For occasional frying in an open-plan kitchen, a compact air fryer is a good choice if you want to reduce the odours associated with deep-frying and make cleaning easier, provided you are happy to accept the fan noise and the worktop space it takes up. A deep-fat fryer remains a sensible option if traditional frying is your priority, while an oven or frying pan avoids adding another appliance to store when this is only an occasional requirement.
You want to avoid an appliance that is rarely used taking up permanent space on the worktop or in your cupboards. Before choosing a deep-fat fryer, compare a compact air fryer – or simply the oven and frying pan you already have. Que Choisir highlights size and capacity as useful criteria when choosing an air fryer.
You want to limit the smell of deep-frying in a shared living space, while also taking an air fryer's fan into account. Que Choisir describes these appliances as slightly noisy and measures sound at 0.50 m in its testing protocol, so the exact model still needs to be considered if noise is a deciding factor.
You are happy to cook in oil, but want a removable bowl, dishwasher-safe parts and a system that makes filtering or storing the oil between uses easier. These features reduce the amount of handling without removing the need to deal with used oil.
In an open-plan kitchen, start by choosing the cooking method you are happy to use every day. Then check the available space and the cleaning tasks that will follow each use.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Odours and steam | Compare the cooking method, whether a filter is included and what type it is, along with the availability of replacement parts. An air fryer reduces the issues associated with deep-frying, but cannot guarantee an odour-free kitchen. | I want to cook crispy food without allowing the smell of deep-frying to linger in the living room. |
| Space and capacity | Measure the width, depth and height of your worktop. Also check the space required to open the drawer or basket, the clearance specified in the instructions and the capacity that is genuinely useful. | My appliance must suit the size of my household without overcrowding a small kitchen or shared living space. |
| Cleaning and oil | Check the washable parts, removable bowl and access to areas that need cleaning separately. For a deep-fat fryer, look at how the oil is filtered and stored. | After a meal, I prefer easy-to-clean parts and want to know how to deal with residue rather than discovering these requirements after buying. |
| Operating noise | Look for a test that specifies the measurement distance and protocol for the model you are considering. Que Choisir measures air fryer noise at 0.50 m; the stated wattage alone does not tell you how comfortable the noise level will be. | A conversation, watching television or eating in the same room should not be overly disrupted by the fan. |
Reducing odours compared with deep-frying does not mean an open-plan kitchen will remain completely odour-free. The fan is also a source of noise.
Think of odour reduction as a relative advantage and check the noise conditions for the model you are interested in. Ventilate the room according to your usual cooking habits.
A large capacity or the word ‘compact’ tells you nothing about the appliance's depth, the clearance needed to open the basket or the space required around the air outlets.
Compare the dimensions in the technical specifications and instructions with your worktop, basket opening and available storage space.
Filtration makes some tasks easier, but oil still needs to be stored and disposed of when it is no longer usable. ADEME states that it must not be poured down the sink, flushed down the toilet or released into the environment.
Choose a removable bowl and an airtight storage container, then find out about the collection option available near you. ADEME states that, once cooled in a closed container, oil is most often taken to a recycling centre.
An air fryer can be useful for small dishes, but it adds another appliance to store. In its tests on a small quiche, Que Choisir recorded average energy consumption lower than that of a mini oven for the same quantity, with results varying according to the recipe and appliance.
Choose this option if you expect to cook small crispy dishes regularly. If your oven already covers these uses and you rarely fry food, keeping it may be sufficient.
The Easy Fry range includes compact air fryers as well as models with a larger capacity.
The Oleoclean range consists of electric deep-fat fryers designed around oil filtration and storage.
Philips offers air fryers ranging from compact formats to family-sized models with stacked baskets.
Joybuy options for this topic, covering hot-air fryers and electric deep-fat fryers for uses ranging from small portions to larger dishes.
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A hot-air format suited to small portions and a worktop whose dimensions can be checked before purchase.
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An option for one or two people who prioritise small portions and removable parts that are easy to maintain.
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This hot-air model is designed for a variety of dishes and larger portions, provided its size genuinely suits your space.
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A deep-fat fryer for those who prefer traditional cooking while looking for a removable bowl and washable parts.
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An oil fryer with two bowls for preparing two foods at the same time, better suited to larger meals than occasional small-scale frying.
No. Que Choisir describes air fryers as slightly noisy appliances and measures sound at 0.50 m, with three experts assessing the noise as part of its protocol. If this is a deal-breaker, look for a measurement or independent test covering the exact model.
Check the basket, bowl, accessories and access to the heating element separately. For the relevant models, Philips states that the basket, bowl and frying accessory can be washed in hot water with washing-up liquid and are dishwasher-safe, while the interior and heating element also require appropriate care.
That may depend on its design. A removable bowl, washable parts and a filtration or storage system reduce some handling; SEB lists these features for its Oleoclean Pro. However, they do not remove the need to manage used oil.
ADEME advises against pouring oil down the sink, flushing it down the toilet or releasing it into the environment. Once cooled in a sealed bottle or container, it should generally be taken to a recycling centre; some local authorities also provide a dedicated collection point.