Air Fryer ?

[Itshim]

Anyone have an air fryer that they would recommend, seems to be waste to turn on range to cook for myself, interested in quality, not cost. Mixed reviews ( what's new) about ninja and tefal.

I think it’s one of those things you can over-think a bit if you’re not careful. Ours is branded ‘Gourmia’ which is really just an off-brand unit from Costco. It has a single 6.5l bucket. You can do X’n’chips comfortably for 2 or for 3 with a little juggling at that size.

What air fryers do is cook more quickly, in a smaller space, by using a greater air-flow than you get from a full-size fan oven. They are more efficient and tend to produce crispier results. Those are the basics and *any* air fryer you can buy ought to be able to do that. Ours certainly does, and it’s not one we’d have looked twice at had we been looking to buy one. We were given it by someone who was leaving the UK and traveling light.

I’d resist all the manufacturer claims on the benefits or additional programmes their unit may offer. Just focus on the central benefit of one of these things, i.e. quicker, crispier, more efficient cooking. And personally I’d favour a single, larger bucket rather than one with two drawers - it’s easy enough to add stuff during cooking and the larger drawer is a more flexible space.

[Jaymoss]

I have a Gourmia also and it is excellent I also have a double sized one from Asda with an adaptable drawer so it is 2 zone or 1 big zone both were less that £60 each I also have more expensive Cosoris which are better but not double the price better

We have a "Tower" air fryer, single draw, not expensive, does the job.
Had it for around 18 months now, gets used by someone most days, never had an issue.

[thenry]

I have a Instant Vortex Plus. I done as much research as I could before committing to one. The only negative is the draw window gets hot it doesn't have a bearing on the handle though.

https://instantpot.co.uk/shop-all-pr...ith-clearcook/

I agree with the posts stating it really is just a powerful fan oven. I love that feature. I also went for one whole draw so it fits chicken quarters, I can get 4 thigh and drumstick in easy plus they shrink cooking.

A bit of timing. Drumsticks 35minutes, fish fingers, fish cakes, fries around the 10 min mark. This air fryer takes 3 minutes to pre heat.

[Jaymoss]

This is Asda current stupid cheap deal. Only issue with this is it is massive https://direct.asda.com/george/elect...d=D59M02G02C01

---------- Post added at 18:29 ---------- Previous post was at 18:28 ----------

This is the one I bought but I got it on sale for £45 stupid cheap

https://direct.asda.com/george/elect...d=D59M02G02C01

---------- Post added at 18:32 ---------- Previous post was at 18:29 ----------

This is the first one I ever bought and still use it some 2 years (at a guess later) dunno if they still sell it

https://www.costco.co.uk/Appliances/...r-Fryer/p/6487

Have a feeling this is the replacement

https://www.costco.co.uk/Appliances/...w/p/8686?gQT=1

[Taf]

We've had a Moulinex Actifry for decades. It's been put away somewhere safe as we very rarely used it.

[Hom3r]

I bought a Ninja AF100UK when my dad died in August.


I only turned on the oven fo cook a large batch of Cheese Straws & Scones at Christmas.


Consider a 2 drawer model as it allows you to cook say fish and chips which require different times and sync cooks them

[Stephen]

I have the Dreo Chefmaker. Was originally a kickstarter but now on general sale. Bit more expensive but has a temp probe which can be used along with various presets for different meats and including medium/well done options on steaks.

[peanut]

I have the Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer - AG551UK.

It has a griddle plate that heats up to grill steaks on which is one of the reasons we got that one and it does steaks brilliantly too. But it also has a large basket for air frying as well. I can't fault it and it would get replaced straight away as now we can't do without it.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by peanut

I have the Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer - AG551UK.

It has a griddle plate that heats up to grill steaks on which is one of the reasons we got that one and it does steaks brilliantly too. But it also has a large basket for air frying as well. I can't fault it and it would get replaced straight away as now we can't do without it.

Not the model I had considered, but one of the brands , seen comments on non stick coating flaking off , not a problem that you have had?

[peanut]

Originally Posted by Itshim

Not the model I had considered, but one of the brands , seen comments on non stick coating flaking off , not a problem that you have had?

No, the griddle part goes in the dishwasher and still looks like the day I bought it which is now around 2 years on.

It also has a wired meat thermometer and you can set it to how you like steaks etc done. Seem to work well too. The air fryer part is excellent and the basket is quite large, enough for 2 people easily or more.

Cleaning air fryers though is a bit of an after thought when it comes to them. They aren't easy to clean. Just got to do what you can under the lid etc.

[thenry]

With regards to cleaning I find this sort of device extremely helpful at the sink

https://amzn.eu/d/3XPJRZh

a downward water stream isn't going to do much. You need multi direction.

I got mine free from southern water who gave out water saving packs. It's worth asking your water provider whether they offer free water saving products.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by peanut

No, the griddle part goes in the dishwasher and still looks like the day I bought it which is now around 2 years on.

It also has a wired meat thermometer and you can set it to how you like steaks etc done. Seem to work well too. The air fryer part is excellent and the basket is quite large, enough for 2 people easily or more.

Cleaning air fryers though is a bit of an after thought when it comes to them. They aren't easy to clean. Just got to do what you can under the lid etc.

Just entered my mind , use roasting bags in oven , would they work , also can you use a foil tray, again something I do at the moment

You can put foil or greaseproof paper in the bottom, but if you use paper make sure it can’t flap up towards the heating element in the top, or else it will singe and smoke a lot.

Our drawer and its non-stick tray go in the dishwasher. The manual says top shelf only but it hasn’t suffered from going in the bottom where it fits. By using a liner, I only have to wash the drawer every 3-4 uses.