Tower T17147 Vortx 4.2L Digital Air Fryer
Skip until Tower discloses what the non-stick coating is.
This air fryer uses a non-stick-coated basket with completely undisclosed material. Budget air fryers typically use Teflon-type coating or similar Teflon-family coating that may contain PFAS.
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 (composition unspecified)
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.
Non-stick coating integrity and potential fume release
The cooking basket coating is not specified as Teflon-type coating-free. If Teflon-type coating-based, overheating or mechanical damage (scratching) could release polymer fumes. Tower provides no public assurance the coating is rated safe to 200°C+ or tested for fume off-gassing.
VOC and odor off-gassing during initial use
New non-stick cookware commonly emits odors in the first few heating cycles. This is not inherently dangerous at normal operating temperatures but is unpleasant and can indicate volatile organic compounds being released from adhesives or coating solvents.
Coating degradation from thermal cycling
All non-stick coatings degrade with repeated heating and cooling cycles. Over 1-3 years of regular use, the Tower basket coating will likely show wear, flaking, or loss of non-stick properties, increasing the risk of food contact with underlying substrate material.
What’s reassuring
Aluminum leaching from uncoated heating surfaces
Air fryer heating elements and internal chassis are typically aluminum. No reports of leaching into food from Tower air fryers have been identified, as food does not contact uncoated aluminum directly in this design.
Bacterial growth in crevices if improperly dried
Air fryer baskets with grid or perforated designs can trap moisture in hard-to-clean areas. Improper air drying before storage could theoretically support mold or bacteria, though no specific reports link Tower models to this issue.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Tower T17147 uses a non-stick coated cooking basket, but Tower has not publicly disclosed whether this coating is Teflon-type coating-based, ceramic, or another polymer. Non-stick coatings are the primary chemical concern in air fryers because they are heated to 200°C (392°F) or higher during normal use. If the coating is Teflon-type coating (Teflon), degradation and fume release become possible if the coating chips or reaches very high temperatures; ceramic coatings generally have lower chemical risk but can degrade over time with mechanical wear.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tower is a UK-based small appliance manufacturer that does not maintain a public material safety database or PFAS policy. No published certifications (such as GREENGUARD or NSF) have been identified for this model. The company has not responded to or acknowledged PFAS inquiries in publicly available sources. This silence makes it impossible to verify whether the non-stick coating meets stricter European or North American safety standards for fluorinated compounds.
How it compares in its category
Most air fryer baskets use non-stick coatings; few manufacturers disclose coating chemistry upfront. Premium brands (Instant Pot, Ninja, Cosori) occasionally publish material specs or use marketed ceramic alternatives, though 'ceramic' claims are not always independently verified. Tower's 4.2L capacity is mid-range, and the digital controls are standard. The lack of transparency about the coating puts this model behind competitors that proactively disclose Teflon-type coating-free formulations or provide EU/FDA compliance statements.
If you buy it
Hand wash the basket with soft sponges only; abrasive cleaners and scouring pads accelerate coating wear. Do not exceed the manufacturer's recommended temperature (check manual; typically 200°C max). Replace the basket if visible peeling, flaking, or discoloration appears. Store in a dry location and allow to cool fully before washing. Monitor for any chemical odors during the first few uses; if a strong, persistent plastic smell occurs, contact Tower or return the unit.
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
- Tower 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.