Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance in recent years. Their ability to make crispy fried foods using little to no oil has made them a hit for health-conscious cooks. Most air fryers come with a basic set of accessories like a basket, tray, or rack. But can you purchase an additional or replacement rack if needed? Let’s explore the options.
Why Would You Need an Extra Rack?
There are a few reasons why someone may want to buy a separate air fryer rack besides the one that came with their machine:
- The original rack is lost, damaged, or worn out – Over time, the coating may peel or the rack may warp or bend out of shape from high heat. Replacing a faulty rack allows you to keep air frying.
- You want to cook larger batches – Some air fryer models only come with a single rack which limits capacity. Adding racks lets you cook more food at once.
- Separate cooking – Extra racks make it easy to cook different foods that require different temperatures or cook times simultaneously.
- Specialty racks – Some racks have unique designs for specific functions like grilling, baking, dehydrating, etc.
Depending on your needs and model of air fryer, buying an additional rack or two can significantly improve the functionality and convenience of using your appliance.
Purchasing Replacement Racks
The good news is that you typically can purchase replacement or extra air fryer racks separately. Here are some tips:
- Check your air fryer’s manual or manufacturer website – Many brands sell replacement parts and accessories directly including racks. They’ll be guaranteed to fit your model.
- Search online marketplaces – Sites like Amazon have listings for generic replacement racks that should fit most major air fryer brands and models.
- Contact the retailer – Big box stores or specialty appliance stores may stock or be able to order replacement racks.
- Look for universal racks – Some companies sell air fryer racks designed to work across multiple brands which gives even more options.
When shopping for an additional or new rack, be sure to note your model number, interior basket dimensions, and the rack measurements to find one that will fit properly. Prices can range from $10-30 USD depending on the brand.
DIY Solutions
If you’re handy, you may be able to fashion your own DIY air fryer rack for a fraction of the cost using materials like:
- Metal cooling racks
- Stainless steel mesh sheets
- Aluminum or copper mesh
- Metal bakeware racks
- Smaller baking sheets
Be sure to measure properly so the rack sits flat and allows airflow. Also take care that any DIY rack is made from materials that can withstand high heat. Use caution and check for stability and fit before air frying.
How Many Racks Do You Need?
Most air fryers come with 1-3 racks depending on capacity. Here are some recommendations for rack quantities based on your air fryer size:
| Air Fryer Basket Capacity | Number of Racks Recommended |
|---|---|
| 2-3 Quarts | 1-2 racks |
| 4-6 Quarts | 2-3 racks |
| 7-10 Quarts | 3-5 racks |
The small single-serve models usually only have space for one rack at a time. But large family sized air fryers can accommodate 4-5 racks which are great for big batches.
Tips for Using Multiple Racks
Here are some tips to use when air frying with multiple racks:
- Rotate rack positions part way during cooking for even results. Food on upper racks often cooks faster.
- Flip or shake foods on each rack at the same intervals.
- Use racks designed to nest or stack together to save space.
- Add ingredients that need turning part way through on different racks to make it easier.
- Don’t overload racks or overfill the basket – too much food blocks airflow.
- For really large batches, you may need to work in stages.
Experiment to find the best rack configuration and process for your recipes and model of air fryer. The right techniques will allow you to make the most of the extra cooking capacity.
Specialized Air Fryer Racks and Accessories
Beyond basic replacement racks, there are some unique air fryer racks and accessories available that unlock extra functionality:
- Grill racks – Use to get grill marks and char while “grilling” in the air fryer.
- Kabob skewer racks – Allow you to make air fried kabobs.
- Cake barrels – Custom metal barrels to bake cakes and breads.
- Pizza pans – Racks with holes designed for making air fried pizzas.
- Mesh bottom trays – Allow maximum airflow circulation for dehydrating.
These types of accessories can really expand your cooking options. So browse around to see what specialty racks are available for your model.
Conclusion
Being able to buy an extra air fryer rack or two provides added value and versatility to your appliance. Replacement and additional racks enable you to fix issues, increase capacity, add functions, and improve workflow. Take stock of your needs and model specifications before purchasing replacement or extra racks. Following the guidance in this article will ensure you select the right racks to maximize how you utilize your air fryer.