If odours and managing oil are your main concerns, consider an air fryer. UFC-Que Choisir reports fewer odours, but also notes drawbacks around noise, space and texture, particularly with fresh chips. For regular deep-frying, an electric deep fryer with easy-to-remove parts meets a different need, although you’ll still need to look after the oil. If you only fry occasionally, an oven, frying pan or hob-top deep fryer could save you from giving a permanent spot on your worktop to a dedicated appliance. Each cooks differently and comes with its own considerations around steam and splashes.
If you’d rather not store a pan of oil, compare an air fryer with your oven. UFC-Que Choisir reports fewer odours when cooking with hot air, but also recommends considering the fan noise and the space the appliance takes up.
If the taste and texture of traditional fried food matter more to you, look at electric deep fryers. A removable bowl and basket can make cleaning easier, depending on the model; you’ll still need to filter, store and dispose of the oil.
For the odd fried dish, an oven, frying pan or traditional hob-top deep fryer may be a better fit for the space you have. When cooking with oil in an open pan, bear in mind the splashes and steam highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir. Also check that your cookware is suitable for your hob.
Start with the cooking result you’re looking for, then weigh up each option against the space available, cleaning requirements and considerations involved in cooking with oil. An oven and frying pan are useful alternatives to consider, but they don’t produce the same results as deep-frying.
| What to consider | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Odours | Compare the cooking method and ventilation options. According to UFC-Que Choisir, hot-air cooking reduces odours; the presence of a filter in a deep fryer alone doesn’t prove how effective it is. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, I’d rather not have to manage a pan of oil, while still bearing in mind that different foods produce different odours. |
| Cleaning | For a deep fryer, check which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe. Look separately at oil filtration, storage and disposal; with an air fryer, check how to clean the basket. | If I cook often, I want to be able to clean the parts I’ve used without making every post-cooking clean-up a chore. |
| Splashes and steam | UFC-Que Choisir notes that oil can splash when the basket is lowered into a traditional deep fryer, and that steam is also produced. For any appliance that uses oil, read the instructions on using the lid and handling damp food. Don’t assume a filter will stop splashes. | Before choosing deep-frying rather than hot-air cooking or an oven, I want to know what steps and precautions are involved. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space needed to use and store a dedicated appliance. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering the fan noise of an air fryer, especially in an open-plan kitchen; a frying pan or traditional deep fryer will take up a cooking zone instead. | In a small kitchen, I don’t want to leave an appliance I rarely use on the worktop. |
| Results and frequency | Bear in mind the difference between deep-frying and cooking with hot air or an oven. UFC-Que Choisir notes differences in taste and texture, particularly with fresh chips, as well as the sometimes limited capacity of air fryers; check the capacity of the model you’re considering. | If I regularly want the results of traditional deep-frying, I’ll compare oil fryers. For occasional cooking, I could also use my oven or a frying pan. |
| Hob compatibility | For a traditional deep fryer or frying pan, check that it’s compatible with your hob. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using an aluminium-cast pan on induction and recommends choosing steel. | If I have an induction hob, I’ll check the base of the cookware before considering a hob-top option. |
Cooking with hot air doesn’t always replicate the texture or quantities you get from traditional deep-frying. UFC-Que Choisir highlights potential limitations, particularly when cooking fresh chips.
If deep-fried results are your priority, compare oil fryers too. If you’re mainly looking to reduce odours and avoid managing oil, compare an air fryer with your oven.
An odour filter and an oil filtration system don’t do the same job. SEB describes these features on specific models, but their presence doesn’t guarantee that there’ll be no odours.
Check the product details and instructions for the model you choose to find out what the filter does, how to maintain it and which parts can actually be washed.
A traditional deep fryer with a bowl that isn’t induction-compatible won’t work on an induction hob. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using aluminium cast iron for this purpose and recommends choosing steel.
Before buying, check the material and look for an explicit statement confirming that the bowl or pan is compatible.
Deep-frying means you’ll need to store and then dispose of the used oil. According to ADEME, it must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or into the natural environment.
Let it cool, put it in a sealed container and check which collection point or household waste recycling centre is available in your area.
These examples relate to specific models and can help you identify the features to check; they don’t describe every product from each brand.
The range includes electric deep fryers, with cleaning features that vary from model to model.
Philips offers air fryers, including the Airfryer 2000 Series NA231/00.
The Ninja DZ400EU is an example of a dual-drawer air fryer, with two 4.75 L drawers and separate zone settings, according to its Joybuy product page.
These two models with dual baskets are designed for deep-frying. They may suit anyone who wants to cook two foods separately; when comparing them, also consider cleaning and the space they’ll need.
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This model is designed for cooking two foods separately in oil, and features two independent thermostats and removable baskets. Its product name mentions odour filters, but this doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking; check the instructions to find out how to maintain them. You’ll also need to consider handling and disposing of the oil, as well as finding space for the appliance.
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This dual-bowl design could suit anyone who wants to cook two foods separately in oil. If cleaning or odours are key to your decision, check the instructions for removable parts, how to wash them and whether the appliance has a filter. Also check how much space you have and plan how to dispose of used oil.
UFC-Que Choisir reports that hot-air cooking reduces the risk of unpleasant odours. That doesn’t mean your food won’t smell at all; if odours are a deciding factor, consider what you’ll be cooking and how well your room is ventilated.
Yes, if its bowl is compatible with an induction hob. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using aluminium cast iron for this purpose and recommends choosing steel. Check the product details for the model you’re considering to confirm compatibility.
A removable bowl and parts explicitly marked as dishwasher-safe can mean less hand-washing. SEB lists several dishwasher-safe parts for the FR518100, with the exception of the heating unit. Check the instructions for any other model before cleaning its parts.
According to ADEME, don’t pour it down the sink or toilet, or into the natural environment. Let it cool, put it in a sealed container, then check where your local household waste recycling centre or collection point is.
Yes, especially in an open-plan kitchen or small space: UFC-Que Choisir highlights fan noise as a factor to consider when buying. Compare the information available for the models you’re considering rather than assuming they’ll all make the same amount of noise.