Best 10 Stainless Steel Air Fryers without Cancer Warning

Hey, You are clever to choose stainless steel air fryer.  It is far much better than the cheap plastic and Teflon-coated air fryers.

Plastic air fryers can release harmful compounds like phthalates and BPA (bisphenol A) into your food, it has a cancer warning. Ingesting large doses of these toxic compounds in your food as you use the plastic air fryers more can lead to a series of health problems. For instance, exposure to BPA is linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes.

A 100 stainless steel air fryer will last for ages and ensures safe cooking as it is BPA-free, non-toxic, and made with no Teflon. Better still, you never have to worry about the strong plastic smell that is characteristic of plastic air fryers.

But there are many good stainless steel air fryers out there. And besides health, you should also consider their cooking performance. In this article, we will show you the ultimate guide to choosing the best one.

We know what makes an excellent stainless steel air fryer. We have a Facebook group of air fryer lovers that has tested hundreds of air fryer models over the last 5 years. There are over 20,000 people sharing their cooking experience. So if you want to make your search for a more durable and safer air fryer easier, make sure you read to the end.

For healthier cooking, we can also recommend ceramic air fryers or glass air fryers. They perform better than stainless steel air fryers in some ways, we will show that in the end!

10 Best Stainless Steel Air Fryers Reviews

There are 2 types of stainless steel air fryers: Regular air fryers and toaster ovens, let’s have a Glance

Picture	Model (Clickable)	Key Cooking Features
	Stainless steel exterior COSORI CP258-AF Premium Stainless Steel Air Fryer	1. 11 cooking functions 2. 360° circulation technology 3. Customizable shake reminder
	Stainless steel exterior and accents Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer Oven	1. EvenCrisp technology 2. One-touch cooking programs 3. Versatile 95 – 400°F temperature range
	Stainless steel interior and body BPA and PFOA-free Innsky Air Fryer XL 5.8 QT	1. 360° convection system 2. 4 cooking assist functions 3. Square basket design
	Stainless steel exterior Chefman TurboTouch Air Fryer	1. Dishwasher-safe accessories 2. Intuitive digital control panel 3. LED shake reminder
	Stainless steel accents  Gourmia 7 Quart Large Air Fryer Oven	1. Powerful 1700w heating element 2. 12 digital presets 3. Fat removal technology
	Overall stainless steel build COSORI 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven	1. 32-quart capacity 2. 12 cooking functions 3. Bright interior lights
	Overall stainless steel build Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360	1. 360° Air Flow Technology 2. 12 smart presets 3. Memory feature
	Overall stainless steel build and basket Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection AirFryer Toaster Oven	1. 1800W heating element 2. Wide temperature range up to 450°F 3. Toast shade selector
	Stainless steel exterior, interior & some accessories GoWISE USA 14.7-Quart Air Fryer Grill	1. Powerful dual heating elements 2. 10 accessories set 3. 11 cooking presets
	Stainless steel exterior, interior & some accessories PowerXL 8-in-1 Air Fryer Grill	1. 450°F high heat searing 2. Die-cast grill plate 3. 8 intuitive presets

Regular Air Fryers

1. COSORI CP258-AF Premium Stainless Steel Air Fryer

The premium stainless steel exterior of the COSORI CP258-AF makes it a highly durable air fryer model guaranteed to give you many years of service. Additionally, it also gives it a sleeker look to ensure it looks fantastic in any kitchen.

Pros

• Sleek and durable stainless steel exterior
• Versatile with multiple cooking functions
• Convenient shake reminder function
• Easy to use with multiple presets
• Takes up little counter space

Cons

• Dim power button

Features and Unique Benefits

The stainless steel exterior is the highlight of the COSORI CP258-AF Premium Stainless Steel Air Fryer. The material makes this one of the most durable basket-style air fryers you can get anywhere. 

The stainless steel build also guarantees the air fryer will not release any toxic substances into the air around the kitchen, even when you heat it at high temperatures. Moreover, the interior doesn’t contain any toxic materials, as the basket is aluminum.

Other features making this a fantastic air fryer include the multifunctional design. It supports several cooking modes, from air frying to baking. It will be helpful for air frying your french fries or baking some cooking. Better still, there are 9 presets for these everyday dishes to make them super easy to cook.

You never have to worry about forgetting to toss your food, as there is a shake reminder for this. And you can also customize the reminder so you are alerted to toss the food exactly when you want to for the best cooking outcomes.

One concern is that the power button seems dim, making it hard to see during the day. But this is hardly a deal breaker.

Cooking Performance

The first thing that draws your attention to this air fryer is its sleek look. The stainless steel exterior complements any kitchen theme, and you can be sure it will always be the highlight of your kitchen. But it also cooks as well as it looks.

Unlike many other air fryers, it actually bakes desserts better than an actual oven and saves you several minutes while at it. We made cookies with store-bought dough, which turned out perfect in under 15 minutes. Also, muffins cook well and to perfection. And there is hardly anything much to do as there is a bake preset.

One more thing we liked about the cooking performance was that it was super quiet. You will hardly hear any sound when the air fryer is running. The beeps and alerts are also not that loud. 

Who Should Buy this Product?

Get this air fryer if you are looking for something with a genuine stainless steel exterior that ensures it will look fantastic in your kitchen.

2. Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer Oven 

The Instant Vortex Plus offers the versatility and convenience that makes the Instant Pot brand famous. It also has a primarily stainless steel exterior and accents to enhance the look and safety.

Pros

• Super fast heating
• Crisps foods more evenly
• Easy-to-use one-touch controls
• Simple cleanup

Cons

• Makes too many beeps
• Instructions are not very good

Features and Unique Benefits

The Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer Oven features a primarily stainless steel exterior. The stainless steel build makes it more durable and safer, as it does not release harmful toxins. Also, the air fryer has fantastic-looking stainless steel accents that help enhance its overall appearance.

With the stainless steel surfaces, cleanup should also be easier. The surface is fingerprint and stain-resistant. And so, a quick wipe with a damp cloth is all you need to clean your air fryer surfaces.

You can also be sure of always getting fantastic cooking results with this air fryer. It uses EvenCrisp technology to ensure foods like french fries, chicken wings, and tater tots crisp evenly while remaining tender inside.

This stainless steel air fryer heats up super fast. It requires little to no preheating, which allows you to reduce your total cooking time. You can have your french fries and most other snacks ready in under 15 minutes, even when cooking them from frozen.

A few complaints about this air fryer are that the instructions are not very detailed. Also, it makes too many notification beeps, which can be annoying. But you can live with these minor issues as they do not affect functionality.

Cooking Performance

This stainless steel air fryer makes some of the best chicken and beef jerky. There is enough space in the 6-quart basket to fit a 5-pound chicken easily. Once you marinate it, you only need to pop it in and choose the roast function. 

The chicken cooks to perfection in around 1 hour, but you need to remember to flip it at the halfway point. We love the golden brown color and that it was still surprisingly tender and juicy on the inside.

The beef jerky took longer than expected, and there is a learning curve there. But, once you master the dehydrate function, you should also be able to make tasty fruit and veggie chips.

Who Should Buy this Product?

Buy this air fryer if you are looking for a stainless steel model that cooks super fast. It hardly requires any preheating and will cut your total cooking time significantly.

3. Innsky Air Fryer XL 5.8 QT 

By using stainless steel for interior and exterior surfaces, Innsky makes this air fryer as safe as it can be. But besides being a safer appliance, it is feature-rich with everything required for quick and efficient cooking.

Pros

• Safe interior and exterior materials
• Efficient air circulation system
• Convenient cooking with assist functions
• Larger and more advanced user interface
• The square basket design provides more cooking capacity

Cons

• Coating scratches easily

Features and Unique Benefits

Innsky Air Fryer XL 5.8 QT is one of the safest air fryers in this review. It includes an almost 100 percent stainless steel construction. Both the interior and exterior surfaces are high-grade stainless steel.

The choice of material makes this air fryer 100% PFOA and BPA-free. You never have to worry about toxins like Teflon and other harmful substances ending up in your food, even when cooking at high temperatures.

The cooking outcomes are also guaranteed to be consistently perfect thanks to the 360° convection system. This system ensures efficient circulation of the hot air from all directions. Your french fries and chicken wings will cook at the same rate and end up super crispy.

Innsky includes 4 cooking assist functions, such as Thaw and Keep Warm, that add to the convenience. The Thaw function allows you to quickly bring frozen foods like fries or chicken to room temperature before cooking for even better outcomes.

The coating on the basket seems to scratch a little too easily. But this only means you need to give it extra care when cleaning it for longer service life.

Cooking Performance

This Innsky air fryer runs hotter than most other basket-style air fryers out there. It is essential to keep this in mind before you start cooking so you do not mess up your food. We learned this the hard way after burning our chicken legs.

When using other air fryer models, we always set the temperature to 400°F, and the legs turn out perfectly. With this one, 400°F is super hot, and they almost always get burnt. We adjusted the temperature to 360°F, and the legs cooked fast enough and to perfection, with crispy skin and moist inside.

Who Should Buy this Product?

If safety is your number one priority when shopping for an air fryer, this model will be perfect for you. Its stainless steel interior and exterior ensure no harmful substances end up in your food.

4. Chefman TurboTouch Air Fryer 

An easy-to-use and clean air fryer like the Chefman TurboTouch Air Fryer ensures that even an absolute newbie will have an easy time air frying. It also looks good, thanks to an entirely stainless steel exterior finish.

Pros

• Sleek exterior finish
• Easy to use
• Quick and simple clean up
• Shake reminder included

Cons

• The temperature range is not very wide
• Fewer cooking functions

Features and Unique Benefits

The Chefman TurboTouch Air Fryer is a sleek-looking air fryer with a stainless steel exterior. Besides giving it an attention-grabbing look, the stainless steel makes it safer and easier to clean.

You never have to worry about ending up with BPA or Teflon in your food. And when it comes to the cleanup, a quick wipe with a damp cloth will leave the air fryer looking all new. Also, the sleek material does not stain easily.

Operating the air fryer is also a breeze. There is a highly intuitive digital control panel with clearly labeled buttons and presets for common foods. You only need to push one button if you want to make french fries or air fryer some chicken wings.

Using this model, you will never have to worry about forgetting to toss your veggies and other foods. A handy LED reminder alerts you when it is time to shake the food. And so everything will end up more evenly cooked.

Although the temperature range is not very wide, it still supports everyday dishes as they cook between 200°F and 400°F. Also, it has only 4 cooking functions, which are fewer than what most other models in this list provide. But you will be surprised at just how much it can do.

Cooking Performance

This Chefman air fryer will be your go-to model for cooking all your favorite snacks and crunchy meals. It seems well-suited for cooking things like bacon and finger foods. We have cooked bacon several times, and it is hard to go wrong. The bacon always turns out perfect in under 10 minutes.

We also noticed that this air fryer does a fantastic job reheating leftovers. If you have some leftover egg rolls, pizza, or chicken nuggets, it can make them fresh again. It does not just get them hot but leaves them with a crunchier finish.

Who Should Buy this Product?

Buy this air fryer if you are shopping for your first model and want something that will give you the easiest time with usage and cleaning.

5. Gourmia 7 Quart Large Air Fryer Oven 

Gourmia makes this air fryer with stainless steel accents to give it an impressive overall appearance. Also, the air fryer is built for healthier cooking as it uses technology to remove most fat from the food.

Pros

• More powerful and efficient heating element
• Easy cooking with multiple presets
• Healthier cooking with minimal fat
• Quick cleanup with dishwasher-safe accessories

Cons

• Plastic smell

Features and Unique Benefits

Gourmia 7 Quart Large Air Fryer Oven is not an entirely stainless steel air fryer. But it includes some sleek stainless steel accents that give it a pleasant look. 

Also, some of the interior parts are made from stainless steel for safer cooking. Moreover, all the other materials used are BPA-free and will not contain any Teflon and other harmful substances you get on regular plastic kitchen appliances.

This is also one of the most powerful stainless steel air fryers on our list. It uses a 1700-watt heating element that heats up fast and maintains the temperature throughout the cooking. The powerful heating element will easily cut at least 15 minutes from the total time you take to cook chicken.

You can also be confident about making healthier meals. This air fryer uses fat removal technology to remove up to 90% of the fat from the food, which is far more than most other air fryers will remove.

The only issue with this air fryer is that it still has some plastic smell. But, the smell is not as potent as what other air fryers produce. Also, you can easily eliminate it with a 20-minute preheat and thorough cleanup before first use.

Cooking Performance

You will be amazed at how fast this air fryer cooks everything from veggies to whole chicken. Most veggies will take under 10 minutes to cook to perfection, and they can easily burn if you keep them in there longer than this.

This air fryer also makes some of the best chicken wings. Besides cooking them super fast, it leaves them with just the right amount of crispiness without drying out the inside.

Baked goods like cookies and muffins also turn out well. But you must experiment with the time and temperature until you get what works best. We were able to make tasty chocolate cookies on our third try.

Who Should Buy this Product?

Buy this air fryer if you want the healthiest appliance for making food. It reduces your calorie intake significantly by removing up to 90% of the fat from the food.

Air Fryer Toaster Oven 

6. COSORI 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven 

The heavy-duty stainless steel construction guarantees this Cosori air fryer will give you many years of great service. Additionally, it has one of the largest capacities on our review and will be a perfect choice for a large family.

Pros

• Highly durable construction
• Versatile with multiple cooking functions
• Larger family size capacity
• Convenient interior lighting
• Precise LED display

Cons

• Takes up more counter space
• Longer preheat time

Features and Unique Benefits

With a heavy-duty 304 stainless steel overall construction, COSORI 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven will serve you for many years. It features a stainless steel build for both the interior and exterior.

And so besides being highly durable, it is also a safe air fryer as it does not contain any harmful compounds or toxins that can leak into the food when cooking. Additionally, the stainless steel surfaces make cleanup a breeze as they are easy to wipe clean.

This 100% stainless steel air fryer oven also has one of the largest capacities on our list. The 32-quart capacity provides enough room to cook a couple of 13-inch pizzas or quickly air fryer over 30 chicken wings. 

Also, this air fryer is built for versatility. It supports 12 cooking functions to ensure you can do everything from baking to roasting in one appliance.

The main drawbacks are that it takes up huge counter space and takes longer to heat up. But, both are expected given its large capacity and should hence not be a big concern.

Cooking Performance

There are many things you can make on this air fryer. The chances are it will become your kitchen’s most widely used appliance.

We have tried several recipes in the provided cookbook. But our two favorite things to make on the air fryer are pizza and chicken wings.

We love that the pizza gets a nice and crunchy crust and is never soggy, regardless of what toppings you use. As for the chicken wings, we love that you can cook several dozen at a go, and they all end up perfectly cooked and super crispy.

Who Should Buy this Product?

Buy this air fryer if you want a model made from 100% stainless steel. This model is also a good choice for those with large families as it can hold lots of food.

7. Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 

Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 is another model with almost 100% stainless steel construction for maximum durability and safety. It also has a large capacity and multiple cooking functions for increased versatility.

Pros

• Fast and consistent cooking
• Highly durable build
• Convenient memory function
• Easy-to-use interface

Cons

• The whole chicken rotisserie can be hard to set up

Features and Unique Benefits

Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 is another good option for any home cook looking for a primarily stainless steel air fryer oven. With this model, you never have to worry about toxins ending up in your food as it will not produce any.

The manufacturer uses high-grade 304 stainless steel to ensure long service life. Also, the stainless steel surfaces on the inside and outside give it a more attractive look and make it easier to maintain. The material does not stain easily and is resistant to fingerprints, making it simple to wipe clean.

The air fryer also cooks well. It uses 5 powerful heating elements and 360° airflow technology to deliver the crispiest dishes. Your proteins, like chicken and finger foods, will get the crisp outer layers and remain super tender inside.

Overall, this air fryer has several features designed to make it easier and more convenient to use. They include a memory feature that remembers your last setting and an intuitive digital control interface. With the memory function, you can save a lot of time when cooking. For instance, if you cooked french fries the last time you used them and want to cook them again, you only need to press one button.

Some home cooks find setting up a whole chicken on the rotisserie spit quite hectic. But the truth is that there is some learning curve, and it should get easier as you do it more.

Cooking Performance:

We have tried several dishes on this air fryer and have yet to find something that does not cook perfectly. Everything always seems to cook well if you get the time and temperature right.

It is one of the few non-commercial air fryer ovens that make restaurant-style pizzas with a perfect crust and perfectly melted cheese. Also, other things like kebabs and veggies cook well. We have even made some of the tastiest beef jerky on this air fryer.

Who Should Buy this Product?

This Emeril Lagasse model is your best bet if you prefer a large-capacity air fryer oven from a famous brand known for making top-notch kitchen appliances.

8. Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection AirFryer Toaster Oven 

With a more powerful heating element and a wider temperature range, this Cuisinart air fryer is built to cook super fast and more efficiently. Additionally, this also ensures it supports more cooking functions for increased versatility.

Pros

• Powerful heating element
• Supports wide and high-temperature cooking
• Convenient and adjustable operation
• Allows for toast shade selection
• Super quiet operation

Cons

• No rotisserie function

Features and Unique Benefits

Almost every component of the Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection AirFryer Toaster Oven is stainless steel. The interior and exterior surfaces are high-quality stainless steel that does not contain any toxins.

The basket is also stainless steel. And so you can be sure it will not release harmful substances into your food. Also, there is no BPA or Teflon coating anywhere on the air fryer, making it safe for cooking anything.

The air fryer oven uses a powerful 1800-watt heating element that can heat up to 450°F. And so it is powerful enough to cook almost any food and will reduce your cooking time significantly. It will shed off at least 5 minutes from foods like chicken wings and french fries, allowing you to cook them in just 15 minutes. Also, it gets hot enough to sear your steaks quickly.

This air fryer will also allow for more precise cooking. It has a 60-minute timer and adjustable temperature to allow you to cook foods at just the right temperature and time.

While there is no dedicated rotisserie function, you can still cook a whole chicken and other large meat cuts in this air fryer. Plus, there is plenty of room to fit a large chicken.

Cooking Performance

This air fryer is another model you will likely use every other day. For starters, it does a fantastic job preheating your leftovers. Your leftover pizza and finger foods come out even better than before and with a fantastic crisp.

We also love that the air fryer gets super hot and can quickly sear and grill your steaks. This model will be a good buy if you want an easy way to grill steaks indoors. It also bakes some of the best cookies and muffins in around 10 minutes without having to do much.

Who Should Buy this Product?

This air fryer is a perfect choice for any home cook looking for something with a powerful heating element that can cook fast and more consistently.

9. GoWISE USA 14.7-Quart Air Fryer Grill

If you are on the hunt for the safest air fryer, this GoWISE model is perfect. It has a stainless steel interior to ensure you never have to worry about toxins from plastic or Teflon ending up in your food.

Pros

• Customizable cooking
• Easyiperatuin with presets and touchscreen
• Heavy-duty grill plate
• Comes with more accessories

Cons

• Takes up more space than expected

Features and Unique Benefits

The 14.7-quart capacity GoWISE USA Air Fryer Grill has one of the most solid builds on our list. The heavy-duty air fryer features a stainless steel housing and stainless steel interior.

Besides being more durable, the stainless steel surfaces also ensure safer cooking. They can handle higher heat and do not contain toxins that can end up in the food when cooking at high temperatures. Additionally, the stainless steel surfaces make cleanup a breeze. And they ensure you never have to worry about the annoying plastic smell characteristic of other air fryers.

This air fryer uses 2 heating elements, unlike most models that only have one. The two heating elements and the inclusion of an adjustable temperature and time allow for easy coking customization. You can choose to use the top heating element to ensure your cakes and cookies brown to perfection and both when cooking large meat cuts and chicken.

Moreover, the air fryer comes with 10 accessories, which is more than what you get from most models. The accessories include a heavy-duty grill plate that will help give your steaks those fantastic sear marks you love and a complete rotisserie kit.

This air fryer takes up quite a substantial amount of kitchen counter space. This can be a problem for those that have smaller kitchens. But it is hardly a deal-breaker for most home cooks.

Cooking Performance

This air fryer is multifunctional. It can bake, air fry, and do much more perfectly. But, we were eager to try out its grill function as it is the main highlight. One of the first things we noticed is that it gets hot super fast, especially when using both heating elements. 

Also, it can get to a high temperature, so we were able to sear steaks and get some excellent grill marks. But we did notice that you need to give the grill plate a few extra minutes to get hot enough if you want to get the grill marks.

We also tried dehydrating some kale chips, but the results were disappointing. But, it is probably because we did not leave them in there long enough, so we cannot blame the appliance. Next time we will try dehydrating for at least 8 hours, as recommended in most recipes, to see hour things turn out.

Who Should Buy this Product?

This air fryer is a good buy if you want to be able to grill food indoors. It will allow you to make your favorite BBQ dishes indoors without filling up the house with smoke.

10. PowerXL 8-in-1 Air Fryer Grill  

A powerful indoor grill like this PowrerXL model that comes with all the accessories you need will make it easier to bring your BBQs indoors when the weather is not good. Additionally, the air fryer is multifunctional for increased versatility and has a massive capacity.

Pros

• It gets hot enough to sear meats
• Easy and precise cooking
• Large capacity
• Heavy-duty grill plate
• Easy clean up with an extra large drip tray

Cons

• It Can smoke a little sometimes
• The instructions in the recipe book are not very clear

Features and Unique Benefits

PowerXL 8-in-1 Air Fryer Grill is a highly dependable indoor grill with overall stainless steel construction. It includes stainless steel exterior and interior surfaces that create a safer cooking environment.

Also, some accessories, like the mesh fry basket and roasting rack, are made from stainless steel. They are hence more durable and will not contain any toxins that can end up in your food. Better still, they can withstand more heat to allow you to cook almost any food.

Besides the stainless steel build, this air fryer oven is built to allow for easy and more precise cooking. It includes 8 intuitive presets for standard cooking functions like air frying and grilling. You only need to push one button to make your french fries or grill your favorite meat cut.

There is also plenty of space in there, and the air fryer includes multiple rack levels. This means that you can cook your entire meal at a go. You can easily fit a large chicken or a few pounds of port tenderloin, some potatoes, and your favorite veggies.

The few concerns about this air fryer are that it can smoke a little sometimes and the instructions in the cookbook are not the best. But you can minimize smoking by keeping it clean. Moreover, you can always find better directions online for anything you want to cook.

Cooking Performance

If you cook many foods that require higher temperatures, you will be happy to have this air fryer around. We were able to sear some thick t-bone steaks and ended up with fantastic grill marks. In fact, you would not tell that an indoor grill made the marks if you did not know. 

Also, it locks in all the juices as the steaks end up most tender on the inside. Better still, you can easily control the doneness to ensure they end up just how you like.

There is also plenty of space inside there to cook a large chicken. We have already cooked an 8-pound chicken that came out perfectly. Although we are yet to try cooking a 10-pound chicken, you can tell that it would fit perfectly and still have lots of space to spare. 

But, from our experience, you must carefully tweak the time and temperature when cooking large chickens for the best outcomes.

Who Should Buy this Product?

This air fryer is another good buy for anyone looking for a reliable indoor grill that can also air fry. It is an even better option for those that prefer something with a large capacity.

What to Look for In a Stainless Steel Air Fryer

Whether you are looking for an overall stainless steel air fryer, a stainless steel basket, or an air fryer with a stainless steel interior, you need to consider the following things.

1. Material Quality

There are different categories of stainless steel used to make air fryers and other kitchen appliances. Their quality is not the same. They will hence differ in aspects like durability and resistance to corrosion.

The most common stainless steel materials used to make kitchen appliances are 304 and 430 stainless steel. Both are highly durable. But, it is still important to note there are several grades and gauges of each. The important thing is to make sure your air fryer is made with high-grade or heavy-gauge stainless steel.

2. Capacity

An air fryer’s capacity is always a crucial factor to consider whether buying stainless steel or plastic air fryers.

The capacity determines the amount and type of food you can cook. The good news is that you can get a stainless steel air fryer with a capacity of anything from 1 to over 30 quarts.

Consider the number of people you will be cooking for and the foods you typically cook. For instance, if you like to air fry whole chicken or cook several pounds of french fries, you need an air fryer model with at least 5 ot 6 quarts capacity.

3. Controls

Modern air fryers are designed to be straightforward to use. But, the ease of use still varies from one to the other.

Ease of use largely depends on the controls. Something with a simple knob control will give you the easiest time. But, such an air fryer will have limited functions. Instead, a more advanced model with digital controls or a touchscreen panel is much better.

4. Cooking functions

What can the stainless steel air fryer do?

Can you use it for anything more besides air frying or reheating food?

These are essential questions to answer when choosing an air fryer. That said, something multifunctional with several cooking functions is always preferable.

Cooking functions vary from one to the other. Some can grill, broil, dehydrate and do much more. A model with more cooking functions is versatile and makes a better deal as it can replace several other kitchen appliances.

5. Safety Features

You cannot overlook safety when choosing any kitchen appliance. Although stainless steel is generally safe to use compared to others like plastic and Teflon-coated, you still need to look at the specific safety features in the model you buy.

Look for a model that uses multiple safety features. Things like overload, overheating protection, and an automatic shut-off are vital as they make the appliance safer.

Is it Safe to Cook with a Stainless Steel Air Fryer?

It is generally safe to cook in a stainless steel air fryer. The material contains no harmful substances or toxins that can leak into the food when cooking.

Also, 304 stainless steel can withstand up to 2,642°F, which is much higher than the maximum 500°F heat output you can get from most air fryers. And so you never have to worry about some of the metal meltings and ending up in your food.

Additionally, stainless steel does not produce the pungent plastic smell most other air fryers emit. Besides being safe, it will not leave your food with any foreign and unwanted odor.

Pro Tips for Healthier Cooking With a Stainless Steel Air Fryer

1. Avoid acidic foods – Never expose stainless steel air fryer surfaces to acidic foods. Acidic foods like tomato soups and sauces can react with the stainless steel and cause it to degrade. You hence end up with a lot of it in your food.

2. Only use safe stainless steel – Avoid low-quality stainless steel grades. Ensure your air fryer is made with at least 304 or surgical-grade stainless steel.

3. Keep the heat low to medium – Stainless steel can withstand high heat without melting, but it is a poor conductor. Cooking at high heat increases the likelihood of burning the food.

4. Remember to preheat the air fryer – Preheating the air fryer is vital if you use a stainless steel air fryer basket. Given the material is a poor heat conductor, allowing it to heat before adding food prevents it from sticking and ensures even cooking. 

5. Clean the air fryer thoroughly after every use – Remember to clean your stainless steel air fryer basket and wipe the surfaces after every use. This keeps the appliance in good working condition and prevents food contamination.

What are the Benefits of Stainless Steel Air Fryers? Do you really need it

Stainless steel air fryers have a sleek look. You can be sure they will look great in your kitchen regardless of the colors and theme. But, besides the appealing look, here are the key benefits of stainless steel air fryers.

1. Safety

Stainless steel is one of the safest kitchen appliance materials. The material is non-toxic and does not contain any harmful substances like BPA. It will not leach toxic substances into the food even if you subject it to high temperatures when cooking.

2. Durability

A stainless steel air fryer will last longer than plastic and Teflon-coated air fryers. The material is heavy-gauge and can withstand more abuse and high heat. Also, it does not peel like Teflon-coated air fryers and will not fade. And it is less likely to rust or tarnish for many years.

3. Easy to clean

Stainless steel surfaces do not stain easily and are more resistant to fingerprints. All this makes them super easy to clean up. Additionally, stainless steel is generally regarded as dishwasher-safe.

Ceramic Air Fryer Substitute: Paula Deen 10 QT Digital Air Fryer

Ceramic air fryers are another fantastic option if you are looking for ways to make air frying healthier. If stainless steel does work for you, this model by Paula Dean is worth looking at.

Key Features

The 10-quart Paula Deen Digital Air Fryer is a good stainless steel alternative if you want something with better non-stick properties. Its basket is ceramic-coated to ensure food never sticks and makes it easy to wipe clean.

The air fryer is also designed for versatile cooking. It supports multiple cooking functions, from air frying to roasting. And cooking your favorite dishes like pizza, french fries, and chicken should be a breeze as there are 10 presets for common food types.

The operation should also be hassle-free thanks to the digital control panel with an LED display. The 1700-watt air fryer also heats up fast and maintains heat well for more consistent cooking.

How It Compares to Stainless Steel

Although this air fryer is not entirely stainless steel, it has a stainless steel exterior surface. And so you also get the durability of stainless steel, and the surface is much easier to clean.

But, unlike stainless steel, the ceramic coating will not last forever. The coating can peel off if not properly taken care of. 

There are also no health issues associated with ceramic. The coating does not contain any unhealthy substances like BPA or PFOA. And so you can cook with confidence that your foods will be toxin-free.

Another advantage of ceramic over stainless steel is that it will not react with acidic foods. You can cook your tomato soups and sauces on this air fryer without worrying about ending up with a lot of metal in the food.

Glass Air Fryer Substitute: Nutrichef PKAIRFR48.5 Air Fryer

If you prefer something more budget-friendly than stainless steel but still cooks amazingly, this glass air fryer by Nutrchef is a good alternative. And the good news is that it still delivers super crispy results.

Key Features

Nutrichef PKAIRFR48.5 Air Fryer is a sleek-looking air fryer model that will be a perfect alternative for those that prefer something affordable that looks good and cooks well. 

The air fryer uses rapid air circulation to ensure food cooks more evenly and super fast. The technology allows your french fries, chicken wings, and other food to get super crispy skin.

Operating this air fryer should also be easy, even for newbies, thanks to the rotary controls. And you can be confident it is a safe appliance to use as it has multiple safety features, including auto shut-off.

How It Compares to Stainless Steel

This budget-friendly glass countertop air fryer still has a stainless steel bowl. It will give you the best of stainless steel without the extra costs that come with it. Also, it has no materials that can produce BPA and other toxins in direct contact with the food.

This one is more compact than air fryers made from mostly stainless steel. But, it still does not compromise capacity as there is still enough space to cook a whole chicken. The only drawback is that, unlike most stainless steel air fryers we have reviewed, it cannot cook multiple dishes at a go.

Overall this air fryer also has a more stylish next-generation design. You can be sure it will be the center of attention in your kitchen.

Conclusion

Clearly, stainless steel air fryers are some of the safest in the market. They are your best bet if you are looking for an even healthier way to air-fry foods. Also, they are some of the most durable air fryers.

With our guide and reviews above, finding the perfect stainless steel air fryer for you should now be almost effortless. Go through the guide and reviews, choose what model will work best for your cooking needs, and then make your purchase today.

Also, remember to come back and share your experiences using one of these appliances in the comments section. This will help other home cooks make an informed decision. And also, share this article to spread the good news about stainless steel air fryers.