Heat-Resistant Mat for Air Fryers: How to Protect Your Worktop

An air fryer makes chips, chicken and vegetables crispy with little fat. However, the device gets very hot. It blows warm air out of the back, and its base also heats up. In addition, hot grease quickly drips when you open the basket.

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That is why a heat-resistant air fryer mat protects your worktop. Here you can read why this makes sense, which mat fits and how to set up the device correctly.

Does an air fryer need a mat?

Many worktops are made of wood, laminate or coated chipboard. These surfaces do not like constant heat. After a few weeks, light spots, blisters or discolouration often appear. Grease splashes also soak into open edges.

Then there is the fire risk. Like any electrical device, an air fryer can have a defect. In that case, a fireproof mat separates the device from the combustible worktop. It is not a must, but it is a cheap precaution.

Which air fryer mat fits?

Three FireMat versions are suitable for the air fryer. All are made of Panox and para-aramid fibres. They are certified by TÜV SÜD according to DIN EN ISO 11925-2.

• FireMat Silk-A Edition: the aluminium surface repels water and oil. So you simply wipe away grease splashes. It is also non-slip.
• FireMat Silk Edition: non-slip coated and available in many sizes.
• FireMat Black Edition: the classic up to 300 °C. You can wash it at 60 °C.

Size matters. The mat should stick out a few centimetres beyond the device on all sides. For most air fryers, sizes around 40 × 50 cm fit. For large double-basket devices, it is better to choose one size up.

How to set up your air fryer correctly

1. Place the device on a flat, stable and heat-resistant surface.
2. Keep the distance to the wall that the maker states. Often this is at least 10 cm.
3. Do not put the air fryer under a wall cupboard. Otherwise, the hot air rises straight up.
4. Keep kitchen roll, cloths and packaging away.
5. Do not leave the device running unattended.
6. Clean the basket and housing regularly. Old grease can burn.

A mat does not replace these rules. Instead, it adds to them. And it keeps your worktop clean. More background on the device is available on Wikipedia.

Air fryer mat in the office

Air fryers are also showing up more and more in office kitchens. There, the employer is responsible for fire safety. That is why many companies, authorities and schools place all kitchen devices on a FireMat. You can show the proof (certified by TÜV SÜD according to DIN EN ISO 11925-2) during inspections.

Conclusion

An air fryer gives off a lot of heat to the worktop. A heat-resistant mat protects the surface from stains, grease and, in an emergency, fire. For grease splashes, the Silk-A Edition is especially practical.

You can find more tips for other devices in our guides on fire safety in the kitchen, microwaves and toasters. For further kitchen devices, also read our guide heat-resistant mat.