Are you enticed by the idea of owning an air fryer, but afraid it’ll end up as another useless kitchen gadget taking up precious space in your tiny kitchen? We’re here to assist you. The air fryer, available in various shapes and sizes, can be a versatile addition to any kitchen once you understand its capabilities. In the past year, air fryers have become more standardized in terms of shapes and sizes, and like the Instant Pot, they often appear at major online sales events like Black Friday or Prime Week. The popularity of air fryers has even led to the inclusion of air-fryer settings in all-in-one kitchen appliances and conventional ovens, making them a great option for smaller kitchens with limited space. Some air fryers even offer two separate cooking areas, allowing you to cook two different items simultaneously without worrying about one item cooling down.
First and foremost, let’s clarify one thing: air fryers are not actually frying. They function more like compact convection ovens, often taking the form of pod-shaped devices. Most air fryers work by combining a heating element and fan, allowing the hot air to better crisp the outside of food compared to other cooking methods. They can reach higher temperatures than toaster ovens, which adds to their appeal. While most recipes require a thin layer of oil to replicate the look and feel of fried food, air-fried dishes will not taste precisely like their deep-fried counterparts. However, air fryers, in their various forms, combine the best elements of different cooking processes into an energy-efficient way of preparing meals for any time of the day.
When choosing an air fryer, you can categorize them into two types: convection ovens and pod-shaped air fryers. Convection ovens typically offer air fryer settings and features, with higher temperature settings that ensure food crisps and cooks similar to deep-fried food. However, these ovens are larger than dedicated air fryers, which defeats the purpose of saving space in the kitchen. On the other hand, they offer more versatility with multiple cooking functions and finer controls for temperature, timing, and fan speed. If you have a decent convection oven, you may not need a built-in oven anymore. They can handle roasts, whole chickens, tray bakes, and overall offer greater capacity than pod-shaped air fryers. On the downside, they require counter space and may necessitate purchasing additional oven accessories like baking trays or cake tins.
Pod-shaped air fryers, on the other hand, are what most people envision when they think of air fryers. These compact devices resemble cool, futuristic kitchen gadgets, larger than a kettle but smaller than a toaster oven. Many pod-shaped air fryers have a drawer-like design to hold ingredients while cooking. This drawer is usually equipped with a mesh sheet or a non-stick tray with holes to allow for the circulation of hot air. In most cases, you’ll need to open the drawer during cooking to flip or shake half-cooked items, ensuring even heat distribution. However, one caveat is that most pod-shaped air fryers do not have a window to monitor cooking progress, so you’ll need to open the device to check on your food. Basket-style air fryers, often found in larger pod-shaped models, use less energy due to their smaller cooking space and many parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Some larger pod-shaped air fryers even offer two compartments, making it easier to cook an entire meal at once. However, these options take up more space and are usually too heavy to be easily stored in cupboards or on shelves. Additionally, extra accessories may need to be purchased to optimize these pod fryers, although reputable manufacturers like Philips and Ninja offer convenient additions.
Moving on to the pros and cons of air fryers overall, they are generally easy to use, even for beginners. Most models come with a cooking time booklet that covers a wide range of foods, making it simple to master air frying. One of the early selling points of air fryers is their ability to cook fries, wings, frozen foods, and other treats with less fat compared to deep frying. Air fryers achieve this by circulating heated air, allowing excess oil and fat to drain out of meats, resulting in crisper and less greasy food. However, for optimal results, it is recommended to lightly spray food with vegetable oil to prevent burning or charring. Most air fryers are easy to clean, especially when compared to shallow or deep fryers. As for energy efficiency, air fryers consume less energy due to their smaller heating space, making them more eco-friendly than larger appliances like ovens. Moreover, they are a more affordable alternative to traditional ovens, particularly pod-shaped air fryers. Despite these advantages, air fryers do have their drawbacks. They require time to master as cooking times may vary depending on the model and its heat distribution. Additionally, air fryers have limited space compared to traditional ovens and deep fat fryers, making it challenging to cook larger quantities or whole dishes. If you plan to cook a whole chicken or roast, it is highly recommended to use a meat thermometer for proper cooking.
In terms of accessories, besides official ones from the manufacturer, it’s worth investing in silicone-tipped tools like tongs and spatulas to avoid damaging the surface of the air fryer. Silicone mats can also be helpful in preventing food from sticking to wire racks, while silicone trivets provide a resting place for cooked food. If you frequently use oil spray, consider using a permanent mister to reduce waste and repetitive purchases of small oil bottles.
Now, let’s talk about cleaning an air fryer. While you could use power cleaners or metal scourers, they may harm the surface or non-stick coating of your air fryer. For a simple cleanup process, unplug the device and allow it to cool completely. Remove all trays, baskets, and other interior parts. If they are dishwasher safe according to the manufacturer’s instructions, you can simply put them in the dishwasher. Otherwise, handwashing is recommended.
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Alex Smith is a writer and editor with over 10 years of experience. He has written extensively on a variety of topics, including technology, business, and personal finance. His work has been published in a number of magazines and newspapers, and he is also the author of two books. Alex is passionate about helping people learn and grow, and he believes that writing is a powerful tool for communication and understanding.
