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Glass vs. Ceramic vs. Stainless Steel Air Fryers: The Safest Choice for 2025

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So, you’ve decided to ditch non-stick coatings and invest in a non-toxic air fryer. That’s a great first step. But now you’re facing a new dilemma: should you choose glass, ceramic, or stainless steel? As our expert testing team has discovered over the last year, the material you choose has a huge impact on everything from cooking performance to cleanup.

 

I’ve personally spent over 100 hours testing air fryers of all types, and I can tell you that there’s no single “best” material for everyone. It all depends on your priorities: Are you looking for the purest, most non-reactive surface? The best heat retention? Or the most durable, professional-grade option?

This guide will break down the pros and cons of each material, backed by our hands-on testing and insights from material science experts, to help you make the right choice for your kitchen.

The Quick Comparison: Glass vs. Ceramic vs. Stainless Steel

To safely use glass bakeware in an air fryer, it's essential to check the maximum temperature recommendation. Oven-safe glass indicates it can tolerate the high temperatures generated within an air fryer without risking damage to the dish or the appliance.

Feature

Glass    

Ceramic-Coated    

Stainless Steel

Health & Safety

🏆 Excellent (Inert, 100% non-toxic)

Good (PFAS-free, but coating can chip)

Very Good (Stable, but can leach nickel)

Cooking Performance

Very Good (Excellent heat retention)

Good (Heats quickly, can be uneven)

Excellent (Fast, even heating)

Ease of Cleaning

Excellent (Dishwasher safe, non-porous)

Good (Easy when new, can degrade)

Fair (Requires scrubbing, can discolor)

Durability

Fair (Can break if dropped)

Fair (Coating can scratch or chip)

🏆 Excellent (Nearly indestructible)

Price

$$ (Mid-range)

$ (Budget-friendly)

$$$ (Premium)

Best For

Health purists, visual cookers

Budget-conscious buyers, ease of use

Durability, professional performance

In-Depth Analysis: Which Material is Right for You?

1. Glass Air Fryers

The Verdict: The safest and most non-reactive option, perfect for those who want zero risk of chemical leaching and love to watch their food cook.

 

Glass is the gold standard for a truly non-toxic cooking experience. Made from borosilicate glass, these bowls are completely inert, meaning they won’t release any substances into your food, period. This is the same type of glass used in laboratory equipment for its purity and stability.

"From a toxicological standpoint, glass is one of the most inert materials available. It provides a stable, non-reactive surface that won’t interact with food, even at high temperatures." — Dr. Diane Edwards, PhD, Material Science

Pros: - 100% Non-Toxic: Absolutely no risk of PFAS, PFOA, lead, or cadmium. - See-Through Cooking: You can monitor your food without opening the basket, which keeps the temperature stable and leads to better results. - Superior Heat Retention: Glass holds heat incredibly well, leading to very even and efficient cooking. - Easy to Clean: The non-porous surface is naturally non-stick and dishwasher safe.

 

Cons: - Breakable: It’s glass, so it can shatter if you drop it. - Heavier: Glass bowls are noticeably heavier than metal or ceramic-coated baskets.

 

Our Top Pick: Terra Wellness Glass Air Fryer

2. Ceramic-Coated Air Fryers

The Verdict: A great budget-friendly, non-stick alternative, but be mindful of the coating’s durability.

Ceramic coating is essentially a layer of silica-based gel applied to a metal (usually aluminum) basket. It’s a popular choice because it provides a non-stick surface without using PFAS chemicals. When new, it’s incredibly easy to clean.

 

However, the key word is coating. Over time, it can scratch, chip, or degrade, especially if you use metal utensils or abrasive sponges. Once the coating is compromised, the food can come into contact with the aluminum underneath.

 

Pros: - PFAS-Free Non-Stick: Enjoy the convenience of non-stick without the main chemical concerns. - Lightweight: Easy to handle and shake during cooking. - Affordable: Often the most budget-friendly non-toxic option.

 

Cons: - Coating Lacks Durability: Prone to scratching and chipping over time. - Potential for Aluminum Exposure: If the coating is damaged, the underlying metal can be exposed. - Can Lose Non-Stick Properties: The surface can become less effective with age and use.

 

Our Top Pick: Ninja Air Fryer Pro (Ceramic Coated)

3. Stainless Steel Air Fryers

The Verdict: The workhorse option. Incredibly durable and excellent for high-heat cooking, but requires more effort to clean.

 

Stainless steel is the choice of professional kitchens for a reason: it’s virtually indestructible and offers excellent cooking performance. It heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly. Most stainless steel air fryers come in a toaster-oven style with racks instead of a basket, which is great for cooking in multiple layers.

 

The main downside is cleaning. Food can and will stick to stainless steel, so it often requires a good soak and some elbow grease. While generally safe, it can leach trace amounts of nickel and chromium, which could be a concern for individuals with severe sensitivities [3].

 

Pros: - Extremely Durable: Resistant to scratches, rust, and high heat. It will last for years. - Excellent Cooking Performance: Heats quickly and evenly. - No Coatings to Chip: The entire cooking surface is solid metal.

 

Cons: - Not Non-Stick: Cleaning requires more effort. - Potential for Metal Leaching: Can release trace amounts of nickel/chromium. - Often More Expensive: High-quality stainless steel models come at a premium.

 

Our Top Pick: Instant Vortex Plus with ClearCook

🔴 Warning: Limited Stock & Exclusive Offer for Readers

This article has been shared thousands of times, and demand for the Glass Air Fryer has surged.

 

Since Terra Wellness is a small Australian brand producing in limited batches, stock often sells out faster than expected.

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When choosing between glass, ceramic, and stainless steel air fryers, understanding how each material handles heat and safety is key. Glass is naturally non-toxic and lets you monitor food easily, but it must be high-quality and heat-resistant. Ceramic offers a smooth, non-reactive surface, while stainless steel is durable and highly heat-safe, though less visible. No matter the material, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, choose dishwasher-safe parts, and ensure components are rated for high temperatures. This helps you cook confidently and safely in 2025.

 

Use code BLOG20 for 20% OFF now.

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For further reading please refer to: 
Glass Air Fryer vs Traditional Air Fryer: What’s Best for Your Health & Kitchen?

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Transform Your Shower with the Glass Air Fryer

  • Crispy Results, Less Oil: Enjoy perfectly golden meals with up to 90% less fat — the healthier way to fry, bake, and roast.

  •

    Clear View Cooking: Transparent glass design lets you watch every crisp and sizzle, ensuring precision without ever opening the lid.

  •

    Smart, Efficient Heating: Advanced convection technology circulates air evenly for faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient cooking.

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Final Recommendation: Which Should You Buy?

After extensive testing, our recommendation is clear:

  • For the Health Purist: Go with Glass. It offers the ultimate peace of mind with zero compromises on safety.
  • For the Everyday User on a Budget: Ceramic-Coated is a great starting point, as long as you are careful with the coating.
  • For the Power User: Stainless Steel is the best choice for durability and high-performance cooking, if you don’t mind the extra cleanup.

For our team, the combination of safety, performance, and ease of cleaning makes glass the overall winner for most Australian homes in 2025.

References

[1] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "PFAS Explained." https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained

[2] Healthline. "Are Nonstick Coatings Like Teflon Safe?" https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nonstick-cookware-safety

[3] Journal of Food Science. "Release of Nickel and Chromium from Stainless Steel Cookware." https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1992.tb08032.x
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