You want to reduce cooking smells
If you mostly make chips, roast vegetables or breaded foods, it’s worth comparing air frying with deep-frying. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends considering how much space an air fryer takes up and how noisy it is.
Who are these options for?
You regularly deep-fry
Your preferred cooking method may make an electric deep-fat fryer or a pan for your hob a good choice, as long as you’re prepared for the smells, oil maintenance and precautions needed around a hot pan or fryer.
You already have an oven and a hob
Before adding another appliance, check whether your oven can already handle the dishes you make most often. If you plan to deep-fry on the hob, make sure the pan is suitable for your hob and that you have space to store it.
What sets these cooking methods apart?
In a small kitchen, start with the dishes you actually make, then consider how each option fits your available space and the amount of cleaning you’re prepared to do.
Air fryer
Worth considering: for air-frying or roasting small batches without a bath of oil.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir highlights the potential overlap with your oven, as well as the space an air fryer takes up and its fan noise.
Electric deep-fat fryer
Worth considering: if deep-frying is a regular part of your cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to manage the oil, deal with odours and clean the fryer bowl.
Pan for deep-frying on the hob
Worth considering: if you have a suitable hob and would rather use a pan than add another electrical appliance.
Bear in mind: it takes up a cooking zone, oil may splatter and you’ll need to handle hot oil.
Your existing oven
Keep using it: if it already suits your portions and the foods you roast or grill.
Consider: it doesn’t meet the same needs as deep-frying.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and existing appliances | Measure the space you’ll need to use and store the appliance; compare its intended uses with what your oven can do. | I want to keep my worktop clear and avoid an appliance that does the same job as my oven. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers concerned. |
| Odours and cooking method | Consider the difference between air frying and deep-frying; also take an air fryer’s ventilation and noise into account. | If I find the smell of oil bothersome, I’d rather consider another cooking method, without assuming it will give the same results as deep-frying. Around 25% of consumers prioritise their choice of cooking method. |
| Cleaning and oil | Find out which parts are removable and which the instructions say are dishwasher-safe; consider how you’ll clean the inside and, where relevant, maintain the oil. | After a meal, I want to minimise the number of parts to wash and avoid handling oil. Ease of cleaning would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Capacity and frequency of use | Compare your usual portions with the amount you can cook per batch, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. | I sometimes cook for several people and want to avoid making multiple batches, but I don’t want my kitchen cluttered every day. Around 19% of consumers put a capacity suited to their needs first. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Buying an air fryer without considering your oven
According to UFC-Que Choisir, an air fryer can duplicate some oven functions and take up valuable space when added to your existing appliances.
Make a note of the dishes you prepare most often, then check whether the new appliance would genuinely replace something you use your oven for. Measure the space where you plan to use and store it, too.
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Expecting an air fryer to give the same results as deep-frying
These are two different cooking methods. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that air-fried chips vary in quality between models.
If deep-frying is your main reason for buying, compare electric deep-fat fryers and pans for the hob too, rather than choosing based on the words “air fryer” alone.
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Assuming a pan will work on every type of hob
Induction compatibility advertised for some de Buyer cookware doesn’t mean that all pans or traditional deep-fat fryers are suitable for induction.
Check the instructions for the exact model, including the type of hob it works with, the base, stability and any accessories required.
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Only planning to wash the basket
Philips’ cleaning instructions distinguish between cleaning removable parts and cleaning the inside and heating element of its Airfryers.
Check the instructions for the model you’re considering to find out which parts are washable, how to clean the appliance and what precautions to take once it has cooled down.
Brands to consider for your needs
Tefal
The Easy Fry range includes the EY201815, which Tefal lists with a 4.2 L capacity and temperature settings from 80 to 200 °C.
- Compare the capacity and settings of the specific model with your usual portions.
- Tefal’s stated repairability depends on the parts available and the service conditions. Check these for the model you’re considering.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes the Essential 3.5 L and Mega Compact 7.5 L, with stated capacities suited to different portion sizes.
- Moulinex states that certain parts of specific models are dishwasher-safe.
- Check the external dimensions, the space needed around the appliance and which parts of your chosen model are dishwasher-safe. Bowl capacity alone won’t tell you how much space it takes up.
Philips
Philips’ support guidance explains how to clean the bowl, basket, inside and heating element of its Airfryers separately.
- Some parts are listed as dishwasher-safe, depending on the model.
- This doesn’t necessarily apply to the whole appliance. Follow the instructions for your model after letting it cool down.
de Buyer
For cooking on the hob, de Buyer says some of its stainless steel cookware is suitable for all hob types, including induction. Some models with detachable handles can also be stacked.
- Product listings for the relevant models let you check whether they’re suitable for your hob.
- Don’t assume that all cookware is compatible or can be used in the same way. Hot oil always calls for a stable setup and careful handling.
Products for three cooking methods
These products give you options for air frying, deep-frying with an electric fryer and cooking on the hob. Compare them with your existing oven before deciding whether another purchase would suit the way you cook.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1 150 W, black
For small portions cooked with hot air, if a 2 L basket suits the batches you usually make.
Removable non-stick basket, 60-minute timer and adjustable temperature. The listing says that the relevant removable parts are dishwasher-safe; check their care instructions.
Measure the space needed to use the appliance, including the clearance around it. If your kitchen is open-plan, check how noisy it is too.
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NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth considering if you’d like to choose between two container sizes for air-fried dishes.
1.4 L and 3.8 L borosilicate glass containers; stated dimensions of approximately 30 × 34.5 × 34 cm. The listing says the relevant containers and accessories are dishwasher-safe.
Make sure you have a suitable surface to place it on and take care when handling the containers after cooking, as they get hot. If noise matters to you, check this before buying.
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TEFAL Clear Duo, 3.5 L deep-fat fryer with anti-fog viewing window
For electric deep-frying, if you can set aside space for the appliance and manage the oil after use.
Stated capacity of 3.5 L, 30-minute timer and dimensions of 50.3 × 25 × 26.8 cm. The listing says the removable bowl, lid and basket are dishwasher-safe.
In particular, measure the 50.3 cm length of the first side listed before choosing where to put it. The manufacturer’s filter and odour-reduction claims don’t mean that smells will be eliminated; let the oil and appliance cool down before cleaning.
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Livoo DOC240, 1.5 L deep-fat fryer, 900 W, grey
For small batches of deep-fried food, if managing the oil and cooking smells suits your kitchen.
The listing states that it can cook up to 400 g of chips and has a thermostat adjustable up to 190 °C, a removable basket and an odour filter in the lid. The bowl is fixed, and the filter doesn’t guarantee that there will be no smells.
Check its dimensions to make sure you have room to use and store it, and read the cleaning instructions for each part.
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SENSARTE, 28 cm frying pan with lid
Worth considering if you’d rather use your existing hob than add an electric deep-fat fryer.
28 cm pan with a ceramic coating. The listing says it’s suitable for induction, gas, ceramic, electric and halogen hobs. Check that this is compatible with your hob and cooking zone.
Check how much oil is suitable for the way you plan to use the pan and make sure it sits securely on the hob. Cooking on the hob always involves handling hot oil.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
Not necessarily. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, air fryers overlap with ovens when it comes to cooking with hot air. Think about the portions and dishes you usually make. If your oven already handles them, consider what another appliance would really add and where you’d store it.
What capacity air fryer should I choose for a small kitchen?
Start with the number of portions you usually prepare. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people, and 5 to 6 L for three or four people. Then check how much food the model can cook per batch and its external dimensions.
Can I use a deep-frying pan on an induction hob?
Yes, if the manufacturer confirms that the specific model is induction-compatible. de Buyer lists this as a feature of some of its stainless steel cookware, but that doesn’t apply to every model. Check the product details or instructions, and make sure the pan sits securely on your cooking zone.
Does a dishwasher-safe basket mean I don’t need to clean the air fryer?
No. Philips’ instructions for its models distinguish between parts that can be washed and the inside and heating element, which need separate cleaning. Follow your appliance’s instructions, unplug it and let it cool down before cleaning.