What is this trendy appliance?

An air fryer or air grill is essentially a miniature oven, but its heating elements are located only at the top and are accompanied by a powerful fan. Usually, the fryer also comes with a perforated basket or rack where the food is placed, ensuring that hot air is available from all sides and that the food is cooked quickly and evenly.

This trendy appliance is particularly popular with those who live a healthy lifestyle. Unlike conventional deep fryers, where food is cooked in heated oil, an air fryer allows you to cook your meal with little or no oil, but without burning the food, and with a crispy exterior.

What should be considered when choosing an air fryer?

Before buying one, Elektrum energy efficiency experts encourage you to consider what you want to use it for, how often and what type of food you will cook. While an air fryer may look like a multi cooker, it should be remembered that these are two different appliances. What is the difference? A multi-cooker is more suited for stewing and boiling, while an air fryer is more suited for frying.

When choosing an air fryer, particular attention should be paid to the volume of the appliance. The larger the volume, the higher the capacity of the appliance. It also determines how many products you will be able to cook at a given time and at the same time. Smaller air fryers (1.2 litres) will be more suitable for 1–2 people, medium sized (3–4 litres) are recommended for a 2–3 person household and larger (6 litres or more) will be suitable for larger families of 4–6 people.

In theory, the larger the family, the bigger the fryer necessary. Note that a smaller volume air fryer will also mean a quicker meal, as the food reaches the hot air faster and more frequently than in a larger volume fryer, where the air has to circulate in a larger space.

At the same time, the capacity of the appliance should be assessed to determine how quickly it will reach the required temperature – the faster the time, the less electricity it will consume.

There are different models on the market that will perform the basic functions in the same way. You can choose between an appliance with manual temperature and cooking time settings, an appliance with automatic calculations, a touchscreen and other additional features. Individual preferences and possibilities should be taken into account when evaluating the offer.

What is the difference between an oven and an air fryer?

The most obvious difference is in their size – an air fryer is a countertop appliance (small appliance), with a smaller volume than a traditional oven. In terms of performance, an air fryer is equivalent to an oven, but an air fryer will reach the required temperature faster and start cooking immediately, reducing the total cooking time and also the total amount of electricity consumed. It is advisable to carefully evaluate the available functions of the fryer and their usefulness. For example, some fryer models also have a drying function, which allows you to dry a variety of fruit and vegetables, which can then be used as a snack or side dish. However, we urge you not to be tempted by thinking about how often you will actually use these functions!

When assessing your preference for a modern fryer, it is also worth considering a mini oven, especially if you plan to cook larger meals. Mini ovens have a number of additional features (similar to larger ovens) that air fryers do not.

A comparison of the electricity consumption of electrical appliances, using the maximum power of the appliances, shows that a built-in oven (71 l) will consume approximately 1.77 kWh per 30 minutes. A freestanding smaller oven (6.2–20 l), on average, will consume 0.5–1.0 kWh, while an air fryer (4–6.2 l) will consume up to 0.7–1.7 kWh.

Cooking with the new kitchen assistant

Although most often associated with making chips (French fries) or chicken nuggets, air fryers are much more versatile. They can cook most of the foods you would normally cook in a deep fryer or oven, including meat, fish, vegetables and baked goods. Note that when using racks, it is not advisable to place the products in the dough casing in the fryer, as the dough will run off. It is also advisable to choose dry seasonings, as less moisture will give a crispier result.

Knowing that this is a healthy alternative to a deep fryer, most meat products do not need oil added if they are juicy enough – just salt and your favourite seasonings. Leaner cuts of meat should be lightly brushed with vegetable or rapeseed oil, which are more heat-resistant. If you want to add a sauce to your meal, do it in the last few minutes of cooking.

Caring for your new fryer kitchen assistant

• Always unplug the appliance and make sure it has cooled down before cleaning!
• It is recommended to clean the air fryer after each use.
• Most cooking baskets and racks of air fryers can be cleaned in the dishwasher. However, if this is not possible, it is recommended to use a damp sponge or soft cloth to access all the nooks and crannies of the basket and rack.
• If oil has accumulated in the cooking compartment after cooking, it should first be wiped with a paper towel.
• Be gentle and do not clean too vigorously, avoid abrasive (too sharp) cleaning tools, as many air fryer baskets are coated with a non-flammable coating that can easily be rubbed off.
• If the basket or rack attached to the appliance is difficult to clean, soak it in warm water for about 10 minutes and then wash and wipe thoroughly.
• After cleaning, dry the appliance thoroughly with a dry cloth or towel.

For other useful tips, see EsmuEfektivs.lv for inspiration on efficient and smart home management and for advice on choosing smart appliances from Elektrum energy efficiency experts!