worse, breaks the glass.
If the glass cookware passes the heat test, add the ingredients and cook with the recommended time and temperature. Avoid sudden temperature shifts so the glass doesn't get and stir the ingredients a couple of times throughout the cooking process.
Pros and Cons of Using With Glass in an Air Fryer
As with anything in the kitchen, there are pros and cons to using glass bowls in an air fryer.
In my opinion, a glass bowl is a great option in an air fryer, but there are some safety drawbacks as mentioned earlier. So long as you take some minor precautions, you can reap the benefits of using glass cookware in your air fryer.
What’s Hot?
- Revives old glass baking dishes
- Non-toxic even at high heats
- Provides even heat distribution
- Suitable for cooking, serving, and storage
What’s Not?
- Heat limits vary (borosilicate: 450° F, other glass: 350° F)
- Breaks with sudden temperature changes
- Food doesn’t get crunchy enough
Alternatives to Glass Cookware
If you don't have an oven safe glass bowl for your air fryer, don't worry. There are plenty of alternative dishes you can use and they are affordable.
Parchment Paper
Unbleached Parchment Paper for Baking on Amazon
Parchment paper is a good alternative because it's safe at high temperatures, disposable, and non-stick, which makes food easy to remove and clean up quick. Additionally, it doesn't block heat or air circulation, ensuring food gets evenly cooked and potentially crispier.
Ceramic Cookware
They are made from powders, clay, and water and retain heat well. This is a great alternative because it is crack-resistant, non-porous, and toxic-free. I have a ceramic bowl that is my go-to option for an air fryer because it fits perfectly and saves me time from not having to use a traditional oven.
Metal Bowl Pans
TeamFar Rectangular Cake Pan on Amazon
Another great option is metal bowl pans, as most of us have these in our kitchens anyway. While they don't offer the even heating that ceramic does, they are virtually non-breakable. The downside is that they are hard to clean, especially if cooking messy food.
Silicone Cookware
OUTXE Square Silicone Air Fryer Liner on Amazon
This one’s my personal favorite. Silicone cookware is durable, easy to clean, and completely safe to use in an air fryer. They heat up well and distribute heat evenly, and can be used in extreme temperatures.
Cookware That Cannot Be Used in an Air Fryer
While parchment paper and aluminum foil can be used in air fryers as long as they are weighed down, there are some materials that simply cannot be placed in an air fryer. Paper products like bowls and paper plates cannot be heated in an air fryer because they will catch fire.
Plastic containers also cannot be used in an air fryer because the high heat will melt them. Basically, if you can't use the dish in a traditional oven, you cannot use it in an air fryer.
Safety Precautions for Using Glass in an Air Fryer
As a cooking enthusiast myself, I understand the charm of using an air fryer. Its quick, easy, and healthful cooking method is hard to resist. However, the question "Can you put glass in an air fryer?" has often come up. Here, let's talk about some important safety precautions to take into account.
Assess the Type of Glass
First and foremost, not all glass is created equal. Before placing a glass dish in an air fryer, make sure it's labeled oven-safe or heat-resistant. Such glassware can typically withstand high temperatures without shattering. Standard or decorative glass should never be used in an air fryer, as they are more likely to crack or break under high heat.
Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes
Another important point is to avoid thermal shock. This happens when glass undergoes a sudden change in temperature - for instance, moving a hot glass dish straight from the air fryer into a cold surface or vice versa can cause it to shatter. Let the glass cool down naturally, or if it's cold, allow it to reach room temperature before placing it in the heated air fryer.
Use Correct Size and Shape
Lastly, the size and shape of the glassware matter. Ensure your glass dish fits properly in your air fryer without obstructing the air flow. If the dish is too large, it could prevent the hot air from circulating correctly, leading to uneven cooking and potential overheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put a Pyrex glass container in the air fryer?
Sure, you can use a Pyrex dish in an air fryer, but remember a few key points. The Pyrex must be oven-proof and able to handle up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Don't fill it more than halfway to avoid the chance of it shattering. Also, keep a close eye on your food; it might cook quicker in glass.
What can you not put in an air fryer?
You should avoid putting in items such as wet batters, overly filled food items that might spill, or lightweight food items that could be blown around by the air fryer's powerful fan. Also, you should not put in materials that can't withstand high temperatures, like plastic, paper, or certain types of glassware.
What containers can you use in an air fryer?
You can use containers that are heat resistant and can fit safely into the air fryer without obstructing airflow. Stainless steel, oven safe glass cookware, and certain types of silicone containers are commonly used. Always check the manufacturer's instructions to be sure.
Is It Safe To Put Glass in Air Fryer?
Glass dishes are safe to use in an air fryer, so long as a few precautions are taken. If the glass is tempered and there are no obvious deficiencies, it's perfectly fine to use them in an air fryer. There are many benefits to cooking with glass with only a few safe drawbacks.
If you don't have the proper glass bowl for your air fryer, there are plenty of oven safe dishes to choose from. Metal bowls, silicone, and ceramic cookware are just a few. All of these cooks food evenly and are pretty easy to clean.
There are a lot of air fryer recipes that benefit from the even heating of glass and the food can be served right out of the dish and then stored in the refrigerator in the same dish, which cuts down on clean-up time.
So yes, cooking in glass is a smart and efficient way to air fry food and, once you try it, it'll become your go-to cookware.
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