Tower T17205AFR Digital Single Basket Air Fryer
Wait for Tower to publish basket coating composition and PFAS status.
Tower coats the cooking basket with nonstick material but provides zero public information about what it's made from or whether it contains PFAS. Heating nonstick surfaces raises PFAS exposure concerns.
The safe swap
Ninja
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System
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 basket (coating type 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
If the basket coating is Teflon-type coating-based (not confirmed), overheating above 500°F can release perfluorooctanoic acid precursors. The T17205AFR max temperature is typically 390-400°F, which is below the acute fume point, but coating degradation from normal use still poses low-level inhalation risk if the coating is Teflon-type coating rather than ceramic or other polymer.
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Nonstick coatings on budget air fryer baskets commonly show wear within 6-12 months of regular use. Peeling or flaking coating can shed particles into food. Tower has not published durability data or warranty coverage for coating failure on this model.
Plastic housing leachables
The plastic housing and control panel are exposed to heat from the heating element. If the plastic is not food-contact-grade or properly insulated, proximity to high temperatures may promote migration of monomers or plasticizers into the cooking chamber or air stream. Tower provides no material specifications for housing polymers.
Incomplete user documentation on safe use limits
Budget air fryer manuals often lack clear guidance on maximum operating temperature, preheating duration, or coating care. Users unfamiliar with nonstick safety may operate the T17205AFR at unsafe temperatures or clean aggressively, accelerating coating failure and particle release.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Tower T17205AFR has a nonstick-coated basket, but Tower has not publicly specified whether the coating is Teflon-type coating (Teflon-class), ceramic, or another polymer. The housing is plastic with heating elements. Nonstick coatings matter because degradation under high heat or mechanical stress can release particles and fumes; the chemical identity of the coating determines the safety profile of those emissions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tower is a UK small-appliance brand with no published materials transparency statement, PFAS policy, or third-party safety certifications on record. The company has not proactively disclosed coating materials for any of its air fryer lines. This silence is not uncommon in the budget appliance sector but limits independent verification of chemical safety.
How it compares in its category
Budget air fryers typically use unspecified nonstick coatings; Tower's T17205AFR is standard in this regard. Premium alternatives (Ninja, Cosori, Philips) often disclose Teflon-type coating-free coatings or ceramic options. The T17205AFR offers no competitive advantage in transparency, and no public test data distinguishes it as safer or riskier than similar-priced models.
If you buy it
Never exceed 400°F (204°C) to avoid thermal degradation of the nonstick layer. Hand-wash the basket with soft sponges; abrasive scrubbing accelerates coating wear. Inspect the basket monthly for visible flaking, scratching, or discoloration. If coating damage appears, replace the basket or unit. Ensure adequate ventilation during use. Do not preheat empty for extended periods.
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.