Quick Answer
No, the Breville air fryer cannot be used as a microwave. The Breville air fryer is designed to cook food by circulating hot air around it, while a microwave cooks food using microwave radiation. The different cooking technologies mean that using a Breville air fryer as a microwave is not possible.
How Air Fryers and Microwaves Work
Air fryers and microwaves use completely different methods to cook food.
How Air Fryers Work
Air fryers cook food by circulating extremely hot air around the food at high speed. A heating element and fan are used to blow the hot air, which helps to create a crispy texture similar to deep frying. The rapid air circulation cooks food fast by applying heat from all sides. Air fryers reach temperatures between 200°F and 400°F.
Some key aspects of how air fryers work:
- Rapidly circulate hot air up to 400°F to cook food
- Air flow comes from an internal fan and heating element
- Food is cooked by convection as hot air hits all sides
- Creates crispy, fried texture with little to no oil
- Cooks food very quickly compared to oven
How Microwaves Work
Microwaves use microwave radiation to excite water molecules and produce heat. This heats and cooks the food from the inside out. Microwaves do not rely on hot air circulation. Instead, they use electromagnetic waves that cause polar molecules like water to rotate rapidly and heat up.
Some key aspects of how microwaves work:
- Use electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range
- Causes polar molecules like water to rotate and generate heat
- Heats food through molecular excitation, not external heat
- Food is cooked from inside out as water molecules heat up
- Do not brown or crisp food like air fryers
As you can see, the cooking processes of air fryers and microwaves are completely different. Air fryers use convection with hot air, while microwaves use microwave radiation to excite water molecules.
Differences Between Air Fryers and Microwaves
There are several key differences that demonstrate why an air fryer cannot operate as a microwave.
Heating Method
As covered already, air fryers use a heating element and fan to circulate hot air, while microwaves use microwave radiation. This difference in heating technology is the main reason an air fryer cannot work as a microwave.
Cooking Process
The cooking process is very different. Air fryers use convection currents to apply heat from all sides. Microwaves heat food from the inside out by exciting water molecules. This leads to different results.
Browning and Crisping
Air fryers excel at creating a crispy, browned exterior because the food is exposed to hot, circulating air. Microwaves do not brown or crisp food well because they heat from the inside out.
Moisture Content
Microwaves add some moisture and softness to foods because they heat using water molecules. Air fryers tend to make foods a little drier since moisture evaporates quickly.
Speed
Air fryers cook most foods significantly faster than a microwave due to the intense heat from all sides. Microwaves take more time to penetrate deep into foods.
Consistency
Microwaves often lead to uneven cooking since they heat from the inside. Air fryers cook more evenly since the hot air surrounds all surfaces.
Can You Modify an Air Fryer to Work Like a Microwave?
Since air fryers and microwaves rely on completely different cooking technologies, there is no simple way to modify an air fryer to work like a microwave.
It would essentially require completely redesigning and rebuilding the appliance from scratch. You would need to remove the heating element and fan and replace them with a magnetron to generate microwave radiation. The cooking chamber would also need to be redesigned to reflect and distribute the microwaves properly. New controls and settings appropriate for a microwave would be needed as well.
At that point, you have essentially built a whole new microwave oven rather than modifying an existing air fryer. The amount of work and re-engineering required makes it unrealistic to convert an air fryer into microwave functionality in any practical way. It’s far simpler to just use separate countertop appliances designed specifically for each cooking method.
Can You Use Air Fryer Accessories in a Microwave?
It’s not recommended to use most air fryer accessories in a microwave. Accessories designed for an air fryer are not necessarily safe or practical to use in a microwave.
For example, metal wire racks or mesh baskets could create arcing and sparks in a microwave. Any metal accessories run this risk. Some ceramic or high heat plastics may not be designed to handle the heat of microwave radiation either.
It’s best to only use accessories specifically marketed as microwave safe in a microwave oven. If in doubt, verify with the instruction manual for your microwave whether a particular accessory is safe prior to using it.
Is It Possible to Simulate an Air Fryer in a Microwave?
You can approximate some of the effects of an air fryer in a microwave but will be limited. Microwaves do not have the same air circulation and crispiness capabilities. However, some tips to replicate air frying in a microwave include:
- Use a microwave safe dish that allows airflow – Avoid a fully covered dish
- Elevate food on a microwave safe stand – Allows air to flow under
- Cook at reduced power – Helps prevent overcooking
- Flip and rotate food – Promotes even cooking
- Brush oil on foods – Adds some crispiness to externals
- Finish under a broiler – Can crisp and brown after microwaving
While these tips can help create a similar texture, an air fryer is still far superior when it comes to getting truly crispy, fried results. The intense heat and air circulation capability cannot be matched in a microwave. But for small quantities, the microwave can create decent air fried style results.
Can You Use Microwave Features on an Air Fryer?
Air fryers do not have the ability to generate microwave radiation or utilize any microwave cooking functions. All microwaves features require the use of microwave energy to work.
For example, popular microwave functions like the defrost, popcorn, or beverage settings rely on adjusting microwave power and timing to properly cook or thaw the specific food. These presets would not apply at all to an air fryer.
Without the ability to produce microwaves, an air fryer could not leverage sensor reheat, inverter technology, or any other basics of how a microwave oven actually cooks. Air fryers simply do not have the technical capabilities to utilize any functionality designed for microwave cooking.
Conclusion
In summary, the different cooking technologies utilized in air fryers and microwaves prevent an air fryer from functioning as a microwave in any practical way. Air fryers use convection heating while microwaves utilize microwave radiation to excite water molecules. This key difference means an air fryer cannot be made to work like a microwave with any simple modifications. It’s best to enjoy the unique benefits each appliance provides rather than trying to convert one into the other. To get the fast, crispy results of an air fryer along with the convenient cooking of a microwave, having both countertop appliances available is the ideal solution for any home chef.