Kalorik Air Fryer Review: MAXX Grill Oven After 2+ Years (PFAS Update)

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Updated October 13, 2026

Air fryers have become popular for people who want to make food crispy without extra oil. I have had several different models over the years, but the Kalorik MAXX 26 qt air fryer oven grill has been my favorite by a wide margin. I originally wrote this Kalorik air fryer review in 2022 and promised to update it with long-term results. Now, with over two years of real-world use under its belt (and an additional two surviving college dorm life), I can finally deliver on that promise.

Beyond just performance, there is a question that more and more people are asking about their kitchen appliances: is it safe? Specifically, does it contain PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals? If reducing your toxic load is a priority (and if you are reading Heal Nourish Grow, it probably is), you deserve a straight answer, and in this update mine has changed. I cover the safety details, including a correction to what I wrote before, in this review.

October 2026 correction: Earlier versions of this Kalorik air fryer review called the MAXX Air Fryer Oven Grill PFAS free. When I re-checked Kalorik’s own disclosures, its California AB 1200 filing lists PTFE, the nonstick polymer behind Teflon and itself a PFAS, for this model. I still love how it cooks, but I can no longer call it PFAS free and I explain exactly what the disclosures say below. If a PFAS-free air fryer is your priority, my best non-toxic air fryer guide has the models I recommend now, along with a full review of the one currently on my counter, the Our Place Wonder Oven.

Although this is not a sponsored post, Kalorik did generously send me the Kalorik MAXX air fryer grill 26 qt to try out ahead of my cooking demo at KetoCon way back in 2022.

Disclaimer: Links may contain affiliate links, which means we may get paid a commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through this page. Read our full disclosure here.

Kalorik MAXX at a Glance: Specs and Features

Before getting into the review, here is a quick overview of what you are getting with the Kalorik MAXX 26 qt air fryer oven grill. Kalorik is a Belgian company that has been making kitchen appliances since 1930, so they are not a fly-by-night brand.

One thing worth noting right away: the Kalorik MAXX comes with a rotisserie spit and forks included. Not all air fryers in this price range offer a rotisserie, and as I will explain later in this review, it ended up being one of my favorite ways to use the appliance.

Is the Kalorik Air Fryer PFAS Free?

The short answer: not fully. Kalorik’s own California AB 1200 disclosure lists PTFE for the MAXX Air Fryer Oven Grill, the model line I own. This is the question I get most often about this air fryer, and it deserves a thorough answer. If you have been following the non-toxic cookware conversation here at Heal Nourish Grow, you already know that PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals used in nonstick coatings. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in your body over time.

According to the EPA, exposure to certain PFAS may lead to reproductive effects, developmental effects in children, increased risk of some cancers (including prostate, kidney and testicular), reduced immune function and disruption of the body’s natural hormones. Because these chemicals build up in the body, many health-conscious people are actively working to reduce their overall exposure. Cookware and kitchen appliances are one of the most practical places to start.

What Kalorik’s Disclosures Say

California’s AB 1200 requires cookware brands to disclose chemicals of concern that are intentionally added to food-contact surfaces. On Kalorik’s AB 1200 disclosure page, the MAXX Air Fryer Oven Grill (AFO 47631 SS2), along with two other models, lists polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) alongside metals like aluminum, chromium and nickel. PTFE is the nonstick polymer best known as Teflon, and it is itself a PFAS. The filing does not say which part of the appliance contains it.

The product page fills in part of that picture. It describes the grill grate as heavy-duty die-cast aluminum with a premium nonstick coating, and it does not list materials for the basket, air rack, baking tray or dehydrator tray. It also does not state what the cooking cavity is made of or make any PFAS-free claim for this model. The cavity on my unit is stainless steel, which is why I described it as PFAS free in the past, but I was relying on marketing language Kalorik uses for a different MAXX model.

The Kalorik MAXX Model That Is Marketed PFAS Free

That language comes from the MAXX Advance (AFO 52233 SS), whose product page says it has “a steel cavity construction that is PFAS free” and lists it as BPA and PFOA free. Its AB 1200 filing lists only metals with no PTFE. Its baking tray is described as enamel-coated. The tradeoff is that the Advance does not list a grill grate, Smokeless Sear or a rotisserie, which are the features I loved most. It was also showing as sold out on Kalorik’s site at $289.99 when I checked in October 2026.

How to Use the Oven Grill With Less Exposure

If you already own the MAXX Oven Grill, as I do, you can lower your exposure by cooking on the air rack and air frying basket and skipping the nonstick grill grate. That means giving up Smokeless Sear, since searing happens on the coated grate. You can also swap the included baking tray for your own PFAS free bakeware that fits the oven. Just know that Kalorik does not disclose where the PTFE sits, so this reduces exposure rather than guaranteeing a PTFE-free setup.

How the Kalorik Compares on Safety

Many popular basket-style air fryers have PTFE-coated baskets that are the primary cooking surface you cannot avoid, and the oven-style design of the MAXX at least lets you choose which surfaces your food touches. But under the standard I now use for every air fryer I recommend, a model whose own disclosure lists PTFE does not make the list. That is why the MAXX Oven Grill is no longer in my best non-toxic air fryer guide, even though it remains one of the most versatile air fryers I have cooked with.

If you want to understand more about what PFAS are and why they matter for your health, I wrote a complete guide that breaks it down in plain language.

What Makes the Kalorik MAXX Different

So what makes this Kalorik MAXX 26 qt air fryer my favorite? Several things. The overall design and features are superior to the other air fryers I have owned.

The first thing I want to point out is that it has doors that open to the side rather than the door pulling down like a traditional oven. I find the pull-down oven door style tends to collect crumbs in the crack and can also be hot when taking food out of the air fryer. If you have that style you need to be careful taking food out so you do not get burnt. With the Kalorik air fryer grill you do not need to worry about either of these issues. The doors opening in the center allow for easy and safe access to the oven with no ability to collect crumbs.

I love the aesthetics of this unit as well. It fits in beautifully in a kitchen that already has stainless steel appliances. It is lightweight at just over 17 pounds but still feels high-quality and sturdy. The height of the oven allows it to easily sit on the counter under your cabinets. Just be sure to pull it away from the wall a little before cooking. I noticed with my previous air fryers that cooking too close to the wall can allow the vent to transfer grease to the wall.

The Kalorik MAXX 26 qt features Turbo MAXX technology to create a supercharged hot airflow. This allows food to cook up to 74 percent faster than a traditional oven, which is another great feature. Everyone is so busy, so if your oven can save you time you will love it that much more. The unit is digitally controlled by a knob and touchscreen with 22 cooking presets. I do not use the presets much, but they can definitely be handy for newer cooks.

Smokeless Sear Technology Explained

Smokeless Sear technology is one of the coolest features of the Kalorik air fryer. Kalorik says the MAXX is the only air fryer oven with a dedicated grill and nonstick grill grate, and it is what sets the MAXX apart from the competition.

Here is how it works. The Kalorik MAXX includes a heavy-duty die-cast aluminum grill grate that interlocks with the bottom heating elements. This grill grate reaches temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to create real steakhouse-quality sear marks on your meat. The non-stick diamond pattern on the grill grate produces authentic grill marks and an audible sizzle, just like cooking on an outdoor grill.

This is also the part to understand if you are avoiding PFAS. The grate is the component Kalorik describes as nonstick-coated, and 500 degrees is hotter than 482°F (250°C), the point above which prolonged heating degraded every coating tested in a 2024 study in Heliyon that heated PTFE and ceramic-coated aluminum cookware. Smokeless Sear is the feature I miss most when I cook without the coated grate, but it is the one to skip if lowering PFAS exposure is your priority.

The “smokeless” part comes from an activated charcoal honeycomb filter that absorbs smoke and odors during the grilling process. This means you can sear steaks, grill chicken or cook burgers indoors without filling your kitchen with smoke. No more standing out in the rain or snow to get perfectly seared steaks. The Precision Temperature Control feature displays the exact temperature of your grill grate in real time, giving you total control over the searing process.

I am a huge fan of the reverse sear method for steaks. You can use the Kalorik to accomplish this beautifully. Put your steak (fresh or frozen) in the oven at 225 degrees until the internal temperature reaches about 10 to 15 degrees below your desired doneness, then finish it on the grill grate at 500 degrees for a perfect crust. The results rival a steakhouse.

Rotisserie: The Underrated Feature

While the Smokeless Sear technology gets most of the attention, the rotisserie feature is what I ended up using more than almost anything else. Not all air fryers in this price range include a rotisserie spit, and that alone makes the Kalorik MAXX a standout value.

Chicken made on the rotisserie turns out exceptionally tender and juicy, and it just looks cool spinning in there. It will be your new favorite way to cook chicken. The 26-quart capacity is large enough to fit a whole chicken easily, and the rotating spit ensures even browning on all sides. You may also want to brine your chicken for extra juiciness. The method and ingredients are the same whether you are brining a turkey for Thanksgiving or a simple weeknight rotisserie chicken.

If you are looking for the best 26 qt air fryer that also does rotisserie, this is one of the strongest options on the market. The included rotisserie handle makes it easy and safe to remove the spit when your food is done.

Cooking Performance

Everything I have cooked in the Kalorik air fryer has been cooked quickly and evenly. The last time I cooked a steak I did not even bother with the diamond grill grate to see how the meat turned out without it, and it was still excellent.

The air frying function produces crispy results with little to no oil. French fries come out golden and crunchy. Vegetables roast beautifully. Frozen foods come back to life in a way that a microwave simply cannot match. The Kalorik reaches up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can achieve pan sear-style caramelization on meat and vegetables that lower-powered air fryers struggle with.

The 10-in-1 versatility is not just marketing. I have used it to air fry, bake, toast, roast, grill, rotisserie and dehydrate at various points. It handles each function well enough that it can replace multiple appliances. You can bake cookies, dehydrate fruit, toast bread, roast a whole chicken and grill a steak all in the same unit. For anyone following a keto or low carb lifestyle, this kind of versatility is handy for quick, healthy meals.

Two Year Durability Update

When I first wrote this Kalorik air fryer review in 2022, I promised to update it with long-term information about how the stainless steel interior holds up and how well the unit performs over time. Here is that update.

After I used the Kalorik MAXX regularly for the two years, my son took it with him to college about two years ago. He has been using it frequently since then. For a college student, the air fryer oven has made cooking at school realistic. It is essentially his primary cooking appliance for everything from quick meals between classes to cooking for friends on the weekends.

After over two years of regular use (including the not-always-gentle handling of a college kitchen), the Kalorik MAXX is still going strong with zero mechanical failures or problems. The stainless steel interior does show some wear, which is expected after this much use, but it is generally holding up well. There have been no issues with the controls, the heating elements, the door mechanism or any of the electronic components. No parts have needed replacement.

The fact that this unit has survived college life and still works perfectly is one of the strongest endorsements I can give it. If it can handle that, it can handle anything.

Cleaning and Maintenance

My previous air fryer oven got filthy inside in pretty short order. With the heating elements exposed and the size, air fryer ovens can generally be difficult to clean. That is what was so attractive to me about the stainless steel oven interior of the Kalorik air fryer.

The stainless steel interior resists discoloration and usually just needs a quick wipe. The French door design also makes it easy to reach the entire interior for cleaning. Most of the accessories (with the exception of the crumb tray) are dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup even easier. The more you clean these little ovens right after use, the easier they are to upkeep.

One tip I would give is to remove and clean the crumb tray regularly. Crumbs and grease can accumulate there and start to smoke if left too long. The drip groove on the grill grate model is a nice addition that catches grease and splatters during the grilling process.

The activated charcoal filter should be replaced periodically if you use the grill function frequently. Kalorik sells replacement filters on their website.

Kalorik vs Other Non-Toxic Air Fryers

If you are specifically shopping for a non-toxic or PFAS free air fryer, here is how the Kalorik MAXX compares to some of the other popular options in 2026. I cover most of these models in much more detail in my best non-toxic air fryer guide, including the research I did on Prop 65 disclosures and AB1200 reports for each one.

The Kalorik MAXX Oven Grill stands out in this group for its cooking range. It has a built-in rotisserie, which became one of my favorite ways to use it and which only the Fritaire matches here. Its 26 quarts suit family-sized meals. And the Smokeless Sear grill function is unique to Kalorik: Kalorik says it is the only air fryer oven with a dedicated grill, and the activated charcoal filter keeps the smoke down.

Where the Kalorik MAXX Oven Grill falls short is the disclosure. Kalorik’s own AB 1200 filing lists PTFE for this model, so if avoiding PFAS is the reason you are shopping, a glass model like the Ninja Crispi or Fritaire, or the Our Place Wonder Oven, is the better fit. Within Kalorik’s own lineup, the MAXX Advance is the model whose filing lists no PTFE.

If cooking versatility matters more to you than a fully PFAS-free appliance, the Kalorik is hard to beat. For the full comparison including material disclosures and my research process, see my best non-toxic air fryer guide. For a deeper look at PFAS free kitchen options beyond air fryers, check out my comprehensive cookware guide.

Pros and Cons

What I Love

• Oven-style design lets you choose which surfaces your food touches, unlike basket fryers with a coated basket you cannot avoid
• Smokeless Sear delivers steakhouse-quality results indoors
• Included rotisserie spit is a standout feature not found in most competitors at this price
• 26-quart capacity fits a whole chicken, 12-inch pizza or family-sized meals easily
• French door design prevents burns and crumb buildup compared to pull-down doors
• Proven durability after 2+ years of regular use including college dorm life
• Reaches 500 degrees Fahrenheit for real searing and caramelization
• Lightweight at 17 pounds despite the large capacity
• Cooks up to 74 percent faster than a traditional oven

What Could Be Better

• Kalorik’s AB 1200 filing lists PTFE for this model, and the grill grate used for Smokeless Sear is nonstick-coated
• The timer buzzer is loud (great if you are in another room, not great if you are standing next to it)
• It takes up a fair amount of counter space, though the height allows it to fit under most cabinets
• Not the most intuitive controls out of the box. Plan to spend 10 minutes with the manual
• French doors can be a bit touchy and may spring shut with a slight nudge

Who Should Buy the Kalorik MAXX

The Kalorik MAXX 26 qt air fryer oven grill is best suited for people who want more than just a basic air fryer. If any of the following describe you, this is worth serious consideration.

• You care more about cooking range than about a fully PFAS-free appliance
• You love the idea of indoor grilling without the smoke
• You want a rotisserie function (this was one of my favorite features and not all air fryers include one)
• You cook for a family and need a large capacity air fryer
• You follow a keto or low carb diet and want a versatile appliance for quick healthy meals
• You want to replace multiple countertop appliances with a single 10-in-1 unit

If a PFAS-free air fryer is your top priority, this is not the one for you; start with my best non-toxic air fryer guide instead. If you have a small kitchen with limited counter space or you only cook for one person, you might want to look at a smaller basket-style air fryer instead. But for families and anyone who likes to cook a variety of foods, the Kalorik MAXX is hard to beat for the price.

Check current pricing on Amazon, since Kalorik’s own site shows the Oven Grill sold out as of October 2026. Kalorik’s site still has plenty of other appliances and recipes, including my Salmon en Papillote and other recipes from my cookbook.