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Air Fryers: Yes or No?

Both me and my gf are keen cooks but our friends keep telling us we need an air fryer (I would have thought it would have been something for us two to decide, but hey-ho). I've seen them in the shops and online but it looks like an extra bit of kitchen kit which we might not use that much anyway. If you have one, how much (in £s) did you pay and what sort of stuff do you do with it?

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CountScrofula · 41-45, M

So the trick with air fryers is they're not fryers. They're tiny convection ovens so there's air circulation in addition to the heating.

And as such, I find they're really great. They're significantly better than toaster ovens. That said if you already have a toaster oven, probably skip it. However it is an upgrade.

MistyCee

We've got one big enough to use like a miniature convection oven, and it is great if you have the source for it.

In addition to cooking, it's much better than a microwave for heating up pizza and french fries. I thought we'd rarely use it when we got it as a gift, but I'm converted, even though I tend to prefer the regular oven or the stove.

SW-User

I have two and I use them all the time actually. It's very convenient for certain things. It does crisp well. I prefer the Ninja foodi that has the pressure cooker and the air fryer together as it's a multi-functional appliance. I can cook a whole chicken in the pressure cooker then crisp in up in the same pot with the air fry function.

SooperSarah

I was about to get one when my oven got a software update to give if an air fry option. I assume all it did was add the air fry button and any convection oven can air fry.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@SooperSarah It's a case where marketing actually serves a useful communication function. My oven came with a convection oven option which I never took the time to try and figure out since all it seemed to do was save me time, which I had plenty of. When air fryers became popular it sounded like a convection oven to me, so I tried it on a few items and -- voila! -- I had myself an air fryer without costing me a penny. Granted, much bigger than I need and without a handy guide as to how to use on smaller amounts.

SooperSarah

@dancingtongue I haven't tried the air fry feature yet because I'm not sure how to adjust the temp and time on things I want to make. I'm the type that needs detailed instructions.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@SooperSarah My oven came with an automatic conversion feature on temp, which seems to drop the temp 25 degrees. Since I'm primarily using this for the roasting/crisping benefits rather than the saving time feature, I set the temp 25 degrees higher to cancel out this feature and figure the time will be about a half what I would do in the normal oven. It seems to give me a ballpark goal for roasting and crisping, if I keep an eye on it and adjust accordingly as I gain experience.

DunningKruger · 61-69, M

We have an Instant Pot with an air fryer feature. It was maybe $150 at the time (don't remember). We use it all the time — sometimes when it may not be the best way to prepare a dish. It has really added a lot to our cooking repertoire.

Fullmetal · 46-50, M

@DunningKruger wish I would have saw that! Nice feature!

Thespis · M

They’re ok, they get to temp much faster than a kitchen oven, but are nothing more than a convection oven. Air fryer is just a marketing term. The trade off is size, it’s great for one person, but stink for families or groups.

WhateverWorks · 36-40

From what I understand, it’s mostly great for reheating/cooking the prepackaged stuff better than a microwave or oven. When I looked it up on YouTube I found out it’s really just a hyped up convection oven apparently.

Ontheroad · M

I almost never use my oven since buying my air fryer. It's plenty big to cook for two, is like a convection oven and has multiple purposes. Plus, it flips up when not in use so it doesn't take up much counter space.

Torsten · 36-40, M

One of the best things I have purchased in a while. Cooks' food fast and tastes better than a oven or microwave. Easy to clean and does not take up much space.
Its a no brainer really

Punxi · 26-30, F

In what dinky kitchen counter space I have, it replaced my need of and space the microwave used to take up.

Lilymoon · F

No I used it twice now it just takes up space lol

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Lilymoon · F

@jackieash Plus the clean up is a pain. 🤷‍♀️

LunarOrbit · 56-60, M

@Lilymoon ‘zactly

This message was deleted by its author.

Fullmetal · 46-50, M

Yes yes yes!! Love mine!!

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jackieash · 26-30

@Fullmetal Seeing as there are two of us, it seems like 4litre size is the recommendation. Next thing to consider is the make.

jackieash · 26-30

@Fullmetal $150 Canadian is around £100. Hmm.

Fullmetal · 46-50, M

@jackieash there's cheaper ones out there! Regardless, you'll love it!

Entwistle · 56-60, M

I bought mine for £89 a few months ago,its fantastic. I couldn't live without it now.

KiwiBird · 36-40, F

Keep Life Simple....and the Kitchen. You don't need it if you can cook.

jackieash · 26-30

@KiwiBird I'm inclined to think about keeping it simple...

Dlrannie · 31-35, F

I see no point in frying air as it’s perfectly ok as it comes 😂😂🙂🐼🥢

AntisocialTroll · 56-60, F

I bought mine for £45, really glad I got it, I use liners for anything messy so cleaning it's a doddle, it's brilliant for things like frozen foods but it also does stuff like omelettes and bacon really well too.

Wouldn't be without mine, it's cheaper to use than the oven too.

LeopoldBloom · M

I use my air fryer all the time. I even bought one for my friend after she burned herself cooking with oil. I got the 7 liter one mainly for the extra surface area.

jackieash · 26-30

@LeopoldBloom 7 litres? That must be a monster!

LeopoldBloom · M

@jackieash They make bigger ones, but they have shelves which I heard don't work as well as a single open chamber.

jackieash · 26-30

My GF bought one last week. I've tried it once or twice. Not a fan. She likes it....

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basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M

@jackieash but how?! Popcorn is delicious!

MistyCee

@jackieash It's a nifty little convenience, imo. Try crisping left over french fries or reheating pizza, for example.

For real cooking, Im not sold, but it's got advantages over a microwave or a conventional oven.

jackieash · 26-30

@basilfawlty89 I just don't like the taste or the texture of popcorn

ArtieKat · M

I haven't got one yet but another catering pro who I was chatting to this morning admitted she had rubbished them for ages and now wouldn't be without hers. I think I'm a convert

Disposal · 36-40, M

I got myself a Ninja airfry and I pretty much use it every so often more than the oven. I got mine for £100 but paid 20 a month without any addition interest on Amazon

saragoodtimes · F

love mine, wonder why I didn't buy one sooner. make sure you get one big enough I have a 7 quart and it easily handles a family of four. makes the best hot wings ever

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

What few think about is the cost in electricity.

Natural gas is far cheaper no matter how you look at it.

Whodunnit · M

I keep hearing really great things about them. I'm certainly considering one.

smileylovesgaming · 31-35, F

I have one we never use it not even once. I got it from my aunt

saragoodtimes · F

@smileylovesgaming you're missing out, does everything

nevergiveup · M

We have one and never looked back. The food tastes better

LILREBELDOM69VAMP69 · 46-50, M

Fuck yes air fryers are fucking awesome

Keeper · M

I have one and use it often. 👍

MarineBob · 56-60, M

Ours is built in to the range

SW-User

Yez

basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M

I don't have one, but my best friend does and ge swears by it. Makes almost everything on it. Granted he's not a great cook, but on the whole the food came out okay.

SW-User

Best thing you can buy

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