If cooking smells and handling oil put you off, it’s worth comparing an air fryer with the oven you already own. According to UFC-Que Choisir, air fryers produce fewer smells than deep-frying, although their capacity and the results they deliver with fresh chips may disappoint, depending on the portions you need. If you prefer deep-frying, a traditional or electric deep fryer lets you cook this way, but you’ll need to allow for possible splashes, oil maintenance and careful handling. If you only cook these dishes occasionally, using the oven or frying pan could save you from storing another appliance, provided the results suit your recipes.
If cooking smells put you off making chips or doughnuts, compare air-frying with deep-frying before you choose. UFC-Que Choisir reports fewer smells from air fryers, but that doesn’t mean cooking will be completely odour-free.
If you rarely make foods that are usually fried, first check what you can cook in your oven or frying pan. A dedicated appliance will take up space between uses, while a traditional deep fryer needs a compatible hob.
If you want the results you get from deep-frying, choose between a pan for the hob and an electric deep fryer, depending on your kitchen set-up. Either way, you’ll need to maintain the oil and handle the basket and hot surfaces carefully.
Start with the recipes and portion sizes you make most often, then compare the smells, cleaning and space required for each cooking method.
| Factor | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Smells | Compare air-frying with deep-frying. If you’re considering a deep fryer, also think about how you can ventilate the room. UFC-Que Choisir reports fewer smells from air fryers, while the effectiveness of filters in deep fryers varies. | In a small kitchen, I’d prefer a method that helps limit smells rather than relying on a filter to eliminate them. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check which parts need cleaning after cooking. With deep-frying, consider filtering and temporarily storing the oil, as well as disposing of it. For an air fryer, check the care instructions for the drawer and rack. | I want to know what I’ll need to clean and put away after each meal, not just whether the basket comes out. |
| Handling | For deep-frying, check the stability, handles, access to the basket and instructions in the manual. Adding food can cause splashes, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. | If I’m cooking near other people, I need to be able to handle the appliance and remove the food without rushing around hot oil. |
| Portions and space | Compare the recommended quantity per batch with the appliance’s dimensions. According to UFC-Que Choisir, air fryers’ capacity limits the amount you can cook at once, particularly when making fresh chips. | If I’m cooking large portions, making several batches may not suit me. If I rarely make this kind of dish, I’ll also want to check how much space an extra appliance will take up. |
| Cooking results | Choose according to the recipe: air fryers, ovens and frying pans don’t automatically replicate deep-frying. For fresh chips cooked in an air fryer, UFC-Que Choisir notes a difference in taste and recommends reducing the quantity. | If I’m after the specific results of deep-frying, I’m prepared to deal with the maintenance. Otherwise, I can try recipes suited to my oven or frying pan. |
| Hob compatibility | For a traditional deep fryer, check that it’s compatible with your hob, particularly if you have an induction hob, and that the pan sits securely. | With an induction hob, I can’t choose a pan based on its shape alone: its compatibility needs to be clearly stated. |
UFC-Que Choisir says the effectiveness of filters varies between deep fryers. Smells can also escape when you lower the basket into the oil or lift it out.
If smells are your main concern, compare deep-frying with air-frying, then consider how well you can ventilate your kitchen.
The size of the cooking compartment limits how much you can cook at once. UFC-Que Choisir recommends smaller portions of fresh chips for a more appealing appearance.
Check the recommended quantities for your recipes and consider whether cooking several batches would work for your usual meals.
Cooking several batches takes more preparation time and attention.
A traditional deep fryer sits on the hob, so a pan that isn’t compatible won’t work for this purpose.
Before buying, check the pan’s product details and manual for confirmation that it’s compatible with your type of hob.
Deep-frying means you’ll need to store the oil once it has cooled before disposing of it. ADEME says it must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or released into the environment.
Have a sealed container ready and find out where your nearest household waste recycling centre or collection point is.
This selection includes four air fryers and one electric deep fryer. Compare their sizes with your portion needs and available space. If you’re considering a pan for the hob, an oven or a frying pan instead, the points above can still help you decide.
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The two drawers let you cook two separate dishes without deep-frying. The product title lists six functions and a total capacity of 7,6 L. Check the recommended quantity for each drawer to make sure it suits your recipes, particularly fresh chips.
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With a 2 L basket, this model is better suited to modest portions, so compare its capacity with the meals you usually make. The product title lists a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions too if space is limited.
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Its stated capacity of 7 L may appeal if you’re cooking several portions, but it doesn’t guarantee they’ll all cook in one batch. The product title mentions a digital display and a cooking window. Check how much worktop space you’ll need and the recommended quantities for your recipes.
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This 5 L model combines air-frying with a steam box, as stated in its product title. It also has a window and a non-stick basket. Before choosing, check how to care for each part and the recommended quantity per batch.
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This deep fryer is for anyone who wants to continue cooking by deep-frying; its capacity is stated as 3,5 L. The product title also mentions an XL Anti-Fog window. Remember to allow for oil maintenance and disposal: according to UFC-Que Choisir, a filter doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking.
No. UFC-Que Choisir says filter effectiveness varies between deep fryers, and smells can escape when the basket goes into or comes out of the oil. If you choose deep-frying, consider how well you can ventilate the room.
Not necessarily: the pan needs to be compatible with induction. Before buying, check the deep fryer’s manual and your hob’s requirements.
Let it cool, then put it in a sealed container while you find out about local collection options. ADEME says not to pour it down the sink or toilet, or release it into the environment.
Follow the instructions for filling it, adding food, removing the basket and cleaning it. Never leave the hot oil unattended. Splashes and contact with hot utensils can cause burns, a risk also highlighted by INRS in the context of catering.
Not for every dish: UFC-Que Choisir describes their functions as similar, but points out that an air fryer’s capacity limits how much you can cook. Before adding one to your kitchen, compare the recipes you actually make, your portion sizes and the space available.