The Omni and Omni Plus Air Fryer Oven is one of the appliances I use the most in my kitchen. It’s so versatile and with all the different combinations and positions for the racks and trays, there is no end to the recipes you can cook with it. But it’s versatility is also what can make it so complicated, especially for beginning cooks and new owners, who wonder….
- What rack do I use?
- Does the tray always go on the bottom?
- What level do I place the rack on?
- When do I use the basket vs the rack?
- Can I cook on multiple levels?
- Why the heck is this tray smoking?????
If you have ever asked these questions, you came to the right place. I’ll go over each of those questions and more, to help you get the best out of your Air Fryer Oven.
Here is my step by step tutorial video.
Let’s start with the rack accessories that come with the Omni/Omni Plus. The 3 rack accessories that come with both air fryer ovens are:
(in the manual they call this the Oven Rack)
(in the manual they call this the Cooking Pan. I don’t use that term because I don’t think it’s the best thing to cook on. I will explain why a little later.)
Where do I start in deciding where to place the racks?
My first suggestion is for beginners who aren’t sure where to start, to follow the suggestion of the Omni. The Omni and Omni Plus both have the suggested rack placement on the outer door. This can be a good place to start when you aren’t sure. Typically I stick to their suggested placement for Air Fryer, Bake, and Toast mode. Remember though, these suggestions work best for the Rack, not necessarily the Drip Tray.
Best Rack Positions for Air Frying
The trick for deciding what rack position and what racks to use when cooking in the air fry mode, I like to focus on the “FRY” aspect of the Air Fryer Oven and not the “OVEN” part. what I mean by that is, the reason deep frying works so well is because the hot oil surrounds all of the surface area of the food, evenly. Nothing but the hot oil is touching the food.
So, when air frying food, think of it like deep frying in oil and go for the tray and rack position that will allow you to get the most surface are of the food surrounded evenly with the hot air. Here are the 3 rack set-ups I use for air frying.
- The best set-up is simply the Wire Rack in the middle position. (This allows for the most even air flow to surround the food, with the least amount of surface area covered or touching the rack.)
2. If your food is too small to fit on the rack without it falling through, then the next best set-up is the air fry basket on top of the rack.
3. If you food is too messy to place on an open rack or the basket, then my next best suggestion is to place your food on a sheet pan. This allows for the most even cooking, just make sure to flip the food 3/4 of the way through cooking.
Best Rack Position for Baking
Most food you bake is:
- In a pan (cake, brownies, etc.) that have a thick batter and tend to brown on top way before it’s done int he middle and on the bottom.
- Cookies or food on a tray that have high sugar contents and over brown on the top and burn.
- Casseroles in deep dishes that burn on top before the middle is done cooking.
The best way to keep this over browning and burning on the top from happening, is to make sure the food is as far from the top heating element and fan, as possible. To do this, use the “BAKE” mode so the bottom heating element is turned on, and place the Wire Rack on the bottom position.
Why not use the BLACK DRIP TRAY instead of the sheet pan?
You are probably wondering why I don’t use the Black Drip Tray instead of a sheet pan on the rack? I have been cooking with the Instant Omni Air Fryer Oven for over a year, almost every day. I have found that the Black Drip Tray is not optimal for cooking most foods on. It tends to overheat because of the dark coating. The dark coating on any tray will absorb heat and causes uneven cooking and also can cause drippings and fat to smoke. Finally, the coating on the tray discolors easily and can be almost impossible to clean. As of now, you cannot buy another tray, but if you use a sheet pan, that can be cleaned easier and if it gets ruined, you can easily find a replacement.
So when and how do you use the Black Drip Tray?
- You can place it on the very bottom level when air frying, for easier clean up. By placing the tray on the lowest level, you are raising the floor of the oven, and this doesn’t impede in the cooking, but actually can help it. **Do not do this on modes that use the bottom heating element or with food that drips a lot of fat or moisture, because it may cause smoking.**
- Because it heats up so fast and so hot, you can use that to your advantage. In my Air Fryer Cuban Sandwich recipe I preheat the drip tray in the oven so it gets really hot. When I place the sandwiches on top, it acts like a panini press and makes the bottom of the bread crispy as the top is getting crispy from the air fryer.
- When you are cooking food (like cakes or frozen pizza), and the top begins to brown too much, you can place the Black Drip Tray on the very top level to block the air and heat.
Get Creative
Lastly, think outside of the box. Try different set-ups and don’t be afraid to use the trays in an unconventional manner.
Lana Under Pressure 
This is wonderful Lana. Exactly what I needed! You are so kind to take the time (and talent!) to help clear up the confusion.
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It’s my absolute pleasure! I’m so glad i could help. Happy cooking and stay safe.
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Thanks, Lana. Very useful info! I have a question, though. If I’m doing bacon in the basket, and it’s dripping fat like crazy, what do I do with or on the bottom? I want to avoid smoke and as much mess as possible. And do you wipe the heating elements to clean them after? I don’t want to damage them.
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Hi. I would use the foil truck to cover the bottom including the heating elements. Also this will let you save the fat if you want to pour it into a jar to use later. Abs ya, once they are cool I wipe the heating element with a Norwex cloth after every cook. Just don’t do it too hard.
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Sorry…foil truck? Doesn’t take much to confuse me 😁
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Oh my gosh, my horrible autocorrect. I’m known for typos on my phone. I meant foil trick. Where you cover the bottom with foil.
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When I tried to do that the foil would not stay put due to the air convection? How do you make it stay put ? Even when I put foil on the drip tray I gave to use heavy duty foil which still flaps but luckily is tucked around the edges of the pan so stays
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Hi. if you mean how does the foil stay when I drape it over the bottom, I crimp it around the metal bars.
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it specifically says not to use foil in this oven, due to risk of fire.
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Yes because the concern is that the foil of not secured well can blow up and touch the heating element. Just make sure you secure it well. I've never had an issue. But it's totally your call. Hope this helps.
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Omni plus has a air fry basket can you provide the link as to where I can buy that for my Omni plus ? I can’t seem to locate the basket on amazon
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How to make a pizza in the omni plus??
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How do I reheat pizza? Ty ☺️🌴🌴
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Oh boy is the best at reheating pizza. Averiado I think it’s better reheated than the first day. I place my pizza dice directly on the rack in the middle position but if you think the cheese will Mahe a mess you can put it on a baking tray. Press reheat for 360 for about 6 to 8 minutes. Just check it so it doesn’t burn.
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to reheat pizza i find myself wanting to use toast function because it doesn’t need to preheat but then I can’t use the drip tray to catch the cheese when it melts . Because air fry is the only function that using only top element i find myself using that all the time since it allows me to use the drip tray . So i feel i am not making use of the other functions. I watched your other videos but still not sure when to use bake or roast . Also Why does switching from one function to another still take so long to preheat when oven was already assuming at temperature? Thnx
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Great questions! To answer the preheat time question, the preheat is not set to a temperature like a traditional oven. It is always just based on a predetermined time. I think it's about 3-4 mins. So even if the oven is hot and you turn it off and restart, it will preheat for the same time. The reheat function does not preheat though. Also, if your oven is hot and you change mode and it reads preheating…it is just cooking at the same it would anyway so subtract 3 mins off your cook time and keep the food in during preheating. Bake and Roast are teh same except the time and temp ranges you have are different, Roast uses the rotisserie function.
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Lana,please try to get us replacements. I need a misplaced oven rack. THANKS
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Hi. Sadly I don’t work for and I am not sponsored by Instant company so I have no pull. I do know that they do not offer replacement trays or racks separately, however you can contact the company to see if they could help out.
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Hi Lana. I’ve misplaced my rotisserie attachments. How can I get a replacement
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Sadly, the Instant company doesn’t sell accessories separately. However, they are really great with customer service, if you reach out to them they may help you out.
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Where can I buy extra fryer basket and rack? I just air fried an apple. It took 2 times. Half an apple each. Not much room
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Yeah, sadly Instant company doesn’t sell accessories separately. However, in my accessories article I have a basket that I use and stack on top of the one that comes with the Omni. That gives a little extra room.
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Are both the Omni and the Omni Plus the same dimensions?
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Yes 🙂
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how do you slow cook in this oven
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If you have the Omni Plus, then it has a slow cook function. The Omni doesn't. Though theoretically you could use the dehydrate function on higher heat.
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Hi, do you have a link for the sheet pan that you use instead of the drip pan?
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Hi. Hmmm I will see if I can find one and I will add it to the blog.
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Hello,
Thanks for the great info!
Do you happen to know where I can get a replacement for the oven rack for Omni Plus?
Thanks!
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Hi. Sadly they do not sell any replacement racks for the Omni or the Vortex. I wish they would, but as of now they don't.
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I wish I had found this site when I got omni plus for xmas.
I had seen these ads for months and treated myself …
Sighhhhhh but bought it on line from FB market sale SITE
What a ripe off … as they never returned calls or text messages
The rack and drip tray kept falling to the bottom of unit AND NO ROASTERY UNIT..GRRRRRRR.. Feeling the unit was dropped or crushed down by excessive shipping weight I carefully measured..
The unit at each marked areas on glass door, the top and bottom to find all exactly the same… sighhhhhh
AS I KEPTED GETTING THE I TOLD YOU SO… I STOMPPED OFF TO GARAGE, with drip tray and rack to hardkinise…
Using table vise on edge of drip tray I crushed lip out flat on both sides to get it to side on rails..
Now the rack I placed in vise bending out center each side then moving to each end flattening out bend of it to slide in rails too.
Hope one day to find a roastery spit for it.
This how to use use is a blessing thank you
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Oh my I am so sorry that you had that experience. I am glad that my info could help a bit though.
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Hey there…new to the group and Omni Plus. I also own a Cosori basket type and am addicted to air frying!
i’m having trouble w/ Omni racks slipping when I pull food out to turn it over. Rack drops out of the side groove causing it to tilt. Kinda dangerous. Am I doing something wrong?
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Hi! I am so sorry you are having this issue. There should be metal brackets on the side of the oven should keep this from happening. Some tilting is normal but it shouldn't tilt so much that it is dangerous. I would call customer service, they are usually really great at helping.
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Do you have issues with the oven rack falling or not fitting properly on any of the Instant Omni models you've tried? Thinking of switching from my NuWave because it's a little too small sometimes, but I've heard rumors about issues with the racks being too narrow for the slot.
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Hi, I’m looking to use the dehydrator but not sure which rack to use. Also, can I use more than one rack at a time when dehydrating. It’s such a waste of time to dehydrate only what fits on one rack. Thanks for your help!
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You can use 2, but make sure to rotate them.
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I want to dehydrate foods in my omni pro but dont have enough baking racks. Any recommendations?
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You can find racks on again that will fit. Also there is an air fryer oven copper tray that works at Walmart.
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Where can I purchase replacement parts like the wire rack and the drip tray?
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Sadly as Far as I'm aware, you can't.
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