If you want to avoid dealing with a vat of hot oil and reduce frying smells, start by looking at an air fryer or try using your oven for the foods you usually cook. Que Choisir lists reduced odours among the benefits of air fryers, but also points out that they can take up a lot of space, may be noisy and can produce inconsistent cooking results depending on the model. A deep-fat fryer with a filter is still an option if you want to keep using this cooking method, but you’ll still need to maintain the oil and take care when handling it while hot.
If the smell of a vat of hot oil puts you off, compare air frying with using your oven. Que Choisir notes that this smell leads some users to consider other appliances; a filter on a deep-fat fryer doesn’t remove the need to manage the oil.
Compare the recommended amount per batch, the usable dimensions of the basket and, where relevant, how the capacity is split between two drawers. The stated total capacity alone won’t tell you whether your meal will fit in the appliance.
Look for removable parts and check the manual to see which ones are dishwasher-safe. Care instructions for the coating and heating elements matter too, especially if you use the appliance often.
Start with the foods and quantities you cook, then compare the smells, cleaning requirements and space needed for each cooking method.
| Criteria | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and oil | Compare cooking without a vat of hot oil with using a deep-fat fryer fitted with a filter. Que Choisir reports that air fryers can reduce smells, but doesn’t claim they eliminate them completely. | I want to cook without having to store and maintain a vat of oil; persistent frying smells bother me. |
| Portions | Check the recommended amount per batch and the usable dimensions, not just the stated capacity in litres. If there are two drawers, check how much space each one offers. | I need enough room for the usual portions for my household, or for a main course and a side dish. |
| Cooking results | Look for tests using the foods you plan to cook, and follow the instructions on filling and shaking or stirring. Que Choisir notes that chips may cook unevenly in some air fryers. | If I want the results of deep-fat frying, I shouldn’t assume that air frying will give me the same result. |
| Cleaning | Find out which parts can be removed, whether they’re dishwasher-safe and how to care for the coatings. A deep-fat fryer also means looking after the oil. | After a typical meal, I’d prefer to clean the parts I’ve used without having to handle lots of components. |
| Space and safety | Measure the space available and check the manual for advice on hot surfaces, cooling and handling the basket. With a vat of hot oil, bear in mind the risk of splashes noted by Que Choisir. | I want to be able to set up and put away the appliance without getting in the way of meal preparation, then clean it once it has cooled. |
Que Choisir notes that, depending on the model, chips at the top may be overcooked while those at the bottom are still pale.
Check results for the foods you’re interested in, stick to the recommended quantity and shake or stir them when the manual says to.
The shape of the basket and how the space is divided between compartments both affect how you can arrange the food. In its air fryer testing, Que Choisir distinguishes between the amount recommended in the manual and filling a basket two-thirds full.
Check the usable dimensions and recommended quantity for your meals, especially if you plan to use both drawers at once.
A filtered deep-fat fryer still uses a vat of oil: you’ll still need to handle the hot oil and residue, and clean the appliance.
If these requirements are a deal-breaker, compare an air fryer with your oven first. Otherwise, check the filtration and cleaning steps required for the model you’re considering.
You’ll also need to store and maintain the oil in accordance with the manual.
The basket, bowl and accessible surfaces can stay hot after cooking. Cleaning them incorrectly may also damage a non-stick coating.
Unplug the appliance, let it cool down and follow the manual’s advice on sponges, cleaning products and dishwasher-safe parts.
The range includes air fryers in several sizes. Check the cleaning features and capacity of each model individually.
Philips offers air fryers with two baskets, designed for cooking two parts of a meal.
SEB offers deep-fat fryers, some of which have a filter or filtration system.
These appliances let you compare air fryers with different capacities and a deep-fat fryer. If you already have an oven, try it with the foods you usually cook before deciding whether you’d benefit from an additional appliance.
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For cooking two foods without a vat of hot oil, this model has two drawers and a total capacity of 7.6 L. The product title lists six cooking modes; check the recommended amount for each drawer and the space you’ll need before choosing.
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The two baskets may suit a household that wants to cook two parts of a meal without a vat of hot oil. The product title lists a 9 L capacity, 2400 W, eight programmes and independent temperature control; check the recommended portions, dimensions and cleaning instructions.
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Worth considering for smaller portions, rather than assuming one batch will be enough for a family. The product title lists 1150 W, a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe basket; compare the basket’s usable dimensions with your usual portions.
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This option uses a vat of hot oil, so you’ll need to manage the oil and take care when handling it while hot. The product title lists a viewing window; if reducing smells matters to you, check the product description for details of the filter and how to replace it.
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The two compartments let you cook two dishes without a vat of hot oil. The product title lists a total capacity of 9 L, ten modes and temperature control; check the usable capacity of each compartment, the space it takes up and the cleaning instructions.
No. Que Choisir lists reduced frying smells as one of the benefits of air fryers compared with deep-fat frying, not the complete absence of smells. The foods you cook and how you maintain the appliance also make a difference.
Start with your usual portions and the dimensions of the food you want to put in the basket. Check the quantity recommended in the manual rather than relying only on the stated capacity in litres. If there are two drawers, check the capacity of each one.
Unplug it and wait for it to cool down. Check the manual to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and which accessories or cleaning products are suitable for the coating.
No. A filter or filtration system doesn’t remove the need to manage the oil and residue. Follow the instructions for your model on cleaning, storage and replacing the oil.