If you want to avoid dealing with a pan of hot oil, consider air fryers, then check that their capacity and washable parts suit the meals you make. A deep-fat fryer lets you cook food by immersing it in oil, but you’ll need to manage the oil and clean the appliance. If you rarely cook this kind of food, an oven or frying pan could save you from buying another appliance. None of these options guarantees odour-free cooking.
You want to avoid relying on a pan of hot oil in a kitchen you use every day, without assuming that another cooking method will eliminate all smells. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the smell of frying can put some consumers off.
You’re checking which parts can be removed and washed, as well as how to deal with the oil after cooking. Tefal and Moulinex manuals show that these features vary from model to model.
You need to balance the size of your meals against the space the appliance takes up. Compare the stated portion sizes and external dimensions rather than choosing based on capacity in litres alone.
First, choose the cooking method you’re happy to use regularly. Smells, cleaning and available space will help you decide between appliances.
Consider it if: cooking food by immersing it in oil matters more to you than avoiding a pan of hot oil.
Be prepared for: handling oil, possible smells and cleaning the bowl.
Consider it if: you’d rather cook without a dedicated pan of hot oil and remove a basket after use.
Be prepared for: results that depend on the model and how much food you load. In its air fryer tests, UFC-Que Choisir reports that chips can sometimes cook unevenly.
Consider it if: you rarely cook fried or browned food and would rather use the equipment you already have.
Be prepared for: smells or splashes may still occur, depending on how you cook.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and splashes | Choose between a pan of hot oil and hot air. If smells are a deciding factor, look for a test of the specific model. | If the smell of frying affects my daily life, I want to know what avoiding a pan of hot oil changes, without expecting a completely odour-free kitchen. Around 42% of consumers put this concern first. |
| Cleaning and managing oil | Check the manual for removable, washable parts. For a deep-fat fryer, find out how to drain and filter the oil. | After each time I cook, I’d rather have fewer parts to wash and less oil to handle. Easy cleaning is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portions and space | Compare the recommended amount of food with your usual meals, then measure the space available and the clearance required. | In a small kitchen or when meal sizes vary, I don’t want to cook in multiple batches or keep an appliance that takes up too much space. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this fit above other factors. |
The cooking method alone can’t tell you what smells to expect in your kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir treats odours as a factor to consider when choosing an electric fryer.
If this will determine your purchase, look for independent tests of the specific model and take the room’s ventilation into account.
Two stated capacities don’t necessarily tell you how much food you can actually cook or how it will fit during cooking.
Compare the stated portion sizes with your meals, stick to the recommended load and measure the space you have available.
The words ‘dishwasher-safe basket’ don’t tell you about the other parts. With a deep-fat fryer, you also need to clean the bowl and manage the oil.
Read the manual to find out which parts are washable and, where relevant, how to drain or filter the oil.
Cleaning the appliance and managing the oil are regular tasks with a deep-fat fryer.
Electric cooking appliances come with important installation and operating instructions, particularly in light of the risks of burns or electric shock flagged by the DGCCRF.
Before buying, check that a French-language manual is available, who the seller is, and what information is provided about warranties and after-sales service.
This selection includes air fryers and a deep-fat fryer. Compare their size and cleaning requirements based on the cooking method you’ve chosen. An oven or frying pan is also an option if you’d rather not buy a dedicated appliance.
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Worth considering if you want to cook with hot air without a dedicated pan of oil. Check that the amount you can cook at once and the space needed around the appliance suit your kitchen. This cooking method doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking.
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The two drawers are worth considering if you want to cook different foods separately. The product name states a capacity of 9,5 L, six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. Check the recommended portion sizes and the space required before choosing this model.
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This air fryer could be a good fit if you’re looking for two drawers, a stated capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Compare the recommended load with your portion sizes and check the manual for guidance on cleaning the drawers.
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If your portion sizes vary, compare the stated 7,6 L capacity with the recommended amount of food per cooking session. Also measure the space you have available and check the manual to see which parts need cleaning.
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Worth considering if you want to deep-fry food in two baskets. The product name lists 2 × 3 L, 3 600 W, two independent thermostats, removable baskets and anti-odour filters. These filters shouldn’t be taken as a guarantee of odour-free cooking. Check the recommended portion sizes and be prepared to handle the oil.
No. Its cooking method doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking. UFC-Que Choisir presents hot-air cooking as an option for people bothered by the smell of oil. If this is an important factor for you, look for a test of the specific model.
Check the manual to see which parts can be removed and are actually dishwasher-safe. For a deep-fat fryer, also look at what’s involved in filtering, storing or draining the oil: a washable basket doesn’t cover all the cleaning.
Compare your usual portions with the amount of food recommended for the model, then check its external dimensions. In its testing protocol for electric fryers, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum quantity and the maximum capacity. Filling the bowl to the brim isn’t necessarily the right measure for your meals.
Identify the seller and check the French-language manual, safety instructions and warranty information before placing your order. The DGCCRF notes that electrical equipment can pose risks including electric shock, fire or burns. Always follow the instructions for the appliance you choose.