If the smell of deep-fat frying and disposing of used oil are your main concerns, an air fryer is worth considering. It won’t promise an odour-free kitchen, though: you’ll need to make room for it and be happy with hot-air cooking rather than deep-frying. If you prefer deep-frying, an electric deep-fat fryer lets you keep using this method, but you’ll still need to maintain and dispose of the oil. For occasional use, an oven or frying pan can save you from buying another appliance. A traditional hob-top fryer, meanwhile, calls for particular care over stability, splashes and induction compatibility.
You enjoy making breaded or crispy foods, but the smell of hot oil puts you off getting the fryer out. For you, the cooking method matters more than promises about filtration. UFC-Que Choisir lists odours among the reasons people are put off using a deep-fat fryer.
You need to cook enough food for several people without making batch after batch or filling up the kitchen. It’s worth looking at the stated capacity, basket layout and overall dimensions together.
You’re choosing between adding a standalone appliance and using a frying pan or traditional fryer. The space you have available may help you decide. If you cook on an induction hob, check that the specific pan or fryer is compatible.
For breaded or typically fried foods, first decide whether deep-frying is essential. Then compare the space required, the number of portions and the maintenance each option involves.
Worth considering: if you want to cook without having to manage a pan of oil.
Bear in mind: it uses hot air, and the appliance can take up space and make noise, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Worth considering: if you want to deep-fry without using the hob.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to clean and dispose of the oil, even if the model has a filter.
Worth considering: for occasional frying, if the pan is suitable for your hob.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to keep an eye on the hot oil, the pan’s stability and any splashes.
Worth considering: if your portions are suited to the equipment you already own.
Bear in mind: results depend on the cooking method you choose. With a frying pan, you’ll also need to consider splashes and hob compatibility.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Odours and used oil | Cooking method; access to parts that need cleaning or to the filter. | If the smell of hot oil bothers me every day, I mainly want to avoid having a pan of oil to maintain. Around 33% of consumers put this need first. |
| Portions and space | Capacity suited to the food you prepare; dimensions and clearance needed to open the appliance. | When cooking for several people, I want to cut down on batches without taking over the whole worktop. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cooking method | Deep-frying or hot-air cooking; the dishes you plan to make regularly. | If deep-frying matters more to me than the versatility of hot-air cooking, I need to choose the cooking method before the appliance format. Around 27% of consumers would put this question of results first. |
| Hob and handling | Induction compatibility of the exact model; stability of the fryer or pan. | With an induction hob or little room to handle hot oil, I want to rule out unsuitable cookware and reduce the risk of splashes. This would be a priority for around 13% of consumers. |
UFC-Que Choisir describes air fryers as producing less odour, while claims that some deep-fat fryers reduce smells depend on the model. Neither means that all cooking smells will disappear.
If your priority is avoiding a pan of oil, start with the cooking method. For a fryer with a filter, check the maintenance requirements for the model you’re considering rather than relying on a general promise.
A capacity in litres tells you neither the appliance’s external dimensions nor the space needed to open a drawer or lid. This is especially important in a kitchen where the worktop is already full.
Measure the space available and check the clearances specified in the instructions. A dual-basket model is most useful if you genuinely plan to cook two things at once.
A filter or cool zone doesn’t mean you can ignore used oil. ADEME advises that it must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or released into the environment.
Before choosing a deep-fat fryer, set aside a sealed container and find out where you can dispose of the oil locally.
Cooling, temporary storage and disposing of the oil all add extra steps after each period of use.
UFC-Que Choisir warns that a traditional fryer made from cast aluminium is not suitable for induction. De Buyer explains that some aluminium cookware is only compatible when it has a suitable magnetic base. The material alone, then, isn’t enough to assess every model.
Look for an explicit “induction” statement in the product details or instructions for the exact fryer or pan you’re considering.
These ranges show some configurations worth comparing. Your choice depends on the features of the specific model, not just the brand name.
The Filtra Pro and Clear Duo electric deep-fat fryers let you compare filtration, the pan and the parts that need cleaning if deep-frying is still your priority.
The Easy Fry range includes air fryers in different sizes and capacities. It’s worth exploring if you want to cook with hot air while keeping maintenance and the space required in mind.
The Airfryer range includes models with stacked baskets, so you can cook two foods in separate compartments.
These appliances represent two of the options covered above: hot-air cooking without a pan of oil, and deep-frying in an electric fryer. To compare them, start with the cooking method you want, then check the space available and the maintenance it involves.
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Worth considering if you want to keep deep-frying while exploring ways to reduce odours. This fryer has a stated capacity of 3,5 L. Tefal says the Clear Duo’s filtration system reduces smells, though it may not eliminate them entirely.
You’ll still need to maintain and dispose of the oil. Check how much space it needs before choosing a spot for it.
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Worth considering if you want to cook with hot air and use two compartments for separate dishes. The model name states a total capacity of 12 L and there are 10 preset programmes, but the capacity alone won’t tell you how much space it will take up.
Before choosing where to put it or how to clean it, check the dimensions, the clearance required and the basket-washing instructions in the manual.
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Worth a look if you want to deep-fry using two separate baskets. The model has two independent thermostats, a power rating of 3 600 W and anti-odour filters. These filters don’t mean that all smells will disappear.
Plan how you’ll handle and dispose of the hot oil after use. Check the external dimensions before deciding where to put it in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for hot-air cooking and your portions suit a basket with a stated capacity of 3,2 L. This figure alone won’t tell you how many portions you can cook of each type of food.
Before choosing a spot for it, allow for the 100 mm clearance on all sides specified for this model. Hot-air cooking doesn’t guarantee odour-free results.
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Worth considering if you want to cook with hot air and keep an eye on your food as it cooks. The model has a stated capacity of 7 L, a window and a digital display. Compare the usable capacity with the dishes you plan to make rather than assuming it will serve a set number of portions.
Check its dimensions and the clearance required for your worktop. Read the manual before putting the basket in the dishwasher.
No. An air fryer doesn’t guarantee an odour-free kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir describes it as producing less odour than deep-frying. Clean the basket and other parts according to the instructions to avoid leaving food residue behind after use.
ADEME advises that cooking oil must not be poured down the sink or toilet, or released into the environment. Let it cool, put it in a sealed container and find out where your local disposal point is.
No. Check that the specific pan or fryer is induction-compatible before you buy. UFC-Que Choisir warns against using traditional cast-aluminium fryers on this type of hob. De Buyer explains that some aluminium cookware needs a suitable magnetic base.
No. According to DGCCRF, the CE mark is not a certification mark. It shows that the manufacturer declares the product meets the applicable European requirements, but it does not independently certify its quality or performance. When choosing an appliance, read its instructions and safety guidance too.