For people like me who do not have the luxury of time and effort to cook at home, air fryers are lifesavers! Despite the numerous benefits, however, a lot of misconceptions abound. As such, many have questions, including do air fryers use radiation.
I remember seeing a social media clip that once went viral. It started with the text “So you like using air fryers, so did I.” Then the man talked about magnetic fields and even used a meter. When the air fryer was turned on, the numbers spiked and it turned red. The man had one conclusion – that the air fryer emits radiation and it’s dangerous. However, such is far from the truth.
Read on as we talk about air fryers and radiation in this short guide. Be armed with the right knowledge and use air fryers safely.
What’s the Fuss with Radiation?
Before I answer the question, let’s have a quick primer about radiation. The discussion below will give you an understanding of why radiation is a big deal to many people.
When it comes to radiation, one appliance is on top of mind – a microwave. Since 1971, the Food and Drug Administration has been regulating its production, making sure it adheres to strict standards.
The microwave, a kitchen appliance, generates electromagnetic waves, which are called microwaves. They stimulate molecules and transform energy into heat.
Let me get one thing straight, though. The radiation in the microwave is not the same as the radiation you’ll find in atomic bombs.
One of the most common misconceptions about microwave radiation is that it causes cancer. Nonetheless, experts agree that such radiation emissions are not health hazards. Meanwhile, relevant authorities released guidelines to make sure that microwave products adhere to strict standards to ensure safety.
Speaking of radiation, it’s also important to differentiate between the two types. The first is an ionizing radiation. Examples include gamma rays, which can be harmful to human health. Meanwhile, the microwave is an example of non-ionizing radiation. It does not have sufficient energy to pose a health threat.
Understanding Cooking Technologies
It’s important to understand the general principles behind heat transfer in cooking: conduction, convection, and radiation.
Conduction is the process by which heat is transferred through direct contact. When you boil eggs, for instance, the heat from the pot is transferred to the water, which in turn heats the eggs. This is conduction in action.
Convection involves the transfer of heat through a fluid medium, such as air or liquid, with the fluid moving in a way that displaces the hot portion, replacing it with a cooler portion. This movement results in a continuous circulation pattern that uniformly heats or cools a substance. When you’re roasting a chicken in your oven, the hot air that circulates around the oven is an example of convection.
Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. There’s no need for any physical medium (like air, water, or metal) to conduct the heat. An everyday example of radiation is the warmth you feel from the sun on your skin.
Do Air Fryers Use Radiation?
Now, let’s answer the main question.
No, an air fryer does not use radiation.
To better understand such, you’ll need to understand how an air fryer works. This way, you can differentiate such from the use of electromagnetic radiation in a microwave. It works through a process that is known as convection cooking. Hence, it’s similar to a convection oven. The main difference, however, is that an air fryer cooks quicker than a convection oven. It will circulate hot air around the food, and that is how it will cook.
One thing that contributed to the confusion among many people is the fact that an air fryer produces radiated heat. But you should know that it isn’t a type of electromagnetic radiation. Instead, this is what causes the food to dry out quickly on its exterior. It’s a form of heat transfer. As the name implies, heat moves from one source to another without a visible medium.
Conclusion
In this post, we answered this question – do air fryers use radiation? And in case you need to be reminded, no, it does not emit radiation. It works through convection heating, which is when heat circulates around to cook food. This is in contrast to the electromagnetic radiation that a microwave uses.
