If you need to keep the hob free, an electric deep fryer is best suited to those after the texture of traditional deep-fried food; an air fryer is a better fit if you want to cook a wider variety of dishes without a vat of oil. With either option, check how much space you have and how many portions you need to prepare. A deep fryer also means dealing with used oil, while an air fryer may not give you the same crispness as traditional deep frying. If your oven is free, it could save you from buying another appliance; a frying pan will still take up a hob ring.
If the texture of chips or breaded food matters more to you than easy cleaning, an electric deep fryer lets you cook without using the hob. Compare the stated food capacity and removable parts, and remember that you’ll also need to deal with the oil after cooking.
If you want to cook without using the hob but don’t want to lose too much space, compare a compact air fryer with your usual portion sizes and available storage. Check which parts can be cleaned separately, too: the basket’s capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much room the appliance will take up.
If you want the appliance to cook breaded, roasted or grilled food while the hob is in use, check the air fryer’s functions and its capacity for each type of dish. However, Que Choisir has found that cooking results vary between models, so the number of settings alone isn’t enough to judge how well it cooks.
First decide whether you want traditional deep-fried food or an appliance for a wider range of cooking. Then consider portion sizes, available space and cleaning. Que Choisir notes that an electric deep fryer frees up the hob, but also highlights potential limitations with air fryer capacity and texture.
Consider it: if traditional deep-fried food is your priority and you want to keep the hob free for other dishes.
Be prepared for: cleaning the appliance and disposing of used oil as part of its upkeep.
Consider it: if you want to cook a variety of foods without using the hob or a vat of oil.
Be prepared for: Que Choisir notes that the appliance can be bulky and the texture may differ from traditional deep-fried food.
Consider it: if your oven is free and you’d rather not add another appliance to your worktop.
Be prepared for: this option won’t give you an extra cooking space if you’re already using the oven to make your meal.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and quantity | Compare the stated capacity for the food you’ll be cooking rather than looking only at the volume in litres, and check which parts of a deep fryer are removable. | If I often cook large portions of chips or breaded food, I prioritise the texture of traditional deep-fried food. Around 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Available space | Measure the space you have for using and storing the appliance, then compare its stated capacity with your usual portion sizes. | In a small kitchen, I want to keep the hob free without cluttering the worktop when cooking a standard portion. This would be the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Cooking options | Check the model’s cooking modes and settings, as well as how much food it can hold for the dishes you have in mind. | When several parts of the meal need cooking while pans are on the hob, I look for an appliance that can do more than cook chips. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this versatility. |
| Cleaning and smells | Check which parts are actually dishwasher-safe and, for a deep fryer, plan how you’ll dispose of the used oil. | If cleaning and handling oil put me off using the appliance, I prioritise easy everyday cleaning and fewer cooking-related nuisances. This would be the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
The word ‘fryer’ doesn’t guarantee the same texture. Que Choisir reports that some air fryers cook chips unevenly and may not produce the crispness of traditional deep-fried food.
If texture is especially important to you, compare the results with the foods you actually cook rather than focusing only on the number of programmes.
The stated volume doesn’t tell you how many chips will fit in the appliance or how much space it will take up once set up.
Where a food capacity is given, check that it suits the way you’ll use the appliance, and measure the space you have for using and storing it.
With a deep fryer, cleaning doesn’t stop when the cooking does. ADEME says that used oil must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or into the environment.
Let it cool, put it in a sealed container and check how your local council collects it.
Allow time for filtering the oil if necessary, and for taking the container to an appropriate collection point.
A comparison based on a particular appliance, portion size and oven won’t necessarily reflect the way you cook.
Check the conditions behind a comparison before using it to choose between two appliances. Start by finding a capacity and features that suit your meal.
These models show the different capacities and cleaning features to compare when choosing an appliance that cooks without using the hob. The stated specifications apply to each individual model.
The Filtra Pro FR518100 is an example of an electric deep fryer designed for larger portions.
The Easy Fry Compact EY145810 is a hot-air option worth considering if storage space is a priority.
The Easy Fry Mega EZ855BF0 is an air fryer worth considering for larger portions cooked without using the hob.
The 1000 Series NA120/00 lets you compare an air fryer’s basket volume with its stated capacity for chips.
These electric deep fryers and air fryers offer a way to cook separately from the hob. To compare them, start with the texture you’re looking for, how many dishes you want to cook at once and how much space you have. Then check the portion sizes and cleaning requirements for each model.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two foods without using the hob. The model name indicates two 3 L bowls and a power rating of 3 300 W. Check how much space you’ll need for the appliance and plan how you’ll dispose of the used oil.
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This model has a stated capacity of 3.5 L and an XL viewing window for deep-frying without using the hob. Compare the quantities it can hold for the foods you cook and check which parts need cleaning. A window described as anti-fog won’t necessarily guarantee a clear view throughout cooking.
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Worth considering for cooking smaller portions without using the hob. This model is listed as having a capacity of 1.5 L and a power rating of 900 W. Before choosing a deep fryer, check how many chips it can cook for your meals, how much space it needs and how it should be cleaned.
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Worth considering if you need to cook two dishes without using the hob. The model name indicates two drawers, a capacity of 7.6 L and six functions. Check how much space it needs, which portion sizes it suits, and the cleaning instructions for the drawers and crisper plates.
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Worth considering for smaller portions cooked without using the hob. The product name lists a capacity of 2 L, a power rating of 1 150 W, a 60-minute timer and a non-stick dishwasher-safe basket. Check how much food will fit in the basket and how much space you’ll need to use the appliance.
Yes. An electric deep fryer heats food separately, leaving the hob free for another dish, as Que Choisir explains. A frying pan still takes up a hob ring; an oven is another option if it’s free.
An air fryer means you don’t have to manage a vat of deep-frying oil. However, check the model’s cleaning instructions: dishwasher-safe claims apply to the specified parts, not necessarily the whole appliance.
ADEME advises letting the oil cool, putting it in a sealed bottle or container, then using your local collection service. Don’t pour it down the sink or toilet, or into the environment.
Not necessarily, if you’re mainly looking for the texture of traditional deep-fried food. Que Choisir notes that air-fried food may not be as crisp and that some air fryers have limited capacity. Compare the portions and foods you cook, as well as the cleaning you’re prepared to do.