Are you looking for the safest air fryer or air fryer ovens without PFAS coatings? Truth be told many of the highly-rated “favorite” air fryers on the market contain potentially toxic proprietary nonstick coatings, and/or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” But never fret, we looked into all the most popular brands. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best & worst air purifiers, best & worst organic mattresses, & the best water filters, now join us as we share our findings of safest non-toxic Air Fryers and Air Fryer Ovens.
Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. This post also contains affiliate links.
Pretty Much All “Non-Stick” Inside Small Kitchen Appliances are Toxic
When it comes to cookware & small kitchen appliances, and other types of appliances on your counter space, there are a plethora of options. (In fact, Mamavation’s investigation on cookware in 2021 is still one of the most popular posts on the site.)
When you hear “non-stick” it’s typically referring to food contact surfaces that have been coated with perfluorinated chemicals or PFAS. These synthetic chemicals appear to give products an edge with the promise of easy cleanup, stain and grease resistance, and a no-mess, no-fuss type of surface tray.
Sounds great until you find out how incredibly toxic to humans and the environment they also are. Some of the more problematic health impacts are below:
- reduction in immunity
- reduced vaccination response
- increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
- affect the growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
- increase cholesterol levels
- metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
- cardiovascular disease
- lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
- increase the chances of miscarriage
- lowers male fertility through low sperm count
- smaller penis size
- increase the risk of kidney & testicular cancers
- Causes endocrine disruption
- Disrupts normal thyroid function
The danger in PFAS chemicals is an accumulation of exposures over time because it does not leave your body for quite some time. So your daily exposure to PFAS chemicals matters and should be reduced overall.
PFAS Chemicals Are Ubiquitous & Hard to Completely Avoid
You can find PFAS chemicals in a variety of consumer retail products, and other industries where daily exposure is unavoidable. So the purpose here is to lower your exposure, but understand you won’t be able to completely avoid all exposure. Here are some examples:
- Textiles & Fabrics: PFAS chemicals are very commonly found in industries such as textiles & fabrics to create stain-resistance, water-resistance, or “sweat-wicking.” To help you here, Mamavation has tested athletic wear, sports bras, and period underwear. We’ve also conducted other consumer studies on bedding, children’s clothing, infant car seats, & jackets & raincoats.
- Food Packaging: In food packaging, they are used in popcorn bags, pizza boxes, fast food wrappers & canisters, and the flat dish on the bottom of cakes at the grocery store. Mamavation has also tested different parchment paper brands for indications of PFAS.
- Personal Care Products: Makeup has been notoriously guilty of using PFAS to create a waterproof or long-lasting effect in makeup products. So Mamavation tested the most popular green beauty makeup brands for indications of PFAS and we did the same with other categories like dental floss, toilet paper, tampons, sanitary pads & incontinence pads, etc.
- Cookware & Bakeware: Most “non-stick” cookware & bakeware is coated with PFAS “forever chemicals,” including some stainless steel cookware, Check out Mamavation’s investigation on cookware. We also just finished cupcake & muffin pans, waffle makers,
- Small Kitchen Appliances: The aisle of small kitchen appliances is a bit overwhelming in terms of “non-stick” and PFAS coatings on food contact surfaces or inside the interior. We’ve covered air fryers, toasters & toaster ovens, blenders, & water filters to help.
- Carpeting & Flooring: PFAS has also been used in carpeting & flooring. Do you remember StainMaster™ carpet? That was PFAS. However, not all carpet has indications of PFAS. We recently tested one brand you can safely purchase. Mamavation also tested several bamboo flooring brands and found one brand that was free from PFAS.
- Furniture: Watch out for “stain-resistant” treatments on furniture.
- Fire Fighting Foam: PFAS was used in firefighting foams and they have unfortunately been used extensively around military bases and airports. If you live close to a military base or airport, check with your local water district to see if they have tested the water for PFAS.
- Metal Plating, Semiconductors, Lubrications & Coating Additives: Lots of industrial applications of PFAS are used to keep equipment from rusting, getting overheated, or provide water-resistant, or grease-resistant qualities.
- Drinking Water: Sadly, there are lots of places around the United States and all over the world that have drinking water contaminated with PFAS. Most of these areas are by military bases, airports, and other industrial parks that used PFAS for firefighting or other such uses. Luckily, Mamavation has done an investigation of the best water filters to remove PFAS.
- Car Wax, Ski Wax, & Surfboard Wax: Yes, you guessed it. PFAS is used here for its grease & water-resistant qualities.
- Some Processed Food: Mamavation has found indications of PFAS inside pasta & tomato sauces, cooking oils, and ketchup. We are presently working on other food categories right now to help.
Teflon & The Shady Past of Cookware Set Us Up For a Shady Small Kitchen Appliance Aisle
It seems that most people are aware of the toxicity associated with Teflon. Teflon is the brand name for a chemical also known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which originated by using the surfactant perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, aka “C8”).
PFOA falls into the class of chemicals known as PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These chemicals are raising concern from not only the public but also scientists, medical researchers, and regulatory groups.
Just like with many other legacy chemicals, regrettable substitutions afloat. In terms of PFAS, long-chain PFOA and PFOS were phased out under pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency. Companies went scrambling for alternatives and found other chemicals within the same PFAS chemical category that were slightly different. However, studies are finding these new short-chain fluorotelomers could actually be MORE problematic.
- Short-chain chemicals build up in lab animals just as much as the long chains do
- Lower doses stayed in the body for longer periods of time than the large doses typically used in short-term toxicity studies
Most Air Fryer Brands Evaded Transparency on Non-Stick Coatings
So where are all the safest air fryers without PFAS coatings? What we learned during this investigation is that companies who are still using nonstick coatings are not always willing to provide the exact materials used in their products, which is a concern for us.
- Some of them did respond with a generic response that the nonstick coating used is proprietary and cannot be disclosed.
- Others responded with a misleading reply that boasted being “PFOA-free” or even just letting us know that all of their products are FDA approved and “very safe.” This may change as the beginning of 2023 has ushed in new California laws that will force them to be clearer in their marketing around PFAS chemicals.
- Some brands did not use PFAS on food contact surfaces but instead used them on the side of the inside walls instead. PFAS can aerosolize and drop down on your food, so that’s also a problem. If you don’t ask them, they won’t volunteer that information.
- We’ve also gotten conflicting accounts from these brands over the two years that we’ve been monitoring them. We are unsure if that’s because things have changed or because they didn’t give us the correct information before. Some brands have had emails & phone call contacts just to keep things straight because answers were conflicting.
- We also found that sometimes different products in a line are made by different manufacturers and thus you can’t make too many assumptions about other products in a line. We’ve found this to be quite common with small kitchen appliances, cookware, dishes, flatware, etc. You have to ask them directly about a product to be sure about that product.
- Products sold by a company to Europe may be different than products sold to the United States in a similar product line.
- Bottom line: it’s very challenging for the consumer to navigate.
We want to provide you with a thorough assessment of the options out there but please know we could only do so much with the information we have been provided. Transparency is huge for Mamavation, and Air Fryers somehow bring out the least transparent of information to the table. As brands change, we update this post.
General Tips For Avoiding PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Inside Your Home
Mamavation has been keeping you in the know about PFAS continually so we can guide you to safer products. We tried our best to get the scoop from Air Fryer brands on if their products contained PFAS chemicals. It was not an easy task, and we are still waiting and wondering about many of the companies we contacted based on either a lack of response or intentional avoidance of the direct question.
Here are some tips for keeping PFAS out of your home:
- Swap your Non-stick cookware to these healthier brands
- Find better small kitchen appliances without PFAS-coated surfaces
- Try to find alternatives to non-stick products whenever possible (especially if you have any small pets or immune-compromised family members. Birds are especially vulnerable as well).
- Avoid processed foods with packaging. Grease-proof food packaging (pizza boxes, cake cardboard bottoms, & french fry wrappers. Click here for a list of which grocery store chains are serving PFAS-free packing)
- Avoid fast food as much as possible. (Did you know we tested In-N-Out Burger wrappers the other day? Yikes.)
- Look into investing in a really good water filter that is proven by independent studies to filter different types of PFAS, especially if you live by a military base or airport.
- When purchasing furniture or carpet, avoid stain treatment chemicals. (Like StainMaster)
- Even your mattress contains PFAS chemicals but these organic mattresses do not.
- Avoid buying clothing with labels indicating water, stain or dirt repellant. (Like Patagonia or REI jackets)
- Avoid choosing personal care products with “fluoro” or “perfluoro” on the ingredient list.
- Dust more often! PFAS “forever chemicals” chemicals stick to dust particles so the more dust you have in your home, the more likely there is PFAS in the air you breathe. Click here for our favorite air purifiers.
Mamavation’s Investigation of Safest Air Fryers without PFAS Coatings
Mamavation evaluated about 40 different air fryer products available in the United States in 2021 and then up to 80 in 2023. We started out pretty excited about a handful of models that had been previously reviewed as non-toxic, along with products that had prior claims of using only stainless steel with no coatings.
If you are looking forward to a crispy texture with chicken wings, homemade mozzarella sticks, or the taste of deep frying or fried foods without the oil? Mamavation is looking to air fryers but with the following categories:
- Air Fryers with Air Fryer Baskets
- Air Fryer Ovens
- Convection Ovens with glass bowls
- Countertop Toaster Ovens
Mamavation ran into several issues after studying reviews, contacting the companies directly, and studying their marketing online:
- PROPRIETARY (Likely PFAS) NON-STICK COATINGS: Most brands contained coatings that were “proprietary”, which may likely mean some sort of PFAS chemical coating. While other brands responded to our inquiries immediately to tell us they used PFAS coatings. PFAS chemicals are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they are incredibly persistent in the environment.
- CERAMIC NON-STICK COATINGS: Ceramic non-stick coatings are typically made of nanoparticles, which are common but not well studied. However, some titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been linked to precancerous gut lesions as well as immune disruption. This type of ceramic coating is very common in cookware, so we can only assume it also may be inside the air fryer if they don’t answer our inquiries.
- ALUMINUM FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: Aluminum (especially when uncoated), has the potential to leach aluminum into your food. Aluminum is bioaccumulative and a known neurotoxin that can cause neurological disorders like dementia. Aluminum cookware is an obvious culprit, but it’s also been found present at lower levels in ceramic and stainless steel cooking products. Aluminum can also cause slow growth in children, speech problems, seizures, and eventual system toxicity that causes serious problems including anemia, nervous system trouble, and bone and brain diseases.
- PROPRIETARY (Likely PFAS) NON-STICK ON INTERIOR OF UNIT: Many products avoid PFAS coatings on their food contact surfaces, but still included it on the interior of the unit. This is problematic because PFAS can become aerosolized and drop down on the food.
- FUMES: Some of the Air Fryers included warnings from the manufacturers along with reviews from customers regarding an initial “smell” that is common with the first use (sometimes the first few) of the appliance. We are assuming you don’t want products that produce smells. However, sometimes these smells go away after first or second use. That is not as troubling.
- PACKAGING CHEMICALS: We found something that could be common in brands that did not respond to our other inquiries. At least one of the companies confirmed to use a coating on the product during shipping to protect the parts from being scratched. But they did seem to all provide this information within the manuals to let the consumer know how to handle this with the first use to either prevent the smell or to be prepared for a one-time smell after following their explicit instructions prior to using the Air Fryer.
Air Fryer & Air Fry Oven Brands That Are Not Our Favorites
These brands were found to contain one of the following contaminants within the surfaces touching food: Teflon, “nonstick coating”, PTFE fluoropolymer, or plastics. This section may also comprise companies that did not return email communication and we were unsure of their materials on food contact and non-food contact surfaces.
- Beautiful 6qt Digital Air Fryer with Touch-Activated Display
- Beautiful 9qt TriZone Air Fryer
- Bella Pro 6.3 qt Air Fryer Touchscreen
- Black+Decker HF100/110 Air Fryer
- Breville BOV900BSSUSC The Smart Oven Air
- Breville The Smart Oven Air Fryer
- Breville The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSSUSC)
- Cafe Couture Oven with Air Fryer (C9OAAAS4RW3)
- Calphalon Performance Counterop French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- Cosori Smart Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- Cosori CP158-AF, CP137-AF (Pro Air Fryer)
- Cosori CP358-AF (Pro II Air Fryer)
- Cosori CS358-AF (Smart Air Fryer)
- Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Airfryer
- Cuisinart TOA-65 Air Fryer
- Cuisinart TOB-135N Air Fryer
- Dash Chef Series 23 L Air Fryer Oven
- Dash Air Crisp Pro Digital
- Dreamiracle Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo 21 Quart 7-in-1 Countertop Dehydrator
- Farberware Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- Galanz Digital Toaster Oven with TotalFry 360
- Innsky Air Fryer 5.8QT, 1700W Stainless Steel Air Fryer Oven
- Kalorik Maxx 26qt Digital Air Fryer Oven
- KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fry
- Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer
- NuWave Pro Plus Oven
- Panaromia Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo
- PowerXL Air Fryer 7 QT Maxx Classic
- Rosewill RHAF-16003V3 5.8-QT XL Air Fryer
Better Air Fryer and Air Fryer Oven Brands
These brands were better than the last category, but there were still things we didn’t find optimal. Some of the coatings in the “better” list of Air Fryers have opted to use ceramic coatings in lieu of Teflon. And much like the ceramic cookware investigation, we still had a challenging time confirming the specific materials used in the various air fryers as well. Because most ceramic cookware brands use nanotechnology to coat the surfaces, we could only assume this was happening here too. There are also brands in here that avoid PFAS coatings on food contact surfaces but still left “non-stick coatings” in other areas that may still impact the food inside. We also put products here that had Prop. 65 warnings that we couldn’t identify, products with aluminum as food contact surfaces that wasn’t easy to solve, and zinc-coated interiors.
- Aria 10 Qt Air Fryer Oven
- Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake Air Fry Digital Convection Countertop Oven
- Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake Air Fry Toaster Oven, TO3215SS 6 Slice
- Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake Air Fry Countertop Oven with No Preheat
- CalmDo 12.7 QT Air Fryer Toaster Convection Oven Combo
- Chefman Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- Cuisinart AFR-25, Airfryer Oven
- Cuisinart TOB-60N Air Fryer
- Elite Gourmet 10L Programmable Air Fryer Convection Countertop Oven
- Elite Gourmet EAF4700 Digital 5Qt Air Fryer
- Elite Gourmet 10L Programmable Air Fryer Convection Countertop Oven
- Emeril Everyday 8 QT Pressure Air Fryer
- Geek Chef Air Fryer Oven 12 Qt with Rotisserie
- Geek Chef Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo, 4 Slice Toaster Convection
- Geek Chef 7-in-1 6-Slice Toaster/Air Fryer Oven 24 Qt
- Gourmia GTF7350 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven
- Gourmia GTF7600 16-in-1 Multi-function, Digital Stainless Steel Air Fryer Oven
- GoWISE USA GW44800-O Deluxe 12.7-Quarts 15-in-1 Electric Air Fryer Oven
- Hamilton Beach 31220 Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- hOmeLabs 11.6 Quart XXL 8-in-1 Air Fryer Oven
- Iconites 10-in-1 Air Fryer, 20 Quart Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid (add-on)
- Instant™ Omni™ Plus 26 Litre Toaster Oven and Air Fryer
- Ninja Air Fryer 5.5 qt (Ninja Max XL Air Fryer)
- Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 6.5 Quart
- Ninja SP101 Foodi 8-in-1 Digital Air Fry Toaster Oven
- Oster Copper-Infused DuraCeramic 3.3-Quart Air Fryer
- Oster® DiamondForce Nonstick XL 5 Quart Digital Air Fryer, 8 Functions
- Oster Digital Air Fryer Oven with RapidCrisp Countertop Oven
- Pampered Chef Deluxe Air Fryer
- PowerXL Air Fryer Oven 12 QT with 8-in-1
- Power XL Vortex Air Fryer 5-qt
- PowerXL Air Fryer Grill
- Rosewill RHCO-19001 7.4-Quart Electric Air Fryer Convection Oven Multicooker
- Rosewill Air Fryer Convection Toaster Oven, Stainless Steel Exterior, Family Size 26.4 Quart
- Val Cucine 10-in-1 Smart Air Fryer
- Weesta 5-in-1 19qt Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Best & Safest Air Fryers & Air Fry Ovens without PFAS Coatings
These are the safest air fryers without PFAS coatings. As of the time we did this investigation, these were the best brands we could find that were available for purchase in the United States. Again, these brands did not seem to contain any PFAS coatings on food contact surfaces or inside the machine at all. Ceramic was also not used as a food-contact surface. Safe food contact surfaces were uncoated stainless steel or glass. We linked up as many of these brands on Amazon as we could for your convenience.
Air Fryers without Issues:
- Big Boss Oil-less Air Fryer
- Classic Cuisine 12-17 Qt 1200 W Halogen Tabletop Oven
- NutriChef Convection Countertop Toaster Oven – Healthy Kitchen Air Fryer Roaster Oven
- NutriChef Air Fryer, Infrared Convection Oven
- Power XL Turbo Air Fryer (Use discount code “MamaFree” for free shipping)
- Rosewill Infrared Halogen Stainless Steel Extender Ring Convection Oven, 12-18L Dial
- Sahmwell Air Fryer Convection Oven for Countertop 18 Quarts (with glass bowl)
- Yedi “Tango” Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker
- Yedi Total Package 18-in-1 Air Fryer Rotisserie Oven
Air Fryers with Some Issues You Can Solve:
- Emeril Lagasse Power AirFryer Oven 360 (Confirmed Prop. 65 warning is about BPA in the chord. Baking pan may be made of aluminum and needs to be swapped. The interior has a non-stick coating made from “hard iodized aluminum” which is not touching food.)
- Hamilton Beach Air Fryer 31225 Convection Countertop Toaster Oven (Swap out the aluminum bake pan.)
- Hamilton Beach 31323 Sure-Crisp Air Fry Toaster Oven (Swap out the aluminum bake pan.)
- Oster Compact Countertop Oven with Air Fryer (Prop. 65 is based on BPA in chord. Swap out the aluminum baking and broiler pans)
Consumer PFAS Studies Mamavation Has Released
Mamavation has been commissioning studies looking for PFAS “forever chemicals” inside everyday products you use. We are continuing to test and run studies and if you would like to tax-deductible donation, simply go to Environmental Health News and donate on behalf of Mamavation. Environmental Health News has partnered with us on most of our PFAS studies and provides support & more scientific scrutiny.
Here are the PFAS consumer investigations we have finished:
- Nut Butters
- Pasta & Tomato Sauce
- Cooking Oils
- Activewear
- Sports Bras
- Green Beauty Makeup
- Period Underwear
- Ketchup
- Parchment Paper
- Bamboo Flooring
We also have other investigations you may like.
Best Non-Toxic Cupcake & Muffin Pans Sans Toxic Coatings
June 2023 I purchased from the best safe list, directly from the link. Classic Cuisine 12-17 Quart 1200W Halogen Tabletop Oven – White
When it arrived it had a PROP 65 warning for exposing you to chemicals that cause cancer and birth defects. I returned immediately.
I was reading through some of your blog posts on this website and I think this site is real informative ! Retain putting up.
Thanks for the great research! Can you specify why the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid (add-on) is on the “Better” and not “Best” list? Was it an unexplained Prop 65? Something else? Just wondering if you are aware of pfas in the lid unit or if you just don’t have enough info for this one. Thanks!
On the ninja ovens, like the SP101 and SP351….what is unsafe here? Is it just the nonstick ceramic plates? If so, you could just not use those and have a perfect oven. The air fryer baskets should be stainless.
👍👏 Thanks for sharing this important information! It’s great to see companies prioritizing our health and safety by offering air fryers without toxic PFAS coatings. #HealthyLiving #AirFryers #PFASFree 🌟
Did you check the kalorik maxx 2 door air fryer?
https://www.amazon.com/Kalorik®-Countertop-Combo-21-Accessories-Cookbook/dp/B0872DQV7Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=NVWERUT7YOI&keywords=kalorik+maxx+2+door+air+fryer&qid=1680986301&sprefix=klaorik+max+2+door+air+frye%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMVpBVk5WVTlYRVFZJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTYyNzAzMlA2Uk9MTUFTNkhMUyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDAyNzQxWUhIQThPWDFYTjJMJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Did you check the kalorik maxx 2 door air fryer?
I have searched for days, but not been able to yet find anything that is safe, the glass containers with halogen/convection heating element is the closest, but that too produces decent amount of plastic fumes even after multiple dry runs. So all you safe list is not fully safe. Hope some company fully develops simple products which 0 toxic and high build quality.
What is the difference between galvanized and non galvanized steel?
Can you advise if I purchased the Emeril model on the site, how do i go about getting a safe baking pan to replace the questionable ones you listed? Sorry- I am just so unsure of how to go about this but need an airfryer (well, it was recommended) to help me deal with some health issues.
Hey. Did you ever find a replacement tray for the air fryer?
I am looking to get emeril as well but need to ensure I can find a replacement tray first.
I am wondering the same……the replacement trays I am seeing for the airfryer 360 model say they are non-stick and I am understanding this is also not good. Can’t find anything that does not have a coating of some kind
I found a set of 2 stainless pans on Amazon by the brand wildone. The 10 inch was compatible with my emril air fryer. But I am now wondering if the inside is same with the hard ionized aluminum. Would that not leach into the food while it’s heating up?
Order one from Amazon. You can find stainless steel without coatings.
I purchased stainless steel replacements off of Amazon I got a set of 2 10 inch pans from the brand Wildone. My question is though with the inner material being aluminum, is it still toxic and releasing anything into the air while cooking, even though it’s not touching the food? I’ve had mine for awhile now :(.
Hello,
Is this one safe?
PowerXL Air Fryer Grill 8 in 1 Roast, Bake, Rotisserie, Electric Indoor Grill (Stainless Steel Deluxe)
https://www.amazon.com/PowerXL-Rotisserie-Electric-Accessory-Stainless/dp/B08GRCJ4VK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=35CFZTFCDTA4B&keywords=PowerXL+Air+Fryer+Grill+stainless&qid=1676060198&sprefix=powerxl+air+fryer+grill+stainless%2Caps%2C262&sr=8-3
That is Norman Air fryer, It is a toaster oven but it does look good.
We also found that sometimes different products in a line are made by different manufacturers and thus you can’t make too many assumptions about other products in a line.
We also found that sometimes different products in a line are made by different manufacturers and thus you can’t make too many assumptions about other products in a line.
Should we just forgo air fryers? If you use a silicon insert in the basket is it not safer?
I am wondering about Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro series. Could the trey be swapped?
We cant get Emerille Lagasse in Australia.
Thanks for compiling all this information! I have a question about the Cafe Couture Oven with Air Fry. I emailed GE and they provided the info below. It seems pretty good to me, and I can just use my own pans. Do you have any info about why the Cafe Couture is on the not recommended list?
-Interior = stainless steel,
-Heavy Duty Wire Rack = steel with nickel plating,
-Baking Tray and 12″ Pizza Pan = porcelain enamel,
-Air Fry and Dehydrate Basket = steel with nickel plating,
-Crumb Tray = Aluminum coated steel
Hi! Does anyone know about the T-fal Easy Fry XL Air fryer. I’ve tried searching what it’s made of but couldn’t find it. Thank you
Hi! I’ve been eyeing the Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Airfryer thats on your “not favourite” list. I am curious as to what the issue was with this one? If it was the basket for example, I could look at finding an alternative cook surface. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your extensive research. My limited research seems to conclude that many Black and Decker and Hamilton Beach toaster ovens and air-fry/toaster ovens have zinc-coated-steel interiors. I understand that many products come with bake pans, drip trays, etc. that are aluminum or chemical-coated, and those should be replaced.
I can’t seem to find any air-fryer/toaster ovens that have stainless interiors. Are you aware of any?
So, it looks like zinc-coated steel is the most accessible non-chemical interior. Is there any other reason not to buy such a B&D or Hamilton Beach?
Thanks again,
John
Does adding liner, tin foil, silicone, or something else, prevent the toxins from leaching into the food from a toxic air fryer? Is that barrier enough? Thanks
It depends on what liner you are using. Tin foil would not be recommended. Silicone would be “better” but not best.
And it also depends on whether there is PFAS lining the interior of air fryer because if that’s happening, it won’t matter. It’s aersolizing into the air and comes down on the food.
Thank you so much for this detailed list about this subject and how it can be in so many things around us, what we wear, consume, use on a daily basis etc.
I got an airfryier for Christmas called Nedis, Digital Hot Air Fryier (3L). I didn’t even think about that it could be harmful seeing that teflon products have been banned in the EES (I live in Iceland and we are part of that)
I haven’t used any teflon product since 2007 or since my ex educated me on the dangers of it, his dad won a class action suit against a teflon company that made all these people super sick, got cancer etc and won them alot of money. After that teflon was not used as much and then thought they had banned it because he ended to go to jail too.
This is a link to my airfryer
https://nedis.com/en-us/product/home-living/kitchen-cooking/air-fryers/550670465/hot-air-fryer-3-l-timer-30-min-analog-black
Hi Leah, what about Baccarat The Ultimate Fry XL Air Fryer & Oven. I purchased this in Australia under the assumption it was stainless steel… But I can’t find any further information on it
You don’ want to be cooking with tin foil in the first place. This will leach aluminum into your food.
Hello,
The Hamilton airfryer oven that’s in the best list,when I asked the customer care,they mentioned that the interiors are made of aluminum. Isn’t that toxic.
Would lining the air fryer with aluminum foil instead of putting the food on what otherwise would be a toxic air fryer make it safer?
I called two companies this morning.
The Ninja DT 251 Foodi 10 in 1 stated they had basic steel inside the machine, no coating at all.
The Nuwave Bravo Air Fryer Oven 12 in 1 30 QT said the walls inside were aluminum plated steel. Since this is a non good contact surface, would this be ok??
Hey Karly! Sadly, we’ve had lots of conflicting messages coming from Ninja, so instead of calling them, I email them. They give out better info when they are emailed. Lots of small appliance brands are like that sadly…the customer service people over the phone don’t always have accurate info and ust don’t know the specifics. Not sure why. But we are due to update this investigation coming up in about a month. Many of the brands have swapped out materials and things are different so we are gonna work on this in January and I’m hoping to have it to you soon. But it takes lots of emails and back and forth so that’s what takes so long. I won’t know specifics until we have it all done…then we may change our ranking system based on how the industry, in general, has changed. If you email Ninja and get a response, can you forward that to us at [email protected] please. That would be super helpful. I have our staff working on some other small kitchen appliances like muffin tins, and paninis right now.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M1LW7XH?dchild=1&s=home-garden&keywords=cuisinart+tob60n&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&language=en_US&sr=1-2&linkCode=gg2&linkId=edcf5984c2dadfb02abbd2075cb92b7b&tag=mamavation0c-20
This one has a non stick interior
Hi Leah,
Any news on the update on air fryers? Its so hard to find any with the choice of non-toxic ones in Australia. None of the brands are available here from the non-toxic list. Would absolutely love your help!
Does anyone know if the PowerXL 10 QT Vortex Air Fryer Pro Oven, Digital Slate is chemical free?
Thanks in advance
BTW – great site
Can you please look into the kalorik maxx 26qt, who in 1, air fryer oven?
I tried contacting them and was told that it, and accessories, are made of stainless steel, with any coatings being enamel. Is enamel safe?
I already bought one air fryer that I lost money on and had to throw away after realizing it wasn’t nontoxic just months after buying it, so I’d really appreciate the help. Thank you in advance.
We can add this product to the update
I can also confirm that I contacted the Kalorik company and the interior is all stainless steel. The black coated accessories are all ceramic and they are PTFE, PFOA and BPA free. I like this option because I can cook multiple foods at the same time where as your other recommendations don’t have this option. Thank you for your excellent and in-depth investigation!
I was prepared to buy the Oster compact countertop toaster oven with air fryer stainless steel and read that it has a non-stick interior and an aluminum pan?! Why is it in the best category? It honestly looks as those no options are truly safe and actually work.
I too did not see favorable consumer reviews for Oster. I wish they would list why Ninja is moderately reviewed and maybe contact the manufacturer for any unanswered questions about the product.
I got the Emeril PowerAirFryer 360 after reading your review. One, I now see that there’s a class action lawsuit against them because they can explode from overheating, but when I contacted them asking about Prop 65, they said they had no way of knowing if it’s due to the cord, so now I’m suspicious of the material–could you share the messaging they sent you about the cord or confirm that, indeed, is the reason?
Val cucine… attempting to post inquiry again…
hi, thank you for all this great research!
do you have any insight on the val cucine air fryer convection oven? Is it truly non toxic?
Thanks so much,
Nadine
Mamavation, thank you so much for all the work you do to help us make healthy choices for our families.
I also am curious about this model, which you didn’t mention: VAL CUCINE 26.3 QT/25 L Extra-Large Smart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, 10-in-1 Convection Countertop Oven Combination，Brushed Stainless Steel Finish https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097B8MD73/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_H0XE7GRPF8MNX92QYRKN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Seems to not have a non stick coating, and be safe. Am I missing something?
is the WEESTA Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo, 19 QT Family-Size Air Fryer, 5-In-1 Convection Toaster Oven With Air Fryer, Roast, Bake, Broil, Reheat, Gray safe to use as in a MSN direct to buy shows it cooking French fries
Thank you
So confused 😐 so which air fryer is the safest? Anyone can recommend a toaster?
Could you share what part of the Breville smart oven air is not safe? I thought it would be the safest being a stainless steel appliance. Thank you
I have been reading about them. There have been several instances of the glass exploding.
The Breville Smart Oven did not meet the criteria needed to be placed in the Mamavation Best or Better category.
– When contacted, Breville indicated that all materials and compounds used in the manufacturing of the product are proprietary, which leaves us questioning the transparency.
– They also confirmed that all Breville Smart Oven products are made with a non-stick coating.
– And their response about Prop 65 states that they have one to stay in compliance but they did not share what the warning was actually for.
Without knowing the materials and compounds used the only thing we can guess is that the exterior definitely appears to be brushed stainless steel, but we are in the dark on what the interior and surfaces that touch food are composed of, and the one thing we do know is that they are non-stick.
The interior walls of the breville oven is coated with non stick material. If you look you can see its blackish or dark gray compared to the rest of the unit.
https://louisesturhling.com/products/louise-sturhling-stainless-steel-natural-ceramic-coated-5-8qt-air-fryer-xl-hot-oven-cooker-bpa-free-pfos-pfoa-free-lead-cadmium-free-8-in-1-programmed-touchscreen-settings-plus-free-cookbook
What’s somewhat confusing is, many of the “safe” air fryers in the list are not actually air fryers at all. They are Halogen ovens (the ones with the glass bowls). Halogen technology cooks food with a light that goes on and off over a Pyrex container. They do not use circulating air like air fryers. Halogen ovens are not air fryers.
I have two parrots in my house and Teflon heated to certain temperatures can actually kill them. I spoke to Cuisinart today and they stated all of their air fryers are PTFE and PFOA free. Is that in agreement with what you have found? The model I just purchased is CTOA-130PC2. I didn’t even think about the possibility of Teflon being used in it.
PFOA is a type of PFAS. Being PFOA free does not 100% equal to PFAS free.
Thank you, Leah. This is by far the most comprehensive article ai have found on the subject and has confirmed my own frustrations in trying to get to the bottom of what these air fryers are made of. Is there any chance you are planning on updating this for 2022, as there are so many newer products on the market now. Thank you! Best, Ellen
I was very interested in the Big Boss until I learned Halogen radiation which emit Electro Magnetic Frequencies were the source of heating used. Ugh…
That’s also when I learned the glass cooktop on my stove used halogen creating EMF’s… so did my baseboard heating and heated blanket.
I emailed the company about the Emeril Lagasse oven. Does this reply seem like it is good enough to purchase? I’ve been researching for so long and felt this one should be ok, but a little confused by their response. Thank you!!!
“The Inside is galvanized steel, outside is stainless steel. There is No non-stick coating on the interior. The 360 accessories are combinations of chrome-plated steel, chrome-plated iron, aluminized steel, and galvanized steel.
This product is safe to use as instructed. This product meets federal and state laws (including California’s) for safety. A Proposition 65 warning is a notification that a product may include a substance on California’s Proposition 65 list. The list is broad, subject to change, and contains substances that are found in products, sold and purchased in California, that are used or consumed in everyday living. For example, warnings have been required for coffee, vinegar, and fish, in addition to many other commonly used products. For more information, visit the website of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at http://www.fda.gov.“
Did anyone reply to this post??
I got this air fryer and saw the cord was what the prop 65 is for but is that enough to not buy it? Every air fryer I’ve looked at that’s recommended didn’t have great reviews but this one had decent ones.
We bought an Oster French door Air Fry Countertop Oven. There were no peculiar smells but I am concerned about how hot the appliance gets when cooking in it, especially after the Best Buy recall of Insignia Air Fryers which catch fire and even melt!
hi im single i have a dash currentlly love it but hate the chemicals… can you please recomend an air fryer that isnt a toater over but shaped more like my dash? i found a couple of stainless steel basket ones but all where unavailable for putchase anywhere and the big glass ones are to much for me and my space… also on a fixed income so price is a bit of a factor as well…
I am interested in the homelabs air fryer. Do you know if it is safe and does it smell? Also what should I replace the drip pan with as it is teflon.
I am also curious about this question “one says clean the interior gently which might mean it does? If food doesn’t come in contact with the nonstick then can it be toxic?”
Thank you for all you amazing research I look forward to hearing back.
Lianne Mueller
[email protected]
I was interested in the homelabs air fryer as well and reached out to ask about materials used. This is their response:
“I am more than happy to answer your question.
The warning sign, according to our product engineers, is for California Proposition 65, which requires lead to be stated even if the lead content is very little.
The internal cavity is made of Zinc plated steel. The fetch tool & fruit dehydrate tray are chrome-plated steel.
Stainless steel (SUS430/304) is used for the rest of the accessories. These components are free of BPA.
Teflon is used to coat the drip tray (PTFE). The coating is free of PFOA, PFOS, and BPA.”
Hope that helps!
I think i found a good one but I’m really unsure about the bake pan. It says made of 304 stainless steel and this was the manufacturer’s response regarding materials of the accessories. I think the bake pan is questionable but I am unsure from my research. I am also OKAY if I don’t use the bake pan. Would you mind checking this one?
“The material of the wire rack is carbon structural steel wire.
The material of the baking/drip pan is a hot-dip aluminum coated steel plate.
The material of the Air Fryer basket is carbon structural steel wire.”
VAL CUCINE 26.3 QT/25 L Extra-Large Smart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, 10-in-1 Convection Countertop Oven Combination，Brushed Stainless Steel Finish https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097B8MD73/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_H0XE7GRPF8MNX92QYRKN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Thanks for all your great research. I received the Cuisinart TOA-26 for Christmas. It’s an air fryer toaster oven combo. It smelled terrible the first time I turned it on, so I started researching. This model is supposedly brand new. I contacted Cuisinart to find out what the inside is coated with, and they responded with this: “Thank you for your inquiry. The Cuisinart AirFryers has a coated steel interior.
There is no Teflon or non-stick coating in any of these units.”
So my question now is what is a steel coated interior? Is that inherently unsafe even if it is not a non-stick coating? I can’t seem to get a straight answer from them on what is in the material that coats the steel.
It’s so hard and frustrating to try and find out what is safe. I would so appreciate any feedback you have. Thanks so much!
hOmelabs email:
I am more than happy to answer your question.
The warning sign, according to our product engineers, is for California Proposition 65, which requires lead to be stated even if the lead content is very little.
The internal cavity is made of Zinc plated steel. The fetch tool & fruit dehydrate tray are chrome-plated steel.
Stainless steel (SUS430/304) is used for the rest of the accessories. These components are free of BPA.
Teflon is used to coat the drip tray (PTFE). The coating is free of PFOA, PFOS, and BPA.
Do let us know if you need anything else.
I’m confused by your list because you have several air fryers listed in your better and best section that have Prop 65 warnings (not just the Emeril one you mentioned). Also, the Cuisinart TOA-60 and TOA-65 do not have Prop 65 warnings.
You should remove the Oster air fryer from your list. I bought it and it looked like it had a coating. I called the manufacturer and they said it’s coated with PTFE (Teflon).
Was the paint on the glass door tested for lead on the Emeri Lagasse 360 Power Air Fryer?
Hi,
Thank you so much as I was hesitant to buy airfryer for the very reason you had mentioned. I’m leaning towards Emeril but the customer service says California Pro 65 warning is for the entire unit whereas you had mentioned it’s for the cord only. Could you please clarify it.
I’m curious as well!
Also, what is avail to replace the pan with?
Thx!
I was looking at getting the Power XL Turbo air fryer based on the list of the safest air fryers with no issues, but I saw there was a Proposition 65 warning on it. Can you please advise? Thanks!
We were told it was from BPA in the chord
Does the best air fryers have any non stick interior? For example the homelabs one says clean the interior gently which might mean it does? If food doesn’t come in contact with the nonstick then can it be toxic? What do you think of the chefman multifunctional air fryer oven which has steel accessories.
Just saw a review for the Emeril air fryer/toaster oven, which stated that the fryer basket is made of aluminum……super sad that it’s so hard for find SAFE appliances!
https://www.costco.com/.product.100781829.html?&EMID=B2C_2021_1101_Pre-Pre
This is a good deal. Is it safe?
I didn’t see the Phillips premium xxl on any of the lists. Curious if you know anything about that one ?
Thanks for all you do!
Philips is supposed to be safe
Is this one recomended?
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TGG8CCT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We can take a look into this one and add it somewhere. It’s just gonna take a few emails.
Thank you for all of your hard work! The Emeril made the most since to me. So glad to find a stainless steel air fryer basket that will work with a toaster oven.
Thank you for your research. Does the Emeril airfryer comes with aluminum
Basket?
Black + Decker says they use a zinc coating inside. Is that rthe reason for placing them in better but not best? Thanks!
Still don’t know which one to buy. I need one that doesn’t off-gas, doesn’t produce chemical smells, doesn’t release particulates and won’t break in a week. So far, every one of these has issues with some or all of these. Ceramic isn’t as safe and forget about the brands with coatings. Anyone buy a certain brand that was safe, cooked well, lasted a long time, and has accessories included? Please reply here.
GE air fryer made stainless steel inside and out pan included the same stainless steel no non stick used at all.
Galanz 32L Air Fry Toaster Oven features a Quartz Heating Element for faster cooking, an LED Display, Touch Controls and 12 Pre-Set Cooking Functions.
Did you ever get an answer S?
When I searched the web for the CalmDo from the best list I found it on Walmart.com and in the features section it has a P65warning saying this product can expose you to DINP (diisobonyl phthalate) chemicals. So is this product safe???
it also talkes about a protective oil being added during transport so it might release a smell during first use…so I am very confused about reading your report and this product being on the safe list…can you please help clarify…I would really like to buy a nontoxic machine…Thanks 🙂
Specifications:
· Model: AF-120CD
· Voltage: 110V 60Hz
· Power: 1500W
· Capacity: 12.7QT
· Material: ABS+PC(Shell), Stainless Steel(Inner)
· Certificates: ETL, FDA
·18 kinds of basic functions+touch panel, meet daily cooking needs：Chips, Steak, Fish, Shrimp, Pizza, Defrost, Wings, Cake, Vegetable, Cookies, Chicken, Bake, Rotisserie, Dehydrator, Reheat, Sausage, Nuts, Lamb.
·Warm tips: When using for the first time, the air fryer oven may emit slight odour which is not harmful and will disappear after a few minutes. This is because a protective oil was applied to protect parts from possible friction in transport.
”
CalmDo toaster oven cooks food with super-heated air instead of oil
12L big cooking space and 3 layer racks, allow you to make more than one type of food at once for your beloved family or friends
The stainless steel chamber ensures the air fryer will stand up to the thousands of meals you will make in it.
Safe to Use
RICH ACCESSORIES AND RECIPES
WARNING:
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including (DINP) Diisononyl Phthalate, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
I found the same warning, Jan. Diisononyl Phthalate is on the Prop 65 as being carcinogenic. I reached out to the manufacturer requesting how their product would cause Diisononyl Phthalate, but I have not heard anything back yet. When I get the answer, I will post it back here, so that you can decide if you want to get this product or not.
It also comments on using an oil for shipping that might relase a smell during first use…so is this product really considered safe?
·Warm tips: When using for the first time, the air fryer oven may emit slight odour which is not harmful and will disappear after a few minutes. This is because a protective oil was applied to protect parts from possible friction in transport.
“
Thank you for the time and effort. Do you have a youtube channel?
I have not taken the Ninja Dual drawer air fryer that I just bought out of the box yet. I thought it was PTFE AND PFOA free like they advertised. After buying, I found replies from Ninja Community Support on Best Buy and Amazon and they state: The drawers are made of steel and coated with PTFE. The crisper plates are aluminum with ceramic coating. I read PTFE no longer has been made using PFOA. I am upset that in NINJA ‘s advertising they state the air fryer is PTFE and PFOA free. So, why do these Community Support people state the baskets are coated with PTFE? I feel taken. Since PFOA has not been used since 2014, is this PTFE safer??? I may be returning the air fryer tomorrow and give up on getting one. Thanks.
Someone on Amazon posted that the condo smells when you first use it had a burnt smell anybody else with this experience
YES!!! My house stunk like toxic plastic after the first use of my Instant Vortex 5.7Quart air fryer. I was so off put by this and wondered if I didn’t wash something properly before using. UGH
Is the Emeril French door version safe too or just the one you listed? Trying to take advatage of a sale on thr French door one. Thanks!
Thank you sooo much for taking the time and doing this investigation. I felt the AirFryer Oven my husband got can’t be healthy and this confirms it. It gives off a smell and I always felt that’s not right, along with other things. He uses it daily, it sits right on the counter. He’s recently battling immuno issues and I’m trying to get him to make better choices. I will be sending him this article. I myself am a breast cancer survivor and make my own choices which is hard since we prepare 2 different meals a lot.
Thanks for telling me more about your story and happy to help!
Thank you for the information. I appreciate all you guys do to promote health and wellness. God Bless.
Thank you!! Cxoo
Thank you Mamavation! What about the Instant Pot Omni model? I see the Omni Plus in your list but not Omni.. i also see other Instant Pot air fryer options (vortex) but not the Omni.. just want to be sure based on what’s available to me. Thnak you!
I’m so grateful for this investigation! I have been putting off buying one for these reasons precisely, thank you so much for your recommendations!!
Soooooo happy I waited to buy an air fryer. Thank you so much for all the work you do. I REALLY appreciate it!!!
Yay, both of mine are on the best list!
Hi what r the brands of your s you say both your r on the best list. Please tell me what the brands and if their really what they say they r. Thanks. Lori
just bought and used the corsori. f&&k!!!
How is the corsiri is it really chemical free lori