Airfryer, opinions?

sigma

sigma

sigma

Caporegime
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13 Nov 2006
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Recently saw an advert for an Airfryer but had no idea what it was (clue is in the name I guess ;)) but I can't believe I didn't know that these existed.

Does anyone here have one?

Are they any good or are they a bit of a waste of time?

I'm a bit dubious....they might be good at cooking chips but are they any good for other stuff? Chicken mainly!

I don't normally deep fry much and tend to use the oven for baked chips, or I shallow fry stuff, but if this can produce the same quality for less effort then it's something I could do with because I don't have a great deal of time to cook at the moment.

The reviews on the jungle place seem to be all positive.
 
We had one, lasted for about two years until it burned out. Will only make enough chips for 2-3 people. Otherwise they stick together and are soggy.

Tefal Actifryer I think it was called.
 
There is a bigger version now, feeds 'up to 6' so probably good for 4 people.

lookitsjonno said:
intresting, i'd expect the food to be soggy
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Basically you drizzle a bit of oil on then blast it with hot air, doesn't appear to be too different from an oven though? I suppose it's quicker and easier?
 
I think it's quite good and quick, very crispy with little or no oil.
Though the crisp doesn't last long so you have to eat it right after it's done.
A lot quicker than conventional ovens.
 
I have an acti-fry. I have not once found the food to be soggy (though I only use it for chips). Not as good as deep frying, however, they are a million times healthier so it's good for me.

It's kind of like going from full fat milk to semi skimmed. At first you think it's tasteless, but after a while, if you go back to full fat, it just feels unhealthy. Same with these chips.
 
fus said:
I have an acti-fry. I have not once found the food to be soggy (though I only use it for chips). Not as good as deep frying, however, they are a million times healthier so it's good for me.

It's kind of like going from full fat milk to semi skimmed. At first you think it's tasteless, but after a while, if you go back to full fat, it just feels unhealthy. Same with these chips.
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How does it compare to a premium oven chip?

I love the taste of proper homemade chips but they are a) a nightmare to make, smell etc and b) incredibly unheathy.

I dont mind Tescos finest oven chips so this would have to bridge the gap?
 
placeholder said:
How does it compare to a premium oven chip?

I love the taste of proper homemade chips but they are a) a nightmare to make, smell etc and b) incredibly unheathy.

I dont mind Tescos finest oven chips so this would have to bridge the gap?
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Like chalk and cheese. I enjoy a good oven chip, but the ones from the actifry are fantastic. I sometimes do oven chips in the actifry which are good too.

There is a skill to using the actifry - some potatos work better than others, for example, but generally they're great. Expensive machine though. I've had 3 over as many years but it does get a lot of use - daily really. I use it to make different variations of chips; wedges, crisps, cubed potatos. Also use different types of oil; basil, chilli etc.
 
sigma said:
Can you try it with sweet potatoes and report back please? I'll post you a potato if required. :D
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I have done...! Many many times! They're awesome, much better than in the oven imo. Even better when you use a bit of coconut oil in the actifry with them :)
 
Do they get really well done in the fryer?

In the oven I usually leave them in until they almost start burning and they start to almost cameralise (if that is the right word) but, oh my word, they taste like a slice of heaven. :cool:

I might have to invest in one of these - can you recall how long sweet pots take in the airfryer? Normally take about 45 mins in the oven.

Have you used it to cook meat?


Fancy cooking me a meal? (had to ask! lol):p
 
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fus said:
Like chalk and cheese. I enjoy a good oven chip, but the ones from the actifry are fantastic. I sometimes do oven chips in the actifry which are good too.

There is a skill to using the actifry - some potatos work better than others, for example, but generally they're great. Expensive machine though. I've had 3 over as many years but it does get a lot of use - daily really. I use it to make different variations of chips; wedges, crisps, cubed potatos. Also use different types of oil; basil, chilli etc.
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I've not managed to get any chips out of it I'm happy with yet, Care to give me some pointers?

That said. Our actifry gets a lot of use, we've made a lot of the things that are in the recipie book it comes with and our favorite is the chicken & pineapple dish, its great.

Mines currently broken, the paddle/arm thing just broke in two and its outside of warranty. Something like £30 for a new one but I'll have to do it as otherwise it's useless.
 
sigma said:
Do they get really well done in the fryer?

In the oven I usually leave them in until they almost start burning and they start to almost cameralise (if that is the right word) but, oh my word, they taste like a slice of heaven. :cool:

I might have to invest in one of these - can you recall how long sweet pots take in the airfryer? Normally take about 45 mins in the oven.

Have you used it to cook meat?


Fancy cooking me a meal? (had to ask! lol):p
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Hehe, I've not used it for meat consistantly. Maybe once or twice and it was fine - I think we did sausages which are always going to be better cooked in other ways.

Sweet potatoes don't caramelise so much, but, they go more like 'proper' chips (i.e. a little bit crispy but still soft). I tried a lot of ways to make sweet potato chips (frying, oven, grill) and none of them are as good as the actifry. I reckon they take ~ 15 minutes, in comparison to chips which take around 10.

I will try and remember to make some chips tomorrow night (might have to be normal ones unless I can get some sweet potatoes). I'll take pictures too! Are you a hot female? If yes, I'm sure I could make you something! :D

Azzuri said:
I've not managed to get any chips out of it I'm happy with yet, Care to give me some pointers?

Mines currently broken, the paddle/arm thing just broke in two and its outside of warranty. Something like £30 for a new one but I'll have to do it as otherwise it's useless.
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I've found that it's just the potato type which makes the biggest difference. I don't know if you've seen the 'Rooster' potatoes in the supermarket? I recall those being pretty good.

I also use slightly more oil than recommended. I also season the chips while they're in the actifry - often with salt and pepper but occasionally with some paprika. Try normal potatoes with basil oil too - fantastic.

It's really a trial and error thing. Again, I'll try and get some pics tomorrow. How are yours coming out? Too soft, hard, soggy?

I've not had the paddle break, but the little clasp which holds the lid down on mine has gone. I now just put a book on top to keep it working!

Tefal should be giving me commission!
 
Not sure if I overdo them but they are incredibly dry and not very chip like at all. I kind of gave up after a couple of attempts lol

I like like making a very "lazy" full breakfast in there tho. I chop up bacon, sausages and put em in for 5 mins then put in some whisked eggs and nd leave it for another 5-10mins and you've got scrambled eggs with bacon and sausauges!
 
Thinking about picking one of these up as part of my healthier new year :p

Are they still worthwhile? I can see both Tefal and Philips do one, is one better than the other?
 
I've got the Philips Airfryer which is very different to the Tefal Actifry. It's effectively a super convection oven and I've used it to cook anything from chips, burgers and meatballs to duck legs and chocolate puddings. Everything I've cooked in it has been great and it's so easy to use.

No issues here with regards to size as I live on my own so it's easily big enough for one person. If you're cooking for four or more then it might be a struggle to get enough food into it, but I believe there's a new XL version for more capacity.
 
Had chips from the tefal actifry.
They were ok, nice level of crisp on there, good texture. But severely lacking in flavour.

You can't beat a a pan of beef dripping or goose fat for chips in my opinion.

So I'd be interested to see what a decent fat would be like in there before making a judgement. I suppose if you eat chips regularly (I rarely eat them) then it's a good investment, stop you growing moobs and dying of a massive coronary.

Not sure about chicken etc. though
 
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