If you occasionally cook chips or breaded food in an open-plan kitchen, an air fryer could be a good choice if you want to avoid a vat of oil and reduce splashes. Just check that you have enough worktop space, that its usable capacity suits your needs and that it’s easy to clean. If you prefer traditional deep frying, an electric deep fat fryer may offer temperature controls or an oil filtration system, depending on the model. Frying on the hob calls for particular care to make sure the pan is stable. Whichever option you choose, you’ll still need to ventilate the kitchen, and none can guarantee that lingering smells will be avoided.
You occasionally cook chips or breaded food, but smells and splashes bother you in your living space. Consider the cooking method alongside the ventilation available. Even an appliance marketed as producing fewer smells doesn’t make ventilation unnecessary, as the ADEME’s indoor air guidance reminds us.
You’ll need to be able to put the appliance away and easily clean the parts that come into contact with grease. Compare its dimensions with the space you have, then check which parts are removable and washable. UFC-Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be bulky.
You want to keep cooking in a vat of oil and are happy to manage hot oil, smells and cleaning. Depending on the model, an electric deep fat fryer may have a thermostat, filtration or a cool zone, but these features don’t remove the practical considerations.
Worth considering: if you occasionally want to cook foods that are usually deep-fried without using a vat of oil, and would also like to use other cooking functions.
Things to bear in mind: the appliance may be bulky or noisy, and results can vary by model and how much you cook at once, as UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show.
Worth considering: if you want to stick with traditional deep frying, with temperature control or filtration functions depending on the model.
Things to bear in mind: you’ll still need to handle, clean and keep an eye on the oil. An odour filter can’t guarantee a smell-free room.
Worth considering: if you prefer to cook on your hob and can use a suitable, stable pan that you can keep an eye on while cooking.
Things to bear in mind: the pan takes up a hob ring and handling food can cause splashes. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the importance of stability, particularly on a gas hob.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and splashes | Compare the cooking methods and care instructions. For deep frying, check whether a compatible filter is included. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to avoid cooking smells bothering everyone else in the room. Around 33% of consumers prioritise smells and splashes. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available and check which parts are removable or dishwasher-safe. | With a small worktop, I’m looking for an appliance I can put away and clean easily after use. Storage and cleaning come first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cooking method and quantity | For deep frying, check the stated quantity of chips; for an air fryer, look at the recommended amount per batch. | When I’m making chips for a meal, the cooking method and how much I can cook in one batch matter most. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Other dishes | Check which functions you’ll use and, for a model with two drawers, the size of each compartment. | I’d like to cook several parts of a meal in the same appliance, without mistaking two small drawers for one large basket. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
The cooking method isn’t the only thing that affects smells. Ventilation and grease left in the appliance matter too.
Use the ventilation available while cooking and clean any parts exposed to grease. ADEME recommends keeping air inlets and extraction vents clear.
The stated capacity doesn’t necessarily reflect the recommended cooking load. In an appliance with two drawers, the total capacity is split between the compartments.
Check the recommended load in the instructions and the dimensions of each basket. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol distinguishes the optimum quantity from the maximum load, which is based on filling a basket to two-thirds.
Filtration or a cool zone doesn’t remove the need to manage the oil and clean the bowl. SEB says its odour filter needs regular cleaning to remain effective.
Before choosing a model, check which parts can be removed, how they should be washed and how to care for the filter on the exact model you’re considering.
An unstable or overfilled pan makes handling hot oil more difficult. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the risk of splashes when lowering the basket into a traditional deep fat fryer.
Check the instructions to make sure the pan is compatible with your hob, set it down securely, don’t overfill it and drain food before lowering it into the oil.
SEB offers electric deep fat fryers that use a vat of oil, with features that vary by model.
Moulinex’s air fryer range includes models with different features for storage, cleaning and noise levels.
Philips offers air fryers with two drawers, designed for cooking different foods separately.
These air fryers offer the no-vat-of-oil cooking option discussed above. To choose between them, consider how much you want to cook, the basket configuration and the space available. No model can guarantee, on its own, that your open-plan kitchen will be free of smells.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you cook small portions and want a basket that’s easy to clean. Check the available space before choosing, too.
Stated capacity of 2 L, power of 1150 W and a 60-minute timer. The product name indicates that the non-stick basket is dishwasher-safe.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to choose a container to suit what you’re cooking. Check the capacity and space needed for each container, as well as the washing instructions.
Image unavailable
If you occasionally cook chips, compare the recommended load in the instructions with the amount you usually cook, and check how much worktop space you’ll need.
Stated capacity of 4.7 L and power of 2000 W. The product name indicates a non-stick basket.
Image unavailable
If you plan to cook two separate dishes, check the space each basket provides: the total capacity isn’t one large compartment. Also measure the space you have in your kitchen.
Stated total capacity of 9 L, split between two baskets.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to use an air fryer for several types of dishes. Check the recommended load and external dimensions: the name ‘Compact Max’ doesn’t tell you how much space it takes up.
Stated capacity of 7.6 L.
No, an air fryer can’t guarantee a kitchen free of lingering smells. The cooking method, the food, grease residue and ventilation all affect the smells you notice, so ventilate the room and clean the appliance after use.
Yes. Use the ventilation available whenever your setup allows. ADEME says that switching to a higher extraction rate can increase kitchen ventilation when needed, and recommends keeping air inlets and extraction vents clear.
Compare the amount of food you can cook per batch, not just the capacity in litres. For a deep fat fryer, check the stated quantity of chips alongside the oil capacity. For an air fryer, consult the recommended load in the instructions. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol distinguishes between the optimum quantity and the maximum load.
Check the instructions to make sure the pan is suitable for your type of hob and can sit securely on it. Don’t overfill it, and drain food before lowering it into the hot oil. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the risk of splashes and concerns about the stability of traditional deep fat fryers on gas hobs.