Can you use air fryer under cabinets

Where you feel your air fryer fits in your kitchen space, is where you should position your air fryer for the foreseeable future, with a few conditions to abide by.

Air fryers usually sit under a wall cabinet in our kitchens, of which manufacturer's have designed air fryers to be positioned under any wall-mounted cabinet. You must allow for 5-6 inches between air fryer and cabinets, with preferably a none-food cabinet sitting above, for a matter of food safety.

I'm lucky, it just happens that my air fryer is currently sitting in the corner of the counter, underneath a kitchen cupboard that has been unoccupied for years.

Sure, there's a few bits and pieces in the cupboard but nothing that important, and hadn't opened the cupboard in a long time.

If this was a cupboard I would be using, then I would ensure it isn't a space used to store common food items like condiments; as heat and steam doesn't mix well with food items that must be stored in a cool, dry place.

I would suggest you change the food cupboard for a none-food storage space, of which the air fryer can find a home under.

Prioritise plenty of space between air fryer and the underside of your cabinet to avoid little issues surrounding condensation, of which 5 inches should be enough. I would aim for a distance between 5-6 inches on top and all sides of the air fryer.

And that ladies and gentlemen, is why you must never store and operate an air fryer in an enclosed space, like inside a kitchen cupboard. Steam needs to evaporate in the open, which will penetrate the electrical appliance, which could lead to fire.

When sitting your air fryer on top of a mat which is used to protect your counter, remember this can raise the air fryer up to an inch, thus bringing the air fryer closing to the underside of your cabinet positioned above.

Air fryers likely to sit under cabinet

Under the kitchen cabinet is where most air fryer users will position their kitchen appliances, and thus applies to air fryers which will safely operate under kitchen cabinets providing you allow for distance between air fryer and underside of cabinet.

Currently I have my XL size Cosori air fryer sitting in the corner of my countertop, where its sits directly under the cabinet above.

In fact, there is no where else I can position my air fryer that isn't located under a cabinet, and so that is where it goes whether I like it not.

Manufacturer's have provided NO GENUINE REASON to not locate your air fryer under regular kitchen cabinets. Yet, locating an air fryer under cabinets must continue to follow the rule of allowing for a minimum of 5 inches, between air fryer and cabinet.

Bear in mind, steam emitting out of the rear of the air fryer while cooking can damage - in terms of staining or blistering wood - so its important to allow for plenty of ventilation.

Preferable under None-Food cabinet

Where I always position my air fryers - three air fryers in 6 years now - I have no choice but to place it under my kitchen cabinet, which is conveniently never used.

More importantly, this isn't a food storage cabinet commonly used to store food items like condiments: including seasoning, spices, and coffee. Which means there's no risk of heat and steam emitting out of the air fryer, which can potentially cause condensation building up inside what is an enclosed wall cabinet.

Condensation can build up inside a cabinet due to common kitchen appliances positioned underneath; the last thing you want is groceries going unchecked in this cabinet, as food begin to germinate, and therefore causing harm to you.

None-food cabinets will be empty, barely used and will be filled with items like paperwork, glasses, mugs and similar items - and completely free of food and snacks.

Allow for distance

How to ensure your air fryer is safely located under your kitchen cabinet, or an adjacent cabinet, is to see what air fryer manufacturer's say.

Well, in fact this topic is covered a little in all their safety booklets, which instructs users - which is you by the way - to keep the air fryer a minimum of 5 inches away from the rear and side walls - and 5 inches from any cabinets positioned above the air fryers.

So you've been formally warned, an air fryer can be used under a cabinet if you allow for a 5 inch distance between the top of the air fryer, to the underside of the cabinet.

Air fryers can emit heat and a lot of steam whilst cooking, which means they require a lot of space all around the air fryer for the steam to safely evaporate.

If you fit your air fryer into a tight spot, steam will turn into water which will eventually seep into the internal components, potentially causing a malfunction, or a fire.

Summarise

Manufacturer's of air fryers know you will have no option but to position an air fryer directly under a wall kitchen cabinet, and have ensured air fryers are built in a way this won't cause any safety concerns.

You can treat your air fryer like a toaster, crock pot and similar small kitchen appliances; they can be positioned under cabinets, but with plenty of space for steam to escape the surrounding area.

I always place my air fryer in the corner of the kitchen counter near to the window, thus there's plenty of air flow in the immediate area.

Be cautious what cabinet the air fryer is located under mind, because food risks changing in temperature frequently, which can cause food in cabinets to go bad as its regularly covered in condensation if there's little ventilation.

My air fryer currently resides under a set of cabinets that are currently unoccupied, filled with just paperwork and a few odds and ends.

You will be better off changing location of your air fryer to a none-food cabinet, or if its more convenient, simply switch a food cabinet to a none-food one.

Manufacturer's all mention a 5 inch distance between air fryer and rear wall, which also applies to providing a minimum of 5 inches above the air fryer.

Share this article: