Tower t17186 Vortx Digital Air Fryer
Wait for Tower to disclose nonstick coating composition publicly.
Tower coats the cooking basket with nonstick material but refuses to publish what it is or whether PFAS is present. Standard nonstick air fryer coatings typically use PFAS-containing Teflon-family coating.
The safe swap
LIL' ORBITS
Lil Orbits Universal Fryer FS16L - Donut Equipment
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
Nonstick-coated cooking basket; coating 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.
Teflon-type coating fume risk (thermal decomposition)
If the basket coating is Teflon-type coating-based (unconfirmed), overheating above 500°F can release fumes. Standard air fryer use stays below this, but user error or malfunctioning thermostats increase risk. Symptom: polymer fume fever (fever, chills, respiratory irritation).
Coating degradation and microparticle ingestion
Nonstick coatings degrade with abrasion, thermal cycling, and acidic foods. Flaking particles may be ingested; long-term health effects of Teflon-type coating microingestion are not fully characterized but are considered a minor risk by regulatory agencies.
Off-gassing of housing materials or insulation
Plastics or foam insulation used in the housing may off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during first use or if overheated. This is typically mild and transient; ensure initial use is in well-ventilated conditions.
What’s reassuring
Aluminum leaching (housing/heating element)
Air fryer housings are often aluminum; direct food contact is typically minimal in basket-type designs. No reported leaching incidents for this model. Risk is negligible if food does not contact the housing directly.
Electrical heating element contamination or failure
No recalls or safety alerts specific to the T17186 heating element are on record. Standard electrical safety precautions (grounding, thermal cutoff) apply.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Tower T17186 uses a nonstick-coated cooking basket, but Tower has not publicly specified whether the coating is Teflon-type coating-based (traditional Teflon), ceramic-infused, or another formulation. This matters because Teflon-type coating coatings can release fumes above 500°F (260°C), while ceramic alternatives are generally safer at high heat. Air fryers typically operate at 320-400°F (160-200°C), which is below Teflon-type coating decomposition temperature, but coating degradation over time increases risk. The heating element, housing, and control materials are not detailed in available public specifications.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tower is a UK-based small-appliance manufacturer owned by the Salter Group. The brand does not publicly disclose coating composition, PFAS testing, or certifications for its nonstick cookware or air fryer baskets. No major recalls or safety controversies specific to this model are on record. Tower's silence on nonstick safety is typical of budget appliance brands and does not indicate a safety failure, but it limits consumer ability to assess PFAS exposure.
How it compares in its category
Most air fryer baskets in the budget-to-mid range (including brands like Cosori, Philips, and Instant) use undisclosed nonstick coatings; high-end models increasingly disclose Teflon-type coating-free options or ceramic coatings. The Tower T17186 pricing is mid-range, and its lack of transparency mirrors competitors at the same price point. Models with ceramic or explicitly Teflon-type coating-free coatings (e.g., some Cosori variants, Ninja Foodi) command premiums and offer more assurance, though ceramic can degrade more visibly over time.
If you buy it
Keep the basket below 400°F and use parchment liners when possible to reduce direct contact with the coating. Hand-wash the basket with soft sponges to avoid abrasion that accelerates coating breakdown. Inspect the basket every 6-12 months for peeling, flaking, or discoloration; replace immediately if the coating is visibly compromised. Ensure the air fryer is well-ventilated during use; if you notice any odor, stop use and allow it to cool completely.
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.