Do Air Fryers Damage Countertops? (All You Need to Know)

Air fryers seem to be a staple in every kitchen these days and rightfully so. But before getting them, it’s best to research things regarding where it is safe to situate them in the kitchen.

Do air fryers damage countertops?

Air fryers cook food without the help of oil. This requires a great deal of heat. And since air fryers are usually used in the kitchen, they tend to be placed on countertops. And if the countertops are not heat-resistant, the heat from the air fryer will damage or in some crucial cases can crack it.

Since the main mechanism behind air frying hinges on the replacement of oil with heat, we can imagine a great deal of it is required. This ensures the food is properly fried and not under-cooked.

But when the heat is left on high for longer periods of time, the chances of your countertops heating up and becoming damaged are far more.

This is most common in air fryers that have vents at the bottom of the machine as the heat gets directly released on the countertops through that. Therefore, it is best to avoid these models of air fryers if the countertop isn’t heat-resistant.

And also air fryers with good insulation can prevent the heat from transferring to the surrounding.

Can I put my air fryer on the countertop?

You can put your air fryer on the countertops as long as it is heat-resistant or else the heat will cause considerable damage to it. There are many countertops that can easily withstand the heat that gets emitted from the air fryer.

quartz countertop:

Quartz is heatproof and it would not get affected by the heat of your air fryer. But here is the thing, quartz countertops are not fully made of quartz; materials like resins and polymer are added with it to make countertops.

This makes it damageable as these stones are not heatproof. It is best to check with the manufacturer to see how much heat your quartz countertop can tolerate without being harmed.

Laminate Countertop:

Laminate countertops have quite a high tolerance to heat. Even though they are not completely safe from the heat of the air fryer, it is very unlikely that they would crack from it.

But you might begin to notice burn marks left behind on your laminate countertops from the heat of the air fryer and also it might begin to melt the surface of the countertops.

Marble Countertop:

Marble is one of those stones with higher tolerance to heat and doesn’t get affected by it too severely. It is very rare for the marble to get damaged or cracked from the heat. 

That makes it relatively safe for the air fryer to be used on top of it.

Wood Countertop:

Countertops built using wood are usually treated wood. This gives them a layer of protection against heat. But it is still smart to protect it against the heat of the air fryer.

Because, even if it won’t crack it, the heat can warp or burn the surface of the wooden countertops.

Formica Countertops:

Formica countertops have the ability to withstand moderately high temperatures. But if the air fryer is left on for hours on top of the Formica countertops, it can easily get damaged.

It is ill-advised to use an air fryer on top of it without any layer of protection separating them.

Corian Countertops:

Corian countertops can withstand the heat emitted from air fryers. And don’t usually get damaged from it.

This makes it a great choice to use in combination with your air fryer even though it isn’t as sturdy or aesthetically pleasing as quartz countertops.

Stainless Steel Countertops:

Stainless steel countertops are a perfect choice if you want to use air fryers on them. Their heat resistance prevents them from getting damaged. This is why they are traditionally used in restaurant kitchens.

But something to keep in mind is, stainless steel countertops need more maintenance and are costlier than over available options.

Concrete Countertops:

Concrete countertops can withstand the highest level of heat compared to the other stones. This ensures that they are not damaged by the heat of an air fryer. But the sealant can get damaged and start to show heat marks.

This makes it essential to use a heat-proof sealant while getting your concrete countertops installed.

4 ways how do air fryers damage countertops:

If you use an air fryer on top of unprotected countertops, a few things that will likely happen –

Heat up:

Initially, you will notice that your countertop will heat up every time the air fryer is being used due to the hot air being released through the vent. This is mainly common with air fryers that have hot air vents at the bottom of them.

Dark brown marks:

The heat will then begin to leave dark brown marks where the air fryer was placed on the countertops which are burn marks. These stay for a long time and don’t come off easily.

Begin to melt:

Some countertops can even begin to melt because of the high heat. The surfaces will slowly begin to melt as the heat gets emitted. This is common when it comes to laminate or plastic countertops.

Crack:

As the air fryer is put on top of countertops and used for long periods of time, they ultimately crack as they are unable to bear the heat.

What to put under the air fryer to protect the countertop?

If you bought an air fryer or are thinking of getting one but your countertop isn’t heatproof, there are a few things that can help protect it. They will work as a barrier between the air fryer and countertop, essentially protecting both.

Silicone heat pads:

They are manufactured using food-grade silicone material with a thickness of 1.4mm to prevent the heat from reaching the countertops.

Countertop heat protector mat:

They are very similar to the silicone heat pad but are slightly thicker than them, completely stopping the heat from damaging the countertops. They grip the countertop snuggly and don’t slide around.

Heat resistant sealant:

Countertops are sometimes coated with a layer of heat resistant sealant. This helps protect them from heat from the air fryer.

Ceramic tile:

Heat-resistant ceramic tiles are widely available and also cheap. This can be used to keep your countertops from damage.

Wood or glass cutting board:

They can withstand very high levels of heat. So, placing them underneath the air fryer will stop them from damaging the countertops.

Why would an air fryer crack a countertop?

An air fryer cracking a countertop may seem too much and something marketers say to sell their heat-resistant mats, but unfortunately, this occurs a lot more than you may think. A few things can cause this.

Don’t come with decent insulation:

Some air fryers, especially cheap, bad-quality ones, don’t come with decent insulation. This causes all the heat to be released onto the surrounding area.

Air vents at the bottom:

A few air fryer models are designed with air vents at the bottom. This vents the hot air out through the bottom and causes the countertop to heat up and crack.

Countertop materials:

If the air fryer is situated and used on top of countertops made of stone with low durability and heat resistance. Then, the countertops can get easily cracked due to the high heat.

No protection:

If there is no protection between the air fryer and countertop, such as a heat-resistant mat or a wooden board. This makes it easier for the heat to transfer to the countertop and heat it.

Do air fryers crack granite?

Air fryers can crack granite. And since granite countertops are very popular, this happens very often. This is the reason why it is so unsafe to use an air fryer on top of a granite countertop without anything between them.

There are a variety of heat-resistant mats and boards that are available which helps to prevent the countertop from overheating and cracking.

Besides, once the granite countertop is cracked, there is no way to salvage it. It needs to be replaced fully which can be a costly ordeal.

Is it safe to use an air fryer on a granite countertop?

An air fryer can be safely used on top of a granite countertop. You should place a heat-resistant mat of your choice on the granite top and then put the air fryer on it. This will ensure the heat doesn’t get transferred to the granite countertops as overheating can damage and crack them.

Where should I place my air fryer?

The ideal place to put and use your air fryer in would be somewhere with a flat surface, also make sure it is heat resistant, or use a heat resistant sheet to put the air fryer on top of it.

It is important that there is a minimum of five inches of open space on all sides of the air fryer, especially where the hot air vent is located. This will prevent the air fryer from overheating and getting damaged or damaging other appliances near it.

Can you put an air fryer on a stovetop?

It is highly discouraged to put an air fryer on top of a stove. Even if you don’t plug the air fryer, do not place it on the stovetop. A heated stove can do considerable damage to it such as melting it or even setting it on fire.

Final Thoughts:

Air fryers are a great addition to the kitchen but caution must be maintained at all times to protect it and also the countertops. You can ensure both their safety by checking if the countertops are heat resistant or add a heat resistant barrier like a mat or board between them.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do Air Fryers Heat Up the Kitchen?

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Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave?

Are Air Fryers Allowed in Dorms?

Do Air Fryer Liners Work?

Why Does My Air Fryer Burn Food?