Home cooks bothered by cooking smells
You make chips or breaded food in a small kitchen, an open-plan space or a poorly ventilated home. Reducing cooking smells matters more to you than getting exactly the same results as deep-frying in oil.
Who are these appliances suitable for?
Fans of deep-frying
You prefer this cooking method for chips, doughnuts, fish or breaded food, and are happy to handle the oil and clean the appliance after use.
Households mindful of how much they cook
You cook several portions and need to check what the basket can actually hold, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. The space it takes up and how easy it is to clean also matter when choosing.
What sets these appliances apart?
Start with the cooking method you want to stick with, then check the quantity you can cook, the cleaning requirements and the space available for the specific model.
Hob-top deep-fat fryer
Consider it if: you want to cook by immersion and have a hob compatible with the chosen pan.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir flags the risk of splashes when lowering the basket, as well as steam and cooking smells, with this type of fryer.
Electric deep-fat fryer
Consider it if: you want to keep deep-frying without using your hob, and are looking for a removable pan or dishwasher-safe parts, depending on the model.
Bear in mind: even with a lid or filter, you’ll still need to handle and dispose of the oil.
Hot-air fryer
Consider it if: your priority is to avoid a vat of oil and reduce the cooking smells associated with it.
Bear in mind: the results differ from deep-frying; cooking smells, cleaning and the space it takes up may still be factors.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking smells and splashes | For a deep-fat fryer, check the lid, filter and instructions for lowering the basket. For an air fryer, allow for the space and ventilation specified in the manual. | In a small kitchen or open-plan space, I want cooking smells to bother me less, without expecting an odour-free appliance; around 33% of consumers say reducing cooking smells is their priority. |
| Results and quantity | Compare the stated food capacity or number of portions, then check the filling and shaking instructions; capacity in litres isn’t enough on its own. | When serving several portions, I want to cook enough while keeping the frying method I prefer; around 27% of consumers put results and quantity first. |
| Cleaning and oil | Check which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe. If you’re deep-frying, also find out how to cool, store and dispose of the oil. | If I cook often, I’d rather keep the jobs after each use to a minimum, particularly handling the oil; around 20% of consumers put maintenance first. |
| Space and other uses | Measure the space available and the ventilation clearance required. Check the basket shape and the types of food the manual says you can prepare. | When my worktop is already crowded, I’m looking for an appliance that fits and can be used for other types of cooking too; around 20% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
What should you avoid before buying?
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Assuming fewer smells means no smells
An air fryer avoids a vat of oil, but food, residue and opening the basket can still cause smells. This is particularly worth considering in an open-plan kitchen.
Choose a cooking method that suits your tolerance for smells, ventilate the room and clean away residue after use.
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Choosing based on capacity in litres alone
A large basket doesn’t guarantee even cooking if it’s overfilled. Que Choisir found uneven results when cooking chips in some of the air fryers it tested.
Check the stated capacity for the foods you plan to cook, as well as the usable dimensions if you want to cook a pizza, a chicken or several portions of breaded food.
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Forgetting how to dispose of used oil
A deep-fat fryer still needs to be emptied and maintained, even if it has a filter. In France, ADEME says frying oil must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or disposed of in the environment.
Before buying, plan where you’ll keep the cooled oil and check what collection facilities are available near you.
Storing the oil and taking it to a collection point add extra steps every time you replace it.
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Cleaning a non-stick basket with an abrasive
For the models covered by its guidance, Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive products to avoid damaging the coating.
Follow your model’s manual, let the appliance cool down and check the cleaning instructions for the basket, pan and heating element separately.
Brands and ranges to explore
SEB
These two electric deep-fat fryers offer a way to compare cleaning requirements and stated capacity, without assuming their features apply to the whole brand.
- According to SEB, the Smart Clean FR460000 holds up to 1.3 kg of chips and its removable parts are dishwasher-safe.
- SEB states that the Filtra Pro FR518100 has a 4 L oil pan, a filtration system and a temperature range of 150 °C to 190 °C.
- Both models cook in oil, so you’ll still need to deal with the oil as part of cleaning and maintenance.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry models mentioned here show two stated capacities to compare with the amount you cook and the space you have available.
- Moulinex states that the Easy Fry Essential EZ130A20 has a capacity of 3.5 L and a dishwasher-safe basket.
- The Easy Fry Compact EZ866HF1 is listed with a capacity of 7.5 L and a removable front panel that is dishwasher-safe.
- The stated capacity doesn’t guarantee results for every type of food or mean there will be no cooking smells.
Philips
Philips’ cleaning advice is useful when considering an air fryer with non-stick parts, though it may vary by model.
- In its cleaning instructions, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes and using a non-abrasive sponge.
- Check whether the basket and pan are dishwasher-safe for the specific model you’re considering.
Appliances to consider on Joybuy
This selection includes hot-air fryers and an electric deep-fat fryer. Compare their cooking methods before weighing up their capacities and features.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, 7.6 L air fryer
Worth considering if you want to cook two different dishes in separate drawers rather than using a vat of oil.
The model name indicates two drawers, a total capacity of 7.6 L, six functions and baskets stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check how much space it needs, and don’t assume a large batch will cook evenly if the drawers are overfilled.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7.6 L air fryer
Consider it if you’re looking for a 7.6 L air fryer to prepare several portions without a vat of oil.
The name “Compact Max” doesn’t replace measuring the appliance itself: check its dimensions against your worktop. The amount you can cook at once also depends on the food and how full the basket is.
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Hkoenig DFX600, 2 × 3 L electric deep-fat fryer
Worth considering if you want to keep deep-frying while cooking two different dishes with separate settings.
The model is listed with two 3 L pans, a power rating of 3 600 W, two independent thermostats, removable baskets and odour filters. These filters don’t mean cooking will be odour-free; you’ll also need to plan how to cool and dispose of the oil.
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KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W, 7 L air fryer
Consider it if you want to keep an eye on food as it cooks through a window, rather than opening the basket to check it each time.
The model is listed with a digital display and a cooking window. Check the usable capacity for your food, its dimensions and the basket cleaning instructions: the 7 L capacity alone doesn’t answer these questions.
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ochama Dual-Chamber, 9 L air fryer
Worth considering if you plan to cook two different dishes in separate compartments.
The stated total capacity is 9 L; the name mentions ten functions and temperature control. Before choosing this format, check the usable capacity of each compartment, the appliance dimensions and the basket cleaning instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer get rid of deep-frying smells?
No, an odour-free result isn’t guaranteed. Que Choisir lists the smell of oil as one reason to choose a different type of appliance, but the food, residue, opening the basket and ventilation are all factors too.
What should you check before cleaning an air fryer?
Wait for it to cool and follow the manual for your model. Philips recommends waiting around 30 minutes in its cleaning instructions and advises against metal utensils and abrasive products. Check which parts of your appliance are dishwasher-safe.
What should you do with used frying oil in France?
Let it cool, store it in a sealed container and find out what local collection facilities are available. ADEME says it must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or disposed of in the environment.
Is the CE mark enough to choose an electric deep-fat fryer?
No. For products where it applies, the CE mark indicates that the manufacturer claims to meet the relevant requirements; DGCCRF explains that it isn’t a quality certification. Also check the model number, the manual and the seller’s details. For goods sold in France by a professional to a private customer, the Ministry of the Economy notes that the legal guarantee of conformity also applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods.