You finally did it. You bought an air fryer. Now you can make delicious crispy treats with a fraction of the oil. You can’t wait to start whipping up crispy fries, chicken wings, and more. But as you’re unpacking your shiny new appliance, you start to wonder “What to put under air fryer to protect counter?” It’s a valid concern; after all, you wouldn’t want your countertop to suffer from air fryer damage.
Many air fryers pack a powerful heating element that gets seriously hot. This means you need to think about what you put under an air fryer. But don’t fret. I’ll cover everything you need to know about using air fryers and how to keep your precious countertops looking brand new.
Jump to:
- Why Should I Use Countertop Protection for My Air Fryer?
- Factors To Consider When Choosing What to Put Under Your Air Fryer
- What are Some Things I can Use to Protect My Counter From Air Fryer Heat?
- Are Some Countertops Safer Than Others When Using an Air Fryer?
- Best Materials for Countertop Protection: Comparison
- Things to Remember for Kitchen Safety with an Air Fryer
- FAQ's
- Conclusion
Why Should I Use Countertop Protection for My Air Fryer?
You might think an air fryer is no different than a coffee pot. Perhaps you don’t give a second thought to where your coffee pot sits. I’ll admit, I didn’t used to worry about it. But then, one morning, I went to move my coffee maker and found a faded ring on the countertop below.
For an air fryer user, protecting the countertop from the heat generated and hot air technology during operation is crucial to prevent potential damage.
Turns out, consistent heat from certain appliances can affect even surfaces that are considered “heat resistant”. Since then, I always use protection, no matter what. I consider it cheap insurance. Even seemingly small amounts of heat, especially over time, can lead to issues like:
- Discoloration: The heat can gradually fade or discolor the countertop material, leaving an unsightly mark.
- Warping: While rare, in severe cases, prolonged exposure to high heat might cause slight warping of certain countertop materials like laminate.
- Melting: For laminate countertops (including Formica), the extreme heat from an air fryer can actually melt the surface, so extra protection is critical.
- Damage to Sealant: Countertops such as quartz, granite, and marble have sealants applied. The hot air from the air fryer vent can potentially affect these sealants, over time making them less effective. A granite countertop, for instance, might be less resistant to stains as a result.
The severity of the damage depends on several things - how often you use your air fryer, the countertop material itself, the quality of sealant (if applicable), the air fryer’s wattage, and maximum temperature.
It’s always a safe bet to place something under your air fryer, just as an added layer of protection. Plus, I like having that added peace of mind, you know?
Check this out: Is Air Fryer Healthier than Oven?
Factors To Consider When Choosing What to Put Under Your Air Fryer
When considering the right heat shield for your kitchen counter, using a heat-resistant material is crucial. Several factors should be on your radar, including:
Heat Resistance
Consider how hot your air fryer gets and find heat-resistant materials with a higher heat resistance. For many models, this temperature is 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but some air fryers exceed 500. Silicone mats tend to have a lower heat tolerance (450 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to a material like felt.
Size of the Air Fryer and Counter Space
If you’re crunched for counter space, you’ll need to be a bit more selective with your options. However, with ample space, you could select a large heat mat that can withstand high heat. Consider one that measures 47 by 24 inches like the AECHY Silicone Mat.
The Gasare Heat-Resistant Mats measure 25 x 17 inches which fits most standard Air Fryers comfortably. Many smaller silicone mats, trivets, and boards can even be used with other heat-producing appliances you might have, such as your coffee machine or Instant Pot pot.
Ease of Cleaning and Storage
Silicone mats and trivets are generally waterproof, so they're easy to wipe clean and can even be tossed in the dishwasher. Metal options with a heat-resistant rubber backing, on the other hand, cannot be submerged in water and might take a little extra TLC to clean.
Many mats on the market can conveniently be folded or rolled up for compact storage when not in use.
What are Some Things I can Use to Protect My Counter From Air Fryer Heat?
Now for the real reason you clicked on this post. Here is what I have found to be the best items you can use under most air fryers to protect the counter. This will prevent damage caused by consistent heat:
Glass Cutting Board
A glass cutting board is an excellent protective mat to place under your air fryer. Not only does it add a decorative appeal to your kitchen, but it also withstands heat to a certain extent. Additionally, glass cutting boards are easy to wash and effective in removing oil and food stains, making them a practical choice for maintaining a clean countertop.
Silicone Baking Mat
Silicone heat resistant mats, as you might guess, are made from heat-resistant silicone. These can withstand high temperatures. These come in a wide array of shapes and sizes to best suit your countertop needs and the size of the air fryer. A silicone mat is generally nonslip so your appliance will stay put when you’re using it.
These tend to be thin and flexible. This makes them ideal for convenient storage. Some silicone mats even measure just a millimeter in thickness, making them almost imperceptible.
Trivets
A trivet is specifically designed for the purpose of protecting your counters from hot cookware, and it also makes a great base for your air fryer. Silicone trivets tend to have grooved or raised patterns to provide more air circulation for cooling.
Cutting Board
This is something that you likely already have in your kitchen. This practical choice can do double duty; using a wooden cutting board when prepping food for your air fryer and then using it as a protective mat.
Wooden cutting boards can withstand high temperatures, protect your countertops from thermal shock, and provide a stable cooking surface. You can use any type of cutting board, including bamboo and a glass cutting board.
Heat Resistant Mat
A Heat-resistant mat or heat insulator mat often has a felt or rubber backing with a top made of silicone or metal. Metal and rubber picks offer a bit more durability than silicone mats and trivets alone. This makes them a good option if your air fryer puts out extreme high heat. However, keep in mind the metal top may become hot while in use, and these mats typically cannot be cut to size.
Ceramic Tiles
Maybe you have some old ceramic tiles left over from a renovation? Or perhaps you have some simple ones from a home improvement store tucked away. I discovered that people have found a plain ceramic tile to be effective, but they need to be the type without any textured finishes or glaze on them. Textured or glossy tiles could melt under high temperatures.
Just like the silicone mats, ceramic tiles can be easily wiped down when necessary. If using a porous tile, such as one made from terra-cotta, I suggest using some mineral oil on it to prevent stains.
Are Some Countertops Safer Than Others When Using an Air Fryer?
This is a super common question. Not all kitchen countertop materials are equal in their resistance to heat. If your counter is 100% heatproof you don’t need anything under it. The fact is, that’s not true for many of the more common kitchen surfaces.
Quartz Countertops
Made of 90% quartz with 10% pigments and resin, this choice is a beautiful option for many homes because of its variety and modern design options. Quartz countertops are strong, scratch-resistant, and can resist a fair amount of heat.
For a new air fryer user, it's important to know that quartz countertops need protection from the heat generated by air fryers to avoid damage.
However, the resin has a much lower tolerance for heat compared to pure quartz. To prevent any issues with fading or cracking over time, it’s always a good practice to use protection like a silicone mat, trivet, or cutting board underneath your air fryer.
Granite Countertops
A more classic choice than quartz, granite is a naturally durable material known to withstand higher temperatures. Granite can withstand temperatures of up to 1200°F. In most cases, granite tops are fine to use with an air fryer without any additional protection.
If you're someone who air fries nearly every day (no judgment as I am one of them), wooden cutting boards or heat-resistant mat under your air fryer to protect your kitchen countertop can provide added assurance.
Marble Countertops
Marble countertops have a beautiful and luxurious aesthetic, but because they are somewhat porous and require sealants they need protection. Just like with granite, it's unlikely that the heat from your air fryer would cause any damage.
It’s more likely the seal would suffer damage from repeated exposure to heat, so using a heat-resistant counter protector is the way to go.
Stainless Steel Countertops
A stylish and super durable choice, stainless steel countertops are popular in commercial kitchens but also make a handsome and long-lasting option for modern home designs. They offer excellent resistance to high heat, so if this is the surface you have, you likely do not need any protection.
Concrete Countertops
Concrete countertops are amazing. I mean really. This modern design trend offers style, individuality, and unbelievable strength. These heat-resistant materials stand up well to extreme heat but, just as with other surfaces mentioned, are also sealed.
If you have this trendy counter, consider using protection for your air fryer.
Laminate Countertops (Formica)
Known for their wide range of patterns, budget-friendly cost, and easy cleaning, this option is often selected for family-friendly kitchens and apartments. Although extremely common in residential applications, they are not a heatproof material, making them vulnerable to damage.
These counters need protection. Excessive or consistent exposure to high heat can cause cracking, burn marks, or even melting of the laminate material.
Wood Countertops
These give your kitchen an elegant look but using a mat is a good idea. While durable, wood countertops are vulnerable to heat damage; leaving hot appliances or cookware on the surface can cause warping, discoloration, or burn marks over time.
Best Materials for Countertop Protection: Comparison
To recap, here is a more straightforward breakdown comparing some of the different choices and materials when deciding what to put under an air fryer to protect the counter:
| Material: | Heat Resistance: | Ease of Cleaning: | Storage: |
|---|
| Silicone Baking Mat | Good, up to about 450°F | Excellent (dishwasher safe) | Easy to roll/fold for compact storage |
| Silicone Trivet | Good, up to about 450°F | Excellent (dishwasher safe) | Easy to stack or store in a drawer |
| Cutting Board (Wood/Bamboo) | Good for occasional heat exposure. Not ideal for prolonged exposure | Good (wipe down, no submersion) | Easy to store upright or in drawer |
| Metal & Rubber Heat Resistant Mat | Excellent, many options over 500°F | Good (wipe clean, no submersion) | Can be a bit bulkier to store |
| Ceramic Tile | Excellent (avoid textured or glazed finishes) | Excellent (easy wipe down) | Easy to stack or store in drawer |
Things to Remember for Kitchen Safety with an Air Fryer
If your cabinets have paint, do you think about where the air fryer vent is blowing? This was a new concept for me. As a home cook, I don't consider these things. I know I'm not the only one either.
In a discussion forum on Best Buy’s website, I saw some reviewers cautioning against this and discovered that you shouldn’t use an air fryer under cabinets. One reviewer said: "It burned my backsplash wall tiles after a few weeks of use”.
They warned that 5 inches all around the unit was needed to allow it to vent properly. If not, the vent’s hot steam can damage painted cabinets and even some wall tiles, so be mindful of that.
Another user said they had placed their air fryer next to the stove and then, when using the air fryer they would use the vent over the stove. Others recommended keeping it away from kitchen appliances while it's cooking, too.
While some models have a “cool-touch surface”, many do not. Air fryers can get extremely hot, even on the outside surfaces. Be extra careful when moving it.
First time using an air fryer? Check this out: How To Use Air Fryer Oven
FAQ's
To prevent thermal shock, ensure the surface under your air fryer is a good heat resistor, such as a heat-resistant silicone mat or a ceramic tile. Avoid sudden temperature changes and use warm water for cleaning to maintain the material's integrity.
Yes, an extra bamboo chopping board can serve as a reliable heat protector. Bamboo is known for its natural heat resistance and durability, making it a practical choice for shielding your countertop from the heat generated by hot appliances like air fryers.
Yes, a non-skid insulator mat made from heat-resistant materials can effectively protect your countertop from hot appliances like air fryers. Ensure the mat is designed to withstand high temperatures and provides a stable base to prevent slipping.
To maintain the integrity of the surface under your air fryer, use warm water and mild detergent for cleaning. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals, as they can cause damage over time to heat-resistant materials like silicone mats or ceramic tiles.
Conclusion
Choosing what to put under an air fryer to protect the counter can be tricky with so many choices on the market. Don't sweat it, I've been there.
In most cases, simple silicone mats, heat-resistant mats, cutting boards, and even trivets will provide ample protection. Just think about the heat output of your particular model and the material your countertop is made of.
Using protection under your air fryer is a wise idea for all of us. It prevents long-term damage. Happy Air frying!
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