Can You Line the Air Fryer Tray with Foil?

[CarenSolis]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been wondering if it’s safe to line the air fryer tray with aluminum foil. I’ve seen mixed opinions online some say it helps with easy cleanup, while others warn that it can block airflow and affect cooking. Has anyone tried using foil in their air fryer?
If so, do you have any tips or suggestions to ensure it doesn’t interfere with cooking performance or cause any issues?
Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Try baking parchment and use a hole puncher to create lots of holes. We do that with our bamboo steamer and it works well. I agree cleaning the airfryer is a pain..

 

[hottpeper13]

I have the Power air fryer and you have to wrap the foil around the drip pan so it doesn't float up.

 

[AzOr]

They sell disposable liners that are made of parchment. They’re designed to fit various sizes.
I use them all the time. Just remember to spread your food evenly across or the corners start to fold in. Clean up is a cinch.
I got mine on the big A.

 

[Robin Edwin]

May be this is help full.

https://customtrayliners.com/line-air-fryer-tray-with-foil/

 

[Broothru]

Try baking parchment and use a hole puncher to create lots of holes. We do that with our bamboo steamer and it works well. I agree cleaning the airfryer is a pain..

Just be careful with the edges of the parchment. The convection and the air currents can draw up loose edges. Once they come in contact with a ‘floating edge’ of parchment, the ignition and flames can be quite dramatic. Or so I’m told.

 

[hungupdown]

Foil, not being flammable, seems safer than parchment. Just have to be sure it can't lift, and possibly block the airflow, which would cause overheating.

For smaller amounts - rather than line the whole base, I use just enough foil, so it wraps part way up the edges of the food. Then air can still circulate under the food, while foil catches the fat/oil.

 

[DannyJones]

Yes, you can use foil in an air fryer but make sure it doesn’t block the airflow. Only line part of the tray and leave space for air to circulate. Also, secure the foil so it doesn’t fly around, and avoid using it with acidic foods like tomatoes.

I’ve used foil for easy cleanup and it works fine as long as you’re careful. Hope this helps!

 

[InspectorJon]

I have an Instant Vortex air fryer. This is a quote from the manual.

3
User Manual
• DO NOT cover the basket, cooking tray or any part of the appliance
with foil. This will cause overheating of the appliance, which may
result in personal injury, fire, and/or property damage.

 

[Broothru]

I have an Instant Vortex air fryer. This is a quote from the manual.

3
User Manual
• DO NOT cover the basket, cooking tray or any part of the appliance
with foil. This will cause overheating of the appliance, which may
result in personal injury, fire, and/or property damage.

I would agree, if the foil sheet was allowed to float off the tray from circulating air flow. But if it is crimped around the edges of the cooking tray, how is it not the same as the tray by itself as to blocking air flow or overheating?

 

[InspectorJon]

Just to be clear, I am not the guy that simply follows all the rules. I push the limits more than most people.

In my inspection career I would explain it like this. There are codes and instructions because those things have been tested and verified to work. You can generally be confident that it you follow the specifications it will work and be safe. Doing or using something out of specification doesn’t mean it won’t work or be safe, it just means that it has not been tested that way. You become the experiment. I have done a lot of experiments.

I have wrapped the cooking tray in the bottom of my air fryer a few times and detected no ill effects. I also use it on a Formica cooktop, which is also out of spec.