If you only fry food occasionally, a pan, your oven or the frying pan you already own may be all you need. Bear in mind, though, that using a pan for deep-frying takes up a hob ring. An electric oil fryer keeps the hob free, but you’ll need to maintain the oil. For hot-air cooking, compare the capacity, footprint, noise and cleaning requirements of the specific model, and don’t expect the same results as deep-frying in oil.
Before buying another appliance to store, consider what you can already do with your oven, frying pan and a pan for deep-frying. UFC-Que Choisir says that a pan can be enough for occasional frying, as long as you have a free hob ring.
If you’re cooking other parts of the meal at the same time, an electric oil fryer or air fryer can leave the hob free. Then choose according to the type of cooking you want and how much maintenance you’re happy to take on.
Check the appliance’s dimensions and make sure you have enough room to take it out and use it. To make washing up easier after occasional use, check the manual to see which parts of the specific model are removable and dishwasher-safe.
First decide whether you want to deep-fry in oil or cook with hot air. Then weigh up each option against the space it needs and the maintenance involved.
Worth considering: for occasional frying if you have a free hob ring; UFC-Que Choisir says it may be all you need.
The trade-off: it takes up a hob ring while you cook.
Worth considering: if you want to deep-fry in oil while keeping the hob free.
The trade-off: you’ll need to maintain and store the oil, even if you only use the fryer occasionally.
Worth considering: if you’d prefer a standalone hot-air cooking appliance to deep-frying in oil.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir highlights their size and noise, as well as varying results between models.
Worth considering: if you can make your occasional dishes with the appliances you already own.
The trade-off: a frying pan takes up a hob ring; check whether the result you’re after can be achieved in the oven.
| Factor | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Hob space | Think about what needs to cook at the same time. A pan for deep-frying or a frying pan takes up a hob ring; a standalone electric appliance leaves the hob free. | I want to keep the hob free for the other parts of the meal, even when I’m making something fried or coated in breadcrumbs. |
| Cooking method | Know the difference between deep-frying in oil and hot-air cooking. For an air fryer, compare the results for the dishes you’re interested in: UFC-Que Choisir found differences between models. | Is the result of deep-frying in oil important to me, or am I looking for a hot-air cooking appliance? |
| Cleaning and odours | Check which parts can be removed and whether they’re dishwasher-safe for the specific model. For an oil fryer, also consider how you’ll maintain and store the oil; don’t assume a filter will eliminate odours. | After occasional use, I’d like to know exactly what I’ll need to wash and put away. |
| Capacity and storage | Compare the stated capacity with the amount you’ll cook in one batch. Measure the space you have available and, if noise matters, look for information or test results for the specific model. | An appliance I use rarely should be easy to store, without being too small for my usual portions. |
These appliances use different cooking methods. UFC-Que Choisir also found that results varied between the air fryers it tested.
Decide which type of cooking you want before comparing models. Where available, look for test results covering the dishes that matter to you.
The comparison depends on the recipe, quantity and appliance. UFC-Que Choisir found that electricity use varied according to the dishes prepared and the air fryer models tested.
If energy use is an important factor for you, compare measurements for similar quantities and recipes to the ones you usually make.
Washing removable parts doesn’t mean you can skip the care instructions for the rest of the appliance. Philips and Moulinex recommend unplugging their air fryers and letting them cool before cleaning.
Check the manual for your model to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the surfaces that remain attached to the appliance.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that air fryers can take up a lot of space. A capacity larger than your usual portions won’t solve a storage problem.
Measure the space you have available and compare it with the appliance’s external dimensions before choosing a capacity.
These examples show features to check on a model-by-model basis; they don’t apply to every fryer from each brand.
In its Easy Fry range, Moulinex describes the Essential EZ130810 as a 3.5 L air fryer for up to four people.
Philips describes the Airfryer 3000 Series HD9252/90 as a 4.1 L hot-air appliance, suitable for two people in particular.
SEB offers electric deep fryers, including the Smart Clean FR460000 and the Family Oleoclean FA700300.
This selection from Joybuy includes hot-air appliances and electric oil fryers. They all let you cook without taking up a hob ring, but their capacities and maintenance requirements differ.
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The two drawers may suit a household that wants to cook two parts of a meal without using the hob. This model has a stated capacity of 7.6 L and six functions; compare this size with your usual portions and the space you have available. Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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This hot-air model is worth considering for small portions when you want to keep the hob free. Its product description lists a dishwasher-safe, non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check the external dimensions if storage space is limited.
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This fryer is worth comparing if you specifically want to deep-fry in oil without using the hob. It has a stated capacity of 1.5 L. Allow for the work involved in maintaining and storing the oil, and check the model’s dimensions and cleaning instructions.
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This hot-air model keeps the hob free and has a stated capacity of 4 L. Its product description lists eight modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Before buying, compare the capacity with your usual portions and check the manual for care instructions.
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The two bowls are worth considering if you sometimes cook two foods in oil without using the hob. Each has a stated capacity of 3 L. If you’ll only use it occasionally, check that you have room to store an appliance of this size and maintain both bowls; consult the manual before assuming they’re dishwasher-safe.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir says a pan can be enough for occasional frying; your existing oven or frying pan may also work for some dishes. A dedicated electric appliance is most useful if keeping the hob free or having another cooking method meets a regular need.
No: check the product details and manual for the specific model. Moulinex says the basket of the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 is dishwasher-safe, Philips says the removable parts of the HD9252/90 are, and SEB says the removable parts of the Smart Clean FR460000 are. This doesn’t apply to every fryer.
Follow the manual for your model, starting by unplugging the appliance and letting it cool. Philips recommends letting its Airfryer models cool for around 30 minutes and advises against using metal utensils or abrasive products on the non-stick coating. Moulinex also recommends letting the appliance cool before cleaning.
No. In tests published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36 % less electricity use for the air fryers it tested than for a mini oven when cooking a small Lorraine quiche of the same size. However, some models used more energy for another dish: the recipe, quantity and appliance all affect the comparison.