How to choose an air fryer for your home? Detailed guide to choosing and purchasing and rating for 2021

Advantages and disadvantages of an air fryer

The main advantages of the air fryer are:

• the ability to prepare up to three dishes simultaneously using different containers in 30-40 minutes;
• food is prepared without the use of oils and fats;
• There is no air pollution when preparing food, and there are no odors;
• human participation is not required in the cooking itself; the device prepares dishes independently according to a predetermined program;
• Possibility of using any heat-resistant cookware.

Among the disadvantages of the device it is worth noting:

• high energy consumption;
• longer cooking process compared to an electric or gas stove;
• due to the strong heating of the flask, it is necessary to provide a protective fence against children as a safety measure;
• not the largest volume of devices (especially for baking and roasting) compared to the oven.

Advice! Please note that the device cannot replace a full-fledged steamer. The exception is models with a steam humidifier.

Useful properties of food cooked in an air fryer

The air fryer is one of the healthiest cooking appliances because the air used to cook food is clean and hot. You can cook in an air fryer without oil or fat. This is a big plus for those who are concerned about their health and figure.

Thanks to the environmental friendliness of the device, people who are prone to allergies can safely enjoy all kinds of dishes without worrying about the consequences. It is thanks to all its positive qualities that the air fryer will take its rightful place in your kitchen.

Types of air fryer

Classic air fryer (with bowl)

Models of traditional devices are made of heat-resistant glass and are equipped with a variety of accessories. The lid, which also acts as a grill, can be removable or mounted on a bracket.

Pros:

• large range of models;
• the ability to increase the capacity of the bowl using a special stand;
• Wide functionality and a rich set of components.

Minuses:

• large sizes of devices;
• high price of electronically controlled devices.

Classic air fryer

Universal air fryer lid

Due to the fact that the main part of the air fryer is located on the lid itself, manufacturers began to develop universal models of appliances without bowls. They attach to any heat-resistant container with a suitable diameter.

Plus:

• relatively small dimensions;
• Possibility of use with any type of dishes of the required volume;
• acceptable price.

Minuses:

• not as wide a choice of models and set of functions as classic-type devices.

Universal air fryer lid

Basic criteria for choosing an air fryer

Power

The performance of the device and, accordingly, the amount of time spent on preparing the dish directly depends on the power. At the same time, too high a power is also not an excellent indicator, because this will increase energy consumption, and the dishes may turn out to be too dry.

Thus, the power of the device ranges from 600 to 1800 W.

Recommendation! To prepare most dishes, it is enough to purchase a medium-power convection oven, about 1200-1400 W.

Bowl volume

The volume of the flask is usually indicated by two numbers: the first number represents the main volume, and the second number is increased using a special ring attachment.

All convection oven models are divided into three main categories:

• small (8-12 l);
• medium (10-14 l);
• large (12-16 l).

Small devices are suitable for preparing lunch for one or two people. If you want to cook several different dishes at the same time, then you should pay attention to large appliances with a volume of at least 12 liters.

Heater type

Three types of heating elements can be used to heat the air in a convection oven:

• heating element;
• halogen heater;
• carbon heater.

heating element

A metal heating element is the most powerful heating element, which has high mechanical strength and does not require interruptions for cooling, however, during use it can be subject to oxidation and corrosion.

Halogen heater

The halogen heater is a halogen glass-ceramic lamp and is one of the more environmentally friendly options, plus it does not oxidize. At the same time, the lamp has a shorter working life.

Carbon heater

The carbon heater is made of infrared based on carbon filaments. It is the most high-tech product, has a high energy conversion coefficient and a long service life.

As an example, let's conduct a comparative analysis between a metal and a halogen heater.

Airflow speed

In simpler models, the fan speed is not adjustable; only one operating mode is used. The latest models have three different speeds (high, medium and low).

Control type

Based on the type of control, devices are divided into mechanical and electronic.

Devices with a mechanical control type are more suitable for simple dishes, since they only allow temperature and time control.

With electronic control, the possibilities expand: there is a choice of one of three fan speeds, cooking in different ways, setting a timer, and others. Their price is higher than that of mechanically controlled devices.

Cover fastening method

The lid of the air fryer can be removable or non-removable (hinged). A hinged lid has a number of advantages over a removable lid, including:

• mobility and lightness;
• The lid is more convenient to wash by hand;
• safety.

Equipment

In most cases, air fryer manufacturing companies include additional useful devices in their components that facilitate the cooking process and expand the capabilities of the device:

• a set of gratings with long, medium-length and short legs;
• skewers;
• poultry attachments;
• steamer;
• gripping tongs;
• baking tray;
• lid stand;
• expansion rings to increase the volume of the flask.

Equipment

About the advantages of the air fryer, its pros and cons

Regardless of the cooking method, food in the air fryer does not burn or stick to the bottom of the bowl.

The advantages of the device also include the following characteristics:

1. Minimum odors during cooking.
2. Reduced cooking time.
3. Maximum preservation of vitamins and nutrients in prepared dishes - for those who adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
4. Safety of technology for humans. No harmful radiation.
5. You can cook food for one person or for the whole family.
6. Doesn't take up much space.
7. You can cook in dishes made of almost any material, including metal and wooden containers.
8. The cooking process can be seen and controlled.

This is not a complete list of the capabilities and advantages of a home assistant, which fully preserves the beneficial properties of products.

Air fryers also have disadvantages, such as:

1. Weak steaming system - according to owner reviews.
2. The glass flask gets very hot; do not come into contact with the heated structure, especially for children.
3. Dividing grids are difficult to clean.
4. High power consumption.

Using the control system on the lid, you can adjust the cooking speed

Additional functions

• Timer

The timer can emit a signal at the end of the cooking process and automatically turn off the product. In more advanced models, the timer also allows you to set the start time.

• Keep warm

The keep warm function allows you to keep ready-made food hot for the required time.

• Adjustable airflow

By selecting the fan speed mode, it becomes possible to cook dishes with minimal electrical energy consumption, create a crispy crust and bake food more thoroughly.

• Autoheating

The function is convenient in the absence of a microwave, although it takes longer to heat food than a microwave.

• Drying

Mode of low-temperature processing of mushrooms, herbs, fruits. Allows you to retain beneficial substances in them.

• Self-cleaning

Self-cleaning, in its essence, is not a separate function, but many manufacturers claim it separately. It is done as follows: a container with water and detergent is placed in the device, after which the chamber is steamed for 10-15 minutes. The softened fat residues should then be removed manually.

Mistakes when choosing an air fryer

Sometimes it happens that a long-awaited acquisition could not meet your expectations and hopes. Let's look at what this might be connected with:

1. In order to save money, you purchased a grill with a halogen heating element, which has a short service life, a minimal set of functions and light that irritates the eyes. To eliminate these unpleasant moments, you should pay attention to devices with a different type of heating element.
2. In the purchased device, the grille, which prevents the direct influence of the hot air flow, turned out to be non-removable and made of wire. In such products, dishes will often burn or dry out, and it will be quite difficult to clean.
3. The total weight of a pan made of thick glass is about 4-8 kilograms, and therefore it will be quite difficult to wash it. Even devices with a self-cleaning function must be cleaned yourself.

Rating of the best air fryer manufacturers

The most popular manufacturers of air fryers are:

• REDMOND (mainly budget models);
• VES and Kitfort (average price);
• Hotter (premium models).

Other well-known manufacturers of these devices are Unit, DUX, Polaris, Sinbo, Smile, Tefal, Bosch, Vitesse and Philips. Here are several models from each price category.

Budget models

Middle price segment

Premium models

pros

• A multifunctional appliance can replace several units of household appliances in the kitchen at once.
• A set of additional functions - heating, delayed start, temperature adjustment, changing the intensity of convection - makes the convection oven as convenient to use as possible.
• Several cooking programs allow you to choose the one you need without taking active part in the process itself.
• The ability to cook without using oil and fat makes the prepared food not only tasty, but also healthy.
• Cooking several dishes at the same time significantly reduces the time spent in the kitchen.
• Cooked food retains most of the vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy human diet.
• Almost complete absence of odor during cooking , no harmful effects in the form of radiation for the environment, humans and animals.
• The small size of the compact device allows it to be used not only at home, but also while traveling.