A common question is asked by every new air fryer user after buying an air fryer. “What to put under air fryer to protect countertop“. Kitchen countertops are the most expensive & beautiful area of every kitchen. When it comes to using an air fryer or any hot conventional oven on the kitchen countertop. Then how can we protect the countertop from heat shock by these appliances?
The kitchen countertop may be granite, marble, wood, or laminate. When we use an air fryer or any conventional appliances on the countertop, they release heat during the cooking mode. This heat can bring unwanted damage like cracks to our kitchen countertop. Then why should you take a risk with your countertop?
Air fryers are hot conventional appliances. They can generate high heat up to 450°F temperature in the active mode. If you carelessly use your air fryer on your kitchen countertop without any protection then it can cause cracks or damage to your countertop.
I also faced the same problem when I got my first air fryer in 2018. I placed my air fryer on the corner of my wooden countertop without any protection under my air fryer. I used to run my air fryer for 30 minutes to 45 minutes daily.
But after months, I noticed that the bottom of my air fryer was very hot and had some black burnt on my wooden countertop. I was very worried at the time, so I decided to protect my countertop as well as my air fryer from the heat problem.
Then I did a deep search on the internet with the question of what can I put under my air fryer to protect my countertop. With some research & own experience, I found some solutions/best things to put under the air fryer to protect the countertop. Below I have described the solution in full detail.
What To Put Under Air Fryer To Protect Countertop?
What is the best thing to put under the air fryer? You can use any heat-proof material under your air fryer to protect the countertop. But that should be flat, highly heat resistant, scratch-proof, and also provide a non-skid surface to your air fryer. I’ve shortlisted the 6 best things to put under the air fryer to protect the countertop.
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Here are the 6 Best things to put under air fryer to protect countertop
#1. Silicone Heat Resistant Countertop Protector
The silicone mat is a good countertop heat protectant material. It can resist heating up to 450°F heat as well as cold at -40°F. So you can use a silicone mat as a countertop protector and also as a refrigerator shelves mat.
I am using a Gasare silicone mat. The mat is one of the best silicone counter mats to put under the air fryer to protect the countertop. The dimension of the mat is 25″ x 17″ inches and the thickness is 1.4mm. The mat is compatible with all-size air fryers. The thickness of the mat is good against heat which prevents heat from reaching the countertop.
Wellhouse Extra Large (23.6×15.7 inch) silicone mat can also hold a large-size air fryer. For 2 Quart to 3-quart small-size air fryers you can use Smithcraft Silicone Pot Mats (7.5×7.5) will be the perfect silicone mat to use under an air fryer.
These silicone mats are made up of high-quality medically approved silicone material. You can also use them as a baking/pastries mat or other food preparation works like vegetable cutting, potholder, pizza mat, etc.
The silicone mat is so flexible and it’s easy to roll. You can store the mat anywhere while not in use. If your mat gets dirty by oil or food debris stains. You can easily wash them in a mixture of soap & warm water.
Silicone mats are easily washable. just wash, dry, and reuse it again. These mats provide a hygienic surface for cooking & preparing food. There are also some environment-friendly mats avaible that are reusable & recyclable.
Another best advantage of using silicone heat-resistant mats. They provide an anti-skid surface to your appliances and hot dishes and prevent your air fryer from sliding around. Silicone mats are most effective for laminate & wood material kitchen countertops.
#2. Insulated Non-Skid Granite Countertop Protector Mat
I love this non-skid insulator mat because of the Steel silvery pattern. This mat is made of standard quality silicone material and is well heatproof up to 450°F. Absorbs all the heat produced by your air fryer. The size (20″ x 17″) is compatible with all medium-size air fryers.
The unique pattern design grips your counter surface and provides a non-skid stable surface to your air fryer. You can also use it underneath your coffee maker and toaster ovens. If you have two mats, you can use one for your air fryer and another under to keep hot dishes. You can clean the mat without washing it. Just wipe the upper layer of the mat with a moist damp cloth.
#3.Wooden Cutting Board For Protecting Countertop
A wooden cutting board is also a good heatproof material. If you have an extra vegetable cutting board in your kitchen. You can use it under your air fryer. These wooden cutting boards are big, flat, heavy, and rectangular shapes.
These wooden cutting boards are made of seasoned wood. So they have high heat resistance with high longevity most all types of air fryers and ovens could easily fit on these wooden cutting boards.
They can easily resist heat up to 500°F and protect your countertop from thermal shock damage. The wooden cutting boards slightly weigh up to 1 pound, so they do not slide easily and provide a stable cooking surface for your oven appliances. These are also waterproof & washable after every use.
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#4. Plain Ceramic Tile To Put Under Air Fryer
If you are looking for an inexpensive way to protect your countertop from excessive heat, then old plain ceramic tiles also do the same work. If you have square-shaped ceramic tiles then you can also use them.
These ceramic tiles are heavy and have high heat resistance and are easy to clean. Ceramic tiles can resist heating up to 500°F easily. But there are some problems with ceramic tiles. These tiles are heavy and have a slight edge area where some dust is always stuck after cleaning.
#5. Bamboo Chopping Board To Put Under Air Fryer
If you have an extra bamboo chopping board in your kitchen, you can use it under your air fryer to protect your kitchen countertop. These are also good heatproof as a wooden cutting board.
You can find this easily in your market or other online e-commerce websites. Most people use these types of cutting boards and share their positive experiences with us on our Facebook page. You can use it both for cutting vegetables and as a counter protector for your air fryer.
It can be easily washable and easy to store. So these are highly suggested by many air fryer users. So you can use it under your air fryer to protect the countertop.
Related article: 5 Best Silicone Pots For Air Fryer
#6. Glass Cutting Board To Protect Countertop
Another suggested product by air fryer users is a glass cutting board, These types of cutting boards look so beautiful under appliances. You can also use it as a decorative protector mat on the dining table.
The glass cutting board is not highly heatproof, although it can resist the normal air fryer heat. So you can use it as a heat-resistant counter protector.
Almost all model ovens fit inside the area of the glass cutting board. These are washable and reusable. Work well against oil stains and food stains.
Will an air fryer damage a granite countertop?
Granite is found in the earth’s crust. It is the hardest natural building material with high heat resistivity up to 1000°F. The material is so beautiful because of its crystal structure. The availability at an affordable price in our local market makes it more popular. So most people are using granite as their kitchen countertop.
They assume granite is a good heat absorber and does not crack by any heat shock. This fact sounds true because we mentioned above that granite can be heatproof up to 1000°F. So they use any hot oven appliances without any protection on the granite countertop.
But it is a natural material there may be some imperfections in build quality. Your granite may have a small crack in the inner side or the full granite sheet is not strong equally from each side.
We all know our air fryer quickly catches the heat very fast and slowly cools. In this way, your granite countertop also faces a thermal shock effect that quickly heats up and colds down. The little crack expands and squeezes quickly & the little crack comes out with big damage. So why should take the risk?
It may be a costly mistake in your life. So using a heat insulator mat or any protection can help your granite countertop from any damage by air fryer heat. So what to put under the air fryer to protect the countertop?
Where to put an air fryer in the kitchen?
The air fryer is a small-size kitchen convectional appliance. It is working on hot air technology, so it produces a lot of heat while in working mode. If you use it carelessly and do not know where to put your air fryer in the kitchen. Then you may be facing some fatal accident that loss of your property and life.
Almost every air fryer weighs more than 10 pounds, so always use a stable fixed surface like a kitchen countertop, table, etc. Never use it on your weak shelf area. Always try to use where your air fryer plug easily reaches the power outlet otherwise you have to use an extension cord.
Always use a heat-resistant counter protector under your air fryer and allow five inches of vent area from the wall. Through the vent your air fryer hot air exhaust from inside to maintain the overheating problem.
After knowing the full basics, you should also read the instruction carefully provided by your air fryer manufacturer inside the box.
Some asked FAQ To Put Under Air Fryer
1. Should you put something under the air fryer?
The air fryer produces a wide range of temperatures from 180°F to 450°F during working mode and all the heat transfers to your kitchen countertop if your countertop has no protection.
It will be worst if your countertop is not compatible with heat. If your countertop is made of wood, laminate, and other cheap quality material, it cannot resist high heat. The air fryer heat may damage your countertop.
You should immediately use heat-resistant materials like silicone mats, wooden boards, and tiles. But the best option is you should use a silicone heat-resistant material. They are reliable, have good heat resistors, and anti-skid surfaces, flexible & washable. Ir will save your countertop from heat shock damage.
2. What to put under the toaster oven to protect the countertop?
Toaster ovens have come under the hot appliances segment they also emit heat when in working mode like an air fryer. But they produce less heat than an air fryer but regular use can bring impact or damage your countertops. So you should also use any heat-resistant materials to resist heat.
Conclusion on what to put under air fryer to protect countertop
We have discussed our query on what to put under the air fryer to protect the countertop and their solutions. I hope you get some information. An air fryer is a small oven appliance it produces heat that can crack & damage your granite countertop. So always use heat-resistant countertop covers or any product from the above. These products can prevent heat from reaching your counter.
A silicone mat, wooden cutting board, and glass cutting board are well-heat insulator materials and also provide a non-skid surface. They are washable and reusable for a long time. So why should you take the risk with your countertop? Invest a small amount and you will get great countertop protectors for your air fryer.
Just took delivery of toaster/airfryer and a silicone sheet. My question is, our kitchen cupboard are above the only place can use it. Will a silicone sheet protect the bottom of the cupboards?
Yes, you can use a silicone mat on your cupboard. Silicone sheets are a good heat insulator. That will prevent excess heat generated by your hot appliance like an air fryer/toaster. Silicone mats also reduce sliding problems, scratches, etc.