Air fryer buying guide

An air fryer is not a conventional fryer, but rather an appliance that works like a mini convection oven.

The main feature of an air fryer is that it uses very little fat. The result is delicious 'fried' food like you get with a traditional fryer or deep fat fryer, but without the need for all the oil, and so avoiding all of the excess fat.

They work like an electric convection oven in which, once closed, the air heats up thanks to resistors located in several spots, depending on the model. Pushed by the fan, the hot air constantly circulates inside the appliance and around the food until it is cooked. Consequently, they cook faster than conventional ovens and are cheaper.

The main difference between one air fryer and another lies in the capacity and size of the appliance, as well as the features available. There are also differences in shape depending on the brand and model, so there are plenty to choose from.

Front-opening air fryer

These air fryers have a front 'door' that opens to provide access to a drawer or tray that holds the food being cooked. The digital control panel is also on the front of the appliance.

Basket air fryers

Some models have a removable basket to put food into more easily. As is to be expected with these fryers, the basket isn't submerged in oil, but instead the food is cooked with the hot air that circulates in the compartment.

Top-opening air fryer

This type of air fryer has a lid on the top for access. The lid may be transparent for easier monitoring of the food being cooked, or opaque. In this case, you just have to watch the cooking time.

Paddle air fryer

Some models feature a rotating paddle to mix or move the food and therefore cook it more evenly. Some also include a basket for more delicate items that won't withstand the paddle.

Multi-purpose air fryers

Their versatility in terms of design and functionality makes these appliances true multi-purpose gadgets that not only make fried foods - they can also bake, grill or even dehydrate. Some even come with accessories to roast chicken or make kebabs.

Mini-oven air fryer

These models are a twist on standard air fryers, because they're designed to stand in for ovens in homes that don't have one. The size of a small oven, they have several rack positions for grills or trays. They close with a transparent front door that lets you monitor the food cooking inside.

They work exactly like any air fryer, but have more features which give them greater versatility.

The first question to ask yourself when deciding whether to buy an air fryer is: what do you need it for? Will you use it enough to warrant adding another gadget to your kitchen? Or maybe the air fryer will replace other appliances, such as a mini-oven, grill or food dehydrator.

Space

Before buying your air fryer, you need to make sure you have enough space on your kitchen work surface to keep it there, although another option is to store it in the cupboards when not in use.

Air fryers are usually smaller than traditional fryers, ranging from 15-35 cm wide and deep and about 40 cm tall, depending on the shape.

Oval-shaped versions, although smaller in general, take up quite a bit of surrounding space when you store them.

Capacity

While there's no need to fill the air fryer with oil compared to a traditional fryer, you still need to take its capacity (i.e., how many litres it can hold) into consideration when it comes to choosing a particular model.

This will depend largely on the number of people in your household and how much food you need to cook, or whether you have regular guests.

Capacity guidelines for air fryers

There are larger air fryers available, from 8 to 10 l, or even 20 to 25 l, which are more like mini tabletop ovens.

Temperature control

One must-have option on an air fryer is temperature control, to ensure your food it optimally cooked. This usually ranges from 100º to 200º, and can be adjusted digitally.

Timer

With air fryers, the timer is vital to set the correct cooking time. This, together with temperature control, is the most basic function on any model. If it also has a pause button, you will be able to stop the device and open it to take out or turn food without resetting the cooking time.

Technology

Although air fryers basically work using the convection of hot air inside the appliance's compartment, different brands use different methods, some of which require pre-heating. Depending on which brand you go for, you can find 3D Air Pulse, Rapidair or TurboStar technology, most of which are designed to improve the speed and efficiency of cooking.

While the oldest models are analogue, with dials that are used to set the cooking time and temperature, many now feature a digital LED control panel. Some can even be controlled from a smartphone app.

Settings

Some air fryers not only feature temperature control and a timer, but also automatic preset programmes to cook specific food or meals. There are around a dozen such settings that exist.

Accessories

Accessories included with air fryers give them greater versatility to cook a wide range of meals and not only the most obvious "fried" dishes.

Some come with grills, kebab skewers, trays, moulds etc.

Cleaning

The different parts of an air fryer tend to be made from easy-to-clean materials. The trays are non-stick and certain models feature a self-cleaning mode or have components that can be washed in the dishwasher.

Safety

To prevent burns when touching the outside of an air fryer, or to stop the food inside from burning if the timer is set too long, air fryers usually feature a switch-off mode to prevent overheating.

Price

Price can be a determining factor when it comes to choosing the best appliance for you. You will find basic devices retailing from £40, right up to the biggest and most sophisticated models that cost £100s.

For example, a 5 - 7 l, 1500 - 1700W air fryer will be around £100 - £120.

In an air fryer, you can cook any food that we think of as fried: chips (from raw potato or frozen), battered vegetables, tempura, fish, chicken or meat in small portions, croquettes, pasties, most frozen food and even fried eggs.

It isn't strictly true that no oil is used, because for the food to cook properly and taste better, you will need to add a small amount of oil - about 1 teaspoon.

You can also heat, roast, or bake meals.

Remember when adding oil that pre-fried or pre-cooked food already contains a certain amount.

There are several advantages to cooking with an air fryer:

• Healthier food with 80% less fat and less oil.

• Easy-to-use and time-saving with the different settings, temperature control and timer, which allow you to go and do something else without having to monitor the frying pan.

• Cleaner than traditional fryers as there's no smoke, odour or oil splashing on the worktop.

• More energy-efficient than traditional ovens or microwaves, saving you electricity.

Although in theory there are only advantages to using this appliance, some people have noted the following downsides:

• Lack of flavour, due to almost no oil being used.

• Food isn't as crispy as with traditional deep frying.

• Deep fat fryers are cheaper to buy than air fryers.

Basically, it all depends on your personal tastes!

If you are replacing an old air fryer or electrical appliance, always try to recycle by taking it to a local household waste recycling centre or contact your local council to have it collected.

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