Can You Open Philips Air Fryer While Cooking? [Quick Answer & How To Do It]

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If you’re new to cooking, kitchen appliances like the air fryer can seem intimidating. 

This cannot be further from the truth! 

Air fryers are some of the most user friendly and easy gadgets made for the kitchen. At the core of air frying lies seamless design and innovative technology. There is truly a lot you can do with them. 

We have all been guilty of opening the oven or microwave door while it's working on your food. Experts will advise you to refrain from doing this as it can affect the cooking process. Does the same rule apply to your air fryer?

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you opened your air fryer while it was cooking? 

If you’ve been hesitant to try this, we have good news for you.

You can open your Philips air fryer while cooking. In fact I do it all the time! This doesn’t negatively affect the Philips air fryer in any way. 

This is actually a great way to shake your food and ensure it is evenly cooked, just how you like it. 

In some cases, it is necessary to have a look inside to see how your food is cooking along. 

Go ahead and take a little peek. Opening your air fryer will not harm it in the long run. 

Keep on reading to find out more about opening your Philips air fryer while cooking, and other things you can do! 


Is It Bad to Open My Philips Air Fryer While Cooking? 

Maybe you want to see if your fries are browning properly, so you open your Philips air fryer to reassure yourself just in case. 

If you have done this before, you aren’t alone! Luckily air fryers are ingenious kitchen appliances and it is absolutely acceptable to slide the basket out halfway through the food cooking. 

This doesn’t just apply to foods that are being cooked from frozen or that are raw. You can open your air fryer even when you are reheating foods like steak or chicken wings


Does Opening My Philips Air Fryer While Cooking Harm It?

No, opening your Philips air fryer mid cycle does not harm it. 

Air fryers are extremely durable, however you should not yank the food baket or forcefully pull out the handle of your air fryer. Doing so can cause it to break. 

* Always refer to Philips appliance care instructions on their website.*

Top Product Tip: If your air fryer does break during use, have a look at the product’s warranty and instruction manual. You may be able to contact the brand’s customer service to help you.

 

Can I Stop My Philips Air Fryer Halfway?

Yes, you can stop your Philips air fryer halfway through the cycle. With the Philips air fryer, you can stop the cooking process in one of these two ways.

  1. Open the air fryer by gently pulling the handle and taking the basket out. This will make the air fryer stop cooking automatically.  You can check on your food and shake the basket around if needed and place it back.

  2. Press the “pause” button on your Philips air fryer. This will also stop the cooking cycle. You can now pull on the handle and open the air fryer. 

Doing either of the above will not harm your air fryer. 

Don’t own a Philips air fryer but interested in learning more? Check out our article, How to Use a Ninja Air Fryer for the First Time [Beginner’s Guide] for additional tips and tricks. 


When You Should Open Your Philips Air Fryer While Cooking 

It is actually a good thing that you can open your air fryer while cooking. You may have experienced one of these mishaps below and regretted not opening the air fryer halfway through cooking or sooner!


Miscalculating Air Frying Time 

Sometimes you may set the wrong cooking time, which may mess up your meal. When you open your air fryer midway, you can check to see how well done (or not done) your food looks.


Flipping Food Inside the Philips Air Fryer 

Some food need flipping or needs turning. It is handy to simply stop the cooking cycle halfway and flip or turn your food. This is especially true for air frying French fries, nuggets or even cookies.

Related reading: Dehydrating food can take up a lot of time, sometimes a few hours. Read our article, Can My Philips Air Fryer Dehydrate Food? [Recipe Idea + How To] to find out how. 


Overcrowding the Philips Air Fryer Basket 

This happens to the best of us. You’ve accidentally overcrowded your air fryer, and you’re worried about the food cooking evenly. Open your air fryer while cooking to take some of it out and air fry a second batch later.

How to Open Your Philips Air Fryer While Cooking - Step by Step Guide


If you are nervous about opening your Philips air fryer for the first time mid cooking, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered. Bookmark this list of steps you need to take. 

Step 1- Putting the Food Inside the Air Fryer 

Place your food inside your air fryer (this example works best with french fries or hash browns because they are foods you need to flip for optimal cooking). 


Step 2 - Set the Air Fryer Cooking Time 

Either set your own cooking time (as per the packet instructions) or choose one of device presets. Did you know they have a handy frozen fries setting you can choose?


Step 3 - Open Halfway Through Cooking

Open the basket about halfway through the cooking time. Be sure to open it gently and do not pull hard. Yor air fryer should stop automatically. You can also press the “pause” function on the middle right section of the digital screen, right below the up and down arrows. 

Overhead view of open Philips air fryer basket

Step 4 - Shake the Air Fryer Basket 

With the air fryer basket in hand, shake the food around. Give it a good shake because it is likely that the food has stuck together a bit while in the air fryer. 

An important step in the air frying process, especially if you’re cooking frozen fries, is to shake them up halfway through the cooking cycle. 

Philips especially recommends this process, and states that their air fryers have a special Rapid Air Technology. Shaking enhances the cooking process and ensures every part of food is cooked to perfection. 


Step 5 - Complete the Air Fry Cycle 

Sit back, relax, and wait for the cooking cycle to complete. If you want to open your air fryer to check in on your food again,  you can do this too. But don’t keep opening the door too often.


Step 6 - Take Out the Food and Serve! 

Once the time is up, take out the food from the basket, serve as you like, and enjoy. Don’t forget to turn off and unplug your air fryer if you won’t be using it for some time. 


FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

In an effort to answer more of your Philips air fryer cooking questions, we’ve put together a little questions section below. 


Can I Put Dishes Inside My Philips Air Fryer?

One of the only downsides to air fryers is that you are unable to put stews, curries, and pastas inside because they will seep through the chamber. 

Did you know that you are able to place ovenproof dishes and ceramic dishes inside your air fryer with ease? 

But there is a catch. They need to be small enough to fit inside the basket.


Is it Safe To Cook Food in My Philips Air Fryer Without the Basket?

It is safe for you to cook food in your Philips air fryer without the basket, but beware that if the air flow is impaired in any way, your food will not come out as planned. When it comes to air fryers, flow of air is key. Try investing in a rack to stick inside the chamber if you find yourself short on space. 

Want to learn more? Find out what the best air fryers are that come with racks.  


What I Should not Cook Inside My Philips Air Fryer? 

There is really not much use in checking on your food if you are air frying the wrong types of food. Below is a list of foods you shouldn’t put inside your air fryer: 

  • A whole roast chicken - unless you have the Philips Air Fryer Premium XXL you will most likely struggle to fit it inside.
  • Rice - air fryers don’t do well with foods that require large amounts of water. That said, you can cook batter foods like brownies by putting them in a airfryer-proof dish or wet foods like enchiladas by placing them on foil or parchment.
  • Cheese - unless it is coating something or laying on top of chicken breast. Things will get messy if you try this.
  • Fruit - if you are looking to dehydrate fruit, you will need to slice it thinly and lay it down in the air fryer basket. 

 

Final Remarks

All things considered, it is perfectly fine to open your air fryer in the middle of cooking. This will not harm or break your Philips air fryer.For some recipes, it may be necessary to flip or shake your food in the basket.

The Philips air fryer is a quality appliance and is engineered to stop cooking once the basket is out. If you want to check that your food is cooking perfectly, we recommend pulling the basket out and checking inside to see. 

Have you ever stopped an air fry in the middle of cooking? How did it go? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

Jennifer Ulloa

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