Stupid question time - Air Fryers

Andr3w · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:03

Is an Air Fryer just a countertop fan oven?

Everyone seems to have gone air fryer crazy this past year and I can't workout why.

I know it'll use a little less electricity as it's smaller, but isn't it just a heating element with a fan - identical to a bigger fan oven??

robfosters · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:08

Pretty much yes, but they cook certain foods much better and a lot quicker.

They draw about 1.5Kw compared to an average ovens 3Kw, so are a money saver for sure, especially when you’re just doing a portion of chips or a few fishfingers

aVdub · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:13

And the time to be ready to cook can be in as little as a minute or two.

Andr3w · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:21

robfosters said:
Pretty much yes, but they cook certain foods much better and a lot quicker.

They draw about 1.5Kw compared to an average ovens 3Kw, so are a money saver for sure, especially when you’re just doing a portion of chips or a few fishfingers

Ah ok so they are just a much more energy efficient way of cooking smaller portions.

What sort of thing do they cook better?

robfosters · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:22

With preheating, a portion of frozen fries can take around 25 mins, in the airfryer they take around 12-13 minutes and they’re much more golden and crispier than in the oven

robfosters · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:23

Andr3w said:
Ah ok so they are just a much more energy efficient way of cooking smaller portions.

What sort of thing do they cook better?

What I’ve said, frozen chips and things like that. Onion rings are immense in them.I also like garlic bread slices in there as well.

They cook a great sausage too

aVdub · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:34

Andr3w said:
Ah ok so they are just a much more energy efficient way of cooking smaller portions.

What sort of thing do they cook better?

You say smaller portions. I can do a large chicken in mine and I believe many can do a medium chicken with ease.

Rai200 · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:38

Andr3w said:
Is an Air Fryer just a countertop fan oven?

Everyone seems to have gone air fryer crazy this past year and I can't workout why.

I know it'll use a little less electricity as it's smaller, but isn't it just a heating element with a fan - identical to a bigger fan oven??

They're a smaller, more efficient fan assisted oven. If you often cook for 1-3 people they're cheaper to run, do aperfectly good job and sometimes can get hotter depending on the model.

Were I to buy one I'd get the Instant Air. It's both a small air fryer, slow cooker, pressure cooker and dehydrator in one for £120.

Andr3w · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:45

Rai200 said:
They're a smaller, more efficient fan assisted oven. If you often cook for 1-3 people they're cheaper to run, do aperfectly good job and sometimes can get hotter depending on the model.

Were I to buy one I'd get the Instant Air. It's both a small air fryer, slow cooker, pressure cooker and dehydrator in one for £120.

Oh wow I didn't realise they offered those features.

I started this thread thinking they were a silly gimmick. We cook for 2 people pretty much every night, maybe I should actually do a bit more research and consider getting one

aVdub · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:48

Andr3w said:
Oh wow I didn't realise they offered those features.

I started this thread thinking they were a silly gimmick. We cook for 2 people pretty much every night, maybe I should actually do a bit more research and consider getting one

Two of us as well and we use the Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill with its multi functions, including a plug in probe that monitors the food being cooked and an Instant Pot Duo, which is an air fryer and much more as well.

For us they have both been good investments and would be replaced instantly if they broke.

robfosters · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:48

They are absolutely not a gimmick.

beachBOYken · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:51

How do they compare energy usage wise to a gas oven for say cooking chips?

Rai200 · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:53

beachBOYken said:
How do they compare energy usage wise to a gas oven for say cooking chips?

Usually 1-1.5KW max, my electric oven uses 2.2KW max for comparison. But they also heat more quickly, as it's a much smaller volume.

robfosters · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:53

I’m not sure about gas. I know they’re about half the cost of an electric oven to run

aVdub · 10 Sep 2022 at 18:53

beachBOYken said:
How do they compare energy usage wise to a gas oven for say cooking chips?

Interested to know that one as our ovens are electric - fan and non fan with gas hobs.

Isn't gas per unit a lot cheaper than electric?