If you want to avoid handling a pan of hot oil, compare air fryers based on the food you cook, the parts you’ll need to clean and the space you have available. As Que Choisir notes, results vary between models when cooking chips. An electric deep-fat fryer is better suited to recipes that need to be cooked by immersion, provided you’re happy to maintain the oil and don’t expect an odour filter to remove every smell. Your oven may be suitable for batches that fit your appliance, but that doesn’t mean it will prevent cooking odours.
The recipes you make and the tasks you want to avoid matter more than labels such as ‘oil-free’ or ‘odour-free’ on their own.
If the smell of oil puts you off making chips or breaded food, compare an easy-to-clean air fryer with a deep-fat fryer that has a compatible filter. Que Choisir identifies odours as a reason people avoid frying at home, but a filter can’t guarantee that smells will disappear.
For doughnuts and other recipes that need to be cooked in a pan of oil, look for electric deep-fat fryers with removable parts that are exposed to splashes. You’ll also need to allow for cooling, storage and disposal of the used oil.
A dual-drawer air fryer lets you cook two foods separately, provided each portion fits in its basket. First, measure the space on your worktop and in your storage area: Que Choisir notes that some high-capacity appliances are bulky.
To compare a deep-fat fryer, air fryer and oven, start with the recipes you make regularly, then check the cleaning involved and the space each option needs.
Worth considering: for recipes that need to be cooked by immersion, such as doughnuts.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to maintain the oil and dispose of it responsibly; a filter described as odour-reducing doesn’t mean there’ll be no smell.
Worth considering: if you want to cook without a pan of oil and your portions fit in the basket.
Bear in mind: results when cooking chips vary by model, according to Que Choisir, and the appliance may be bulky.
Worth considering: if your oven already suits your dishes and quantities, and you’d rather not add another appliance to store.
Bear in mind: a recipe that needs to be cooked in oil won’t cook in the same way in an oven; don’t assume an oven will eliminate odours either.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Odours | For a deep-fat fryer, check whether it has an odour filter and note its reference. For other cooking methods, don’t assume that cooking without a pan of oil means there’ll be no smell. | I want to reduce lingering smells after cooking, without choosing an appliance based on a promise of odour-free cooking. |
| Cleaning | Look for removable parts and check the model’s manual to see which are dishwasher-safe. With a pan of oil, you’ll also need to allow for it to cool and dispose of it properly. | The jobs after a meal matter just as much to me as the cooking itself. |
| Portions and space | Compare each basket’s capacity with the quantities you actually prepare, then measure the appliance and the storage space available. Que Choisir notes that some large air fryers take up a lot of room. | I sometimes cook two foods at once, but I don’t want the appliance to take up the whole worktop. |
| Cooking results | Start with the recipe: use immersion for dishes that need it, or hot-air or oven cooking if that suits the recipe. For chips in an air fryer, look for a test of the model: Que Choisir reports that results vary. | Chips, breaded food and doughnuts don’t necessarily need to be cooked in the same way. |
Moulinex describes the filter in its Super Uno as a way to reduce odours, not as a guarantee that there won’t be any smell.
Check that the filter is compatible with the model you’re considering and follow its replacement instructions.
Moulinex recommends replacing its SS-994692 filter approximately every 80 uses.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you the shape of the basket or how much space the appliance takes up. Que Choisir notes that some large models are bulky.
Compare your usual portions with the capacity of each basket, measure the space you have and look for tests involving the foods you cook.
Cooking by immersion comes with a practical job afterwards: you’ll need to let the oil cool, store it and dispose of it properly. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink or toilet, or dumping it outdoors.
Find out where your nearest collection point is and have a sealed container ready for transporting the oil.
Even if the basket is dishwasher-safe, the rest of the appliance may have different cleaning instructions.
Read the manual for the exact model to find out which parts are removable and which surfaces need to be cleaned by hand.
These brand examples show different configurations to consider. Features vary by model, and the examples don’t indicate whether those products are available among the items below.
The brand offers deep-fat fryers and air fryers, among other appliances, but the cleaning involved varies between ranges.
Philips air fryers let you compare single- and dual-basket designs to suit your portions and available space.
Que Choisir lists Ninja among the brands in the air fryer category in France.
These models include single- and dual-basket air fryers, as well as an electric deep-fat fryer. Compare them based on your portions, cleaning and available space. If your oven already suits your recipes, it remains an option that won’t add another appliance to your kitchen.
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The two drawers are useful if you want to cook two dishes separately. The model is listed with a total capacity of 9.5 L, six functions and baskets described as dishwasher-safe. Check its dimensions to make sure it fits on your worktop; these features don’t guarantee a particular result when cooking chips or an odour-free kitchen.
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This deep-fat fryer lets you cook two batches using its 3 L baskets and independent thermostats. The product title lists a power rating of 3 600 W, removable baskets and odour filters. Check how to maintain the filters and plan for disposing of used oil: the filters don’t promise an odour-free kitchen.
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Before choosing this model over one with two drawers, compare its 2 L basket with the small portions you usually prepare. The product title mentions a 60-minute timer and a basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the external dimensions and cleaning instructions in the manual.
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The two drawers can be used to cook foods separately. The model is listed with a total capacity of 7.6 L and six functions. Check how much space it needs and read the manual before putting the baskets in the dishwasher: product information differs on whether they’re dishwasher-safe.
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This model has two baskets, making it suitable for meals where different foods need separate settings. The product title lists a 9 L capacity, 2 400 W power rating, eight programmes and independent temperature control. Measure your available space and check the basket cleaning instructions in the manual before choosing this capacity.
No. Don’t choose an air fryer on the assumption that it will leave your kitchen completely odour-free. The food you cook and the cooking conditions both matter; check the model’s instructions and ventilate the room if needed.
Let it cool and put it in a sealed container, then check your local council’s collection arrangements. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink or toilet, or dumping it outdoors.
No, it depends on the part and the model. Philips says that the pan, basket and certain accessories on selected Airfryers can go in the dishwasher; check your model’s manual for the rest of the appliance.
Yes, if your deep-fat fryer uses a replaceable filter, follow the instructions for its specific reference. For example, Moulinex recommends replacing its SS-994692 filter approximately every 80 uses; check that it’s compatible with the appliance you choose.
No. Compare the shape and number of baskets with your portions, and measure the space you have. Que Choisir points out that some high-capacity air fryers take up a lot of room.