“Can you put wood in an air fryer?” is a common question that may arise for those who own an air fryer and are curious about its capabilities.
For context, wood in the case of the question earlier mentioned can refer to many things. For instance, it can be wood skewers. At the same time, it can also be a toothpick, which is made of wood. Meanwhile, it can also refer to wood chips. Whatever it is, read on and I’ll try to answer your question as thoroughly as possible.
Can You Put Wooden Skewers in an Air Fryer?
You might be thinking of cooking air-fried chicken kebabs. Doing so requires carefully arranging the ingredients in a skewer, including meat, pepper, zucchini, and onion, among others. And in this case, you’re probably thinking of using a wooden stick or skewer.
The good news is that yes, you can put wooden skewers in an air fryer. Some people might be concerned that the sticks will end up getting burnt. Yes, such can happen, and it can be a potential fire hazard.
The best way to prevent the wooden skewers from burning is to soak them in water for a few seconds. Soak them for a maximum of 30 minutes, Soaking the wooden sticks longer will make the structure weaker, which can cause them to break.
In addition, you should also consider shortening the length of the wooden skewer. This is especially the case if you’re using a small air fryer.
Can You Put Wooden Toothpicks in an Air Fryer?
Like wooden skewers, you can also put wooden toothpicks in an air fryer. This can be handy when you need something to keep the ingredients together as they are cooked, so they won’t disintegrate.
One of the most important safety measures is to not put too many toothpicks. Otherwise, there’s a high chance that they might ignite, which can start a fire.
Another important thing to do is to keep the toothpicks as far as possible from the heating element. This is especially the case if you position them upward. This way, you can minimize the chances that it will be a fire hazard.
Can You Put Wood Chips in an Air Fryer?
If you want to cook smoked recipes in an air fryer, you might be thinking of using wood chips. These are small pieces or shreds of wood.
Like anything else made of wood, the risk of fire is perhaps the biggest concern when it comes to using wood chips. It will add a hint of smoke and spice to your food. Depending on the specific type of wood chips, it can incorporate delicious flavor and aroma.
Luckily, you can put wood chips in an air fryer. Choose one with the highest quality and the flavor that suits whatever dish will be in the air fryer.
For the best outcomes, there are some things to keep in mind. For instance, you should work at a low temperature, which also means that you’ll be cooking slowly. Making the temperature too high can ignite a fire. Not to mention, it may hurt the smokey flavor you’re going for.
Make sure as well to position the wood chips properly. For instance, if you have a Ninja air fryer with a lower basket, you can put the chips under the basket and cook food above it on the cooking surface. Avoid mixing the wood and the chips directly.
Can You Put a Wooden Tray in an Air Fryer?
This is a different story compared to those mentioned above. A wooden tray should not go in an air fryer. Some people might consider using it as a tray where they will put food when air frying, but such is unnecessary.
Air fryers have racks or cooking baskets. Their purpose is to hold food when cooking. So, you don’t need a wooden tray for such. If you’re worried that there will be a mess, it’s best to use parchment paper as a lining instead of putting a wooden tray in the air fryer.
One reason why a wooden tray should not get in an air fryer is that it could end up being damaged. Wood is treated and stained to give it a good look and make it more durable. The heat from the air fryer can be damaging to its aesthetics.
Conclusion
So, can you put wood in an air fryer? As mentioned above, the answer is YES, but it depends! From toothpicks to wooden skewers, you can do so safely. If it’s a wooden tray, then that’s one thing that should not be in an air fryer.
Nonetheless, pay attention to some things, such as keeping the temperature low and watching over what your cooking. The most common problem is the fire potential, so that’s what you should be cautious with.
