If reducing cooking smells matters more to you than recreating deep-fried results, an air fryer is worth considering, provided you have room for it and are happy with its capacity limitations. If you want to keep cooking in oil, an electric deep fat fryer with easy-to-clean parts and, depending on the model, a filter is another option, although it cannot guarantee odour-free cooking. For occasional use, an oven or frying pan means you won’t need another appliance; a hob-top deep fat fryer, on the other hand, needs a bowl that’s compatible with your hob.
If cooking smells and available space are priorities, compare the appliance’s footprint, removable parts and how easy it is to reach areas that need cleaning. Que Choisir describes an air fryer as an option that reduces smells, while also pointing out that it takes up space.
If you want to keep cooking in a bath of oil for chips, doughnuts or breaded foods, consider how easy the bowl and basket are to clean, how the appliance stores away and what filtration features each model offers.
If you’ll only use it occasionally, consider whether you have room for another appliance in your kitchen. If you choose a traditional hob-top deep fat fryer, make sure its bowl is compatible with induction.
Your choice depends first on the type of cooking you want and how often you’ll use it, followed by cooking smells, cleaning and the space you can set aside for the appliance.
Worth considering: if you want to deep-fry occasionally and have a compatible hob.
Bear in mind: it takes up a hob ring and still comes with the smells and cleaning involved in cooking with a bath of oil, as Que Choisir points out.
Worth considering: if you want to deep-fry without using a hob ring.
Bear in mind: even if a model advertises a filtration system, that doesn’t mean cooking smells will disappear. The bowl and other parts exposed to oil still need cleaning.
Worth considering: if reducing cooking smells matters more to you than recreating deep-fried results.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be bulky and somewhat noisy. The amount you can cook also depends on leaving enough room for air to circulate.
Worth considering: for occasional cooking, if your existing appliances already meet your needs.
Bear in mind: this option won’t replace deep-frying if that’s the specific cooking method you want.
| Consideration | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking smells | Compare the cooking methods. For an oil fryer, check the model’s filtration system and its maintenance requirements. A filter cannot guarantee odour-free cooking. | In a small kitchen, I want to reduce cooking smells without expecting an air fryer or filter to eliminate them. Que Choisir presents air frying as an option that reduces them. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable, which the manual says are dishwasher-safe and how easy it is to reach inside the appliance. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for coated surfaces. | If I cook often, I want to be able to clean the bowl and basket, as well as reach areas where residue can build up. |
| Space and portions | Measure the space you have and compare the basket size with your usual portions. With an air fryer, leave space around the food: Philips notes that hot air needs room to circulate. | I don’t want to store a bulky appliance for occasional use, or choose one based only on its stated capacity. |
| Existing hob | For a traditional deep fat fryer, confirm that its bowl is compatible with your hob, particularly if you have an induction hob. Also check whether you’ll need to keep the hob free while cooking. | With an induction hob, I need to be able to use the bowl I choose. If I cook several dishes at once, the space it takes up on the hob matters too. |
Filtration claims apply to specific models. For example, Tefal says its Super Uno FR310030 has a charcoal filter that helps reduce cooking smells, but doesn’t promise to eliminate them.
Check the filtration system on the model you’re considering and read the maintenance instructions in its manual.
If the charcoal filter is replaceable, you’ll also need to factor in replacements as recommended by the manufacturer.
A stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much room you’ll have to arrange the food. Philips notes that hot air needs to circulate around the basket.
Compare the basket dimensions with your usual portions and check the recommended quantities for the foods you prepare.
A traditional deep fat fryer with a bowl that isn’t induction-compatible won’t work on an induction hob.
Before choosing this type of fryer, check that the bowl is compatible and confirm its material, as Que Choisir recommends.
A dishwasher-safe basket doesn’t take care of cleaning the inside of the appliance. Philips also provides cleaning instructions for the internal areas and coated surfaces of its air fryers.
Check the manual for the exact model to find out which parts can be removed and how to clean other accessible areas.
Tefal’s range includes electric oil deep fat fryers, with filtration systems available on certain models.
The Airfryer range includes the NA210/00, which Philips lists with a capacity of 3,2 L.
Moulinex offers air fryers in different capacities, including the 3,5 L Easy Fry Essential EZ130A20 and a 7,5 L Easy Fry Compact.
These options include air fryers for cooking without a bath of oil, as well as an electric deep fat fryer if you want to keep deep-frying. Compare the baskets, stated capacity and care requirements of the model that suits your needs.
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Worth considering for smaller portions if you prefer air frying to cooking in a bath of oil. The product listing states that it has a power rating of 1150 W, a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket. Check its dimensions against the space you have available.
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Its stated 7 L capacity is worth comparing with your usual portions, but don’t assume you can fill the whole basket. The product title mentions a digital display and a cooking window. Check the dimensions and cleaning instructions for this model’s basket.
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This model lets you deep-fry using two removable 3 L baskets and two independent thermostats; its stated power rating is 3600 W. Its product description mentions odour filters, but these can’t guarantee odour-free cooking. Check how much space you’ll need and read the cleaning instructions for the parts.
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Compare it with other air fryers based on your portions and available space. The product title lists a power rating of 1500 W, eight preset modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the model’s manual for information on accessing and cleaning its parts.
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The two baskets and independent temperature controls may suit households cooking two foods with different settings. The stated total capacity is 9 L and the power rating is 2400 W. Check how much space it takes up and read the cleaning instructions for each basket.
No. Que Choisir says that air frying reduces the risk of unpleasant smells, particularly in small kitchens, but doesn’t claim to eliminate them. Choose this cooking method if you want to reduce smells, not for a guarantee of an odour-free kitchen.
Check the model’s manual to see which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe. The basket isn’t the only part to consider: Philips support instructions also cover cleaning the inside and coated surfaces of its air fryers.
Yes, but only if its bowl is induction-compatible. Que Choisir recommends checking the material before buying: in the example in its guide, an aluminium cast bowl isn’t suitable, unlike a compatible steel bowl.
No. A filter advertised as helping to reduce smells doesn’t replace cleaning the parts exposed to oil. Tefal notes, for example, that the charcoal filter in its Super Uno FR310030 is replaceable. Check the model’s manual for maintenance and replacement instructions.