A new study has confirmed that air fryers are the least polluting cooking method for your home.
Compared to other methods like pan-frying, stir-frying, and deep frying, air fryers produce far lower levels of indoor air pollution, making them a healthier choice for cooking.
Cooking is a major source of indoor air pollution, which can lead to serious health issues over time, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and even neurodegenerative conditions.
With most people spending over 80% of their time indoors, reducing indoor pollution is vital for better health.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Birmingham, tested five cooking methods—pan frying, stir-frying, deep-fat frying, boiling, and air-frying—in a controlled research kitchen.
They measured the pollution created during cooking, focusing on two key pollutants: particulate matter (tiny particles in the air) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (chemicals that easily become gases and can harm air quality).
Key findings: Pollution levels by cooking method
- Particulate Matter (measured in micrograms per cubic meter):
- Pan frying: 92.9
- Stir-frying: 26.7
- Deep frying: 7.7
- Boiling: 0.7
- Air frying: 0.6
- VOCs (measured in parts per billion, ppb):
- Pan frying: 260 ppb
- Deep frying: 230 ppb
- Stir-frying: 110 ppb
- Boiling: 30 ppb
- Air frying: 20 ppb
The results clearly show that air frying and boiling produce significantly less pollution compared to other methods.
Air fryers, in particular, create minimal particulate matter and VOCs, making them the cleanest option.
Pollution stays after cooking
Interestingly, the researchers found that pollution levels remained high for more than an hour after cooking had finished, even though the actual cooking took just 10 minutes. This highlights the importance of managing kitchen air quality, even after you’ve turned off the stove.
Simple tips to reduce indoor pollution
Professor Christian Pfrang, the study’s senior author, emphasized the importance of ventilation. “Opening windows or using extractor fans during and after cooking helps remove pollutants and reduces personal exposure,” he said.
Keeping fans on or windows open for a while after cooking can also prevent pollutants from spreading to other parts of the house.
Why choose an air fryer?
This study adds to the growing list of benefits of air fryers. Not only are they energy-efficient, but they also create far less air pollution, making them a healthier choice for you and your family.
If you’re looking for a cleaner, safer way to cook, an air fryer might be your best bet.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the harm of vitamin D deficiency, and Mediterranean diet may preserve brain volume in older adults.
For more health information, please see recent studies about foods to naturally lower high blood pressure, and a simple breakfast switch can help control type 2 diabetes.
