If cooking smells and dealing with oil are your main concerns, an air fryer is worth considering. Que Choisir says it can reduce cooking smells and is easier to clean, but doesn’t promise to eliminate them altogether. It also points out that air fryers can be bulky and noisy. An electric deep-fat fryer lets you carry on deep-frying while keeping your hob free. A hob-based option takes up a ring, and you’ll need a compatible pan if you have an induction hob. An oven means you won’t have another appliance to store, provided the food you’re making doesn’t need to be immersed in oil.
If the smell of oil affects your mealtimes, compare cooking methods without expecting any appliance to get rid of every smell. Que Choisir says an air fryer can reduce cooking smells, while noting that it takes up space and can be noisy.
If you want to stick with this method, check how the model comes apart, filters and stores the oil. These features are included on the Tefal FR804015 fryer, according to its official product information, but they don’t remove the need to deal with used oil.
A freestanding electric fryer keeps a hob ring free, but needs space on your worktop or in a cupboard. If you cook on an induction hob, also check that the pan has a compatible base, as Que Choisir points out.
First decide between hot-air cooking and deep-frying, then check how much space you have and what you’ll need to do after each meal. An oven or frying pan may also be worth considering if you already have suitable cookware for the food you plan to make.
| Criterion | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking smells | Que Choisir says an air fryer can reduce cooking smells, not eliminate them. The effectiveness of filters on deep-fat fryers varies, and smells can escape when the basket is lifted out of or lowered into the oil. | Cooking smells bother me enough to consider another method; I don’t want to rely on a filter as a guarantee. |
| Cleaning and oil | Check the manual to see which parts can be removed and put in the dishwasher. For a deep-fat fryer, also look at how to drain, store and dispose of used oil. | After frequent use, I want to be able to clean the parts and deal with the oil without having to go through lots of extra steps. |
| Space and hob | Measure the space for a freestanding appliance and where you’ll store it. A hob-based option takes up a ring; Que Choisir says an induction hob requires a pan with a ferromagnetic base. | My hob is already in use for other dishes, or I’d rather not have another appliance to put away. |
| Quantity and cooking | Compare the basket’s capacity and shape with the amounts you plan to cook. For a specific air fryer, look for tests that assess cooking performance and ease of use: Que Choisir’s test protocol covers these, as well as noise and safety. | I sometimes cook several portions or two dishes at once; the stated capacity alone doesn’t tell me how they’ll cook. |
| Oven and frying pan | Check whether the recipe really needs deep-frying and whether your cookware is suitable for your hob. Don’t assume that energy-use comparisons made with other appliances or quantities apply to every recipe. | For some dishes, using an oven or frying pan I already own may matter more than buying another dedicated appliance. |
Que Choisir says an air fryer can reduce cooking smells, but notes that filters on deep-fat fryers vary in effectiveness and won’t trap smells every time you handle the basket.
If smells are your main concern, compare cooking methods rather than relying on the presence of a filter alone. If you deep-fry, also consider how well your kitchen is ventilated.
A filter or storage feature can make some tasks easier between uses, but it doesn’t deal with disposing of the oil when you’ve finished with it.
ADEME advises letting the oil cool, putting it in a sealed container and never pouring it down the sink or toilet or into the environment. Check what disposal options your local authority provides.
Allow time and set aside a suitable container to cool and store the oil, then take it to your chosen collection point.
A traditional fryer or deep frying pan takes up a hob ring while you’re cooking. Que Choisir notes that an induction hob won’t work with a pan that doesn’t have a ferromagnetic base.
Check that the pan is compatible and consider whether you need to keep that hob ring free for other dishes.
The stated capacity tells you about the size, but not necessarily how well it cooks, how noisy it is or how easy it is to clean. Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses these points separately, along with safety.
Compare the dimensions and cleaning instructions, and look for tests of the exact model if you’re using them to make your decision. Also check whether the model has been recalled.
These models show you what features to look for in a specific product; they don’t necessarily reflect the features of every product from that brand.
The Oleo Clean Inox & Design FR804015 is an example of an electric deep-fat fryer designed with oil filtration and storage in mind.
The Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 provides a point of comparison for a 3.5 L air fryer.
Philips describes the Series 3000 HD9252/90 as a 4.1 L air fryer for 2 people that can prepare up to 4 portions.
These hot-air models are worth considering if cooking smells and managing a deep-fat fryer are important factors in your choice. Compare their size, baskets and cleaning instructions with the space you have available. This selection isn’t a substitute for comparing them with a deep-fat fryer, hob or oven.
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Worth considering if you’d like to cook two dishes in separate drawers without taking up space on the hob. The product name states a total capacity of 9.5 L, six functions and baskets described as dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions and the manual’s instructions before buying.
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Its stated 2 L capacity may be worth considering if you cook small amounts and have limited space. The product title mentions a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check the dimensions and the model’s cleaning instructions.
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The two drawers let you cook separate dishes without using a hob ring. The product name states a total capacity of 7.6 L, six functions and baskets described as dishwasher-safe. Check how much space it needs and whether the manual says the baskets can be washed in the dishwasher.
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The stated viewing window may be useful if you want to keep an eye on your food without opening the drawer. The product title lists an 8.5 L capacity and eight functions, but capacity alone isn’t enough to judge how well it cooks. Check the dimensions and cleaning instructions.
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The two baskets and independent temperature control are worth considering if you cook two foods at once. The product name states a total capacity of 9 L, 2400 W and eight preset programmes. Check how much space it takes up and whether the baskets can be washed in the dishwasher before choosing.
No. Que Choisir says hot-air cooking can reduce smells, not eliminate them. For deep-fat fryers, the association says that filter effectiveness varies and smells can escape when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil.
Let it cool and put it in a sealed bottle or container, following ADEME’s advice. Don’t pour it down the sink or toilet or into the environment. Then check what collection options your local authority provides.
Yes, if its pan is suitable for induction. Que Choisir says it needs a ferromagnetic base; otherwise, the hob won’t switch on. Check the pan’s markings before using it.
No. This depends on the model and the specific part. For example, Moulinex says the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 has a dishwasher-safe basket. Check the manual before following the same instructions for another appliance.
Check the exact model number on RappelConso, particularly if you’re buying a second-hand appliance or have had one for a long time. In March 2026, RappelConso issued a recall in France for the Air Fryer SYMEX SYM 6766 due to a potential risk of electric shock and fire linked to possible moisture in the heating element. The recall applies to this specific model, not all air fryers.