Air fryers have become increasingly popular. An air fryer has a heating element and fan, which circulates hot air around the food at high speed until it’s cooked. You get crispy food without deep frying it in oil with an air fryer, making it healthier. Using hot air to cook instead of oil is one reason air fryers dominate the kitchenware craze. 8 Benefits Of Cooking With An Air Fryer
Air fryers suit the demanding lifestyles of many people today who want to spend less time in the kitchen. They are user-friendly, efficient, and convenient. Given the functionality and popularity of the kitchen appliance, you may be wondering what to look for when buying one.
What to look for when choosing an air fryer
1. Capacity
Air fryers come in different sizes ranging from small, medium to large. Manufacturers indicate the capacity in either quarts or liters. The smaller sizes come in 1.5-2l, medium ones have a capacity of 3-5l, while the large ones can be 12l.
If you cook for 1-2 people, you would mostly opt for a smaller size. People with more prominent families of 6-8 people need a larger size. Otherwise, getting a small size would necessitate cooking in batches.
2. Functionality
As the name suggests, the most basic function of the kitchen appliance is air frying. The most basic air fryers mainly offer this functionality. However, the appliance can also have various features like a roast, grill, reheat, air fry, rotisserie, dehydrate and bake. Your cooking needs should guide you on the kind you need.
3. Digital or manual controls
An air fryer’s timer and temperature controls can be digital or manual. While you can work with manual controls to cook different recipes, digital controls provide better accuracy.
4. Design of the air fryer
The design of your kitchen appliance matters because of personal preference and circumstances. If you have limited counter-top space, you should consider a smaller portable one. People with larger spaces can opt for larger ones.
- Shape
You might prefer to buy an egg-shaped (somewhat round) air fryer if you intend to cook small amounts of food and have limited space. A square-shaped one is better for larger families and people with more space.
- Width of the basket
The basket’s width also matters when looking at the design because a more comprehensive basket helps you cook more items without layering. A broader basket is ideal for making burger patties and chicken wings. If you get a basket with depth, remember to turn your food, so it cooks evenly.
- Noise
Pick an air fryer with a noise level you can withstand. Some will affect your kitchen conversations, so you might be unable to bond over dinner preparation.
5. Ease of cleaning the air fryer
Many people opt not to use their air fryers when they are challenging to clean. Some people don’t mind the extra cleaning work but choose one that’s easy to clean if you’re not in that bracket. A conventional rule for non-stick material is soaking your appliance in hot water with dishwashing liquid immediately after emptying it. The soaking saves you from dealing with sticky grease and other food remains. Most are also dishwasher safe.
6. Price
For many people, price is a top consideration. Prices of air fryers range from Ksh4,000- to 30,000 for high-end ones. The size and features guide the price. Additionally, the brand name will also influence the price.
International brands with good air fryers include GoWISE, Instant Vortex, Cosori, Ninja, Philips, and Black + Decker from customer reviews. You may have to import some of these brands. Locally, you can find Philips, Nutricook, and Von brands, among others. Compare the features and reviews of similar models to avoid paying more for a brand name while you could get a cheaper appliance with the same capabilities.
7. Wattage
Similar to other kitchen gadgets, you should check the recommended wattage of your kitchen outlets. Standard air fryers’ wattage ranges between 800 watts to 1500 watts, but some go up to 2175 watts. Most kitchen outlets support 800-1500 watts, but it’s good to check before deciding on your preferred model.
8. Warranty
It’s essential to know the warranty period before purchasing your kitchenware. Some warranties cover you for a couple of months and others for a year. Air fryers are not cheap, so you need insurance in case something goes wrong within months of buying one.
9. Customizable presets
Although this is not a significant consideration because you can easily set your cooking preferences, some people have a particular method of making some meals. If you have a favorite meal that you often cook at certain temperatures, you may opt for air fryers with customizable presets. This may not be a consideration for everyone.
10. Connectivity
For people who love technology and gadgets, you might want an air fryer with WiFi connectivity. Some even have connectivity features that allow you to link it to your phone so you can monitor some functions on your phone instead of having to check physically. It’s not a consideration for many people.
The bottom line on choosing an air fryer
When choosing this kitchenware, pick one that suits your individual needs. Don’t pick one because of the hype around it; you don’t want to buy something you’ll hardly use. Most air fryers have similar features, so do your due diligence to find which differentiating feature is essential to you.
Check out 8 Benefits Of Cooking With An Air Fryer
Also, here are some hacks to cook with less oil. Lifestyle: 7 Hacks For Cooking With Less Oil
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