When it comes to cooking with an air fryer, one of the most essential components is the cooking tray. This tray is responsible for holding the food while it is being cooked, and it is often made of a non-stick material to make cleaning up easy.
However, many air fryer trays come with small rubber or silicone parts that can be easily removed. While these parts may seem unnecessary, they actually serve an important purpose.
Do not remove these silicone/rubber parts, for two reasons. First, they protect both the tray and the air fryer basket from scratches and damage, and second, they keep the tray in a certain position.
Below, in detail, we will explore the importance of these rubber or silicone parts and why it is best to leave them on the tray.
Don’t Remove These Rubber Bumpers – The Surprising Benefits of Keeping them on Your AirFryer Tray!
The Role of Silicone Bumpers in Securing the Air Fryer Tray During Food Unloading
Keeping the silicone bumper on the air fryer tray can prevent the tray from falling while unloading the food from the basket. Without the bumper, when you try to turn the basket to empty its content, the tray can slide out easily, which can be dangerous and may cause injury.
The silicone bumper acts as a barrier between the tray and the basket, providing added grip and stability. This can help to keep the tray securely in place while you are unloading the food from the basket, allowing you to turn the basket to empty its content easily and safely, without the need for tongs or utensils.
Moreover, silicone bumpers allow for a more controlled release of food, this prevents the tray and food to jostle around and fall out of place, which can also prevent spills, accidents or even burns. Overall, keeping the silicone bumper on the air fryer tray can help to make the unloading process safer and more convenient.
Bumpers Protect the Air Fryer Tray and Basket from Scratching
Keeping the silicone bumper on the air fryer tray can prevent scratching of the basket by preventing the tray and basket from rubbing against each other. Without the bumper, the tray and basket will be in direct contact with each other, which can cause friction and scratching.
The silicone bumper acts as a barrier between the tray and basket, preventing them from coming into direct contact and rubbing against each other. This can help to reduce the amount of wear and tear on both the tray and the basket and can help prolong the life of both components.
Additionally, the bumpers can also help to prevent the tray and basket from shifting during the cooking process, which can also reduce the risk of scratches. Overall, keeping the silicone bumper on the air fryer tray can help to protect both the tray and the basket from scratches and other damage caused by friction.
The Importance of the Silicone Bumpers on the Air Fryer Tray: A User’s Experience
Upon unboxing my Air Fryer, I was greeted with a square piece of metal with four silicone-like attachments in the center of each side. This metal piece, known as the nonstick cooking tray, seemed difficult to place in the Air Fryer due to the presence of silicone attachments.
Initially, I considered removing the silicone parts but was relieved to have kept them after learning from customer support at an air fryer manufacturer’s website that they should not be removed.
Another user shared their experience of removing the silicone attachments, resulting in scratches on the inside of the pan and difficulty in unloading food while keeping the tray in place. They have since re-added the bumpers and wish they had all four to install on each side of the tray.