An air fryer expert has revealed a common mistake that many Britons make when using their appliances, which can lead to soggy, less crispy food. Martin Senders, Philips' resident air fryer chef, warned against placing liners underneath the tray of the air fryer basket, a trend recently promoted on TikTok.
According to Senders, liners should always sit on top of the tray to ensure proper air circulation. 'Don't listen to the latest TikTok trend which is telling people to place the air fryer liner underneath the tray as this will affect cooking quality, reducing the crispiness of your food,' he said. 'Liners should sit above the tray so that the air flow isn't restricted.'
In addition to correct placement, Senders emphasised the importance of weighing down the liner with enough food to prevent it from being sucked into the heating element, which could cause a fire hazard. 'Loose material can get pulled up into the heating element, start to burn and become a fire hazard,' he warned.
Senders recommended using silicone liners designed for air fryers, as they stay in place and allow the appliance to work as intended. This ensures easy cleaning while maintaining the crispy texture of the food. He also noted that some air fryers, like the Philips 5000 Series Steam Air Fryer, have a built-in steam clean feature that dissolves grease and residue in 20 minutes, eliminating the need for liners altogether.
