If you only fry food occasionally, an air fryer can save you the hassle of managing a pan of oil. However, cooking with hot air is not the same as deep-frying, and an air fryer may duplicate some of your oven’s functions. If you prefer deep-frying, an electric fryer leaves your hob free, while a suitable pan may be enough for occasional use. UFC-Que Choisir notes that none of these options can promise an odour-free kitchen; check your model’s instructions before setting it up.
If you want to cook fried food while limiting smells and avoiding the hassle of managing a pan of oil, compare hot-air cooking with deep-frying. Just don’t expect completely odour-free results. UFC-Que Choisir describes these expectations but does not measure how common they are.
If you prefer immersion frying for your recipes, an electric fryer can leave your hob free. For occasional frying, you could also use a traditional pan that is suitable for your hob. UFC-Que Choisir discusses both options.
If you have limited storage or worktop space, check whether your existing oven can handle the dishes you make before adding a dedicated appliance. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an air fryer may duplicate some of your oven’s functions.
Choose this if: you prefer immersion frying and want to keep your hob free.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to manage the oil and clean the appliance; a filter doesn’t guarantee there’ll be no cooking smells.
Choose this if: you want to avoid filling and filtering a pan of oil, and your portions fit in the basket.
Bear in mind: it cooks differently from deep-frying and may duplicate some of your oven’s functions.
Choose this if: you rarely deep-fry and can spare a hob ring.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to handle the oil. Check that the pan is compatible with your hob, especially if it’s induction.
Choose this if: you rarely make these dishes and are happy with the results from your oven.
Bear in mind: cooking in the oven is not necessarily the same as deep-frying.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who might prioritise it |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and cooking method | The dishes you make, the cooking method and, for an oil fryer, the filter and parts that need cleaning. | If you’re bothered by the smell of frying, you may prefer hot-air cooking while accepting that it produces a different result; around 28% of consumers put limiting smells ahead of other criteria. |
| Cleaning and oil | Which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe, according to the model’s instructions. | If you want to handle less oil and have less to clean after cooking, check exactly which parts need attention; around 22% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Space and duplication | The dimensions, storage space and clearances specified in the instructions. | If your worktop or cupboards are already crowded, consider whether your existing oven will do the job; around 22% of consumers put available space first. |
| Portions per batch | The amount of food specified for the recipe, the number of batches required and tests of the exact model. | If you need to prepare a particular quantity, compare the food capacity rather than the volume in litres alone; around 17% of consumers prioritise portion size and results per batch. |
| Whether it’s worth buying | How often you expect to use it, which dishes you make in the oven and any consumables you may need. | If you rarely cook fried food, check whether your existing oven already meets your needs; around 11% of consumers prioritise avoiding the expense. |
Hot-air cooking and immersion frying are two different methods. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results from air-fried chips vary between models.
First decide what kind of results you’re looking for, then compare cooking methods and cleaning requirements without expecting a promise of completely odour-free cooking.
For the Tefal Filtra Pro FR511170, the manufacturer specifies a 3 L oil capacity and a stated capacity of up to 1 kg of chips.
Check the amount of food specified for your recipe and look for tests of the exact model.
If the capacity is too small for your needs, you may have to cook several batches in a row.
Your oven may already handle some of the cooking tasks offered by an air fryer, while an oil fryer needs different care and cleaning.
Compare how often you cook these dishes in the oven, and check which parts can be removed and whether any consumables are needed for the model you’re considering.
The Filtra Pro FR511170 is an example of an electric deep fryer to compare if you want to stick with immersion frying.
The Easy Fry range includes hot-air models; the EZ145820 is listed with a 3 L basket.
The Series 2000 NA210/00 is a hot-air model with a stated capacity of 3.2 L.
Compare deep fryers if you want to keep immersion frying, and hot-air models if you’d rather avoid managing a pan of oil. Your choice will depend on factors such as portion sizes, cleaning and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you want to stick with immersion frying; this cooking method means you’ll need to manage the oil.
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For immersion frying, check this model’s capacity and the parts that need cleaning on the product page and in the instructions.
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This model is listed with an active charcoal filter for those who want to keep deep-frying.
The product page specifies 3.5 L of oil and up to 650 g of frozen chips. It also says that the removable parts are dishwasher-safe.
A filter, even if included, doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking.
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Hot-air cooking may suit you if you want to avoid managing a pan of oil, as long as you’re happy with a different result from deep-frying.
The product page lists two glass containers of 5.7 L and 2.3 L, five cooking functions, and containers and accessories that are dishwasher-safe.
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Worth comparing if you want to cook with hot air without filling or filtering a pan of oil; the results differ from immersion frying.
The product page lists two containers of 3.8 L and 1.4 L, Air Fry and Roast functions, and glass containers and accessories that are dishwasher-safe.
No. An air fryer cooks with hot air rather than by immersion. UFC-Que Choisir describes reduced smells as a possible benefit, but does not establish that cooking will be completely odour-free or that every model gives the same results.
Distinguish between the capacity of the bowl or basket and the amount of food it is designed for. For the Tefal FR511170, the manufacturer specifies 3 L of oil and up to 1 kg of chips. For a hot-air basket, the litre capacity alone doesn’t prove that a given portion will cook in one batch.
No. Cleaning instructions depend on the parts and the model. Tefal says the removable parts of the FR511170 are dishwasher-safe, except for the heating unit, while Moulinex lists the EZ145820 basket as dishwasher-safe. For other parts, follow the instructions for the model in question.
Not for that reason alone. In tests of some smaller recipes, UFC-Que Choisir found that air fryers used less electricity than a mini oven. Results depend on the dishes and appliances tested, and aren’t enough to establish whether buying one would save you money.
No. For the Filtra Pro FR511170, limiting smells is a claim made by the manufacturer, not a guarantee of odour-free cooking. Compare the cooking method and cleaning requirements with what matters most to you.