Congratulations! You must be the proud owner of a brand new air fryer, or soon to be the proud owner of a brand new air fryer. Everyone is talking about these items, and now you can see for yourself what the big deal is. Most of my relatives and friends ask me the curious questions that everyone wants to know including me. Can I put my air fryer on the countertop? Is it really safe?

In this blog post, I’ll answer that big question myself. In addition, I give you some safety guidelines for you and your air fryers. But before proceeding further, let’s have an overview of air fryers.

Introduction to Air Fryers

The amazing thing about air fryers is that they are full of hot air. They’re essentially small, powerful ovens, because ovens use air as a heat source, whereas deep-frying uses fat as a heat source.

Because air fryers are ovens rather than fryers, the onion rings and calamari rings you make in your air fryer will not be exactly the same as the onion rings or calamari rings you get at your favorite bar and grill.

As a result, air fryers are significantly less dirty and oil-intensive than deep-frying. Even better, these little ovens are capable of a lot more than just making fake fried food. Beautifully browned veggies, crackly-skinned chicken wings, and even light and fluffy pastries are all within grasp with an air fryer.

How do Air Fryers Work?

Your air fryer functions similarly to a convection oven. It’s little but powerful, and it can roast, broil, or bake. However, air fryers cannot be suitable for deep frying.

Do you need a refresher on how to cook with convection? It’s no problem.

Because heat rises, the top rack of a conventional oven is always the hottest, resulting in uneven cooking. (This is also why many cooking recipes instruct you to rotate baking sheets halfway through baking from top to bottom and back to front.)

Can I put my air fryer on the countertop?

The big answer is yes!

The solution is entirely dependent on the sort of countertop you’re working with. You won’t have to worry about it if your kitchen countertop is made of heat-resistant materials. Granite, Aluminum, Copper, Stainless Steel, and Terrazo are all heat-resistant materials. Your air fryer can be kept on the counter. Below are the different types of countertops that you may read for safety guidelines for your air fryers and your home as well.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a heat-resistant and long-lasting countertop material. It can endure temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees. On top of a granite countertop, you can use kitchen appliances such as an air fryer, microwave, instant pot, and slow cooker.

Formica Countertops

These days, Formica countertops are popular because they can resist temperatures of up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for brief periods of time. You must use a heat-proof mat or trivet when using an air fryer on Formica.

Formica, often known as laminated countertops, is susceptible to extreme temperatures. If you leave a hot pan or pot on top of it for an extended amount of time, the Formica surface will be easily damaged.

Stainless Steel Countertop

In restaurant kitchens, stainless steel surfaces are popular because they are heat resistant. Stainless steel is heat resistant and can withstand a lot of damage. Without a heat-resistant trivet, you can use an air fryer, microwave oven, instant pot, or pressure cooker with a pan and pot.

Stainless steel kitchens, on the other hand, demand a lot of upkeep and are only suitable for restaurants. Furthermore, they are more expensive than other types of countertops.

Concrete Countertops

Although concrete worktops are heat resistant, hot pots and pans should not be placed on sealed surfaces since the heat will harm or discolor the sealer. They’re perfect for kitchen equipment that reaches hotter above 400 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re also built to last and are simple to clean and maintain.

Corian Countertops

Corian countertops can withstand temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit without cracking. They can be used in a variety of kitchen equipment, including air fryers, instant pots, and slow cookers.

Although Corian surfaces are superior to laminate, I believe they still lack the endurance and aesthetics of natural stone like quartz. This is one of the main reasons why Corian has a lower resale value than quartz.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops can only endure temperatures of up to 150°F. As a result, they are unable to survive the high temperatures seen in air fryers, microwave ovens, pressure cookers, and hot pans. To preserve your countertop, it is highly advised that you use a heat-resistant cushion.

Quartz countertops cost between $100 and $200 per square foot, including supplies and skilled installation. As a result, it’s best to keep your quartz away from extreme temperatures like 400 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

I’ve previously talked a lot about different countertop materials, so if you’ve just moved into a new house and aren’t sure what your kitchen countertop is made of, don’t worry, we’ll talk about it next.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the area where you will put the air fryer should be flat, with a few inches (more than 5) of clearance for smooth airflow.

If there isn’t enough room for smooth ventilation, it may overheat and become damaged in the long term.

If my countertop is not heat-resistant, how can I protect it?

“What can I put under my air fryer to protect my countertop?” is one of the most asked questions that every new air fryer user has after purchasing an air fryer. Every kitchen’s most expensive and gorgeous feature is the countertop. For ease of usage, simply stack all of your kitchen appliances on top of it.

Granite, marble, wood, or laminate can all be used as kitchen countertops. Damage could be caused by your hot kitchen appliances. The heat from appliances can pose a number of concerns and issues. Why should you take a chance with your kitchen counter?

When it comes to utilizing hot conventional ovens on the countertop in the kitchen. So, how can you keep your countertop safe from the heat generated by these appliances?

Air fryers are traditional, heated appliances. During operation, they can generate a lot of heat. If you use your air fryer without protection on your kitchen countertop, it might create cracks or damage to the surface.

When I first got my air fryer in 2018, I had the same problem. My air fryer was put in the corner of my wooden tabletop with no protection underneath it. I used to run my device for 30 to 45 minutes every day.

However, after a few days, the bottom of the air fryer on my kitchen counter became quite hot. It was really hot when I touched that spot. I was really concerned at the time, so I opted to shield my tabletop and air fryer from the heat.

Then I made a thorough internet search to find out what I could put under my air fryer to protect my tabletop. I discovered several solutions and the best things to put under the air fryer after some investigation and personal experience. I’ve included a detailed description of the solution below.

4 Items You Can Place Under an Air Fryer to Protect Your Countertop

#1. Silicone Countertop Protector Mat

Silicone is excellent heat-resistant countertop material. It can withstand temperatures as high as 450°F and as low as -40°F. As a result, a silicone mat may be used as both a countertop cover and a refrigerator shelf mat.

A Gasare silicone mat is what I’m using. The mat is one of the best silicone counter mats for protecting your countertop when using an air fryer. Because the mat is 25′′ x 17′′ in size, you may use it with any medium or large air fryer or appliance.

The Wellhouse Extra Big silicone mat (23.6 x 15.7 inches) can easily accommodate a large air fryer. Smithcraft Silicone Pot Mats (7.57.5) are the ideal silicone mat for 2-3 quart small air fryers.

These silicone mats are composed of high-quality silicone that has been authorized by the FDA. They can also be used as a baking/pastry mat or for other food preparation tasks such as vegetable cutting, potholders, pizza mats, and so on.

The silicone mat is extremely flexible and rollable. The mat can be kept in any location. If oil or food debris stains your mat while cooking, it’s time to replace it. You can easily clean them with soap and warm water.

Silicone mats are simple to clean. Simply wash it, dry it, and begin working on it again. These mats provide a sanitary atmosphere for cooking and food preparation. These eco-friendly mats are also reusable and recyclable for up to a year, and so on.

Another significant benefit of using silicone heat-resistant mats is that they are easy to clean. They protect your appliances and hot dishes from sliding about by providing an anti-skid surface. When your kitchen countertop is constructed of laminate and wood, silicone mats are the most effective.

#2. Insulated Non-Skid Granite Mat

The Steel silvery design on this non-skid insulator mat is one of my favorites. This mat may be cleaned without being washed. Simply wipe the mat’s upper layer with a damp towel.

This mat is composed of high-quality silicone and can withstand temperatures of up to 450°F. All of the heat produced by your air fryer is absorbed. The dimensions (20′′ x 17′′) are suitable for all medium-sized air fryers.

The distinctive pattern design grabs your countertop and gives your air fryer a non-skid solid surface. It can also be used to protect your coffee maker and toaster oven. You can use one mat for your air fryer and the other to keep hot dishes warm if you have two mats.

#3.Wooden Cutting Board

A hardwood cutting board can also be used as a heat-resistant surface. If you happen to have a spare cutting board in the kitchen. It can be placed beneath your air fryer. These wooden cutting boards come in a variety of sizes and forms, including rectangular and large. These wooden cutting boards can readily accommodate almost all models of air fryers and ovens.

They can withstand heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and protect your tabletop from thermal shock. The hardwood cutting boards are slightly heavier than the plastic cutting boards, so they don’t slide about as easily and provide a sturdy cooking surface for your oven gadgets. These, too, are waterproof and may be washed after each usage.

#4. Plain Ceramic Tile

If you’re looking for a low-cost strategy to shield your countertop from high heat, old plain ceramic tiles can suffice. You can also use ceramic tiles that you have leftover from your home renovations.

These ceramic tiles are heat resistant and simple to maintain. Ceramic tiles, on the other hand, have some drawbacks. These tiles are heavy, and the edge region has a tiny elevation where dust is always left behind after washing.

The bottom line

The placement safety of your air fryers lies in your good assessment of your countertops.

The safety guidelines that I have discussed in my blog are very important for you to be aware of so as to prevent damage to your air fryers and countertops. Therefore, this big question, can I put my air fryer on the countertop? is easy peasy for you to answer now because you have all the safety guidelines you need.

If you found this information very useful, please share your own experience in the comment section below!