Air fryer warning as owners told to avoid using popular ingredient to prevent 'damage'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Cooking sprays are often promoted as a healthier substitute for traditional cooking oils, but they might not be as benign as you think.

While it may seem like a trivial addition to your air fryer, these sprays contain an ingredient that could be detrimental to the appliance, especially those purchased from supermarkets.

The problematic component is lecithin, a chemical additive commonly used as an emulsifier in various food products to enhance texture.

Unfortunately, this ingredient can have adverse effects on air fryers. Air fryer chef and connoisseur, Sam Milner, issued a caution to Homes and Gardens readers about the risks of using store-bought spray oils: "Chemicals added to commercial spray oils cause damage to your air fryer, since they contain an emulsifier called lecithin, which slowly breaks down the coating on your air fryer." Moreover, it's advisable to steer clear of such cooking sprays with all non-stick cookware, as the degradation of the protective coating could lead to the release of potentially harmful substances into your meals.