De'Longhi Rapid Crisp Air Fryer
Avoid until De'Longhi reveals the coating material.
De'Longhi doesn't publicly identify the coating on this air fryer's basket. Air fryer non-stick surfaces commonly contain Teflon-type coating or PFAS compounds, but the brand hasn't provided technical documentation.
The safe swap
Electrolux
Electrolux hot Air boiler EAF7B
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Non-stick coated cooking basket/tray (type unspecified by brand)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Advertised as non-stick but coating type is not explained.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Teflon-type coating fume inhalation (thermal decomposition)
If the basket uses Teflon-type coating, heating beyond 500°F can release toxic fumes; air fryers typically stay below this, but damage to the coating or preheating empty may increase risk. De'Longhi does not publicly confirm whether Teflon-type coating is used.
Non-stick coating degradation and ingestion
Repeated heating and friction wear the coating, releasing microscopic particles into food. No public data on the De'Longhi Rapid Crisp coating durability; users report wear on similar models after months of use.
Plastic off-gassing (housing and non-food-contact parts)
The exterior plastics and internal electronics housing may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during first use and when heated. No test data available for this specific model; typical for air fryers in this price range.
Lead
If the thermostat is inaccurate or fails, the basket could exceed the safe operating range for the non-stick material, accelerating degradation and fume risk. De'Longhi has not published temperature-sensor accuracy specs for this model.
Source: ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Aluminum or metal leaching from housing
The heating chamber and body are not directly in contact with food in most air fryers, but poor-quality internal materials can corrode and release particles if ventilation is blocked or moisture accumulates inside.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
De'Longhi does not publicly specify whether the cooking basket uses Teflon-type coating (Teflon), ceramic, or another non-stick polymer. The heating element and housing are metal and plastic components typical of air fryers. Without coating composition disclosure, you cannot assess whether high-temperature use poses fume inhalation risk or if the coating will degrade into food over time. Air fryer baskets experience repeated heating cycles to 350-400°F (175-200°C), stressing non-stick coatings.
The brand's record and disclosure
De'Longhi (Delonghi S.p.A., Italy) is an established small-appliance manufacturer but has not publicly committed to disclosing non-stick coating chemistry for this model. No safety controversies specific to this air fryer model appear in public records. De'Longhi's official documentation does not address PFAS content or coating durability testing, which is standard for brands taking the hazard seriously.
How it compares in its category
Most air fryer baskets on the market use Teflon-type coating or Teflon-type coating-derived coatings; few brands disclose this openly. Some competitors (e.g., Instant Pot, Cosori) have begun offering ceramic or uncoated stainless alternatives or clarifying coating specs. The De'Longhi Rapid Crisp sits in the mainstream non-disclosing middle, offering no material advantage or transparency over budget models and no clear safety commitment compared to premium brands.
If you buy it
Ensure kitchen ventilation is on during use to disperse any potential fumes if the coating is Teflon-type coating-based. Do not exceed manufacturer temperature recommendations (typically 400°F / 200°C) and avoid preheating the empty basket, which can degrade coatings faster. Inspect the basket regularly for peeling, chipping, or discoloration; replace if damage appears. Hand-wash the basket gently rather than using abrasive sponges, which accelerate coating wear.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Delonghi has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Air Fryers
Ninja
Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System
Glass cooking vessel with stainless steel and plastic components
Thermal fracture or stress in glass cooking vessel
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Electrical hazard or heating element degradation
Limited concern
Glass cooking surface avoids nonstick coatings entirely.
⚠Risky category by default
Ninja
Crispi Pro 6-in-1 Glass Air Fryer
Glass cooking vessel with stainless steel components
Thermal shock / glass breakage risk
Limited concern
Glass construction means lower PFAS concern than typical nonstick air fryers.
⚠Risky category by default
Cosori
Smart Toaster Oven
stainless steel exterior, glass and metal interior
Thermal degradation of gaskets or seals
Limited concern
Grease accumulation and combustion byproducts
Limited concern
Glass door thermal stress and breakage
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, toaster ovens rarely use nonstick coatings, though brand makes no transparency statement.
⚠Risky category by default
More air fryers grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.