The air fryer has become the busiest appliance in many kitchens. With all that use comes a greasy basket, a roll of baking paper that runs out fast and oil poured straight from the bottle. A few simple tools let you keep the basket clean, use less oil and throw away less. This guide explains the three options, what each one does best and how to look after them.
The short answer
- A silicone air fryer tray is the everyday choice: reusable, dishwasher safe and folds flat.
- Disposable air fryer liners are for the messiest jobs, when glazes or melting cheese would bake onto the basket.
- An oil sprayer puts a fine mist where you need it, instead of a heavy pour.
Many households use a silicone tray most days, keep a few liners for sticky dishes and spray rather than pour. Here is how to choose.
The silicone tray: reusable, every day
A silicone tray sits in the basket and catches crumbs, fat and marinade, so the basket stays clean. Unlike baking paper, you rinse it and use it again, which makes it the simplest way to cut single-use waste. It also sits firmly in place, so it does not lift into the heating element like a loose sheet of paper can.
- Best for: fries, chicken wings, sausages, roasted vegetables and reheating leftovers.
- Keep in mind: the tray and the food get very hot, so lift it out with mitts.
The Hi Nature® Silicone Air Fryer Tray is made from 100% food-grade, BPA-free silicone and is heat-resistant up to 260°C. At 20 x 20 cm it suits most XXL air fryers, from Philips, Tefal and Ninja to similar models. A raised 3D base lets hot air circulate and fat drain away underneath. It folds flat, is dishwasher safe and comes with two silicone mitts.
Disposable liners: for the stickiest jobs
Some dishes are simply messy: honey glazed chicken, cheese toasties, marinated ribs. A disposable liner catches all of it, so nothing bakes onto the basket and you do not have to scrub the non-stick coating. That also protects the coating from wear.
- Best for: sticky glazes, melting cheese and marinated meat or fish.
- Keep in mind: place the liner after preheating and always weigh it down with food.
The Hi Nature® Air Fryer Liners, 100-Pack are square, non-stick and food-safe, heat-resistant up to 230°C and fit most 5 to 8 litre baskets. They keep crumbs, oil and sauce off the basket without blocking the airflow.
The oil sprayer: less oil, better coverage
Pouring oil over food usually means too much in one spot and none in another. A sprayer covers everything with a thin, even layer, so food crisps evenly and nothing pools in the tray. A few pumps use a fraction of the oil you would pour.
- Best for: fries, vegetables, coating the tray or basket, BBQ grates and salads.
- Keep in mind: use clear liquids only. Herbs or flakes can block the fine nozzle.
The Hi Nature® Oil Sprayer has a premium stainless steel body and gives a fine, even spray. A transparent window with ml and oz markings shows how much is left, and the leak-free design keeps your worktop clean. Fill it with olive oil, sunflower oil, vinegar, soy sauce or lemon juice.
Tray, liners and oil sprayer at a glance
- Waste: the tray and the sprayer are reusable; liners are single-use.
- Heat: the tray handles up to 260°C, the liners up to 230°C.
- Fit: the tray suits XXL air fryers, the liners most 5 to 8 litre baskets.
- Cleaning: the tray goes in the dishwasher, liners in the bin, the sprayer gets a rinse.
Which one for which job?
- Everyday fries and vegetables: silicone tray plus a light mist of oil.
- Chicken wings and sausages: silicone tray, so fat drains away.
- Sticky glazes and melting cheese: a disposable liner.
- Reheating leftovers: silicone tray.
- Salads and dressings: oil sprayer with oil, vinegar or lemon juice.
Care: keep everything working well
- Let the silicone tray cool, then wash it in the dishwasher or by hand.
- Fold the tray flat so it fits in a drawer.
- Never put a liner in an empty air fryer.
- Clean the sprayer now and then: fill with warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, spray through and rinse.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put silicone in an air fryer?
Yes, if it is made for it. Check the maximum temperature: the Hi Nature® silicone tray is heat-resistant up to 260°C and made for XXL air fryer baskets.
Are silicone air fryer liners better than paper liners?
For everyday cooking, silicone creates less waste because you reuse it. Paper liners are handy for very sticky dishes, when you would rather bin the mess than wash it off.
How do I keep my air fryer basket clean?
Use a tray or liner so fat and crumbs never touch the basket, and spray oil rather than pour it.
Can I use olive oil in an oil sprayer?
Yes. Olive oil and sunflower oil both work well. Use clear oil without herbs, so the nozzle does not block.
Conclusion
An air fryer does not have to mean a pile of baking paper and a greasy basket. A silicone tray handles most meals, disposable liners step in for the stickiest jobs, and an oil sprayer gives crisp results with less oil. Together they keep your air fryer cleaner and your bin a little emptier.
Related Products from Hi Nature®
Find the tools that suit the way you use your air fryer:
1. Silicone Air Fryer Tray
- View the product
- Reusable 20 x 20 cm tray in BPA-free silicone, heat-resistant up to 260°C, with two mitts. Foldable and dishwasher safe.
2. Air Fryer Liners, 100-Pack
- View the product
- 100 square, non-stick liners, heat-resistant up to 230°C. Fits most 5 to 8 litre baskets.
3. Oil Sprayer
- View the product
- Stainless steel sprayer with a fine, even mist, a level window and a leak-free design.