If you want to deep-fry food in oil, choose between a dedicated electric deep fryer and a hob-top fryer, bearing in mind that you’ll need to handle and dispose of the oil. If smells and cleaning are more important to you, an air fryer offers a different way to cook: Que Choisir reports reduced odours and easier cleaning, but also notes that these appliances can be bulky and sometimes noisy. If you only fry food occasionally, your oven or frying pan could save you from buying another appliance, although they may not give you the type of fried food you’re looking for.
You want to brown food without having to filter or dispose of a pan of oil. Que Choisir presents the air fryer as an option that produces fewer odours and is easier to clean, while noting that it can be bulky and potentially noisy.
You want to stick with this cooking method while minimising the work involved afterwards. Some models have features for filtering and storing oil, as well as removable parts. Check the features of the model you’re considering.
If you rarely fry food, compare the space a new appliance would take up with the option of using the equipment you already have. Que Choisir says a traditional hob-top fryer may be enough for occasional frying, provided its pan is compatible with your hob.
When making chips or breaded food at home, first decide whether deep-frying in oil is essential to the cooking method you want. Then compare each option in terms of odours, handling, cleaning and storage.
Consider it if: you want a dedicated fryer that doesn’t take up space on your hob.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to handle and dispose of the oil. Que Choisir notes that a filter won’t trap all the odours when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil.
Consider it: for occasional frying, if the pan is suitable for your hob.
Bear in mind: it takes up a cooking zone and you’ll need to pay particular attention to stability and splashes of hot oil.
Consider it if: you prefer to cook with hot air rather than manage a pan of oil.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to find space for it and check how noisy it is. It won’t necessarily do everything a deep fryer can.
Consider this: if your existing equipment can handle the dishes you usually make.
Bear in mind: this option doesn’t offer the features of a dedicated fryer. Decide based on the cooking method you want to keep using.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Odours and cleaning | Compare the cooking methods and check which parts are genuinely removable or dishwasher-safe. A filter doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking. | I want to brown food without spending time filtering oil or having the kitchen smell of frying. This would be a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Hot oil and splashes | For deep-frying, check the stability, basket and handling requirements. If it’s for a hob, make sure the pan is compatible. | When I cook, I prefer to minimise splashes and handling a pan of hot oil. Around 25% of consumers would put this precaution first. |
| Deep-frying in oil | Check the stated capacity of the model you’re considering, as well as its oil-filtering and storage features. | I specifically want to deep-fry chips or breaded food, even if it means extra cleaning. This would be the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Available space | Measure the space available and allow for the clearance specified in the instructions. Also check that the capacity suits the portions you plan to make. | I sometimes make these dishes, but don’t want to permanently clutter my worktop or cupboards. Space would be a priority for around 19% of consumers. |
Que Choisir says filter performance varies, and odours can still escape when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil.
Think of a filter as helpful, not as a guarantee. If odours are a deciding factor for you, compare air-frying too, and make sure you can ventilate the kitchen when deep-frying in oil.
ADEME says frying oil must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or discarded outdoors. Let it cool before putting it in a sealed container.
Before choosing a deep fryer, decide where you’ll let the oil cool and store it, then check your local council’s collection guidance.
Storing the oil in a sealed container and possibly taking it to a collection point also takes time.
This may only apply to certain parts. For example, Tefal excludes the heating element from the parts listed as dishwasher-safe for its OLEOCLEAN PRO FR804110. Philips gives separate instructions for cleaning the heating element in its Airfryer models.
Check the instructions for the exact model: find out which parts are dishwasher-safe, which need to be washed by hand and what precautions to take with the coatings.
Tests published by Que Choisir in September 2024 found varying performance across the models assessed, particularly for cooking, ease of use and noise.
Compare the capacity, dimensions and features that matter for the food you make. If an independent test covers the exact model you’re considering, take its testing conditions into account.
The Easy Fry range includes air fryers in various sizes, including models with multiple drawers.
The Airfryer range includes the 4,1 L HD9252/90, which Philips describes as suitable for two people and up to four portions.
SEB offers electric deep fryers, including the Family Oleoclean, which is designed to collect and store oil.
The OleoClean and Filtra Pro ranges include deep fryers with oil-filtering features and removable parts, depending on the model.
These models offer two ways to equip your kitchen: electric deep-frying in oil and cooking with hot air. First choose the method that suits the food you want to make, then compare each appliance’s capacity, cleaning requirements and space needed.
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For deep-frying in oil, with a viewing window so you can keep an eye on your food as it cooks. The title lists a capacity of 3.5L; check you have enough space and plan how you’ll handle the oil after use.
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Cook with hot air instead of oil if a 2L capacity suits your portions. The title mentions a non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Before buying, check the appliance’s dimensions and the cleaning instructions for its parts.
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For cooking with hot air, with a stated capacity of 3.2 L. Check that this capacity suits your portions and allow enough space around the appliance, as specified in its instructions.
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Another hot-air cooking option if you want to avoid handling a pan of oil. Check that the containers supplied with this model suit the quantities you usually cook, and let them cool before handling or cleaning them.
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Keep deep-frying in oil while using two separate baskets. The title lists two independent thermostats, removable baskets and anti-odour filters; these filters don’t guarantee odour-free cooking. Check how much space it takes up and plan for oil maintenance.
No. Que Choisir says filter performance varies, and filters don’t trap the odours released when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil. Compare filters, but don’t treat them as a guarantee of odour-free cooking.
Let it cool, then put it in a sealed bottle or container and follow your local council’s collection guidance. ADEME says it must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or discarded outdoors.
Follow the instructions for your chosen model and check which parts are actually dishwasher-safe. For its Airfryer models, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool before cleaning, and avoiding metal utensils and abrasive products on non-stick parts.
Place it on a stable surface, follow the instructions and avoid plugging several appliances into the same socket, as recommended by Civil Protection. With a deep fryer, also take particular care around splashes and when handling hot oil.