Households concerned about the smell of frying
You occasionally make chips or breaded food, but the smell of oil makes you think twice. You’re open to comparing air frying with deep-frying, without assuming you’ll get the same results.
Who are these options for?
Occasional fans of deep-fried food
You prefer the texture of chips or doughnuts cooked in hot oil, but want to minimise splashes and the clean-up after occasional use.
Cooks short on space
You need to choose an appliance that suits the portions you want to make, the hob you have and the space available for using or storing it.
What should you look for first?
Traditional deep-fat frying pan
Worth considering: for occasional deep-frying if you prefer cooking food submerged in oil and have a hob that’s compatible with the pan.
Bear in mind: oil, smells, possible splashes and cleaning. Que Choisir recommends checking the pan’s material if you have an induction hob.
Electric deep-fat fryer
Worth considering: if you want to deep-fry without using a hob, and the bowl or filtration system makes cleaning easier for you.
Bear in mind: a filter won’t necessarily prevent smells, particularly when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil, as Que Choisir points out.
Air fryer
Worth considering: if you want to avoid dealing with a pan of hot oil and will also use the appliance for other air-fried dishes.
Bear in mind: it doesn’t cook food submerged in oil, so the crispiness may be different. Que Choisir also notes that usable capacity and results vary between models.
For occasional frying, first decide whether your priority is avoiding a pan of hot oil, getting the texture of traditionally fried food or keeping cleaning to a minimum. The percentages below show the approximate share of consumers who prioritise each factor.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who prioritises it most |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking smells | Compare the cooking methods. For an oil fryer, check the filter and ventilation options. | If the smell of hot oil is your main concern, start by looking at the cooking method and ventilation. Around 36% of consumers prioritise smells. |
| Cleaning and handling oil | Check which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe. For oil fryers, look at the instructions for filtering and storing the oil once it has cooled. | After occasional frying, you’ll want to know which parts need washing and how to handle the oil. Around 29% of consumers put cleaning and maintenance first. |
| Food texture | Look for tests using the foods you plan to cook, rather than relying on the name of the cooking method alone. | If you want the crispness of traditionally fried food, compare results for the foods you usually make before switching cooking methods. Around 21% of consumers prioritise texture. |
| Space and portions | Measure the space available for using and storing the appliance, then compare batch sizes and how food is divided between baskets. | You want to cook the amount you need without cluttering your kitchen or making several batches. Around 14% of consumers prioritise a balance between portion size and space. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming air frying means no cooking smells
Avoiding a pan of hot oil doesn’t mean there’ll be no cooking smells, or that food will have the same texture as food deep-fried in oil.
Decide whether avoiding a pan of hot oil or getting the results of traditional deep-frying matters most to you, then compare tests using the foods you’re interested in.
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Assuming a filter gets rid of all smells
Filters vary in effectiveness, and smells can escape when the basket is handled, Que Choisir points out.
Check the type of filter, how to maintain it and how you can ventilate the room. Don’t confuse filtering oil with eliminating smells.
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Choosing based on the advertised capacity in litres
The amount of oil in an electric deep-fat fryer, the weight of food and the basket capacity of an air fryer don’t measure the same thing. Two drawers can also take up more space.
Compare the portions you can actually cook per batch, how they’re divided between baskets and the dimensions of the specific model you’re considering.
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Forgetting to check whether it’s compatible with your hob
A pan that isn’t suitable for induction won’t work on an induction hob.
Before buying, check that the whole pan is compatible with your type of hob.
Brands to know
Tefal
The Oleo Clean range is an example of an electric deep-fat fryer with oil filtration and storage. For the FR804015 model, Tefal lists a 3,5 L oil capacity and a food capacity of 1,2 kg.
- According to the manufacturer’s product information, the FR804015 can be dismantled and some parts are dishwasher-safe.
- Filtration makes oil easier to manage, but doesn’t guarantee there’ll be no smells. These features apply to this model, not the whole range.
Seb
The Filtra Pro FR518100 is an example of an electric deep-fat fryer with a filter mesh and removable bowl. Seb lists an oil capacity of 4 L for up to 1 kg of chips.
- Seb says that the parts of this model, apart from the heating unit, are dishwasher-safe; the mesh helps remove food debris.
- The oil capacity in litres isn’t the same as the weight of the chips, and the mesh doesn’t prove that the fryer eliminates smells.
Moulinex
The Easy Pro AM338070 is an example of electric deep-frying, while the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 represents air frying, with an advertised capacity of 3,5 L.
- Moulinex says the Easy Pro can be dismantled, although its heating unit isn’t suitable for dishwasher cleaning, and the Easy Fry Essential basket is dishwasher-safe.
- These features apply to specific models; they aren’t an independent comparison of smells or cooking results.
Philips
The Airfryer Dual Basket NA352/00 is an example of an air fryer with two separate baskets.
- Philips lists two differently sized baskets and a synchronisation feature, a configuration to consider if you plan to use both cooking zones.
- This design doesn’t prove that the results will have the same texture as traditionally fried food, or that each basket has equivalent usable capacity.
de Buyer
Induction-compatible stainless steel cookware can be useful when considering traditional hob-top frying. The PRIM’APPETY Ø20 cm frying pan is an example of cookware, not a complete fryer.
- de Buyer states that this specific model is induction-compatible.
- That compatibility doesn’t confirm that another pan will work, and this frying pan isn’t a substitute for a fryer with a suitable basket and lid.
Air fryers available on Joybuy
These Joybuy products use hot air, so you won’t need to manage a pan of hot oil. The crispiness may differ from food deep-fried in oil, so also check that you have enough space and that the usable portions suit your household.
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XXL 9 L Double Zone 2000 W Air Fryer, 2 x 4,5 L baskets
Worth considering if you want to cook two separate dishes without using a pan of hot oil.
Two independent 4,5 L baskets, touchscreen, synchronisation, timer and 10 advertised programmes.
Air frying isn’t the same as deep-frying in oil, so the texture may differ.
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KitchenCook AIRFLOW12 LED Dual Tower Vertical, 12 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two foods at the same time in separate compartments.
It has two compartments, 10 programmes and an adjustable temperature from 60 to 200 °C. The advertised total capacity is 12 L, with a capacity of 1 000 g of chips.
The appliance gets hot and releases steam during use. Keep your distance and use the handles.
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KitchenCook AIRMED7W, 7 L
Worth considering if you want an air fryer with a window so you can keep an eye on your food as it cooks.
This model has an advertised capacity of 7 L, 7 programmes, a touchscreen and a removable non-stick basket.
Hot surfaces and steam are present during use. Place the appliance on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
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12QT Large Dual Basket Air Fryer, 12-in-1
Worth considering if you want to set the appliance up for one dish or two dishes cooked at the same time.
The adjustable basket switches from one large compartment to two 6 L baskets. The baskets are advertised as dishwasher-safe, and 50 paper liners are listed.
This model uses hot air and isn’t suitable for liquid dishes such as soups, sauces or stews.
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Philips NA210/00 AirFryer 2000 Series, 3,2 L
Worth considering if the advertised 3,2 L capacity suits your portions and the space you have available.
This model has an advertised 30-minute timer, temperature settings up to 200 °C and a drawer with a removable basket, both dishwasher-safe.
Accessible surfaces can get hot and steam may escape during cooking. Oven gloves are recommended when handling the basket.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer make chips like a deep-fat fryer?
Not necessarily: a fan circulates hot air rather than cooking food submerged in oil, and results vary between models. Que Choisir recommends bearing this difference in mind. If traditional texture is important to you, compare tests using the foods you’re interested in.
How can I check that a traditional fryer will work on an induction hob?
Before buying, check that the bowl or base of the exact model is induction-compatible. Que Choisir warns that a bowl made from aluminium cast iron that isn’t suitable for induction won’t work on an induction hob. A metallic appearance alone isn’t enough to confirm compatibility.
What needs maintaining after deep-frying in oil?
Follow the model’s instructions for letting the oil cool, filtering it and cleaning the parts. Que Choisir recommends removing crumbs from the oil. Dishwasher compatibility depends on the parts of each appliance, and a filtering bowl still needs to be maintained.
What should I watch out for with a traditional or electric deep-fat fryer?
Hot oil and hot containers can cause burns, warns Sapeurs-pompiers de France. Keep the container stable, keep children at a safe distance and follow the instructions when putting the basket in or taking it out. Que Choisir also notes that a traditional fryer may splatter.
Can I use any container or accessory in an air fryer?
No. Use materials intended for food contact and follow their instructions for use, recommends the DGCCRF. Also check the appliance manual to make sure the accessory is suitable for your model and won’t interfere with its operation.