How does silicone mats make using the air fryer a better experience?
If you are a regular air fryer user, you would have noticed by now that sometimes the food sticks to the basket. Especially if you have one of those mesh baskets like the Philips Kitchen Appliances Premium Digital Air Fryer. This makes removing the food in one piece tricky. Then there is the additional scrubbing to get the stuck bits off. But is this enough of a reason to get silicone air fryer liners? Let’s have a look at what other benefits there are.
Benefits of using silicone mats in air fryer
Prevents food from sticking to the surface of the air fryer
Using a silicone mat will prevent food from sticking to the surface of an air fryer. This gives you a much easier clean-up process after cooking your favorite foods.
Reduces the scratches from the use of tongs and other utensils
Most air fryers come with a non-stick basket. They are great for cooking, but over time the surface will get scratched. While some of these scratches can’t be avoided when using utensils like tongs to turn your food, you will notice less scratching when using silicone mats. Because the material is soft it also reduces damage to the surface of your air fryer. It also acts as a barrier between the contact of the utensil and the basket.
Silicone air fryer mats are re-usable
If the air fryer silicone mat is stained with food or oil, simply place it in your dishwasher and run a regular cycle or hand wash it. The silicone air fryer mat should come out looking brand new with no signs of wear after washing it in this manner.
Easy to wash and dishwasher safe
Cleaning your silicone air fryer mat is easy and can be done with almost anything. You won’t need to use abrasive soaps and brushes to clean off any residue left behind on this material because it is 100% non-stick. Simply run your mat under warm water and use a sponge or dish rag to wipe away any uneaten food that might be stuck to the surface of your air fryer.
Silicone air fryer mats are also dishwasher safe which makes it even easier to clean.
Easy storage and flexible
Air fryer silicone mats can easily be stored in a kitchen drawer or placed on top of cabinets for quick access while cooking. These silicone mats are flexible and can be easily rolled up or folded in order to store it away in a cupboard or drawer.
Good grip
A silicone mat also won’t slide around your worktop while you’re cooking, so there’s no need to worry about the mat sliding around while your food is in the air fryer.
Versatile
Silicone is one of the most versatile types of kitchen materials you can use, and this makes it perfect for any type of cooking. You could throw a silicone mat in the oven or grill to prepare something completely different from what you’re cooking with your air fryer. Or use it as a heat resistant mat that can protect against the heat from hot pots.
As you can see from the benefits listed above, silicone air fryer mats are definitely something you should consider purchasing if you’re an avid air fryer user. So, what type of air fryer silicone mat is best for your air fryer?
Types of silicone air fryer liners
Silicone air fryer liners are made from food grade silicone material. They are heat resistant and non-stick. These liners are perforated which means they have holes in them to assist with the circulation of the heated air. They come in all different shapes and sizes.
Size and shape
Since every air fryer is different in size and shape, air fryer silicone mats come in a wide range. The common sizes and shapes are:
Round shaped liners for oval-egg baskets
- 6.7 inch (17 centimeters) for small air fryers
- 8 inch (20 centimeters) for medium/large air fryers
- 9 inch (23 centimeters) for extra-large air fryer
Square shaped liners for square baskets
- 6.3 inch (16 centimeters) for small air fryers
- 7.5 to 8 inch (19 to 20 centimeters) for medium/large air fryers
- 8.5 inch (22 centimeters) for extra-large air fryer
Rectangular shaped liners
- 11 inch (28 centimeters) that fits most air fryer toaster oven racks
- 5.2 x 8 inch (13 x 20 centimeters) for dual basket air fryers like the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer
Some air fryer silicone liners are elevated which allows for the circulation of heat thereby cooking the food evenly. The mat is designed with high and low points. This allows the food to rest on the high points away from the mat base. This prevents food from sticking to the base of the mat.
This type of mat is perfect for whole pieces of dry meat like crumbed fish, of steak, or French fries. The mesh has more ventilation than the normal perforated silicone mat because there are a lot more holes for air flow. As there is more air flow, the food will be crispier.
There are silicone pot holders where the food is placed inside for cooking. The handles on the side makes it easy to take out with silicone gloves. Most of these pots are lifted in the centre for better air flow.
These silicone baking mats are a lot thinner than other mats but they are just as effective. The common shapes that they come in is round and rectangular. They are good where the is a short distance between the heating element and the bottom of the basket or rack. A thin liner would ensure that the food is not elevated too close to the heating element.
What to check when purchasing silicone air fryer liners
- Measure your air fryer basket accurately as the silicone air fryer liners are cut to size.
- Make sure to select the correct shape liner.
- Most air fryer silicone liner are heat resistant up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Therefore, check whether the heat resistant level can withstand your air fryer’s max temperature.
- Check the quality of the silicone used for making the liner. It is best to choose liners made of food grade silicone. This type of silicone is non-toxic as it does not have any by-products or chemical fillers.
- Silicone mats without holes can be used as well however, it would be recommended to place it on top of an air fryer rack so that there is air flow.
Conclusion
Silicone air fryer liners and mats are definitely a must have for those who love to use their air fryer. Some of the benefits are that it prevents the food from sticking, it’s re-usable, makes cleaning the air fryer basket easier, and reduces scratches on your basket. Not to mention that it is versatile to be used in the oven or grill or even as a protecting mat for hot pots.
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