Households bothered by frying smells
If the smell of oil puts you off chips or coated foods, compare an air fryer with your current fryer. Que Choisir cites reduced odours for this category, but not their complete elimination.
Who is each option for?
The deciding factor will depend on whether smells, available space or the number of batches matters most to you.
Smaller households and compact kitchens
For smaller portions, weigh the usable capacity against the space needed on your worktop and in your cupboards. Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be bulky and a little noisy.
Families looking to cut down on batches
If you’re cooking several portions or two dishes at once, check the recommended load and basket layout. Que Choisir recommends basing your choice on the amounts you actually cook, rather than the stated capacity alone.
What should you check before choosing?
First, choose the cooking method that addresses your main concern. Then check the capacity, where the appliance will go and how easy it is to clean.
Air fryer
Consider this if: you want to rely less on a deep-fat fryer for chips, coated foods or vegetables.
The trade-off: Que Choisir cites reduced odours, but also describes air fryers as bulky and a little noisy.
Deep-fat fryer
Stick with this if: you’re mainly looking for immersion frying for chips or doughnuts.
The trade-off: you’ll still need to put up with the oil smells noted by Que Choisir, as well as handling the oil.
Conventional oven
Choose this if: your oven already fits the dishes and quantities you need, and you’d rather not add another appliance.
The trade-off: to compare energy use, you need to cook the same recipe in the same quantity, rather than comparing appliance types alone.
| Criterion | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and cooking | Compare hot-air cooking with immersion frying. The reduced odours cited by Que Choisir for air fryers don’t mean there will be no smell at all. | The smell of oil puts me off making certain dishes, but I want to choose based on the results I’m looking for with my food. |
| Usable capacity | Check the recommended load in the instructions, the space available in the basket and whether the food needs to be turned or shaken. Que Choisir’s test protocol distinguishes between the optimum and maximum loads for frozen chips, among other things. | I cook several portions at once and would rather know how many batches I’m likely to need than rely on the stated capacity in litres alone. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space and clearance required. If noise matters, compare the specific model’s noise level. Que Choisir describes air fryers as bulky and a little noisy. | In a small kitchen or one next to the living area, the appliance needs to fit and be easy to put away without getting in the way of everyday use. |
| Cleaning | Check the care instructions and whether removable parts are dishwasher-safe. With a deep-fat fryer, you’ll also need to handle and store the oil. | If I often cook small amounts, cleaning up after each use matters just as much as preparing the food. |
| Electricity | Compare measurements for the same recipe and quantity, using the appliances actually tested. Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity for the air fryers it tested than for a mini oven, when cooking the same quantity of a small quiche. This doesn’t apply to every dish or every oven. | I want to assess energy use for the dishes I cook, without assuming one method will always use less energy than another. |
Which pitfalls should you avoid?
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Relying on an ‘XL’ or ‘XXL’ label alone
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much food you can cook under the recommended conditions. Overfilling the appliance can also make cooking less even.
Start with your usual portions, then check the recommended load and instructions for turning or shaking the food. If you’re cooking two dishes at once, take a look at the basket configuration.
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Assuming energy-use results apply across the board
The measurements published by Que Choisir depend on the recipe, quantity and appliances being compared. Its test protocol for deep-fat fryers calculates energy use for 1 kg of cooked chips, so this isn’t directly comparable with a test using a small quiche.
Only rely on an energy comparison if the food, quantities and measurements match the use you want to compare.
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Forgetting about space and cleaning
Reducing the problem of cooking smells won’t help much day to day if the appliance doesn’t fit in your kitchen or is so difficult to clean that you don’t want to use it.
Measure your worktop and storage space, then read the cleaning instructions for the model you’re considering. Also factor in noise if your kitchen is close to the living area.
A few pointers on brands
These features apply to the models mentioned, not to every appliance made by each brand.
Ninja
According to the Darty and Joybuy product listings, the CRISPi FN101EUGY comes with two containers, with capacities of 3.8 L and 1.4 L.
- Darty says the containers stack for storage, which could be useful if space is at a premium.
- Check the instructions for the recommended load for each container before planning to cook several portions.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Surface XL AL4018F0 focuses on the available cooking area for food that needs to be spread out.
- Moulinex says this model can cook up to 1 kg of chips or pizzas, tarts and quiches measuring 27 cm.
- These stated capacities don’t tell you how well every recipe will cook.
Philips
According to Philips France, the NA462/70 has two stacked 5 L baskets, with a stated total capacity of 10 L.
- The two baskets let you prepare two different dishes.
- Check the available height and the right load for each type of food: the total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much you can cook.
Air fryers available on Joybuy
These models are worth considering if you’re looking to rely less on a deep-fat fryer. Compare their sizes and capacities with the amounts you usually cook. A deep-fat fryer and an oven are still options to consider, depending on your priorities.
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Ninja CRISPi FN101EUGY
Worth considering for small meals if the smell of deep-fat frying bothers you: Que Choisir’s guide links the air fryer category with reduced odours, but doesn’t guarantee that this model will be odour-free. The Darty and Joybuy product listings give capacities of 3.8 L and 1.4 L; check the instructions for the recommended load for each container.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE 7,6 L
This 7.6 L model is worth comparing with the amounts you cook if you’d like to avoid making several batches. Check the recommended load and the space it needs before working out how many portions it can cook based on the stated capacity alone.
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Ninja Dual Zone Digital DZ400EU, 9,5 L
Its two drawers are worth considering if you cook two foods for the same meal. The product name gives a total capacity of 9.5 L; check the instructions for the recommended load and cooking guidance for each drawer.
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Ninja Dual Zone Digital DZ300EU, 7,6 L
This other two-drawer model could suit a household that cooks two foods at the same time. The product name gives a total capacity of 7.6 L; compare the recommended load for each drawer and the space it takes up with your actual needs.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black
The 2 L basket is worth considering for small meals, rather than assuming you can cook a whole meal in one batch. The product name gives a power rating of 1150 W and a 60-minute timer; check the instructions for the usable capacity and the appliance’s dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer get rid of frying smells?
No, you shouldn’t expect it to eliminate smells completely. Que Choisir cites reduced odours as one of the features of the category, while the smell of oil can be off-putting with a deep-fat fryer. The food you’re cooking and how well you maintain the appliance are also worth considering.
How can you cut down on the number of batches with an air fryer?
Start with the amount you cook, then check the usable capacity and cooking area rather than relying on an ‘XL’ label alone. Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four and 9 L or more for households of five or more. Also check the instructions to see whether you need to turn or shake the food during cooking.
Does an air fryer always use less electricity than an oven?
No. For a small quiche cooked in the same quantity, Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity with the air fryers it tested than with a mini oven. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe, quantity or oven.