Air fryer in your kitchen: what is it for, which one is better to choose and how to use it?

To make cooking easier, many housewives choose new appliances and devices that make dishes tastier and healthier. One of these devices is the air fryer.

It makes cooking much easier and more enjoyable, and it doesn’t take much time. But in order to make the right choice of air fryer, you need to carefully study the features and characteristics of the equipment.

Air fryer: what is it?

This is a compact device that can fit in a small kitchen. The device can easily replace a toaster, yogurt maker, grill and steamer. The main advantage of the device is that due to hot air treatment during cooking, all useful vitamins are preserved in the products.

Device structure

An air fryer consists of a transparent bowl or flask, which has a stand or lid that covers the entire structure. A heating element (tubular electric heater) and a fan are installed inside the lid, and a control panel is located outside.

Budget models of these devices are equipped with halogen heating elements instead of heating elements. The main advantage of such elements is that when heated, the glass of the bowl does not undergo oxidation and corrosion.

But halogen-type heaters have low operating capabilities, and their service life is short. Typically, the service life of models with heaters of this type is no more than three years. For metal heating elements it is much longer - 8-10 years.

Halogen heating element

In addition to the main elements, the convection oven has additional components:

• grates that are used for cooking various types of meat - beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry. There are usually three of them, and they may differ in height;
• Often a mesh baking tray is included. It may be required for steaming and deep-frying food; it can also be used to dry food;
• budget convection oven models are often equipped with a metal ring. It is installed on top of the bowl and is required to increase and regulate its volume.

Standard device

Auxiliary elements

Manufacturers often supply the following spare parts with the air fryer:

Grates with legs of different heights. Needed to place several dishes on different levels so that they can be cooked at the same time;

Baking tray. Suitable for baking, drying nuts and dried fruits;

Forceps. With their help, it will be convenient to remove cooked products after the air fryer has finished operating;

Expansion ring. Allows you to increase the volume of the bowl so that additional racks or baking sheets, or a poultry carcass, can be placed inside it.

Air fryer: what is it for?

To choose the right air fryer, let’s figure out why it is needed and what can be cooked using an air fryer.

The device cooks using streams of hot air, which circulates freely in a special cooking container. During the cooking process, the user does not need to constantly turn the food. Also, no oil is required for cooking, and the food turns out juicy and aromatic, the dishes are soaked in their own juices and become tender and very soft.

That is, first of all, an air fryer is needed for cooking. It cooks soups, stews vegetables, meat, fish, and can also work as a smokehouse.

Three-tier device

A modern convection oven with a wide range of functions can easily replace a whole list of various kitchen appliances:

• a regular gas stove;
• oven;
• steamer;
• toaster;
• microwave;
• drying device, which is used for vegetables and fruits;
• electric kebab maker, grill;
• yogurt maker;
• the air fryer can be used as a pan for preparing first courses - soups, broths;
• as a sterilizer for canning jars.

The best multifunctional models

Now we will look at the most attractive options that captivate with an impressive range of options, reliability and ease of operation.

Hotter HX-2098 Fitness Grill

The best option for those who appreciate a wide range of functions. Heating temperature in the range of 40-260 degrees. There is an option for an intelligent cook: you can set three stages of cooking at the same time with different conditions. The display is convenient, the controls are simple, the buttons are touch sensitive. There is a reliable steam generator, thanks to which the meat is especially juicy and tasty, because frying is combined with steam spraying.

• The key plus is an intelligent cook. The temperature can be set over a wide range. The controls are simple, touch, and even a child can handle it.

• There is a minus . The unit cannot be called compact. It will take up quite a lot of space in the kitchen.

Kitfort KT-2206 Eva

This model instantly attracts attention with its compact size. It takes up very little space, despite a huge range of functions. Electronic control. A distinctive feature of the device is the absence of a lid. The bowl is not removed from the top, like most models, but is pulled out using a handle on the side.

The volume is 2.5 liters. This is not much, so the air fryer is not suitable for a large family. Three people is the optimal composition. The basket and tray are reliably protected with a special non-stick coating. The timer lasts for an hour.

Let's look at the most significant advantages:

• There are eight programs that help you cook chicken and baked goods, vegetables and fish, and much more.
• The dishes are prepared quickly, while delighting with a delicious crispy crust. This is achieved thanks to precisely calculated air circulation.
• Heating is fast. In just three minutes, a temperature level of 200 degrees is reached.
• You can change the parameters directly while cooking.
• The instructions will allow you to quickly eliminate all difficulties if they suddenly arise.

Special attention should be paid to possible disadvantages:

• Customers note that the shutdown signal seems too quiet to them.
• The service life is stated to be 2 years.
• To mix food, housewives are forced to pull out the bowl and then shake it. At this time, cooking is paused.

The maximum temperature level is 200 degrees.

Hotter HX-1097 Tiger

Let's highlight the key advantages. Housewives most often pay attention to them in their numerous positive reviews.

• Operation remains flawless even with sudden power surges.
• There is a button to turn off the power.
• The LCD display is very convenient.
• Heating occurs even faster than in the oven.
• The heating element is very reliable and never fails.

It is important to pay attention to some disadvantages. They also matter, users write about them.

• There is no tray to collect accumulated fat.
• It is not very convenient to clean the device after use.

Some housewives note that the assembly of such a model seems unreliable to them.

Features of work

Each convection oven model must have a container in the form of a round transparent flask. Its volume can be different - from six to 12 liters.

Let's consider the principle of operation of the device:

• the heated air is accelerated by the fan in different directions;
• first it blows from top to bottom, then from bottom to top. This ensures even cooking of food. It does not burn when baking, frying, stewing;
• Depending on the device model, the vortex flow indicator may be constant, or it may have several modes. The option with several modes is the most versatile and convenient;
• in some models, glass halogen heating elements are installed instead of conventional heating elements. They are safer, but also weaker;
• The temperature indicators of the device are from 60 to 260 degrees.

additional characteristics

you can choose the type of control, there are only two.

• Mechanical is considered the simplest and most reliable. There are buttons on the panel that are used for control.
• Electronic. The panel is represented by touch controls.

In the package you can choose expansion rings, skewers and other devices for a specific type of food.

1. Timer. It will make a sound when cooking is complete.
2. Keep warm. With this function, cooked food will remain hot for the required time.
3. Autoheating. A convenient function, but compared to a microwave, it takes much longer to heat up.

Functions

Different models of air fryers have distinctive functions. More modern devices have the ability to adjust the temperature and blowing speed.

The main functions of air fryers include the following:

• possibility of temperature control. This feature is considered mandatory. It should be in all modern models;
• temperature maintenance is an additional function that can be used to reheat a dish after it has been cooked;
• convection speed control - this function is not mandatory, but is very useful; it allows you to adjust the level of airflow to the dish during cooking, which affects the final result (you can get an appetizing crust) and cooking time;
• Some models have a delay switch. The function provides maximum convenience when using the device: you can set the timer for the desired time, and the device will turn on when needed, and the food will be prepared for lunch or breakfast;
• The cooking program is a smart function, available in many models. Convenient for those who do not want to monitor the temperature or time while cooking: you can place food in the device, select the desired cooking mode and wait for the result.

Also, some manufacturers equip the device with additional convenient features:

• defrosting food - vegetables, meat, dough, fruits, berries and others;
• drying;
• grill;
• frying;
• bakery;
• smoking.

Power

This setting directly affects the performance of the device. On the kitchen appliance market you can find models with power from 600 W to 1.8 kW.

Note! More power is not always better. Choose power according to your actual needs.

VES electric SK-A Power 1200 W

Philips HD9241/40 XL Power 2100 W

As practice shows, it is preferable to take devices with a power of 1.2 kW to 1.4 kW. This is enough to prepare many popular dishes. If you strive to get maximum power, there is a risk that the air fryer will overdry the food during cooking.

Expert opinion

Valery Garmash

Chef of the Grill House restaurant, griller

For devices with a power of 1.8 kW and above, use a separate outlet to avoid overheating of the electrical wiring. The use of tees and double sockets, in which other powerful devices are connected at the same time as the grill, is not recommended!

What can you cook

The air fryer is a universal device and is suitable for preparing almost any treat.

Potatoes with meat and seasonings are especially tasty.

Let's look at what you can do on an air fryer:

• soups, borscht and other first courses;
• porridge from various cereals, you can also bake potatoes or pizza;
• defrost various foods, reheat ready-made dishes;
• bake, stew, steam, fry vegetables;
• prepare natural yoghurts while preserving all the beneficial ingredients; you can also prepare cottage cheese;
• sterilize jars for preservation and pickling, as well as dry mushrooms, vegetables, fruits, berries;
• smoke fish and meat;
• deep-fry vegetables;
• bake pies, buns, fragrant bread, you can bake products from almost any type of dough;

  
  You can bake fragrant cookies for tea in an air fryer

• fry meat or fish without vegetable oil or fat. Dishes are soaked in their own juice and aromas, turning out tasty and healthy;
• prepare fillets from any fish, fry cutlets. The air fryer also produces kebab, which must first be marinated;

  
  Air fryer cutlets are saturated with juices and can be supplemented with vegetables

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• make jam from any fruit, berries, make mulled wine.

Main mistakes

• You choose an economical option with a halogen heating element. The service life is no longer than two years. It’s better to take a more expensive one and not buy twice.
• Fixed wire grilles. In such an air fryer, all cooked food will burn and dry out.
• Heavy flask (3-9 kg). It will be quite problematic to hold it when washing.

There are a huge number of manufacturers in the modern market.

The most popular are:

• Hotter.
• VES Electric.
• Polaris.
• Mystery.
• Redmond.
• Supra

How to use an air fryer correctly

Instructions on how to use the air fryer are included with the device. If you follow all the rules, cooking in the appliance will be simple and easy, the main thing is to strictly follow the recommendations.

Cooking process

When using the device, you should do the following:

• First you need to connect the device to the electrical network;
• the necessary products are laid out in a transparent container;
• The top of the air fryer is tightly covered with a lid;
• On the built-in panel you need to set the necessary parameters. There are usually few of them, only three: temperature, cooking time and speed;
• after the temperature reaches the set level, the fan turns on, which begins the process of distilling hot air flows inside the device;
• when cooking is complete, the appliance will beep;
• Do not immediately pull the plug from the socket. This should be done when the device has completely cooled down and the fan has completely stopped.

Advantages and disadvantages of the device

By weighing the pros and cons of a device such as an air fryer, you can understand how suitable it is for your kitchen. So, among the bonuses:

• cooking faster than an electric stove;
• the dish turns out more healthy, since you don’t need to use fat to prepare it;
• nothing burns in the device;
• You can cook several dishes at the same time;
• the process takes place with virtually no human intervention;
• the ability to sterilize jars and preserve food supplies.

Tips for purchasing

1. Find the product you want to purchase and read reviews about it
2. Don’t save money, it’s better to buy quality and last for a long time
3. Decide on the features you need
4. Try to choose an option with medium power

Contact a consultant for help, specifying the price and required functions. They will show you the options and with the help of all the tips listed, you can choose your ideal air fryer

Happy shopping everyone.

Device selection

Before purchasing, you need to think about where the appliance will be installed in the kitchen. The housewife must decide in advance what dishes will need to be cooked in the air fryer. The choice of power and additional functions of the device depends on this.

First, you can read a review of the best convection ovens and read consumer reviews.

Before purchasing, it is necessary to take into account the capacity of the container and how many fan speeds are provided in the product.