If oil smells are your main concern, an air fryer is worth considering, provided you’re happy with a different result for fresh chips and check how much space it will take up. If you prefer the texture of deep-fried food, a traditional or electric deep-fat fryer is better suited to that, but you’ll need to manage the oil and the smells. If you only fry occasionally, the oven or frying pan you already own may be enough.
If you cook in a flat or an open-plan kitchen, hot-air cooking may be a better choice than deep-frying. Que Choisir says this cooking method significantly reduces unpleasant smells, although it doesn’t promise to eliminate them altogether. A filter in a deep-fat fryer won’t catch the smells that escape when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil.
If the flavour and crunch of traditional deep-fried food matter more to you than reducing smells, sticking with a deep-fat fryer may make sense. Que Choisir points out that an air fryer doesn’t necessarily replace a traditional fryer when it comes to fresh chips. You’ll need to be prepared to filter, store and replace the oil.
Look at the stated chip capacity and how the baskets are arranged, rather than relying on litres alone. SEB states that its Family Pro 3L can cook up to 1.2 kg of chips and its Smart Clean up to 1.3 kg; according to the brand, the Severin Black Line Dual FR 2463 has two separate 4 L chambers. These figures relate to different needs and don’t, on their own, tell you what portion sizes you can prepare.
First decide whether you prefer the results of deep-frying or hot-air cooking. Then consider smells, portions and cleaning in your kitchen.
Worth considering: if you rarely fry food and want to keep deep-frying without buying a dedicated electric appliance.
Bear in mind: it takes up a hob ring and requires you to handle hot oil; if you have an induction hob, check the pan is compatible.
Worth considering: if you prefer traditional deep-frying and would like features such as a removable bowl or a cool zone, depending on the model.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to manage the oil and, according to Que Choisir, a filter won’t prevent smells when you handle the basket.
Worth considering: if reducing oil smells matters more to you than getting exactly the same results as chips cooked in oil.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir describes some models as bulky and noisy, and says their results with fresh chips differ from traditional deep-frying.
Worth considering: if you rarely cook this type of food and don’t want another appliance taking up worktop space.
Bear in mind: these cooking methods won’t automatically give you the same texture as deep-frying.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Smells | Compare hot-air cooking with deep-frying. For a deep-fat fryer, check whether it has a filter, but don’t assume it will trap smells when you handle the basket, as Que Choisir points out. | I cook in a small room or an open-plan kitchen and want to reduce lingering smells, without expecting completely odour-free cooking. |
| Cleaning | For a deep-fat fryer, consider how easy it is to access the bowl and how you’ll filter, store and replace the oil. Check the exact model to see which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe. | After cooking, I’d rather clean removable parts than regularly deal with a bowl of oil. |
| Portions | For a deep-fat fryer, look for the stated weight of chips; for hot-air cooking, also consider the dimensions and number of baskets. According to Que Choisir, fresh chips need to be cooked in small quantities in an air fryer for satisfactory results. | We prepare several portions or two foods at once: I want to know whether the baskets suit our usual meals, not just the total capacity. |
| Results | Distinguish deep-frying from fan-assisted cooking, which Les Numériques says is similar to using a small fan oven. Que Choisir notes that the flavour and crunch of fresh chips may differ. | The texture of fresh chips matters more than cooking versatility, or, conversely, I also plan to use the appliance for other dishes. |
| Set-up | Measure the space available and read the instructions. For a traditional deep-fat fryer on an induction hob, Que Choisir recommends choosing a steel bowl rather than one made of cast aluminium. You’ll also need to keep the appliance under supervision while using hot oil. | I have an induction hob or limited worktop space, so the appliance needs to fit and work in my kitchen. |
Hot-air cooking is closer to using a fan oven. Que Choisir notes that fresh chips may need to be cooked in small quantities, and their flavour and crunch may not match traditional deep-frying.
If this texture is your deciding factor, consider keeping or choosing a deep-fat fryer rather than expecting the two methods to give the same results.
According to Que Choisir, even an effective filter during cooking can’t stop smells escaping when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil.
If you’re particularly sensitive to smells, compare hot-air cooking and ventilate your kitchen. Don’t assume that a filter guarantees odour-free cooking.
Capacity in litres doesn’t tell you the weight of chips you can cook or how much room each food has in two baskets. According to Que Choisir, cooking fresh chips in an air fryer in portions that are too large may also affect the results.
For a deep-fat fryer, compare the stated weight of chips; for an air fryer, check the basket dimensions and how much you want to cook in each batch.
Que Choisir says that a traditional bowl made from cast aluminium isn’t suitable for induction. Deep-frying also means you need to take splashes and the risk of burns into account.
Check the bowl material, then follow the instructions. The INRS safety advice for professionals includes a reminder not to leave a fryer running unattended.
These examples highlight features of specific models. They don’t represent every product from a brand or guarantee that a product is available.
If you’re comparing electric deep-fat fryers, the SEB Family Pro 3L and Smart Clean product details provide different information about portions and cleaning.
Philips air fryers let you compare the capacity of an individual basket with the option to divide the cooking space.
The Severin Black Line Dual FR 2463 is an example of a dual-chamber air fryer designed to help you cook two dishes at once.
The models below use hot-air cooking and have two drawers or compartments, making them worth considering if you prepare several foods at once. Choosing a deep-fat fryer or using your oven and frying pan is a separate decision.
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Its two drawers let you cook two dishes using hot air. Compare their size with the portions you usually prepare.
Stated capacity of 9.5 L, 6-in-1 format and baskets stated to be dishwasher-safe. Hot-air cooking won’t guarantee the same texture as fresh chips cooked in oil.
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The two drawers are useful for keeping two dishes separate. Check that they’re large enough for your portions.
Stated capacity of 7.6 L, 6-in-1 format and baskets stated to be dishwasher-safe. For fresh chips, don’t necessarily expect the same results as deep-frying.
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This vertical design with two cooking spaces may suit a household preparing two foods at once. Check its dimensions before deciding where to put it.
Stated capacity of 12 L and 10 preset programmes. The total capacity alone won’t tell you how many chips to cook in each batch.
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The two baskets and independent temperature controls let you cook two dishes at once. Check their dimensions against the food you plan to prepare.
Stated power of 2 400 W, touchscreen and 8 preset programmes. The stated 9 L capacity alone won’t tell you how much chips you can cook.
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Its two compartments let you cook different foods using hot air. Compare their size with the portions you plan to prepare and the space you have available.
Stated capacity of 9 L and 10-in-1 format with temperature control. The capacity alone doesn’t tell you how many chips you can cook.
No. Que Choisir says hot-air cooking significantly reduces unpleasant smells, particularly in small kitchens, but can’t guarantee they’ll disappear altogether. With a deep-fat fryer, a filter won’t trap smells released when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil.
It depends on the bowl. Que Choisir recommends a steel bowl rather than one made of cast aluminium for a traditional deep-fat fryer used on induction. Check the model’s compatibility before buying.
For a deep-fat fryer, look for the stated weight of chips as well as the oil capacity. For an air fryer, check the dimensions and number of baskets. According to Que Choisir, fresh chips need to be cooked in small quantities for satisfactory results, which may mean cooking several batches.
Not necessarily, if you’re mainly after the flavour and crunch of traditional deep-fried chips. Que Choisir notes that hot-air cooking may produce a different result with fresh chips. An air fryer is better suited to those who prioritise reducing smells and want to cook other foods too.
Read the instructions for your model and check that it’s set up correctly before cooking. The INRS safety advice for professionals reminds users to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and not to leave a fryer running unattended. The French Ministry of the Interior also advises keeping flammable items away from heat sources and avoiding plugging too many appliances into the same socket.