If you’re put off by the smells and maintenance involved in deep-fat frying, first compare what you can already cook in your oven with how you’d use an air fryer. An air fryer won’t guarantee an odour-free kitchen or deliver the same results as deep-fat frying. An electric deep-fat fryer is still a sensible choice if you fry regularly and are happy to manage the oil, clean the appliance and take care around the heat.
You want to prepare foods that are usually fried without having to deal with a pan of oil all the time. A filter won’t necessarily trap odours when you handle the basket, and how easy an appliance is to clean also depends on its components, as Que Choisir points out in its advice.
Chips, doughnuts or breaded foods are regulars at your table. In that case, the amount you can cook in one batch, cooking consistency, appliance stability and oil maintenance matter just as much as the cooking method.
Before adding another appliance, check where you can use it safely, where you’ll store it and whether its capacity suits your usual portions. Your oven or hob may already cover some of these needs.
Start with the results you expect from frying, then think about how much space and maintenance you’re willing to devote to it. Que Choisir highlights the drawbacks of deep-fat frying and notes that an air fryer may duplicate what your oven already does.
Worth considering: if you fry regularly and want a dedicated appliance rather than using the hob.
Be prepared for: maintaining the oil and appliance parts, as well as possible odours when handling the basket.
Worth considering: if you want to cook without a pan of oil and use the appliance for other dishes too.
Be prepared for: another appliance, which can be noisy according to Que Choisir, and results that may not match deep-fat frying.
Worth considering: for occasional frying, if the pan is compatible with your hob and you have a stable place to use it.
Be prepared for: keeping an eye on hot oil, using up a cooking zone and dealing with possible splashes.
Stick with it: if you only prepare these dishes occasionally and your existing appliances already work for your recipes.
Be prepared for: results that may differ from deep-fat frying; a frying pan can also cause splashes.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Odours and maintenance | With a deep-fat fryer, check the filter and the parts that need cleaning. With an air fryer, check the washing instructions for the basket and drawer. | If the smell lingers after a meal and filtering the oil feels like a chore, easy maintenance matters more than the results of traditional deep-fat frying. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Results and portions | Compare the amount of food you can cook in one batch with your usual portions. Check the loading instructions and any available information about cooking consistency. | If I’m preparing fried food regularly and don’t want to cook several batches, I want a suitable capacity and even cooking first. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Available space | Measure the space available while you’re cooking, allowing for the clearances specified in the manual. If you’re using a hob-top fryer on an induction hob, check that it’s compatible. | In a small kitchen where I rarely fry food, it’s hard to justify giving an appliance a permanent spot. Around 21% of consumers prioritise its size. |
| Another appliance | Before looking at an air fryer’s features, compare your usual recipes and portions with what your oven and frying pan can already do. | If my oven already handles the dishes I plan to make, I’d rather avoid buying something that duplicates its functions. Around 14% of consumers prioritise keeping this versatility without adding another appliance. |
According to Que Choisir, filters vary in effectiveness from one deep-fat fryer to another. Odours may still escape when you lower or lift the basket.
Check what type of filter the model uses and make sure you can ventilate the room properly, rather than relying on a promise of completely odour-free frying.
A replaceable filter adds another maintenance task and means you’ll need to find a compatible replacement.
Maximum capacity alone won’t tell you whether your portions will cook evenly. Que Choisir assesses cooking loads separately for deep-fat fryers and notes that some air fryers may cook chips unevenly depending on where they are placed.
Compare the amount you actually cook in each batch with the model’s loading instructions, and don’t overfill the basket.
A deep-fat fryer needs to be cleared of food residue, and you’ll need to keep an eye on the condition of the oil and clean the relevant parts. This routine takes more effort if you often cook breaded foods.
Before buying, check the manual for the steps involved in filtering, cooling and cleaning, then check your local guidance on disposing of used oil.
Filtering and storing the oil, as well as cleaning the fryer, take time and require a suitable container.
Que Choisir points out that an air fryer may perform functions your oven already covers, while taking up worktop space.
Make a list of the dishes and portions you prepare most often. Judge an extra appliance by how you’ll use it, not just by the number of programmes it offers.
These brands offer models worth comparing across the cooking methods discussed here. Features and care instructions vary from one model to another.
Worth considering for electric deep-fat fryers in a range of sizes, particularly if the filter and removable parts will influence your choice.
Worth considering for Easy Fry air fryers, from compact models for smaller portions to larger-capacity drawers.
Worth considering if you’re comparing different air fryer sizes, including a Series 1000 model with a basket that splits into two zones.
The models below are air fryers. If deep-fat frying is your priority, first consider the drawbacks of that method rather than treating these appliances as deep-fat fryers.
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Worth considering if you’d rather cook with hot air than manage a pan of oil. Check how much space you’ll need while it’s in use and follow the instructions for handling hot parts. This cooking method doesn’t guarantee an odour-free kitchen.
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Compare the 2 L capacity with the portions you usually prepare. The product name mentions a 60-minute timer. Check the cleaning instructions, and don’t assume hot-air cooking will eliminate odours.
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Worth considering if you want to compare a 7.6 L drawer with your usual portions. Measure the space available while the appliance is in use and check the manual for clearance and care instructions. Capacity alone won’t tell you how evenly food will cook.
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The two drawers may suit households cooking different foods at the same time. Check whether your portions will fit the stated total capacity of 7.6 L. The product name mentions six functions; compare these with the recipes you actually make, and check how much space you’ll need while cooking.
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If you’re considering a 10 L appliance, compare its capacity with the space you have and the quantities you actually prepare. Also check the manual for basket cleaning and clearance requirements. A large capacity alone doesn’t guarantee even cooking.
No. A filter can’t guarantee that all odours will disappear. Que Choisir says effectiveness varies between appliances, and odours may escape when you lower or lift the basket. Check the filter on the model you’re considering and make sure you can ventilate the room too.
An air fryer avoids the need to maintain a pan of oil, but you’ll still need to clean its basket and drawer. Compare the instructions for the models you’re considering; some have dishwasher-safe parts. For its Airfryer range, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool before cleaning and avoiding abrasive accessories on the non-stick coating.
Only if the pan is compatible with your induction hob. Que Choisir notes that an aluminium-cast pan may not be suitable and recommends checking the material. Also make sure the fryer is stable before use.
Don’t pour it down the drain. Que Choisir recommends putting it in a sealed bottle and using a local collection or disposal service. Wait for the oil to cool and check your local council’s guidance.
Place it on a stable surface and follow the manual’s instructions on filling, capacity, handling and cooling. Civil protection guidance recommends keeping flammable products away from heat sources. Choose a position where nobody is likely to accidentally touch the oil or hot surfaces.