If you’re bothered by the smell of frying and the hassle of dealing with oil, an air fryer is worth considering. Just bear in mind that it won’t guarantee an odour-free kitchen, and you’ll need to make room for it on your worktop and put up with the fan noise. A deep-fat fryer is a good choice if you want to cook this way and can manage ventilation and cleaning. If your oven already cooks the dishes you want, consider how you use it before adding another appliance.
If the smell of frying lingers after cooking chips or breaded food, compare the cooking methods and ventilation options. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the smell from deep-fat frying leads some people to consider an oil-free fryer, although this won’t guarantee there’ll be no cooking smells.
If you want to make crispy portions without filtering or storing frying oil, consider an air fryer. Check that it can handle the quantities you need, and that you have enough space and don’t mind the fan noise.
If you want to submerge doughnuts, tempura or other dishes in oil, a deep-fat fryer is designed for the job. You’ll need to allow for ventilation and cleaning, and take care when handling hot oil.
Start by thinking about the dishes you cook and how much time you’re willing to spend dealing with oil. Then compare noise levels, portion sizes and how much space each option takes up.
Worth considering: for crispy food if you want to avoid a pan of oil and reduce the smells associated with deep-fat frying.
Bear in mind: it takes up space, and the fan may be disruptive, particularly in an open-plan kitchen.
Worth considering: if your dishes need to be immersed in oil and you can ventilate your kitchen.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to filter, store and replace the oil, and take care to avoid splashes and burns.
Worth considering: if the dishes you want to make are suited to oven cooking rather than being immersed in oil.
Check: how well it cooks the dishes you make and whether the oven is available when you want to cook.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Smells | Compare hot-air cooking with deep-fat frying, as well as your ventilation options. According to UFC-Que Choisir, fryer filters vary in effectiveness, and smells can escape when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil. | My kitchen is open-plan, so I want to reduce the smell of frying without expecting an appliance to eliminate all cooking smells. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check which parts are removable and read the cleaning instructions for each model. With a deep-fat fryer, you’ll also need to filter, store and replace the oil. | I cook often enough for cleaning to be an important factor. Handling and storing oil wouldn’t fit into my routine. |
| Noise | For an air fryer, look for a noise measurement taken during cooking and compare results recorded under similar conditions. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the noise made by the fan. | The fan will run near my living room or workspace, so its noise could be more noticeable than it would be in a separate kitchen. |
| Portions and space | Compare the quantities recommended in the instructions with the meals you usually make, then measure the space available. In its air fryer testing, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between an ‘optimal’ quantity and a maximum load, which corresponds to a basket filled two-thirds of the way. | I’d rather choose based on the portions I actually cook than on the stated capacity alone. If my oven already does the job, another appliance would take up space unnecessarily. |
UFC-Que Choisir says that oil-free fryers reduce smells, not eliminate them. The food you cook and ventilation still matter.
If smells are your main concern, compare using an air fryer with using your oven, and consider how well you can ventilate the room.
An air fryer’s fan can be disruptive when the appliance is running near your living room or workspace.
Look for a noise measurement taken while the appliance is cooking, with the testing conditions clearly stated, rather than relying on a quick listen in a shop.
You’ll need to deal with cooking residue, filter and store the oil, then replace it when necessary. Hot oil and splashes also call for care.
Before choosing a fryer, check which parts can be removed, the cleaning instructions and the safety warnings in the manual.
If your oven already cooks the dishes you want, an air fryer means another appliance to set up and put away, without necessarily replacing your oven.
Think about the dishes and portions you cook often, then compare the results and availability of your oven with what you expect from an air fryer.
These hot-air models are an option if you want to avoid using a pan of oil for the dishes in question. They vary in capacity and design, so compare them with your portion sizes, available space and the instructions for each appliance.
Image unavailable
This size is designed for one or two people. It has a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe and a 60-minute timer. Check that the recommended quantity is enough for your meals and that you have room for it, following the instructions.
Image unavailable
Its two 4.75 L drawers have independent time and temperature settings, so you can cook two dishes at once. Six functions are listed, and the baskets are described as dishwasher-safe. Compare the recommended load for each drawer with your portion sizes, and check how much space you’ll need.
Image unavailable
The two drawers let you set the time and temperature separately for two dishes. This model has six listed functions and removable parts described as dishwasher-safe. The total capacity of 7.6 L doesn’t replace the need to check the recommended loads in the instructions.
Image unavailable
The window lets you check on your food without removing the basket. It has seven programmes, a touchscreen and a removable non-stick basket. Check the recommended quantities for your dishes, as well as the cleaning and installation instructions.
Image unavailable
This model has eight modes, an adjustable temperature of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. To decide if this size is right for you, compare the recommended quantities with your portion sizes and check the cleaning and installation instructions.
No. UFC-Que Choisir describes air fryers as reducing the smells associated with deep-fat frying, not eliminating them. The food you cook and ventilation still matter if you’re bothered by smells.
No, it can’t guarantee that there’ll be no smells. UFC-Que Choisir says filters vary in effectiveness, and smells can escape when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil. You’ll also need to ventilate the kitchen.
Compare the quantities recommended in the instructions with your usual portion sizes, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between an ‘optimal’ quantity and a maximum load, which corresponds to a basket filled two-thirds of the way.
No. A brief listen may not give you an accurate idea of how disruptive it’ll be when you’re cooking at home. If your kitchen is open-plan, look for a noise measurement taken while the appliance is running, with the method clearly explained. UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures noise at 50 cm.