For occasional frying, first see whether your oven or frying pan already meets your needs. If you prefer deep-frying, a traditional fryer may be all you need, as Que Choisir suggests. An air fryer means you don’t have to store a pan of oil, but it takes up space and results vary between models. An electric deep fryer is worth considering if you’re looking for specific features such as removable parts or oil filtration, but don’t want to do away with oil altogether.
You sometimes make chips, breaded food or doughnuts, but would rather avoid splashes and storing a pan of oil. An air fryer may suit your needs, though you’ll need to find space for it and check how to clean it.
You prefer this cooking method, even if you don’t use it often. Que Choisir says a traditional fryer may be enough if you rarely eat fried food; an electric deep fryer is worth considering if its cleaning features would be useful to you.
You need to decide whether an extra appliance is worth the space it will take up. Consider using your existing oven or frying pan before buying anything; Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can be bulky.
First decide whether deep-frying is essential for you, then weigh up each option against the space you have and the jobs involved after cooking.
Consider it: for occasional frying if you want to deep-fry on a compatible hob.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to handle hot oil, deal with possible splashes and manage the oil after use.
Consider it: if you want to deep-fry without using up a hob ring.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to manage the oil; a removable bowl and filtration system depend on the model.
Consider it: if you want to avoid storing a pan of oil and plan to use the appliance for other types of cooking too.
Bear in mind: it doesn’t use the deep-frying method and may be bulky or noisy, according to Que Choisir.
Consider it: if you only prepare these foods very occasionally and your existing appliances already meet your needs.
Bear in mind: depending on what you’re making, the method won’t be the same as using a deep fryer.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure to oil | Compare the cooking methods and, for deep-frying, the instructions for handling and disposing of the oil. | If splashes and storing oil bother me more than the difference in cooking method, I’ll choose air frying. Around 33% of consumers would put this concern first. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check which parts can be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and, where applicable, how the filtration system works. | After making something now and then, I want to be able to clean and put the appliance away without too much effort. Around 27% of consumers would have this priority. |
| Deep-frying | For a traditional fryer, check that it’s compatible with your hob; for an electric model, look at the features of the specific model. | For my chips, breaded food or doughnuts, deep-frying comes first, and I’m happy to manage the oil afterwards. Around 20% of consumers would make this their top consideration. |
| Available space | Measure your worktop and storage space, then see whether your oven or frying pan is enough for the food you make. | When I rarely cook these foods, avoiding another appliance matters more than having a dedicated feature. Around 20% of consumers would put this first. |
Que Choisir points out that these appliances can be bulky and somewhat noisy. If you only use one occasionally, the space it takes up when you’re not cooking matters too.
Measure the space on your worktop and in your cupboards, and compare the basket capacity with your usual portion sizes.
ADEME says frying 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 check what local disposal options are available.
You may need to store the container and take it to a collection point.
Tefal describes a filtration system on its OleoClean Pro FR804110, while Moulinex says that the removable parts on its EZ505810 are dishwasher-safe. These features aren’t available on every deep fryer or air fryer.
Check the instructions for the model you’re considering to find out which parts can be removed, which aren’t dishwasher-safe, and what the instructions say about filtering or cooling.
Worth considering if you’re looking for an electric deep fryer with cleaning features, rather than choosing a model based on size alone.
Worth considering for an air fryer if you plan to use it for other types of cooking and value easy-to-clean removable parts.
Worth considering if easy cleaning of the basket and drawer is important when choosing an air fryer.
These Joybuy appliances let you compare two dedicated options: air frying and electric deep-frying. For each model, compare the stated capacity with your portion sizes and the cleaning involved with how often you’ll use it.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare small portions without storing a pan of oil.
Stated capacity of 2 L, power of 1150 W, non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe, and a 60-minute timer.
Check its dimensions before deciding where to keep it in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you prefer air frying to managing a pan of oil.
Before choosing this model, check how much space you’ll need for the appliance and its containers, along with the handling and cleaning instructions.
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Worth considering if you want to keep deep-frying with an electric appliance.
Stated capacity of 3.5 L and XL anti-mist window. Check you have enough space and read the model’s cleaning instructions; the oil will still need to cool before you store or dispose of it correctly.
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Worth considering if you want an air fryer with a stated capacity of 4 L for your portion sizes, as well as for other occasional cooking.
Power of 1500 W, eight stated modes, temperature control from 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the space it will take up and the cleaning instructions for this model’s parts.
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Worth considering for small portions of deep-fried food if you’re happy to manage the oil after each time you use it.
Stated capacity of 1.5 L and power of 900 W. Check the bowl cleaning instructions before buying, and plan to let the used oil cool before disposing of it appropriately.
No. ADEME says used frying 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 check your local council’s collection arrangements.
It depends on the material the bowl is made from. Que Choisir recommends checking that it’s suitable for induction: an aluminium cast bowl won’t work, while a steel bowl is the better choice.
It could be, if its size and other uses suit the way you cook, but it could also duplicate what you already have. If you only make chips very occasionally, first compare what your oven can already cook with the space another appliance would take up; Que Choisir advises considering the risk of buying more equipment than you need.
No. Removable parts, dishwasher compatibility and filtration systems vary by model. Check the instructions for the model you’re considering to see which parts can be removed and how to clean the appliance or store the oil. A feature listed for one Tefal, Moulinex or Philips model won’t automatically be available on others.