For the occasional fry-up, start by checking whether your hob or oven already meets your needs. If you regularly want to deep-fry without tying up the hob, consider an electric deep fat fryer. If you prefer cooking with hot air, an air fryer could be an option, as long as you’re happy with a different result from deep-frying and check its size, noise and cleaning requirements. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that an air fryer may duplicate some of the functions of an oven, depending on how you use it.
If you regularly make chips, breaded food or doughnuts, a dedicated appliance can free up your hob. When choosing a deep fat fryer, compare the portion sizes it can handle, how it manages the oil and which parts need cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir includes cooking performance and ease of use among its assessment criteria.
If you’re happy for hot-air cooking to produce a different result from deep-frying, an air fryer is worth considering. Check how easy the basket and drawer are to clean, as well as the space it needs and how noisy it is. UFC-Que Choisir notes that these appliances can be bulky and a little noisy.
If you rarely cook this kind of food, first compare what your oven and hob can already do. UFC-Que Choisir says a traditional deep fat fryer may be enough for occasional frying, while an air fryer may duplicate some of your oven’s functions.
First decide which cooking method you’ll actually use. Then compare portion sizes, cleaning requirements and the space available in your kitchen.
Worth considering: for occasional frying, if your hob and pan are already suitable.
Bear in mind: your hob will be in use, and you’ll need to deal with and clean up the oil after cooking.
Worth considering: for regular deep-frying without tying up the hob.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to manage the oil; filtration and dishwasher-safe parts vary by model.
Worth considering: if you want to cook with hot air and also use the appliance for roasting or grilling.
Bear in mind: the results differ from deep-frying; UFC-Que Choisir notes that these appliances can be bulky and noisy.
Worth considering: if your oven already handles the cooking methods and portions you’d expect from a hot-air appliance.
Bear in mind: keeping your oven won’t give you a dedicated way to deep-fry.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| How often you fry and the cooking method | Choose between deep-frying and hot-air cooking. If you want to free up the hob, consider an electric deep fat fryer. | When chips or doughnuts are often on the menu, I want a dedicated method that suits the way I want to cook. Around 31% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Cleaning and oil | Check which parts can be removed, their cleaning instructions and whether an oil fryer has a filtration system. | If cleaning after every use puts me off, I prioritise how easily the appliance comes apart and how oil or food residue is dealt with. This would be a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Portions per batch | Compare the recommended amount of food in the instructions with your portion sizes, rather than looking only at the capacity in litres. | When serving several people, I want to avoid cooking batch after batch without overfilling the basket. Around 23% of consumers would make this their main criterion. |
| Space and how you use your oven | Check where the appliance will go and where you’ll store it. For an air fryer, also consider the noise and what your oven already does. | In a small kitchen, I don’t want to add an appliance that gets in the way when my oven already handles those dishes. This would come first for around 15% of consumers. |
A large bowl doesn’t mean you can fill it to the brim with food and still get the results you want. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing methods distinguish between optimum and maximum quantities.
Compare the amounts recommended in the instructions with your portions. For an air fryer, also check whether you need to turn or shake the food during cooking.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be bulky and a little noisy. Your oven may already be able to handle some of the same tasks.
Measure the space available, plan where you’ll store it and decide what different cooking method you expect the appliance to provide.
Oil filtration and dishwasher-safe parts vary by model. Tefal lists these features for the OleoClean Pro, but says its heating element should not go in the dishwasher.
Check the instructions for the model you’re considering to see which parts can be removed, how they can be cleaned and what oil-management features it offers.
Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaning products on the non-stick parts of the relevant Airfryer models.
Before buying, check the care instructions for the basket and drawer of your chosen model, and use accessories that are suitable for its coating.
Worth considering for an electric deep fat fryer if oil management and taking the appliance apart are important to you.
Worth considering for an air fryer if the settings and ease of cleaning the basket are key to your choice.
Worth considering for an air fryer if the care instructions for the drawer and basket are important to you.
These appliances illustrate two dedicated options: hot-air cooking and electric deep-frying. Also compare them with what you can already cook using your oven or hob.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two different foods in separate hot-air drawers.
The product name lists two drawers and six functions. Check the recommended amount of food for each drawer and how much space you’ll need in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a dedicated appliance for deep-frying.
This model is described as having an anti-mist viewing window. Check the instructions to confirm the right quantity for your portions and which parts can be removed for cleaning. You’ll still need to manage the oil after cooking.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two different dishes in separate oil tanks.
The product name lists a power rating of 3,600 W, two independent thermostats, removable baskets and anti-odour filters. Check the dimensions and suitable quantities per batch. The filters don’t remove the need to manage odours and oil.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a hot-air appliance and want to compare its capacity with your usual portion sizes.
The stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much food is suitable for one batch. Check the instructions for this information and measure the appliance before making room for it.
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Worth considering if you’d prefer a hot-air appliance and want to check its dimensions against the space you have available.
Check that it can handle your portion sizes and allow for the minimum clearance of 100 mm specified for this model.
First compare the recommended amount of food per batch with your portion sizes, rather than looking only at the capacity of the bowl or drawer. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between optimum and maximum loads in its testing methods. Also check the fill limits and any instructions for turning or shaking the food.
No. Check each part in the instructions for the model you choose. Tefal lists dishwasher-safe parts for the OleoClean Pro, except for the heating element. Philips says the drawer, basket and frying accessory are dishwasher-safe on the relevant Airfryer models.
It may be if you have a specific type of cooking in mind, but buying one isn’t a given. UFC-Que Choisir says an air fryer may duplicate some of an oven’s functions. Compare how you’ll actually use it, then check the size and noise of the model you’re considering.
Yes. In France, when a business sells a second-hand deep fat fryer to an individual, the legal guarantee of conformity applies, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It also covers new and refurbished goods sold under these conditions and is the responsibility of the business seller. Keep your proof of purchase and a copy of the product listing.
Take it to an appropriate electrical equipment collection point rather than putting it in your household rubbish. The Ministry for Ecological Transition says that France has a collection and recycling scheme for household electrical and electronic equipment. Look for a collection point or a suitable take-back option.