It feels as if, in the last couple of years, air fryers have appeared out of thin air and are suddenly occupying the countertops of every health-conscious household in the UK.
One of the cleanest, quickest ways to fry, roast, and grill in your kitchen, air fryers enable you to streamline your cooking methods and save your time, all while enjoying crispy, crunchy foods using far less fat. Result!
From perfect home-cooked chips to crunchy chicken tenders, there is a whole world of incredible foods to try with your new air fryer. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; there are several things to ponder, from space to safety, before you make your purchase. These are those; our things to consider before buying an air fryer.
Things To Consider Before Buying An Air Fryer For Your Kitchen
Although the best air fryer is one of the most modern and convenient routes to healthy, tasty food in just minutes, they do take some getting used to.
You’ll also need to make a few decisions regarding the specification of yours:
- Different Types Of Air Fryers: You can find a huge range of air fryers on the market, but the main decision you’ll have to make is if you’ll need a double basket or a single basket. Keep in mind that even if you buy a dual basket air fryer, you can generally only cook on one setting at the same time. The dual feature simply allows you to separate your meat from your vegetables, for instance, or cook two foods with different flavour profiles away from each other.
- Element: Typically, most air fryers have the element close to the basket, which is not good for your food. In fact, such close proximity can dry out your food quite markedly. Ideally, the better air fryers on the market have their basket raised a little above the element, so they’re not directly touching it.
- Capacity: If you have a small family, you can select a compact air fryer, but for larger families and meals, you may need to cook in multiple batches when using an air fryer. Most air fryers have a max fill line that shows how much food they can hold at once. Air fryer sizes are usually referred to in litres (here in the UK) or quarts (in the US). A 3.8 litre basket capacity is generally considered enough to feed a large family – equivalent to six portions of French fries, for instance. A 5 litre air fryer will comfortably roast a whole chicken.
- Viewing Window: Without it, you can’t see your food.
- Counterspace: The air fryer won’t take up a lot of space in your kitchen, but it is better to make sure that you have enough space on your kitchen countertop before buying one. As a very general rule of thumb, air fryers take up around the same amount of space as a mini-fridge.
Safety Tips & Things To Avoid While Using An Air Fryer
Fundamentally, air fryers are a great way to cook delicious foods using little oil, and offer plenty of benefits over both deep-fat frying and traditional ovens. Contrary to popular belief, they can also be used for more than just fried food, so you can get creative with what you make!
However, there are some safety concerns that you must be aware of when using an air fryer. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Never use water or any other liquid in an air fryer because it will cause damage to the appliance.
- Read the manual before using your air fryer for the first time.
- Do not touch any element when your air fryer is on. Use a silicone glove or oven gloves.
- Always place your air fryer in a ventilated area.
- Don’t use chemicals for cleaning; it might start to spoil the coating on a nonstick basket or tray.
- Don’t crowd your air fryer basket; leave some space for air to circulate so that the food cooks evenly.
- Don’t place anything on top of your air fryer.
- Always make sure that all machine parts are completely dry before use as they can become damaged if damp. This includes any removable parts such as baskets or trays!
- Do not leave an air fryer unattended whilst items cook inside because it could overheat and cause damage due to thermal shock, which happens when there’s too much heat inside.
- Unplug your air fryer immediately after use.
The Bottom Line
So, there you have it, your things to consider before buying an air fryer. Now you’re equipped with this knowledge, we can’t wait to hear what delicious, healthy meals you produce!
Wondering what other gadgets and gizmos your kitchen needs? Check out these essential kitchen gadgets to take your cooking to the next level.