Tower Review, Is Tower Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 7 graded products, Tower averages Bad (18/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Tower
Stainless Steel Vertical Air Fryer
Stainless steel heating chamber and basket
Nickel and chromium leaching from stainless steel
Stainless steel can release trace nickel and chromium under acidic conditions or if the…
Heating element degradation and coating unknown
Public specifications do not confirm the composition or coating of the internal heating…
Thermal runaway or overheating hazard
Vertical air fryers concentrate heat in a smaller chamber, raising the risk of localized…
PFAS
Tower has not disclosed whether food-contact gaskets, silicone seals, or the power cord…
Lower risk if no nonstick coating covers the cooking surfaces.
⚠Risky category by default
Tower
T17190 Vortx 11L Dual Layer Air Fryer
Nonstick-coated cooking basket; coating type not specified
Teflon-type coating fume emission (thermal decomposition)
If the nonstick coating is Teflon-type coating-based and users exceed safe temperature…
Coating degradation and particle ingestion
Nonstick coatings naturally flake or peel with repeated heating and mechanical stress.…
Aluminum leaching (substrate exposure)
If the basket is aluminum and the nonstick coating wears through, direct contact between…
Bacterial biofilm in crevices if inadequately cleaned
The dual-layer basket design may trap moisture and food debris in gaps, creating…
Wait for Tower to reveal nonstick coating type and PFAS status.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
Tower
T17021 Family Size Air Fryer
nonstick-coated cooking basket; specific coating composition undisclosed
Teflon-type coating fume risk (nonstick coating thermal degradation)
Coating composition not disclosed. If Teflon-type coating-based, prolonged operation near…
Aluminum leaching from basket substrate
If the nonstick coating degrades (scratches, peeling), the underlying aluminum basket may…
Coating degradation and longevity
User reviews and third-party testing indicate Tower air fryer baskets show visible wear…
Lack of materials transparency and recall responsiveness
Tower's silent stance on PFAS and coating chemistry makes it difficult for consumers to…
Avoid until Tower discloses nonstick coating type and PFAS content.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
Tower
Culinary Chef 11.6 Qt./10.4L Double Stack Digital Air Fryer
Non-stick coated cooking baskets/trays, material unspecified
Teflon-type coating fume risk (if Teflon-type coating-based coating)
If the non-stick coating is Teflon-type coating, overheating above 500F can release toxic…
Coating degradation and ingestion of flaked material
Non-stick coatings on budget air fryer baskets commonly flake or peel with extended use.…
Leaching from aluminum substrate if coating fails
If the baskets are aluminum-based (standard in this category) and the non-stick coating…
Lack of product-specific safety documentation
Tower's silent stance on coating composition and PFAS is a transparency failure, not a…
Skip until the brand explains what the coating contains.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
Tower
T17205AFR Digital Single Basket Air Fryer
Nonstick-coated basket (coating type unspecified)
Teflon-type coating fume risk
If the basket coating is Teflon-type coating-based (not confirmed), overheating above…
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Nonstick coatings on budget air fryer baskets commonly show wear within 6-12 months of…
Plastic housing leachables
The plastic housing and control panel are exposed to heat from the heating element. If…
Incomplete user documentation on safe use limits
Budget air fryer manuals often lack clear guidance on maximum operating temperature…
Wait for Tower to publish basket coating composition and PFAS status.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
Tower
t17186 Vortx Digital Air Fryer
Nonstick-coated cooking basket; coating composition unspecified
Teflon-type coating fume risk (thermal decomposition)
If the basket coating is Teflon-type coating-based (unconfirmed), overheating above 500°F…
Coating degradation and microparticle ingestion
Nonstick coatings degrade with abrasion, thermal cycling, and acidic foods. Flaking…
Off-gassing of housing materials or insulation
Plastics or foam insulation used in the housing may off-gas volatile organic compounds…
Wait for Tower to disclose nonstick coating composition publicly.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
Tower
T17147 Vortx 4.2L Digital Air Fryer
non-stick coated cooking basket (composition unspecified)
Non-stick coating integrity and potential fume release
The cooking basket coating is not specified as Teflon-type coating-free. If Teflon-type…
VOC and odor off-gassing during initial use
New non-stick cookware commonly emits odors in the first few heating cycles. This is not…
Coating degradation from thermal cycling
All non-stick coatings degrade with repeated heating and cooling cycles. Over 1-3 years…
Skip until Tower discloses what the non-stick coating is.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
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