You Can Put The Air Fryer On Countertop Safely with A Heat-Resistant Mat

There is no doubt that air fryers are popular and quite handy in the house, sometimes it can be hard to determine where to put one in your kitchen.

The kitchen countertop is where most people are likely to place their air fryers, is it safe to have one on your expensive counter? It depends on the material on your countertop.

But, there is more to it than this, can your countertop sustain the high temperature of the air fryer when cooking? Different materials vary different results, so you need to read this article before you decide to buy and put one on your countertop only to end up causing damage.

As a seasoned home cook who has used more than 15 air fryer models, after researching the material for 18 hours, I will tell you everything you need to know about putting air fryers on kitchen countertops.

What material of countertop is good enough? What is the best heat-resistant mat on the market?

keep reading till the end!

Can an Air Fryers Damage Your Countertop?

Air fryers use hot air to cook the food, they work at a high temperature which up to 400 degrees F. So there is always some risk of damaging your countertops when you place air fryers over them. 

However, whether the air fryer can damage your countertop or not largely depends on the material. The sections below will look at the best and worst counter materials for an air fryer.

That said, the risk of damaging your countertop mainly stems from the heat the appliance vents out when cooking and scratches or dents when moving it around.

Possible Ways Air Fryers Can Damage Countertops

There are several possible ways that an air fryer can damage your countertop if the material is not durable enough or safe for use with these kitchen appliances. Here are the most common damages you are likely to see:

1. Staining the surface

Stains are likely to result from food spills and leaks. For example, if you spill grease and oil on porous countertops like marble and wood, they will likely stain if you do not clean the mess quickly. 

Exposing countertop materials such as wood to a focused heat source like an air fryer for extended periods is also likely to stain them beyond repair.

2. Melt the material

Some delicate countertop materials will begin to melt when you expose them to high heat from an air fryer when cooking.

Materials like laminates and plastics have a lower melting point than the typical cooking temperatures of an air fryer, meaning they will quickly melt without an extra layer of protection.

3. Crack some material types

An air fryer can also cause cracks to some countertop types due to the high cooking heat.

Cracking often happens in the long run as you expose the material to higher heat than it can handle. The temperature shock that comes from rapid expansion and cooling ultimately results in cracks or warping of the countertop.

4. Scratches and dents

Scratches and dents are also possible damages when using an air fryer, but they should hardly be a worry if you have a rough and well-finished countertop.

The possible causes of the scratches are rough edges at the bottom of the air fryer or a sharp screw somewhere in direct contact with the countertop. 

What Countertop Materials are Safe to Put My Air Fryer?

The best kitchen countertop materials are designed to withstand high heat and abuse from kitchen appliances, meaning they will be safe for an air fryer. However, here is a list of the types of countertops to put an air fryer on and why:

1. Granite

Natural stones like granite can withstand a lot of abuse in high-traffic kitchens as they are pretty durable. This and its impressive appearance make it one of the most common countertop materials in American homes.

If you have granite countertops, you will hardly ever have to worry about an air fryer causing damage. 

Besides being exceptionally tough, you can put an air fryer on a granite countertop because it is also heat resistant. You do not need to worry about heat or hot air from the vents causing damage.

2. Quartz

A quartz countertop can take a lot of abuse in the kitchen, and it will easily withstand any abuse and heat from your air fryer.

The material is tough and non-porous and should withstand both the heat coming from the air fryers and the occasional food spills. However, being an artificial material, how well quartz holds up to your air fryer depends on the specific quality.

3. Marble

Marble is classy, and you can always be sure it will add some timeless beauty to your kitchen. But, you should be ready for the cost as it is one of the most expensive kitchen countertops.

Natural marble is a durable and heat-resistant material making it perfect for use with an air fryer. However, it is essential to note that the material is quite porous. 

And so, if you make a mess when cooking with your air fryer, ensure you wipe off any grease and oil spills from the surface immediately to prevent staining.

4. Wood

Wood countertops such as oak and maple are pretty standard in American homes. Most of these countertops are treated, giving them an extra layer of protection from heat.

Additionally, most wooden countertops have a protective finish that keeps water out and prevents staining, making them even safer for air fryers.

That said, providing an extra layer of protection for your wood countertop is still a good idea when using an air fryer. While the heat might not damage the countertop, it can still cause warping.

5. Stainless Steel

A stainless steel countertop is one of your best choices if you plan to use an air fryer. The material will hardly ever scratch or dent when using an air fryer.

Additionally, stainless steel has superior heat resistance, which should explain why it is one of the most common materials in restaurants and other commercial eateries.

6. Concrete 

Concrete countertops are highly durable and have a pleasant rustic look that can add some elegance to your kitchen. The toughness of the material makes it almost impossible to damage with an air fryer.

But, what truly makes concrete the perfect countertop material for use with an air fryer is that it has one of the highest levels of heat resistance.

7. Corian

A Corian countertop can easily withstand up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, making it safe enough to use with air fryers and most other kitchen appliances.

Corian is also highly durable and resistant to both stains and fading. Hence, it will hold up pretty well to a lot of abuse from your air fryers and other kitchen appliances.

What Countertop Materials are Not Safe to Put An Air Fryer?

Now that you know some of the best countertops for an air fryer, it is also good to know the worst ones. Here is a list of 3 countertop materials that will not work very well with an air fryer:

1. Formica 

While Formica can withstand a reasonably high heat of up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit, this is only for a short time. If you expose the countertop material to the high heat from your air fryer for more prolonged periods, it will get damaged.

Formica will also not work well with an air fryer because, like most other laminate types, it is prone to peeling and delamination. Simply put, Formica cannot withstand the abuse, especially if you plan to use the air fryer a lot.

2. Laminate

Laminate is one of the worst countertops surfaces for use with an air fryer. For starters, the material has a plastic component that gives it close to zero heat resistance. 

The plastic component means the material can be permanently damaged when exposed to a temperature as low as 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, laminate countertops will also bend and even start peeling.

3. Untreated wood

Any untreated wood countertop will not hold up well when using an air fryer. Untreated wood has little to no heatproofing and will not withstand the high cooing heat of an air fryer.

If your countertop is made from untreated wood for whatever reason, the high heat from an air fryer wil leave a heat mark and is highly likely to cause it to warp.

What is the Working Temperature of an Air Fryer?

Despite being a small countertop kitchen appliance, an air fryer works at surprisingly high temperatures, with some models reaching almost 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, most models provide a maximum cooking temperature of around 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

The high working temperature of an air fryer means it can deliver enough heat to cook almost anything in just a few minutes. The average air fryer cooking time for most foods is between 5 and 25 minutes to cook most foods.

How to Protect Countertop from  Air Fryer Damage – Best Heat-Resistant Mats and Heat Shields to Use

You can use your air fryer on almost any countertop type, provided you take precautions to protect it from the heat and other things like food spills. 

And the good news is that there are several things you can put under the air fryer to protect the countertop. Here is an overview of some of the best ones, plus my recommendation of the best products in each category.

1. Use heat-resistant pads

If you want to place an air fryer on the countertop without worrying about damaging it, you must invest in a heat-resistant mat or pad.

Thanks to the high heat insulation capabilities, a heat-resistant silicone mat is your best bet here as it can withstand up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Gartful Multipurpose Silicone Mat is my recommendation here. These extra-large mats are large enough to accommodate any air fryer. Moreover, they have a non-slip bottom to ensure they remain in place and are also super easy to clean.

2. Place it over a wood/glass cutting board:    

A wood or glass cutting board can also do the trick when you want to prevent direct heat from the air fryer from reaching your countertops.

A wooden cutting board like the Hiware Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board can easily take up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit without getting damaged. Also, this cutting board has a built-in juice groove to ensure any spills from the air fryer do not get to the countertop.

Another good option is the Farberware Glass Utility Cutting Board which provides a heat-resistant surface to protect the countertops. The glass cutting board also has non-skid rubber feet to ensure it remains in place and is also break-resistant.

3. ceramic tiles  

Ceramic tiles are widely available and inexpensive. They also have good heat-resistance capabilities and help shield your countertops from air fryer damage.

You do not need any particular ceramic tile type because even these blank ceramic tiles by Bright Creations will work fine. What I love about them is that the blank design will suit any kitchen countertop material and these 4 x 4 ceramic tiles are also the perfect size for an air fryer.

4. CHEFBEE 3PCS Silicone Trivet Mat 

Silicone trivets can withstand high heat and will not deform even when subjected to the hot air from your air fryers’ vents. Also, they are water-resistant and will not absorb oil from the food, ensuring they serve you well for a long time.

The CHEFBEE Silicone Trivet Mat is my recommendation here because, for a 3-piece set, they offer good value for money. Also, these trivets can withstand up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and are non-slip to ensure the air fryer never slides off.

So, Where is The Best Place to Put Your Air Fryer?

The best place to put your air fryer is a heat-resistant countertop or mat. If you have a delicate countertop material like laminate or plastic, it will not be the right place to put the appliance. 

Plastic and laminate countertops are only ideal if you have something to shield the heat and only plan to use the air fryer occasionally for short periods.

Your countertop is only a good place to put an air fryer if you have a tough and heat-resistant material that can withstand the heat and abuse.

FAQs

Can I place my air fryer on the stovetop?

While you can always put your air fryer on the stovetop if the surface is flat and sturdy, it is not a good idea. 

If you accidentally switch on the stove, you will damage the air fryer. Also, the heat from the air fryer can damage the stovetop.

What are the best countertop materials for air fryers?

Any rigid, non-porous, and heat-resistant countertop material is perfect for your air fryer. Materials that best fit this description include natural stones like granite and marble and other materials such as concrete or stainless steel.

Final Thoughts

It should now be clear where you can and cannot out your air fryer, so you no longer need to worry about damaging your countertop. That said, the only way to be sure of not damaging your countertop is using heat shields like silicone mats and trivets, and we have some fantastic recommendations for you.

Remember to pick at least one item from our recommendations to ensure you never damage your expensive countertops. 

Also, let me know what you think about using air fryers on kitchen countertops and share any other experiences with this handy kitchen appliance in the comments section below.