With most air fryers, you can set the temperature you want the food to cook at. Typically, you can choose anything from 80°C to 200°C. How much do you need to spend to get a good air fryer? Foods that require stirring or tossing: Air fryers work best when the food is placed in a single layer to allow for even cooking. Foods that require frequent stirring or tossing during the cooking process, like stir-fries or dishes with sauces, may not be suitable for air frying. The constant movement can lead to uneven cooking and make it challenging to achieve the desired texture. When considering the quantity of food you can cook in an air fryer for your family, it largely depends on the size of the fryer’s food basket. Air fryers come in a variety of sizes. Many of them are quite compact, and if you belong to a large family, you may find it challenging to prepare all the food promptly. 2. Additional features

How much food do you typically cook? Most air fryers can cook around 800g (around four to six portions) of chips. Some can manage up to twice as much. If you have lots of people to cater for, opt for a larger capacity, or a model with double-level cooking or a second compartment. Even cooking: Opening the air fryer allows heat to escape, which can affect the even distribution of heat during cooking. Opening the fryer frequently or for an extended period may result in unevenly cooked food. It’s best to minimize opening the fryer during cooking to maintain consistent cooking conditions. Peanut Oil: Peanut oil is another excellent choice for air frying because of its high smoke point, typically around 450°F (232°C). It has a neutral flavor and is commonly used in deep frying as well. Tefal has a fairly extensive spare parts shop, though for air fryers, you're only likely to be able to get spare paddles, baskets, drawers, components that are readily accessible. With automatic overheating protection and a safety shut-down you'll never again have to worry about hazards in the kitchen, as you can simply set the timer and forget about it until the cooking is complete.Some models, like Ninja Foodi Dual Zone, have a second cooking compartment that allows you to cook two different types of food (at different temperatures) at the same time, so you could make steak and chips without having to mix them together. See our guide to how to buy the best dual air fryer. Preset cooking programs Air fryers are versatile appliances that can be used to prepare a wide variety of foods with less oil compared to traditional frying methods. Here are some popular and delicious foods that can be cooked in an air fryer: The air fryer has been gaining traction as essential kitchen equipment, increasingly becoming a favorite among health-conscious home cooks. It’s a fast, efficient, and healthier way to cook, yet a number of people remain unsure about its specifics, let alone knowing which model is the best air fryer for home use. This is precisely where this comprehensive buying guide comes into play. It provides insights, not only elucidating why an air fryer is a must-have for your kitchen but also guiding you in selecting the top model suited to your needs. Avoid excessive oil or fat buildup: While air fryers require less oil than traditional frying methods, it’s important to avoid excessive oil or fat buildup. Regularly clean the appliance according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent grease accumulation, which could lead to safety issues.

Save Time- The air fryer disperses superheated air at a rate of 1800 rpm utilizing 360-degree high-speed hot air circulation technology, which means that the air vortex heat flow cooks the food at 360 degrees, forming a golden crispy surface, and offering a deep-fried taste with out the oil, fat, or calories. Tastier faster healthier cooking is yours to enjoy! Wipe the interior and exterior: Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe the interior surfaces of the air fryer, including the heating element. Be careful not to get water or excessive moisture into the heating or electrical components. Wipe the exterior surfaces as well to remove any food splatters or residue.Hot air and steam: When you open the air fryer, hot air and steam may escape, so protecting your hands and face is crucial to prevent burns. Use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves, and open the fryer away from your face to avoid steam burns. Safflower Oil: Safflower oil has a high smoke point, ranging from 440°F to 450°F (227°C to 232°C). It is a popular choice for air frying due to its neutral taste and versatility. We've calculated energy costs based on an electricity unit price of 28.62p per kWh, the average capped rate for direct debit customers from 1 January 2024. Do you own a dishwasher? If you have a dishwasher, choosing a model with dishwasher-safe parts will help save on cleaning time. To help you decide whether an air fryer is a worthwhile investment, we cooked 320g of chips (two to three portions) in an air fryer, a halogen oven and a built-in electric oven.

Whether you want to upgrade to a newer model, or your air-fryer has reached the end of its life, knowing how and where to dispose of your appliance is important to avoid creating more e-waste. Basket style with heating elements: tall, slim air-fryers feature a main unit with heating elements and fans. These have slide-out baskets or trays that slot into place inside. As they tend to have a smaller cooking area than oven-style fryers, in testing we found even results were more likely if the cooking was paused occasionally to rearrange or toss the food around. Some fryers will cut out automatically when you do this, some will need to be paused if you want accurate timings. While air fryers are versatile appliances, certain types of foods may not be suitable for cooking in an air fryer. That doesn’t mean you cannot try, but it could be difficult to cook some of the following foods in an air fryer: Uses 85% less oil and fat than traditional fat fryer models, helping you cook in a healthier fashion while cutting down on the amount of oil splatter and cleaning time Need ideas for how to use your appliance? Find creative ideas by exploring BBC Good Food's air fryer recipes .Donuts: Believe it or not, air fryers can create delicious donuts with less oil. Make a batch of doughnuts, place them in the air fryer, and enjoy a lighter version of this beloved treat. Most have a viewing window on the front so you can keep an eye on your food without disturbing the cooking process.