Households bothered by frying smells
You enjoy making crispy food, but the smell of oil lingering around your home puts you off. You’ll also need to consider the cooking results and how much space you have.
Who are these options for?
People who fry food regularly
You often make chips, doughnuts or breaded food. Managing the oil, cleaning the pan and finding space for the appliance matter just as much as the cooking method.
Occasional cooks with limited space
You rarely fry food and don’t want another appliance taking up space on your worktop. If you’re considering a hob-top fryer, check that it’s compatible with your hob, particularly if you have an induction hob.
How do the options compare?
Air fryer
Worth considering: if reducing smells matters more to you than recreating deep-fried food.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir describes these appliances as bulky and a little noisy; results when cooking chips vary between models.
Electric deep-fat fryer
Worth considering: if you fry regularly and want a dedicated appliance that doesn’t take up a hob ring.
The trade-off: deep-frying still involves cooking smells, as well as handling and maintaining the oil, even if some models offer filtration.
Traditional hob-top fryer
Worth considering: for occasional use, if you’d rather use your hob than add another electrical appliance.
The trade-off: it takes up a hob ring and involves handling hot oil. If you have an induction hob, the pan must be compatible.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Smells around the home | Look at the cooking method and model-specific features, such as a closed basket or filter. A claim of reduced smells doesn’t mean there will be no smell at all. | If the smell of oil lingers in my home, I want to make crispy food without it dominating the meal; around 50% of consumers put reducing smells at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Oil and cleaning | For an oil fryer, check how to drain and filter the oil. For any appliance, find out which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe. | When I fry often, I want to know how to maintain the pan and store or dispose of the oil between uses. Managing oil and cleaning is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Space and compatibility | Compare the space needed on your worktop and in storage. For an induction-compatible pan, check its base and the diameters accepted by your hob. | I rarely fry food and would rather avoid an appliance that’s hard to store or a pan I can’t use on my hob; space and compatibility come before other considerations for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Assuming “less smell” means “no smell”
UFC-Que Choisir links air frying with reduced smells. Claims about a filter or closed basket, however, apply to specific models and don’t guarantee the same results in every home.
Start by choosing the cooking method that suits how you’ll use it, then look at the features and conditions claimed for the model you’re considering.
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Choosing an air fryer based only on its stated capacity
A large capacity doesn’t guarantee evenly cooked chips. UFC-Que Choisir found that results vary between appliances, and its testing takes into account how full the fryer is and whether the food is shaken during cooking.
Choose a capacity that suits the portions you make and check the filling instructions. If you want to cook two foods at once, consider whether two drawers would fit your routine.
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Buying a traditional fryer without checking your hob
An incompatible pan may not heat up on an induction hob. UFC-Que Choisir recommends paying attention to the material, while Electrolux says a magnet should stick to the base of a compatible pan.
Before you buy, check your hob type, the pan’s base and the diameters accepted in your hob’s instruction manual.
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Forgetting about cleaning and storage between frying sessions
A deep-fat fryer means managing the oil and cleaning its components. An air fryer avoids some of this work, but UFC-Que Choisir describes it as bulky.
If you’ll use it occasionally, measure your storage space. If you often deep-fry, check which parts can be removed and how the model’s filtration system works.
Brands to know for these uses
Tefal
The range includes electric deep-fat fryers, including models with filtration features or technology designed to reduce smells.
- Tefal says the OleoClean Pro drains, filters and stores the oil for future use: a feature worth considering if you fry regularly.
- Claims about reduced smells for the Clear Duo are Tefal’s statements about this particular model, not an independent measure of the whole range.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes single-drawer appliances and models with two drawers for cooking two dishes at the same time.
- Moulinex product information says the Easy Fry Essential EZ130A20 has a dishwasher-safe basket, while the Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 has two drawers of 5,2 L and 3,1 L.
- Check the cooking results and the space needed for the model you choose: UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that air fryer results can vary.
Philips
The Airfryer range includes air fryers, some of which are connected, as well as models with removable, dishwasher-safe parts.
- Philips states that the HD9255/80 has a 4,1 L capacity and removable parts that are dishwasher-safe.
- Philips says the closed basket on this model reduces traditional frying smells; don’t assume the same claim applies to every Airfryer in the range.
Appliances to explore on Joybuy
These models let you explore two options for this topic: four air fryers for cooking crispy food, and an electric deep-fat fryer for anyone who wants to stick with this cooking method.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black
Worth considering if you make small portions and want a basket that’s designed to be dishwasher-safe.
- Stated capacity of 2 L and power of 1150 W.
- Non-stick basket stated to be dishwasher-safe; 60-minute timer.
Check its external dimensions against your available storage space.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, 7,6 L, two drawers
The two drawers are worth considering if you want to cook two foods at once rather than making a single portion in one shared basket.
- Stated total capacity of 7,6 L and two drawers.
- Six stated cooking functions.
Compare the space the appliance needs with what’s available on your worktop and in your storage.
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KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W, 7 L, with window
The window may appeal if you want to keep an eye on your food while it cooks without opening the basket.
- Stated capacity of 7 L, digital display and cooking window.
Before you buy, check the external dimensions and the basket care instructions for your needs.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1500 W
The reminder to shake the food is worth noting if you’d like a prompt to stir it while it cooks.
- Stated capacity of 4 L and power of 1500 W.
- Eight pre-set modes, temperature adjustment from 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer.
Check the model’s instructions for filling and caring for its components.
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Tefal Clear Duo, 3,5 L deep-fat fryer
This model is for anyone who wants to keep deep-frying and explore a feature designed to filter cooking smells.
- Stated capacity of 3,5 L and extra-large anti-mist window.
- Tefal describes the Clear Duo as having a filtration system; its claims about smells apply to this model.
Filtration doesn’t remove the need to handle and maintain the oil. Let the appliance cool before cleaning it, following the instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer get rid of all cooking smells?
No. Reduced smells don’t mean there will be no smell at all. UFC-Que Choisir links air frying with fewer smells than deep-frying; the food you cook, any residue and ventilation can also make a difference in your kitchen.
What should I look for to make a deep-fat fryer easier to clean?
Check which parts can be removed and put in the dishwasher, and how the oil is drained, filtered or stored. Tefal says the OleoClean Pro has features for filtering and storing the oil, but these aren’t standard across all electric fryers.
Will a traditional fryer work on any induction hob?
No. Compatibility depends in part on the base of the pan and the diameters accepted by your hob. Electrolux advises checking that a magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan; UFC-Que Choisir recommends steel rather than a cast-aluminium pan for this use.
What precautions should I take when setting up an electric fryer?
Choose a stable spot away from flammable materials, and check the appliance instructions for guidance on setting it up and letting it cool. The Civil Protection service also advises against overloading a single socket and recommends keeping flammable materials away from sources of heat.