If smells from deep-frying are your main concern, consider an air fryer, but don’t expect the same results for every fried food. Que Choisir highlights a difference between air fryers and deep-fat fryers, particularly when it comes to fresh chips. Stick with a deep-fat fryer if that flavour and texture matter most. And if your oven already suits your recipes and portion sizes, consider whether you really need another appliance.
If the smell of oil puts you off frying at home, air frying is worth considering. Que Choisir notes that an air fryer is less likely to produce unpleasant smells, but doesn’t promise that cooking will be odour-free or deliver the same results as deep-frying.
If the taste, texture and crispness of traditional chips matter more to you than reducing smells, a deep-fat fryer is still worth considering. You’ll also need to think about cleaning it and disposing of used oil.
If your oven already prepares the dishes and quantities you want, weigh that up against the space an air fryer would take up. Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can be bulky when you already have an oven.
For foods you’d normally fry, start by thinking about the results you want to keep or change, then consider your portion sizes and the space you have available. Your existing oven is also part of the decision if it already meets your cooking needs.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Frying smells | Compare the cooking methods and look for tests of the model using your usual recipes. Fewer oil smells doesn’t mean there’ll be no cooking smells at all. | In a small kitchen, the smell of deep-frying can be the main reason to avoid making fried food at home. Around 40% of consumers put reducing these smells at the top of their list. |
| Portions and available space | Check the usable basket surface, the appliance’s external dimensions and how much you can cook in one batch, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone. | If you need to cook several portions without taking up more worktop space, usable capacity is key. It’s the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Frying results | Look for tests using fresh chips or the other fried foods you make, with quantities similar to your own. | For fresh chips, I might prefer the taste and texture of deep-frying, despite the extra cleaning. Around 30% of consumers prioritise these frying results above all else. |
Que Choisir highlights differences between the two cooking methods, particularly for fresh chips and larger quantities. So, reducing smells doesn’t guarantee the flavour or crispness you’re after.
Make a list of the dishes you most want to cook and look for tests using quantities similar to your own.
The shape and surface area of the basket affect how much food you can fit in one batch. A large stated capacity doesn’t tell you how many portions you can actually cook.
Compare the basket, external dimensions and the dishes you usually make. As a guide for a family of four, Que Choisir recommends a model of at least 6 L, but advises checking the actual size too.
If your oven already suits your recipes and quantities, buying an air fryer could be redundant. Que Choisir also points out that air fryers can take up a lot of space.
Think about the dishes you make regularly and which ones your oven genuinely struggles with before making room for another appliance.
The appliance will take up space on your worktop or in a cupboard.
ADEME advises that frying oil must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or thrown away in the environment.
Keep a sealed container ready for cooled oil and check your local council’s disposal guidance.
Worth considering if two drawers suit the dishes you want to make. Moulinex says its Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 has one 5.2 L drawer and another with a 3.1 L capacity.
Worth considering if basket size matters to you. Philips’ NA156/60, for example, has a removable divider which, according to the brand, lets you switch from two 3.55 L baskets to one 7.1 L pan.
Ninja is one of the air fryer manufacturers mentioned by Que Choisir. As with any brand, start by looking at the specific model and the dishes you want to cook.
These air fryers are for households considering cooking foods that are usually fried without using a bath of oil. Compare their sizes with your portions, available space and the dishes you currently make in a deep-fat fryer or oven.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 6.2 L basket for air-fried dishes. Check how many portions of your recipes will fit in one batch, as well as the space it needs and how noisy the model is.
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The dual basket may suit a household that wants to cook two dishes at once. The stated capacity is 9 L; compare the appliance’s dimensions with your worktop space and check how many portions will fit in each basket.
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Worth considering if two drawers suit your dishes better than a single basket. The 7.6 L figure is the appliance’s stated capacity. Check the space available for each dish and how it performs with your usual quantities.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an air fryer with a stated capacity of 7.6 L. Don’t assume it’s compact just because of the name Compact Max. Check its external dimensions and the space needed to open and use it.
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Worth considering if you want to adapt the container to suit dishes of different sizes. Compare your recipe portions with the model’s capacities and check how much space it takes up before choosing it over your oven.
No. Que Choisir says an air fryer is less likely to produce unpleasant smells than deep-frying, particularly in a small kitchen, but it won’t eliminate all smells. Consider the recipe, the quantity you’re cooking and the ventilation.
Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four. Also check the usable basket surface, the dishes you plan to cook and the appliance’s external dimensions. The stated capacity alone won’t tell you what you can cook in one batch.
Check the manual to see which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe, then follow the cleaning instructions once the appliance has cooled. Also check how easy it is to reach the basket, rack and cooking chamber on the specific model, rather than relying on the type of appliance alone.
ADEME advises that it must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or thrown away in the environment. Let it cool, keep it in a sealed container and check your local council’s disposal guidance.