Air fryer, deep-fat fryer, oven or pan: compare cooking smells

Who are these options for?

People who are bothered by the smell of oil

If smells and splashes put you off frying, compare air frying with an oil fryer that has a lid and a filtration system. Neither option guarantees odour-free cooking.

Cooks with limited space

If you want to make chips or breaded food in a small kitchen, the appliance’s external dimensions, the space it needs while in use and how easy it is to store matter just as much as its stated capacity.

Fans of traditional frying who cook in large quantities

If you’re mainly looking for the texture of deep-fried food or often cook large batches, compare how much food each appliance can cook per cycle. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an air fryer does not necessarily replace a traditional fryer when it comes to taste and crispness.

How do the cooking methods compare?

Deep-fat fryer

Worth considering: if the texture of traditionally fried food is essential, especially for chips or doughnuts.

The trade-off: you’ll need to manage the oil, possible cooking smells and appliance maintenance.

Air fryer

Worth considering: if you want to cook chips and breaded food without a deep-fat bath, and use the appliance for other types of cooking too.

The trade-off: the fan can be audible, and the results don’t always replicate traditional frying, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.

Oven or frying pan

Worth considering: if you only prepare these foods occasionally and would rather use equipment you already own.

The trade-off: the cooking method and the result you’re looking for may differ from deep-fat frying.

Once you’ve chosen a cooking method, check the practical considerations that will matter most when you prepare your usual dishes.

Factor	What to check before buying	Who it matters to
Smells and splashes	For an oil fryer, check the lid and filtration system; for an air fryer, consider its fan and where you’ll position it.	The smell of oil puts me off making fried food at home. Around 31% of consumers may rank reducing it as their top priority.
Cleaning and oil	Check the manual to see which parts can be removed and are dishwasher-safe; with a deep-fat fryer, also check how to drain or filter the oil.	I want to be able to clean the appliance without washing it and handling the oil becoming a chore after every use. For around 31% of consumers, easy cleaning may be the main priority.
Space and uses	Measure the appliance’s external dimensions and the clearance it needs; compare its stated capacity with the quantities you cook.	My kitchen has limited space, but I’d like to use the appliance for several types of cooking. Space and versatility may be the top priorities for around 23% of consumers.
Texture and portions	Compare the recommended amount of food per cycle and, if possible, look for tests using quantities similar to yours.	I cook large batches or care especially about the texture of traditionally fried food. This may be a priority for around 15% of consumers.

What to look out for

Assuming fewer smells means no smells

Smells depend on the cooking method and the model. A reduction claim made for a particular fryer doesn’t apply to every fryer.

Start by comparing deep-fat frying with air frying, then check the lid, filtration system and the conditions attached to any manufacturer claim.
Assuming an air fryer can replace all traditional frying

Circulating hot air doesn’t necessarily produce the same texture as a deep-fat bath. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights differences in cooking performance between air fryer models.

If you’re buying mainly to make doughnuts or enjoy the crispness of traditional fried food, compare results for the foods you’re interested in before switching cooking methods.
Relying on capacity without measuring the appliance

A large basket or two drawers take up space on your worktop and in storage. An air fryer’s fan may also be a consideration in an open-plan kitchen, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.

Measure the space you have, including the available height and the clearance specified in the manual. If noise is a deciding factor, look for a sound test.
Assuming a dishwasher-safe basket means hassle-free cleaning

Some dishwasher-safe parts may not include the internal surfaces or heating element. Philips recommends using a soft sponge to clean its Airfryer, for example.

Before buying, check the manual to see which parts need to be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and what precautions to take with the coatings.

Brands to consider, model by model

Tefal

Tefal offers deep-fat fryers and air fryers; cleaning features and capacities vary by model.

Depending on the model, Tefal manuals describe dishwasher-safe baskets or oil filtration systems.
Tefal’s claim about reduced odours for the Clear Duo applies to that model and the conditions of the claim, not the entire range.

Philips

If you’re considering a Philips Airfryer, check the cleaning instructions for each part before choosing a model.

Philips support provides cooling and cleaning instructions, including for the baskets and internal parts.
Some dishwasher-safe parts don’t mean the whole appliance can be cleaned in the same way.

Ninja

Ninja is among the air fryer brands featured in UFC-Que Choisir tests.

You can compare its models by basket type, capacity and the space available.
UFC-Que Choisir found differences in performance between air fryers. Check the cooking results, noise and cleaning requirements of the model you’re considering rather than relying on the brand name alone.

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Frequently asked questions

Does an air fryer get rid of all cooking smells?

No, an air fryer doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking. UFC-Que Choisir describes air frying as a way to reduce the smells associated with oil frying. If you have an open-plan kitchen, bear in mind that the fan can also be noisy.

How can I tell whether the capacity will suit my portions?

Compare the recommended amount of food per cycle for the dishes you want to make, rather than looking only at the stated capacity in litres. UFC-Que Choisir tests, for example, distinguish between results at the optimal load and at maximum capacity.

Is a dishwasher-safe basket enough to make cleaning easy?

It can make the basket easier to wash, but you’ll still need to clean other greasy areas according to the manual. Check which parts of the model are actually dishwasher-safe and what precautions apply to the coatings.

What should I check before buying an electric cooking appliance in France?

Make sure you know the exact model reference and read the manual before buying. According to France’s Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, CE marking applies to products covered by the relevant European requirements and is not an independent certification. You can also search for the model reference on RappelConso.