Fans of deep-fried food
You mainly make chips, doughnuts or battered and breaded foods, and are happy to handle hot oil. You can choose between a traditional hob-top fryer, which sits on a hob, and an electric fryer with its own heating element.
Which option is right for you?
Home cooks who make roasts and a variety of meals
If you’d also like to cook roasted vegetables, poultry or quiches, consider the size of an air fryer and the dishes it can accommodate. UFC-Que Choisir also suggests considering whether it would duplicate an oven you already use for these dishes.
Households mindful of space and cleaning
Measure the space available, including room to open a drawer or put the appliance away. Compare removable parts and their care instructions. With a deep-fat fryer, you’ll also need to plan for temporarily storing and disposing of used oil.
What should you look for before buying?
Traditional hob-top deep-fat fryer
Worth considering: if you deep-fry occasionally and have space for it on your hob.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to handle hot oil. For induction hobs, UFC-Que Choisir specifies that the pan must be made from compatible steel, not cast aluminium.
Electric deep-fat fryer
Worth considering: if you want to deep-fry without taking up space on your hob.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to manage the oil, even if the model has a filtration system.
Air fryer
Worth considering: if you’d also like to cook or roast dishes without deep-frying them in oil.
Bear in mind: it takes up space and may duplicate an oven. UFC-Que Choisir has found that chip-cooking results vary between models.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Type of frying | Work out whether your recipes need a bath of oil. For an air fryer, look for tests covering the foods you make. | If chips, doughnuts or battered and breaded foods are at the heart of my meals, the cooking method matters more than the other features. Around 29% of consumers are said to prioritise deep-frying in oil. |
| Variety of dishes | Compare the dishes you plan to cook or roast with those you already make in your oven. | If I also want to cook roasted vegetables or quiches, I’m looking for an appliance I can use for more than just chips. This versatility is said to be the main need for around 29% of consumers. |
| Portions and sizes | Check the usable cooking area, basket dimensions and the amount of food it can hold—not just the stated total capacity. | When I need to get several portions ready for the same meal, I want to avoid cooking in multiple batches. Capacity or the ability to cook several things at once is said to be the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and space | Measure the space available and check which parts can be washed. With a deep-fat fryer, also plan for temporarily storing and disposing of the oil. | If storage space is tight or dealing with oil feels like a chore, I’d choose an appliance that’s easy to maintain in my kitchen. Around 21% of consumers are said to put these considerations first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing an air fryer based on litres alone
A large stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your food will fit in the basket or whether you can arrange it as your recipe requires.
Compare the usable cooking area, drawer shape and the space needed to open it. For four people, UFC-Que Choisir gives 6 L as a minimum guide, but you should check this against the portions you actually prepare.
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Assuming a promise of crispiness guarantees the result
UFC-Que Choisir has found that chips can cook unevenly between the top and bottom of the basket in some air fryer models.
Look for tests covering the recipes you make, and follow the appliance’s instructions for loading and shaking or stirring the food.
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Forgetting what happens to the oil after frying
A traditional or electric deep-fat fryer requires a way to store the oil temporarily before disposing of it. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink, into the toilet or out into the environment.
Let the oil cool and check how it can be collected in your local area before choosing a deep-fat fryer.
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Assuming a traditional fryer will work on an induction hob
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a pan made from cast aluminium is not suitable for an induction hob.
If you have an induction hob, check that the pan is explicitly listed as compatible before buying.
Brands to consider, model by model
Tefal
The OleoClean range is worth a look if you’re after an electric fryer with an oil-management system.
- According to Tefal, the OleoClean Pro FR804110 filters and stores oil for future use.
- This feature is specific to this model. It doesn’t remove the need to take care with hot oil or dispose of used oil properly.
Moulinex
Some Easy Fry models focus on providing space for dishes beyond chips.
- Moulinex states that the Easy Fry Surface XL has a 4 L capacity and can fit pizzas, tarts or quiches up to 27 cm.
- Check the shape of your dishes and how much space the appliance needs. These stated dimensions don’t tell you how well it will cook.
Philips
The NA156/60 is an example of a model with a removable divider, letting you switch between two dishes and a single drawer.
- Philips states that it offers two 3,55 L compartments, or one 7,1 L drawer with the divider removed.
- This layout alone doesn’t tell you how well it cooks. Philips advises against using metal utensils or abrasive cleaners on its non-stick baskets.
Air fryers and deep-fat fryers on Joybuy
These models cover two of the options discussed here: an air fryer for a variety of dishes and an electric fryer for deep-frying in oil. Compare their features with your recipes, portion sizes and available space.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ400EU, 9,5 L, two drawers
Worth considering if you’d like to prepare two foods separately and also use the Roast or Bake functions listed in the product name. The stated total capacity is 9,5 L. Check how many portions each drawer can hold and how much space you need to open them.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, 7,6 L, two drawers
The two-drawer design is worth comparing if you plan to cook two different dishes. The product name states a total capacity of 7,6 L and lists the Air Fry, Roast and Bake functions. Check the usable capacity of each drawer against your portion sizes.
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Philips NA351/00 Series 3000, 9 L, two baskets
Consider this model if you plan to split two dishes between the baskets. The 9 L is the stated total capacity. Compare the usable dimensions of each basket with the food you want to cook, rather than assuming a dish can use all of that space.
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Tefal Clear Duo, 3,5 L deep-fat fryer
This model is for those who prefer deep-frying in an electric appliance. Its name states a 3,5 L capacity and a viewing window. You’ll still need to plan how to handle hot oil and dispose of used oil. Don’t mistake a possible odour filter for an oil-filtration system.
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Hkoenig DFX600, two 3 L tanks, 3600 W
The two 3 L tanks and their independent thermostats make it possible to deep-fry two foods separately. The product name states a power rating of 3600 W. Check the space available, the amount of food suited to each tank and the instructions for handling hot oil.
Frequently asked questions
What size air fryer should I get for four people?
UFC-Que Choisir gives 6 L as a minimum guide for a household of four. Then check the basket’s usable cooking area and how much food you want to prepare at once: the total capacity doesn’t guarantee your portions will fit.
Will a traditional deep-fat fryer work on an induction hob?
Yes, if its pan is compatible with induction. UFC-Que Choisir recommends a steel pan and specifies that cast aluminium isn’t suitable for this use.
How should I dispose of used frying oil?
Let it cool, then check what collection options are available in your local area. In France, ADEME advises against pouring oil down the sink, into the toilet or out into the environment.
Are all air fryer baskets dishwasher-safe?
Check the model’s instructions before washing its parts in the dishwasher. For the non-stick baskets in the relevant Airfryer models, Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaning products.
Can an air fryer replace an oven?
It can be used to cook or roast some dishes, but how useful it is depends on what you make and what will fit in its basket. UFC-Que Choisir suggests considering whether it would be an unnecessary extra if your oven already covers these needs.