If you want to avoid dealing with a pan of oil and reduce frying smells, start by comparing air fryers. Que Choisir highlights this benefit, while also noting that they can be bulky and noisy. If deep-frying is more important to you, an electric deep-fat fryer may make certain steps easier with model-specific features, but you’ll still need to maintain the oil. Traditional frying also calls for particular care to manage odours and splashes of hot oil.
If you make chips or breaded food but don’t want to keep a pan of oil, consider air frying first. Que Choisir lists reduced odours as one of its benefits, without promising an odour-free kitchen. A deep-fat fryer with a filter is another option if you want to cook by immersion.
Compare which parts can be removed and which the manufacturer says are dishwasher-safe for the specific model. With a deep-fat fryer, also check how the oil is filtered, stored and disposed of.
Choose based on your usual portions and the space you have, rather than litres alone. As examples for specific models, Tefal says its 1.6 L Easy Fry Compact serves up to two people, while its 11 L Dual Easy Fry XXL serves six to ten.
First decide which cooking method you want to keep or avoid, then check the practical requirements of the model that will fit in your kitchen.
Worth considering: if you have a hob and are happy to monitor and manage the pan of oil yourself.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir notes that oil may splatter when the basket is lowered, as well as the steam and odours produced.
Worth considering: if you want to keep deep-frying but would like features that make filtering or cleaning easier.
Bear in mind: features vary between models and won’t remove the need to store and dispose of oil correctly.
Worth considering: if your priority is avoiding a pan of oil and reducing the odours associated with it.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir describes these appliances as bulky and a little noisy; cooking results should be assessed model by model.
| Consideration | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Odours | Compare the cooking methods and, for a deep-fat fryer, check which odour-control features are listed for the model. Reduced odours don’t mean no odours. | I want to make crispy food without keeping a pan of oil between uses. |
| Cleaning and oil | Check which parts can be removed, whether they’re specifically dishwasher-safe and, if the appliance uses oil, how to drain and store it. ADEME states that used oil must not be poured down the sink or toilet. | After cooking, I’d rather wash removable parts than also deal with oil that needs to be stored or disposed of. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the portions recommended for the model with the recipes you make, then measure the space available. For an air fryer, also check the instructions for how much clearance to leave around the appliance. | My portions are usually small; a large drawer or two cooking zones would only be useful for certain meals. |
| Cooking and safety | To compare models, look for tests using the foods you cook. Que Choisir’s testing, for example, considers chips, other recipes, ease of use and safety. For hot oil, check the filling and handling instructions. | The texture of my chips matters, but I also want to be able to handle and clean the appliance safely. |
Air frying isn’t the same as cooking by immersion. Que Choisir tests air fryers with several recipes because results vary between models.
If texture is a deciding factor, look for tests featuring chips or dishes similar to the ones you make, rather than choosing by the number of programmes.
A compact air fryer and a model with two drawers don’t take up the same amount of space. The stated capacity alone also won’t tell you how a particular recipe will turn out.
Measure the space you have and start with the number of portions you usually cook. If you prepare two dishes at once, check whether two cooking zones would be useful.
Some Tefal or SEB models feature filtration, an oil storage container or washable parts. These features make specific tasks easier, but you’ll still need to collect and dispose of the oil appropriately.
Check the draining instructions in the manual and have a sealed container ready for cooled oil. ADEME recommends using your local collection facilities afterwards.
Que Choisir notes that oil may splatter when deep-frying; INRS highlights the risk of burns from hot liquid splashes.
Place the appliance on a stable surface, follow the instructions and filling limits, and don’t move a fryer containing hot oil.
The features below apply to specific ranges or models; they don’t describe every appliance made by a brand.
In France, Tefal offers electric deep-fat fryers and air fryers in a range of sizes.
Philips is among the air fryer manufacturers featured by Que Choisir in the French market.
Que Choisir lists Ninja among the brands in the air fryer category in France.
This selection includes four air fryers for cooking without a pan of oil, plus an electric deep-fat fryer for anyone who wants to keep deep-frying. Compare their size with your usual portions and check the care instructions for each model.
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Worth considering if you want to avoid a pan of oil and have two drawers for cooking. The model name indicates six functions; check its size and the instructions for handling hot parts before choosing.
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An air fryer with a 7.6 L capacity to consider if you cook quantities suited to that size and want to avoid dealing with a pan of oil. Measure your available space and check the model’s cleaning instructions before buying.
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Worth comparing if you want to air fry with a format that’s different from one large drawer. Check the containers and accessories included with this model, the space needed around the appliance and the precautions for handling hot parts.
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Worth considering for portions suited to its stated 3.2 L capacity, without having to store a pan of oil. Before making space for it, check its dimensions and the clearance required in the NA210/00 manual.
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This electric deep-fat fryer is for anyone who wants to keep cooking with oil; its XL anti-mist window is mentioned in the product name. Check the odour-control features and washable parts for this model, but don’t assume they’ll eliminate odours. Hot oil still requires care, and used oil must be disposed of correctly.
No. Que Choisir lists reduced odours as one benefit of air frying, not an absence of odours for every recipe. If odours are your main concern, distinguish those associated with a pan of oil from the smells that may arise while food is cooking.
Check the model’s manual for draining or filtering instructions, removable parts and which parts are dishwasher-safe. A storage container can make it easier to collect the oil, but it won’t remove the need to maintain it or dispose of it later.
ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink, into the toilet or into the environment. Let it cool, put it in a sealed bottle or container, then check the collection options available in your area.
Start with the portions and recipes you make, then check the manufacturer’s guidance for the model you’re considering. As an example for this model only, Tefal says its 1.6 L Easy Fry Compact serves up to two people.
Place it on a stable surface and follow the instructions for the model, particularly when filling it and handling hot parts. Que Choisir notes that oil may splatter when deep-frying; don’t move a fryer containing hot oil.