If you want to avoid handling and storing a bath of oil, start by looking at air fryers, but don’t assume they’ll be quiet or produce the same results as deep-frying in oil. If you prefer oil frying, an electric fryer may make some tasks easier, depending on its features, but its filter won’t get rid of every smell. For occasional use, a traditional fryer that’s compatible with your hob is also worth considering.
In an open-plan or poorly ventilated kitchen, smells can matter more than the choice of features. Que Choisir points out that filters vary in effectiveness between oil fryers. Good ventilation is still important, especially when handling the basket.
If you rarely cook fried food, compare the space taken up by a dedicated appliance with the cookware you already own. Que Choisir suggests a traditional fryer as an option for occasional use; check that it’s compatible with your hob.
The number of batches you’ll need to cook matters just as much as the stated capacity. Different measurements aren’t directly comparable: Tefal lists 3,5 L of oil and 1,2 kg of food for its OleoClean Inox & Design. Compare each model’s stated capacity with the portions you usually prepare.
First, decide how you want to cook: keep using a bath of oil, switch to hot-air cooking or use equipment you already own. Then compare specific models for smells, ease of use and the space they need.
Worth considering: for occasional frying, if the pan is suitable for your hob.
Bear in mind: it takes up a hob ring and requires you to handle hot oil directly.
Worth considering: if you want to fry in oil, with filtration or built-in oil storage available on some models.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to manage the oil, and filters don’t trap every smell, as Que Choisir points out.
Worth considering: if you’d rather cook without a bath of oil to filter and store.
Bear in mind: results depend on the model and the amount of food. Que Choisir also lists noise as a factor to compare.
Worth considering: if you rarely cook crispy food and your existing equipment can handle your usual portions.
Bear in mind: results depend on the food and cooking method; this option won’t necessarily replace frying in a bath of oil.
| Factor | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Smells | For an oil fryer, check the filter and when the basket is uncovered; make sure your kitchen can be ventilated properly. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to stop frying smells lingering after a meal. Around 25% of consumers say this is their top concern. |
| Managing the oil | Check how to cool, filter, store and dispose of the oil; an integrated system will depend on the model. | If I cook regularly, I don’t want to keep transferring oil between containers or finding space to store them. Managing the oil is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the appliance’s external dimensions, stated food capacity and the number of batches you’re happy to cook, rather than looking at litres alone. | I need to serve my usual portions without taking over the worktop. Around 15% of consumers put the balance between capacity and size first. |
| Cleaning and handling | Check which parts can be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and what the instructions say about hot surfaces. | After cooking, I want to let the appliance cool and clean it without awkwardly handling hot oil. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ease of handling. |
| Results and noise | Look for comparable tests using the foods and quantities you cook; for an air fryer, check how noisy it is too. | I’d rather check how it cooks the food I make, even if that means cooking in several batches or doing more cleaning. Cooking results are the top factor for around 20% of consumers. |
According to Que Choisir, filters in oil fryers don’t prevent every smell, particularly when the basket is lowered into the oil or lifted out.
Check the type of filter and how to maintain it, and make sure you can ventilate your kitchen while the fryer is in use.
The stated capacity of an air fryer and the volume of oil in a fryer don’t tell you the same thing about how much food you can cook. The appliance’s external size may also affect your choice.
Check the model’s guidance for the foods you usually cook, measure the space you have available and decide how many batches you’re happy to make.
With a deep fryer, cleaning and maintenance also involve cooling the oil, filtering it if necessary, and storing or disposing of used oil.
Before you buy, work out where you can leave the appliance to cool and how you’ll manage the oil in line with local disposal options.
Que Choisir found that cooking results vary between air fryer models. Noise is also worth considering in an open-plan kitchen.
Look for tests using foods and quantities similar to yours, then check the filling instructions for the model you’re considering.
Worth considering when comparing electric oil fryers, some of which feature oil filtration and storage.
Worth considering when comparing air fryers in different sizes.
Worth considering if cleaning and maintenance instructions are important to you when choosing an Airfryer.
Worth considering when comparing air fryer formats, including models with multiple drawers.
These models let you compare two of the options discussed here: an electric deep fryer and an air fryer. For each one, consider whether the stated size suits your portions and whether you’re happy with the handling involved.
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Worth a look if you want to keep cooking in a bath of oil. This model is listed with an anti-fog viewing window; check how to maintain the filter, and remember that you’ll still need to manage the oil after cooking.
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Worth a look if you want to cook without a bath of oil and use two drawers for different dishes. The model name lists six functions; check how much space you’ll need around the appliance and the filling instructions for each drawer.
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Worth a look if you want two baskets for cooking separate dishes in oil. The model name lists two independent thermostats, 3 600 W of power and anti-odour filters. These filters don’t remove the need to ventilate your kitchen or let the oil cool before cleaning.
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Worth a look if you want an air fryer for several portions without having to store a bath of oil. The stated capacity is 7,6 L; measure the external dimensions before relying on the word ‘Compact’.
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Worth a look if you prefer hot-air cooking and want to compare container sizes for your portions. Check the capacity of each container and how to handle them safely after cooking.
No. According to Que Choisir, a filter can trap some of the vapour while cooking, but it can’t prevent smells when the basket is lowered into the oil or lifted out. Make sure your kitchen is properly ventilated, even with a model that has a filter.
Switch off and unplug the appliance, let it cool, then follow the instructions for each part. Moulinex and Philips advise against using abrasive accessories on the relevant coatings; check which parts of your model are dishwasher-safe.
Let it cool and store it in a sealed container, then follow the local guidance for disposal. Don’t pour it down the sink or toilet. Bear this step in mind if you choose to cook in a bath of oil.
Yes, but only if its pan is induction-compatible. Que Choisir recommends a steel pan rather than one made of cast aluminium for induction; also check the instructions for both the pan and your hob.