If your main aim is to avoid deep-frying in oil and reduce smells when frying occasionally, start by considering an air fryer. However, it can take up space, make some noise and produce a different result from oil frying. An electric deep fat fryer is a good choice if you want to keep cooking this way while looking for parts that are easy to maintain. For occasional use, a traditional fryer is also an option if it’s compatible with your hob and you’re happy to handle hot oil.
If you make chips, breaded foods or doughnuts but don’t want your kitchen to smell of oil afterwards, compare air frying with deep-frying in oil. Que Choisir notes that air fryers can reduce smells, but doesn’t promise completely odour-free cooking.
If draining the oil and washing the accessories put you off, check which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe. The specifications published by Moulinex, Tefal and Philips show why it’s worth checking these details for each model.
A traditional fryer may suit occasional use if you’re happy to keep an eye on the oil and handle it safely. If you have an induction hob, be sure to check that the pan is compatible, as Que Choisir points out.
Consider it if: you want to cook using hot air instead of a bath of oil and reduce the smells associated with frying.
Bear in mind: the result will differ from oil frying. The appliance also sits on your worktop and may be bulky or noisy, according to Que Choisir’s guide.
Consider it if: you want to keep deep-frying in oil and adjust the temperature without using a hob.
Bear in mind: the maintenance and safety precautions that come with hot oil. A filtration system doesn’t mean there will be no cooking smells.
Consider it if: you want to deep-fry occasionally on the hob and the pan is compatible with it.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to monitor the oil, there may be splashes, and the hob will be occupied while you cook.
If you occasionally make chips, breaded foods or doughnuts at home, start with the factor that matters most to you, then check the specifications of the model you’re considering.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and oil | Whether it cooks with or without a bath of oil; how to clean away residue after cooking. | If the smell of oil lingers in my kitchen, I want to reduce how often I use a bath of oil without expecting there to be no smell at all. Around 31% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Cleaning | Removable parts and dishwasher compatibility; a draining or filtration system for an oil fryer. | After cooking occasionally, I’d rather avoid a long clean-up and handle the oil as little as possible. Maintenance comes first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Cooking and portions | A cooking method suited to the food you’re preparing; usable capacity per batch, rather than just the stated volume. | For my chips, breaded foods or doughnuts, I want to choose the cooking method and batch size that suit me, even if that means more maintenance. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
| Space and compatibility | Compatibility with your hob, particularly induction; the space needed and a stable spot for an electric appliance. | In my kitchen, the appliance needs to work with my hob or have a safe place on the worktop. This is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
Que Choisir presents reducing smells as a benefit of air fryers, not a guarantee for every recipe or kitchen.
If smells are a key factor in your choice, make sure your kitchen is properly ventilated and clean away greasy residue after use.
According to Que Choisir, a traditional fryer pan made from cast aluminium won’t work on an induction hob.
Check the compatibility details for the exact model, the material of the pan and the diameter required for your cooking zone.
Dishwasher compatibility applies to the parts specified by the manufacturer, not necessarily the whole appliance or its coated surfaces.
Check the instructions to see which parts can be removed and which need to be washed by hand, and follow the cooling guidance.
The French National Consumer Institute reminds us that very hot oil can cause burns in the kitchen. You also need to take care when choosing where to place a cooking appliance.
Place the appliance on a stable, heat-resistant surface, keep it out of children’s reach, and follow the instructions while cooking and letting it cool down.
The Easy Fry range includes air fryers in different sizes, as well as appliances that combine several cooking methods.
The Oleo Clean range of electric deep fat fryers focuses on oil filtration and management.
Philips offers Airfryer models with removable accessories and provides care instructions for its appliances.
These models cover hot-air cooking without a bath of oil, as well as electric deep-frying in oil. Compare their capacity and maintenance requirements based on what matters most to you. Don’t take the specifications of an oil fryer as a promise of odour-free cooking.
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Worth considering if you’d like to use two drawers to cook food with hot air rather than in a bath of oil.
The model name specifies a capacity of 7.6 L and six cooking modes. Check that your portions will fit without overfilling the drawers, and that the appliance will fit on your worktop.
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The flexible dual-basket design may appeal if you want to cook two different foods in one air fryer.
The product name mentions a viewing window, 12 cooking modes and dishwasher-safe baskets. Check the appliance dimensions against the space you have available.
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Its 2 L capacity is worth considering if you make small portions without using a bath of oil.
The product is listed with a 60-minute timer and a removable, non-stick, dishwasher-safe basket. Check that 2 L is enough for your usual portions.
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Worth considering if you prefer cooking in a bath of oil and want to keep an eye on your food through an anti-fog window.
The product name specifies a capacity of 3.5 L. The advertised filter doesn’t guarantee there will be no smells, so you’ll also need to handle the hot oil and let it cool down safely.
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Its two baskets and independent thermostats may suit you if you want to cook two different foods separately in oil.
The product is listed with removable baskets and anti-odour filters. These filters don’t remove the need to ventilate your kitchen or take care when handling hot oil.
Not necessarily. According to Que Choisir, a cast-aluminium pan isn’t suitable for induction, unlike a compatible steel pan. Check the compatibility details for the exact model and the diameter required for your cooking zone.
Let it cool down, then follow the instructions for your model to clean the removable parts and the interior separately. Philips recommends waiting around 30 minutes before cleaning its Airfryer models and avoiding metal utensils and abrasive products on the non-stick coating. Check which parts of your model are dishwasher-safe.
Place the appliance on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface, leaving the clearances specified in the instructions. Moulinex advises keeping its air fryer away from water and not placing it against a wall. Keep appliances and containers of hot oil out of children’s reach.
Keep your proof of purchase, the instructions and information about the guarantees that apply to the product. In France, the DGCCRF distinguishes legal guarantees, including the guarantee of conformity and the guarantee against hidden defects, from any additional commercial guarantee. The terms of a commercial guarantee don’t replace your legal rights.