If you want to avoid dealing with a bath of oil, consider an air fryer, but don’t assume it will give you the same results for chips: Que Choisir reports differences in cooking performance between models. A deep fat fryer is the choice for proper deep-fried food, provided you’re happy to put up with the smells and oil maintenance. And if your oven already handles the dishes you make, check whether you’d really benefit from another appliance.
You want to prepare foods that are usually deep-fried without having to store and then dispose of a bath of oil. Que Choisir cites the smell of frying as one reason why some people avoid traditional deep fat fryers.
You want to serve several portions in one batch. Compare the stated food capacity with the usable space in the basket: the litre capacity of a deep fat fryer and that of an air fryer don’t, by themselves, tell you how many portions you’ll get.
You use your oven for roasting or everyday cooking and have limited space. How often you make smaller batches, the dimensions of the appliance you’re considering and where you’ll store it all matter just as much as its stated capacity.
Consider it: if you want to cook with hot air without having to manage a bath of oil.
Bear in mind: results vary between models; Que Choisir notes that chips at the top can be overcooked while those at the bottom remain pale.
Consider it: if your priority is properly deep-fried food and batches that suit the portions you usually serve.
Bear in mind: the smells noted by Que Choisir, as well as cooling, storing and disposing of the oil.
Stick with it: if it can handle the dishes you usually make and a dedicated appliance would see little use.
Consider: it won’t replace deep-frying in a bath of oil. Compare how you actually use your oven with what you’d expect from an air fryer.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and oil | Choose between hot-air cooking and a bath of oil. For the latter, check which parts need cleaning and how you’ll manage the oil. | I want to avoid storing and disposing of oil after cooking foods that are usually deep-fried. Around 40% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Results and batch size | Compare the stated food capacity, usable surface area and test results for chips cooked in the specific model. | When serving several portions, I care most about how much I can cook at once and how evenly the food cooks throughout the basket. This would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Space and usefulness | Measure the appliance and the space needed to open it, then compare what it can do with your oven. | My oven already handles some of the dishes I make, and I don’t want to clutter the kitchen without gaining a distinct use. This would be a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
If noise matters to you, look for a measurement or test of the exact model rather than assuming one cooking method is always quieter than another.
According to their respective product specifications, the 3.5 L Tefal Oleo Clean deep fat fryer holds up to 1.2 kg of food, while Moulinex says its 3.5 L Easy Fry Essential air fryer is suitable for up to four people. These figures don’t measure the same thing.
Start with the amount of food you usually cook, then check the food capacity, internal dimensions and how many batches you’ll need to make.
Que Choisir reports that, depending on the air fryer, chips at the top can be overcooked while those at the bottom remain pale.
Check tests of the model you’re interested in, and avoid overfilling the basket when even cooking matters.
Filtration in some deep fat fryers doesn’t remove the need to cool and dispose of used oil. ADEME says it must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or into the environment.
Have a sealed container ready and check what collection options are available in your local area.
Letting the oil cool and taking it to a collection point also takes time.
For the relevant Airfryer models, Philips says to let the appliance cool before cleaning and not to use metal utensils or abrasive products on the coating.
Read the instructions for your specific model to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the rest.
The Easy Fry range includes, among other models, a 3.5 L Essential and a 7.5 L Compact, according to Moulinex’s product specifications.
The Airfryer range includes different capacities and configurations, including a 7.3 L Premium HD9867/90 and models with two drawers, according to Philips.
Depending on the model, Tefal’s Oleo Clean and Filtra Pro deep fat fryers combine filtration with removable parts.
These appliances let you compare hot-air cooking with deep-frying in a bath of oil. If your oven already meets your needs, consider the extra space and maintenance a dedicated appliance would involve.
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Worth considering if you want to cook with hot air without having to manage a bath of oil. This model has a stated capacity of 7.6 L; check its dimensions and the amount of food that suits your batches before deciding where to put it.
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This model is for people who prefer hot-air cooking to managing a bath of oil. Check how much food you usually prepare and let the containers cool before cleaning them.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for deep-frying in a bath of oil rather than hot-air cooking. It has a stated capacity of 3.5 L and an anti-mist window. You’ll still need to let the used oil cool before disposing of it through an appropriate collection scheme.
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The two baskets are useful if you want to cook two different foods separately in oil. The product title states 2 × 3 L, 3600 W and two independent thermostats; check how much space it needs and how much food fits in each basket. The odour filters mentioned in the name don’t remove the need to manage the oil.
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Worth considering if you want to cook with hot air without using a bath of oil. The title states a 7 L capacity, a digital display and a clear cooking window; compare this capacity with the amounts you usually cook and check how much space it will take up in your kitchen.
No. ADEME says not to dispose of it down the sink or toilet, or into the environment. Once it has cooled, put it in a sealed container and ask your local council about a waste recycling centre or collection point.
No: check the instructions for the specific model. Philips and Moulinex say that some parts of some appliances are dishwasher-safe, while Philips advises against using metal utensils or abrasive products on non-stick coatings.
Also compare the stated food capacity or number of portions with the internal dimensions. Tefal says its 3.5 L Oleo Clean holds up to 1.2 kg of food, while Moulinex says its 3.5 L Easy Fry Essential is suitable for up to four people: these figures relate to different cooking methods.
Yes. The French Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual in France. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller if the appliance has a conformity defect.