
In the past few years, air fryers have become a necessity in the majority of homes’ kitchens due to their fast and healthy cooking methods. Due to the sturdy hot air circulation technology, air fryers can produce the crispy texture of deep frying without using plenty of oil. Nevertheless, the majority of users usually wonder the following when they use air fryers: Are air fryers compatible with ceramic bowls?
This article discusses in detail whether ceramic bowls are suitable for air fryers from aspects like the material, safety, and user experience of ceramic bowls, and provides you with some valuable recommendations.
The main principle of air fryers and ceramic bowls
Air fryers quickly heat food with the use of hot circulating air at a high speed in order to achieve a crispy outside and tender inside. The operational temperature of air fryers ranges between 180℃ to 200℃, and even higher for more sophisticated models up to 260℃, and thus, utensils used must be heat-resistant.
Ceramic bowls are made from natural minerals such as clay that are high-fired and generally have good heat resistance. However, not all ceramic bowls are air fryer-compatible, especially with different materials, thicknesses, firing processes, etc., which may affect how well they function with high temperatures.
Analysis of compatibility of ceramic bowls in air fryers
Material and safety
Their material has a lot to do with the high-temperature resistance of ceramic bowls. High-quality ceramic bowls, especially underglaze and in-glaze ceramic bowls, tend to be resistant to air fryers’ high temperatures. However, low-quality ceramic bowls (especially overglaze bowls) may contain heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which can release toxic elements when being heated to high temperatures and negatively affect one’s health. One should therefore choose high-temperature-resistant and safe ceramic bowls.
Thickness and heat resistance
The temperature of the air fryer reaches a maximum of 200℃ or more, while the heat resistance of ceramic bowls is typically between 120℃ to 150℃. The thickness of the ceramic bowl is therefore most important to whether it can be placed in the air fryer. Thick ceramic bowls are relatively more immune to temperature changes and will reduce the risk of thermal shock rupture. Thin ceramic bowls (such as bone china) are susceptible to cracking on exposure to high temperatures and are therefore unsuitable for use in air fryers.
Thermal conductivity
Ceramic has comparatively low thermal conductivity and thus could potentially not heat the food equally in an air fryer and affect the cooking outcome. In particular, the food might be heated slower in certain thicker ceramic bowls and become less than hot enough or outside crispy and inside raw. Metal containers conduct heat better and can heat the food more evenly if applied in an air fryer.
Space and size
The space of an air fryer is limited, and using ceramic bowls that are deep or too big in size will hinder air circulation, leading to uneven cooking of food. A shallow and wide ceramic bowl would be best, not only enhancing the use of the air fryer’s hot air circulation, but also enabling food to achieve the right crispness.
Practical tips to employ ceramic bowls
If you want to use ceramic bowls to cook in an air fryer, I have some useful tips to assist you in using ceramic bowls for cooking more efficiently:
- Choose high-temperature resistant ceramic bowls: Opt for ceramic bowls that are marked oven-safe, microwave-safe or high-temperature cooking. Avoid thin bone china bowls and ceramic bowls with illegible labels.
- Prevent temperature shock: Ceramic bowls are sensitive to temperature. Ceramic bowls in the freezer or refrigerator should not be put directly into the preheated air fryer to avoid cracking due to drastic temperature changes.
- Choose the right size: Make sure the size of the ceramic bowl is suitable for the air fryer basket to avoid any interference with air flow. Using deep or large ceramic bowls can restrict the circulation of hot air and affect the cooking outcome.
- Use caution with heat conduction: Due to ceramic having poor thermal conductivity, it is best to reduce the temperature setting (for instance, below 150°C) such that the ceramic bowl is heated gradually and does not crack.
Advantages and disadvantages of ceramic bowls
Advantages:
- Beauty: Ceramic bowls tend to be beautifully crafted and can potentially give an aura of sophistication to the dining table.
- Healthy: Unlike the other plastic containers, ceramic bowls do not release dangerous chemicals and are safer and more reliable.
- Multiple applications: Besides air fryers, ceramic bowls are also applicable on other cooking devices such as ovens and microwaves.
Disadvantages:
- Destructible: Ceramic bowls are fragile and are likely to break in the event of exterior forces or extreme temperature changes.
- Low thermal conductivity: Ceramic bowls have low thermal conductivity, and that will affect the consistency of warming the food.
- Restricted air flow: Ceramic bowls with deep or high sides may affect air flow within the air fryer and reduce cooking effectiveness.
Yicheng Ceramics—High-quality Ceramic Products
Being a professional ceramics product manufacturing company, Yicheng Ceramics is committed to providing a wide range of high-quality ceramic bowls and wholesale customized services. Our ceramic bowls are made of high-quality materials and carefully fired so that every product can endure the requirements of high-temperature cooking.
Whether you are a home user or a caterer, we can provide you with custom ceramic bowls for your specific needs. The ceramic bowls we produce are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also have better high-temperature resistance, which is perfectly suitable for high-temperature cooking appliances such as air fryers.
If you want to find secure, durable and beautiful ceramic bowls, you might as well choose Yicheng Ceramics. Our ceramics have been used in a variety of locations such as homes and restaurants, which can make your cooking life richer. Please feel free to contact us to learn more about customization and wholesale, and choose ceramic products based on your needs.
Conclusion:
Generally speaking, ceramic bowls are on sale to be used in air fryers, but you should be cautious when choosing the appropriate material and thickness, and following the correct usage way. If you hope to buy high-quality ceramic bowls, Yicheng Ceramics should be your best choice.