An air fryer may be a worthwhile addition if you often prepare small portions that you want crispy, which your microwave doesn’t reheat as you’d like. If your oven already meets your needs, keeping it avoids adding another appliance. For deep-fat frying, choose this method if you’re happy to manage the oil, smells and cleaning.
You have an oven or microwave and are wondering whether the intended use justifies setting aside space for another appliance. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the risk of duplication and the space an air fryer can take up when you already have an oven.
You regularly reheat one or two portions and want to preserve their texture. First check what your microwave can do: some models have a grill or combination functions.
Your main considerations are how much you can cook at once, or whether the texture of deep-fat frying is worth the extra maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity for larger portions and the differences in texture between cooking methods.
Consider it if: you often cook or reheat small portions and have an accessible spot where you can keep the appliance.
Bear in mind: it may duplicate what your oven can do, its fan makes noise, and an overfilled basket may mean cooking in batches. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends taking fan noise into account.
Consider it if: you specifically want the texture of traditional deep-fat frying and expect to use it fairly often.
Bear in mind: hot oil needs to be handled and maintained, and a filter won’t necessarily contain smells at every stage. UFC-Que Choisir points out this limitation.
Choose this if: you’re already happy with the results, especially for dishes or quantities that won’t fit easily in a basket.
Keep in mind: a dedicated basket may still be handy for some small portions. Compare it with your usual cooking habits rather than assuming another appliance will always save time or energy.
Consider it if: you occasionally want to brown small quantities using cookware you already own.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to keep an eye on the food and turn it over. Using a similar amount of oil to deep-fat frying also brings concerns around smells and safety.
UFC-Que Choisir’s guides cover factors such as how much space an appliance takes up, usable capacity, smells and the differences between cooking methods. The criteria below can help you relate these points to your own habits.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and risk of duplication | Check how much space you have and which cooking tasks your oven already handles. | If I’m short on space and my oven meets most of my needs, I only want to buy another appliance for a genuinely different use. Around 26% of consumers prioritise avoiding duplication and saving space. |
| Small portions and reheating | Make a note of the foods you cook and how often you use them; check whether your microwave has a grill or combination functions. | When I often reheat a small portion, I want it to retain a pleasant texture without adding an unnecessary appliance. Around 21% of consumers prioritise crisping small portions when reheating. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the amount you usually cook with the usable cooking surface; don’t assume capacity based on a product name alone. | When I’m preparing a family meal, I want to know whether I can cook everything at once or will need to make several batches. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the amount they can cook. |
| Smells, cleaning and noise | Check which parts need cleaning and how the oil is managed; if you have an open-plan kitchen, consider how noisy the appliance is when running. | If smells, cleaning or noise bother me day to day, I want to understand these drawbacks before choosing a method. Around 16% of consumers put these nuisances and maintenance at the top of their list. |
| Texture you’re looking for | Decide whether you want to brown and reheat food, or fry it in oil. | If I want the result you get from traditional deep-fat frying, I’d rather choose it with a clear understanding of the extra work involved. Around 16% of consumers prioritise this texture over other criteria. |
The two appliances may have overlapping uses, and one you use frequently could end up staying on the worktop. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering this risk of duplication.
Before choosing, identify the small dishes or frequent reheating jobs that your current appliances don’t handle to your satisfaction.
The stated volume alone doesn’t tell you how much food you can cook properly at once. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of real-world usable capacity.
Compare your usual portions with the usable cooking surface and loading guidance. Also check how much space the appliance takes up.
Air frying and traditional deep-fat frying are different methods and won’t necessarily give you the same results.
Choose according to the texture you’re after, then consider the maintenance involved in your chosen method.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that smells can escape when handling the basket, even when there’s a filter.
Before choosing a deep-fat fryer, consider your kitchen’s ventilation and how sensitive you are to smells.
This selection includes deep-fat fryers for traditional frying and air fryers for hot-air cooking or reheating. These methods suit different uses and won’t necessarily produce the same texture.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a deep-fat fryer for small batches.
The name specifies a capacity of 1,5 L and a power rating of 900 W. Deep-fat frying means handling and maintaining oil; a filter doesn’t guarantee that there’ll be no smells.
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Worth considering if you want to cook several fried dishes or foods separately in a deep-fat fryer.
The name specifies two 3 L bowls and a power rating of 3 300 W. Deep-fat frying means handling and cleaning hot oil; filters won’t necessarily eliminate smells.
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Worth considering if you specifically want a deep-fat fryer and would like to keep an eye on the food through the window mentioned in the name.
The name specifies a capacity of 3,5 L. Deep-fat frying means handling and maintaining oil; a filter won’t necessarily eliminate all smells.
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Worth considering if you’re preparing portions listed as suitable for one or two people and want an appliance with Air Fry and Reheat functions.
The name specifies a capacity of 4,7 L and a power rating of 2 000 W. This appliance isn’t designed for deep-fat frying.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two foods at the same time in an air fryer with two baskets.
The name specifies two 4,5 L baskets and a power rating of 2 200 W. Separate baskets can be handy for cooking different foods at the same time; check that their size suits the quantities you plan to prepare.
Not necessarily: an air fryer may help some reheated foods retain their texture better than a basic microwave. If your appliance has a grill or combination functions, first check what it can already cook or brown.
Measure the space you can realistically set aside for it, and check the chosen model’s instructions for installation requirements. If you have an open-plan kitchen, also consider fan noise: UFC-Que Choisir identifies this as a factor worth considering.
A deep-fat fryer requires you to handle and maintain the oil, as well as clean the appliance. An air fryer avoids the need for an oil bath, but its basket and cooking components still need to be cleaned in line with the model’s instructions.
The DGCCRF states that claims under the legal guarantee of conformity must be brought within two years of the goods being delivered, whether they’re new or second-hand. Any commercial warranty is separate and optional; keep the seller’s contractual information.