Paper towels vs. reusable mats in the air fryer - which side are you on?
I tried paper towels under my chicken wings last week and they caught on fire a little, but the cleanup was so easy. Then I switched to a silicone mat and the wings came out way crispier, but now I gotta scrub the thing every time. What do you guys usually go with for things like fries or breaded stuff? I'm torn between convenience and getting that crunch right.
That paper towel fire story hits close to home - my attempt at "quick and easy" cleanup turned my kitchen into a smoke-filled crime scene that smelled like burnt popcorn for a week. I'm clearly not responsible enough for fire hazards near heating elements (I still have the singed eyebrows to prove it), so I just spray some oil on the basket and deal with the scrubbing like a grownup who can't be trusted with shortcuts.
Oh man, your paper towel fire story reminds me of the time I tried using parchment paper without weighing it down first. It floated up and touched the heating element. Never seen anything turn black that fast. I just use a light spray of oil on the basket now and accept that cleanup is part of the deal.