For occasional frying, an air fryer can help you avoid handling cooking oil, although UFC-Que Choisir also notes that these appliances can be bulky and noisy. If you want to deep-fry food, choose an electric deep fryer or a traditional pan that’s suitable for your hob, and plan how you’ll dispose of used oil. An oven or frying pan means you won’t need another appliance, but neither guarantees the same results as deep-frying or prevents cooking smells.
If you occasionally cook fried or breaded food, compare the different cooking methods without assuming that any appliance will eliminate smells. UFC-Que Choisir notes that cooking oil smells can put some users off, and lists reduced odours as an advantage of air fryers.
An air fryer is worth considering if you’re happy with a different cooking method from deep-frying and would rather not deal with oil afterwards. For a deep fryer, ADEME recommends letting used oil cool and putting it in a sealed container before following local disposal guidance.
If you’re using a traditional deep-frying pan on your hob, check that the pan is compatible before you buy. UFC-Que Choisir advises against cast aluminium for this use. Electrolux France also notes that the base may need to meet the minimum diameter for the cooking zone.
To avoid dealing with a pan of hot oil, compare air frying with using an oven or frying pan if you don’t want another appliance. For deep-frying, consider electric deep fryers and traditional pans that are compatible with your hob. UFC-Que Choisir lists reduced smells and easier cleaning among the advantages of air fryers, but also describes them as bulky and a little noisy.
| Criterion | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | Decide whether the food you want to prepare needs to be immersed in oil. If not, consider air frying, using the oven or frying in a pan, depending on the result you’re after. | I want to choose the cooking method before deciding whether I have room for a dedicated appliance in my kitchen. |
| Smells | If smells will determine your choice, look for tests of the specific model and foods you’ll be cooking. A claim such as ‘odour-free’ or the presence of a filter doesn’t guarantee a smell-free kitchen. | I’m sensitive to cooking smells and need to know whether reducing them, rather than eliminating them, would be enough for me. |
| Cleaning and oil | Check how easy it is to reach the parts that need cleaning and how you’ll handle the oil after cooking. For used oil, ADEME advises letting it cool, putting it in a sealed container and following local disposal guidance. | After occasional frying, I’d prefer to keep cleaning to a minimum, or I need to be able to dispose of used oil safely. |
| Induction hob | For a traditional deep-frying pan, check that the exact model is compatible, along with the base material and the minimum diameter accepted by your hob. UFC-Que Choisir recommends steel rather than cast aluminium for this use. | I have an induction hob, so the pan I choose must work with it—not just be suitable for hob cooking in general. |
| Space and capacity | Compare the stated capacity with your usual portion sizes, then measure the space available for using and storing the appliance. If you’re considering an air fryer, also bear in mind the noise noted by UFC-Que Choisir. | I sometimes cook for several people, but I don’t want an appliance I rarely use taking up valuable space every day. |
UFC-Que Choisir lists reduced smells as an advantage of air fryers, but that doesn’t guarantee every food or kitchen will be odour-free.
If you’re very sensitive to smells, look for independent tests of the model you’re considering, using foods similar to the ones you cook.
You won’t be able to use a traditional deep-frying pan on your induction hob if it isn’t compatible. UFC-Que Choisir specifically advises against cast aluminium for this use.
Check the exact model, the base material and any compatibility markings, then check the minimum base diameter accepted in your hob’s instructions.
ADEME advises against pouring used frying oil down the sink, toilet or into the environment.
Before choosing a deep fryer, make sure you have a sealed container for cooled oil and find out how to dispose of it locally.
UFC-Que Choisir describes this category as bulky and a little noisy—two things to consider if you’ll only use it occasionally.
Measure the space where you plan to use and store the appliance, and make sure the noise level will suit you before choosing a model.
These models represent two of the options covered here: air frying and electric deep-frying. Compare their stated capacities and features with your portion sizes and how much cleaning you’re prepared to do.
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Worth considering if you’d like to use two baskets for occasional cooking without a pan of hot oil. The product name lists a power output of 2400 W, eight programmes and independent temperature controls. If cooking smells are a deciding factor, look for tests of this model. Also check its dimensions and noise level to make sure they’ll suit your kitchen.
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With a stated capacity of 2 L, this model is worth comparing with your usual portion sizes if you cook small amounts. The product name lists a non-stick basket, dishwasher-safe parts and a 60-minute timer. Check the dimensions if space is limited, and don’t assume you’ll get a particular level of odour reduction with your food.
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If you’d like to keep an eye on food as it cooks in an air fryer, this model is listed with a viewing window and digital display. Its stated capacity is 7 L: compare it with your portion sizes, then check how much room it needs on your worktop and in storage. The window alone doesn’t tell you how much cooking smell it will produce.
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To tailor air frying to different dishes, this model is listed with eight modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C, a 60-minute timer and an alert to remind you to turn the food. Its stated capacity is 4 L. Compare it with the portions you plan to cook, and separately check its size and whether it’ll give you the results you want for breaded foods.
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This electric deep fryer is for those who want to immerse food in oil rather than air-fry it. The product name lists 3600 W, two independent thermostats, removable baskets and odour filters; having filters doesn’t guarantee how well they’ll work in your kitchen. Plan to cool and dispose of used oil in line with ADEME’s guidance.
No. The reduction in smells noted by UFC-Que Choisir for this category doesn’t mean they’ll disappear completely. If it’s an important factor for you, look for independent tests of the model using foods similar to the ones you cook.
ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink, toilet or into the environment. Let it cool, put it in a sealed bottle or container, then follow the disposal guidance available in your area.
Yes, provided the pan is compatible with induction and your hob. UFC-Que Choisir recommends steel rather than cast aluminium for this use. Also check the minimum base diameter specified in your hob’s instructions.
Compare how easy it is to use and clean, its safety features and how you’ll handle the oil. If tests of the model are available, also look at the results for smells and the cool zone. These are among the criteria in UFC-Que Choisir’s electric deep-fryer testing protocol.