Air fryer materials can be confusing because terms such as glass, ceramic nonstick, metal interior, PFAS-free, and nonstick basket describe different parts of an appliance.
A glass cooking container does not mean every component is glass. A metal interior does not necessarily mean the removable basket is uncoated. And a manufacturer’s PFAS-free claim should be applied only to the specific component or material the manufacturer identifies.
Air Fryer Materials at a Glance
| Material / Design | Example | What the Manufacturer States | What to Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass cooking container | Sharper Image Touch IQ 6QT | PFOA- and PFAS-free glass container | Weight, handling, dishwasher instructions |
| Tempered glass bowl | Sharper Image Self-Cleaning Glass Bowl | Tempered glass bowl; Teflon-, plastic-, phthalate-, and BPA-free cooking design | Capacity, handling, cleaning method |
| PFAS-free ceramic nonstick | Cuisinart AFC-9 | PFAS-free ceramic nonstick basket and crisper plate | Care instructions and scratch prevention |
| Ceramic nonstick | Cuisinart AIR-220 | Ceramic non-stick coating | Do not assume additional claims not stated by manufacturer |
| Metal interior | MOVA AeroChef FD10 Pro | Metal interior with nonstick basket interior and stainless steel accessories | Distinguish oven interior from food-contact basket coating |
| PFAS-free materials | Sharper Image Smart Touch | Manufacturer states PFAS-free materials | Check which components the claim covers |
1. Glass Cooking Containers
Sharper Image Self-Cleaning Glass Bowl Air Fryer
This model uses a 5-quart transparent tempered glass bowl. The clear cooking vessel provides broad visibility during cooking instead of relying on a small window in an otherwise opaque basket.
Sharper Image describes the cooking design as Teflon-free, plastic-free, phthalate-free, and BPA-free. Those are manufacturer claims for this specific product and should not automatically be generalized to every glass air fryer.
- 5-quart tempered glass bowl
- 360-degree food visibility
- 1300-watt operation
- Self-cleaning routine using water and dish soap
- Multiple included cooking accessories
2. PFAS-Free Glass Containers
Sharper Image Touch IQ 6QT Glass Container Air Fryer
Sharper Image states that this model uses a 6-quart glass container described as PFOA- and PFAS-free.
The distinction matters: the manufacturer’s claim specifically identifies the glass container. When comparing material claims, read exactly which component is being described rather than assuming every part of the appliance uses the same material.
- 6-quart glass container
- Manufacturer states PFOA- and PFAS-free glass
- 12 customizable presets
- Dishwasher-safe glass container and accessories
- Storage lid and silicone accessories included
3. Ceramic Nonstick Baskets
Cuisinart AFC-9 ClearView 9-Quart Air Fryer
Cuisinart states that the AFC-9 uses a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick basket and crisper plate. It combines that cooking surface with a 9-quart basket and a wide 10.8-inch cooking surface.
Ceramic nonstick can make food release and cleanup easier, but users should still follow the manufacturer’s utensil and cleaning instructions to reduce unnecessary wear.
- 9-quart capacity
- PFAS-free ceramic nonstick basket and crisper plate
- Dishwasher-safe basket components
- 10.8-inch cooking surface
- Viewing windows and interior light
4. Ceramic Nonstick Without Broader Assumptions
Cuisinart AIR-220 9-Quart Air Fryer
Cuisinart describes the AIR-220 as using a ceramic non-stick coating. Its product page does not use the exact same PFAS-free wording that Cuisinart uses for the AFC-9.
That is why material comparisons should preserve the manufacturer’s exact language rather than assuming two ceramic coatings have identical formulations or claims.
- 9-quart capacity
- Ceramic non-stick coating
- Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate
- Removable divider
- 10 × 12-inch cooking surface
5. Metal Interiors
MOVA AeroChef FD10 Pro
MOVA lists the AeroChef FD10 Pro with a metal air fryer interior. It also states that the removable basket interior is nonstick and that stainless steel accessories are included.
Those are separate material descriptions. “Metal interior” describes the air fryer’s internal construction and should not automatically be interpreted as an uncoated stainless-steel food-contact basket.
- 6L capacity
- Metal air fryer interior
- Nonstick basket interior
- Stainless steel accessories
- 1800 watts
- Dual heating
- Visible window
6. What Does “PFAS-Free Materials” Mean?
Sharper Image Smart Touch Air Fryer
Sharper Image states that its Smart Touch Air Fryer is crafted from PFAS-free materials. The product page does not provide the same component-by- component wording as the Touch IQ glass model.
When a manufacturer uses a broad material claim, the safest way to compare products is to repeat the stated claim accurately rather than infer the exact composition of every internal component.
View Product Details →How to Read Air Fryer Material Claims
Identify the Exact Component
Look for whether the manufacturer is describing the basket, crisper plate, glass container, oven cavity, accessory, coating, or entire appliance. Those are not interchangeable terms.
Separate Base Material From Coating
A basket can have a metal structure with a nonstick cooking surface. Knowing that an appliance contains metal does not necessarily tell you what food contacts during cooking.
Do Not Treat “Ceramic” as One Universal Formula
Manufacturers may use different ceramic-based coatings and make different claims about them. Compare the exact wording on each product page.
Glass and Viewing Windows Are Different
A conventional air fryer with a small glass viewing window is not the same as an air fryer whose primary cooking container is glass.
Follow Cleaning Instructions
Whatever material you choose, abrasive cleaning, incorrect utensils, impact, or improper dishwasher use can shorten the life of baskets and cooking containers. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are glass air fryers completely made of glass?
No. A glass air fryer usually refers to the cooking bowl or container. Heating elements, housings, handles, baskets, controls, and other components can use different materials.
Does ceramic nonstick automatically mean PFAS-free?
Do not assume so. Check the manufacturer’s exact product claim. Cuisinart, for example, specifically describes the AFC-9 basket and crisper plate as PFAS-free ceramic nonstick, while the AIR-220 product page states ceramic non-stick coating without using the same wording.
Does a metal interior mean there is no nonstick coating?
No. An appliance can have a metal interior and still use a coated removable basket. MOVA describes the FD10 Pro as having a metal interior and also a nonstick basket interior.
Is a glass basket the same as a viewing window?
No. A glass basket or bowl is the cooking vessel itself. A viewing window is only a transparent section of an otherwise different basket or appliance body.
Which air fryer material is best?
There is no universal answer. Consider food-contact materials, coating preferences, weight, cleaning, durability, capacity, cooking format, and the manufacturer’s exact material claims.
Our Bottom Line
If you specifically want a glass cooking vessel, models such as the Sharper Image Touch IQ and Self-Cleaning Glass Bowl Air Fryer provide genuinely glass-based cooking containers.
If you prefer a conventional basket with a ceramic cooking surface, the Cuisinart AFC-9 is particularly clear in its product description, identifying its basket and crisper plate as PFAS-free ceramic nonstick.
If internal appliance construction matters to you, the MOVA AeroChef FD10 Pro explicitly identifies a metal interior, while also noting that its basket interior is nonstick.
The most useful approach is to read material claims component by component instead of relying on broad labels such as “glass,” “metal,” or “ceramic.”