Air Fryers: Anyone know what the good, the bad & ugly are on these? There seems to be many models for sale. Was wondering if these cookers are what they are cracked up to be. Cooking...

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Anyone know what the good, the bad & ugly are on these? There seems to be many models for sale. Was wondering if these cookers are what they are cracked up to be. Cooking concept is intriguing, but are they more gimmick than functional?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I would guess they are similar to the convection oven I've used for over 40 years. It circulates heated air through the compartment where food is cooked. The food is never exposed directly to the heated elements. In addition, the oven is so well insulated that the sides and top of it are only warm to the touch. Now, the glass door is not touchable.
--Bob

Billbobboy42 wrote:

Anyone know what the good, the bad & ugly are on these? There seems to be many models for sale. Was wondering if these cookers are what they are cracked up to be. Cooking concept is intriguing, but are they more gimmick than functional?

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

rmalarz wrote:

I would guess they are similar to the convection oven I've used for over 40 years. It circulates heated air through the compartment where food is cooked. The food is never exposed directly to the heated elements. In addition, the oven is so well insulated that the sides and top of it are only warm to the touch. Now, the glass door is not touchable.
--Bob

Thanks. Convection ovens have traditionally been much more expensive.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I can't remember mine being that overly expensive. If it were, I'd probably not have purchased it.
--Bob

Billbobboy42 wrote:

Thanks. Convection ovens have traditionally been much more expensive.

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

Got one from QVC, won’t eat French fries any other way now. I have cooked other things in it but meat can be a pain to clean the machine up afterward but we love FF’s in it. Use it 3 days a week.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Billbobboy42 wrote:

Anyone know what the good, the bad & ugly are on these? There seems to be many models for sale. Was wondering if these cookers are what they are cracked up to be. Cooking concept is intriguing, but are they more gimmick than functional?

We have one and it's just not the same as an oil fryer. I now just put a wee bit of oil in bottom and that helps, but still not the same. Suppose to be healthier for you though.

AnnaZ Loc: SW Wis.

I love my Powerfryer XL. It would be a mighty fight if someone tried to take it away from me. Chicken breast and boneless pork loin chops turn out so moist. Roll in some Italian seasoned panko and they are very tasty. Why would you put oil in it? You are defeating the purpose.

Nikonbob Loc: Upper Chichester, PA

We have the Power AirFryer XL, which works very well and is great for cooking chicken, fries and just about anything. My wife even used it to reheat pizza. The microwave hasn’t gotten much use since we bought the AirFryer. To avoid any drippings in the bottom of the pan, we use a piece of aluminum foil in the bottom of the basket. If I am reheating chicken, I use the AirFyer since the microwave is terrible for that task. Using oil is not recommended, but some people spray a little for taste (cooking spray).

We also cook with the InstantPot, which is amazing.

Nikonbob Loc: Upper Chichester, PA

Anna Z is so right. The panko crumbs make the dishes so tasty.

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

We have on and use it to cook fries, tater tots, and hash brown patties, works great, everything is crispy.

AnnaZ Loc: SW Wis.

I have made my own french fries............a couple of tips if you want to try that. After cutting your potatoes into "fries", you HAVE to soak them in cold water for at least a couple of hours to remove the starch. Then dry them off as best as you can. Before putting them in the air fryer, put just a tiny bit of oil over them (I used coconut oil, any would work). You don't need much. Then mix it through with your hands. I mistakenly thought I could make them without that tiny bit of oil. They were HORRIBLE. I threw them out; the Spousal Unit told someone "yeah, they must have been bad, she didn't even give me a taste". So, that is one instance where a bit of oil is essential.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Billbobboy42 wrote:

Anyone know what the good, the bad & ugly are on these? There seems to be many models for sale. Was wondering if these cookers are what they are cracked up to be. Cooking concept is intriguing, but are they more gimmick than functional?

My oldest daughter got one and gave it such high reviews that my younger daughter in Charleston bought one. They do what they say and is a great way to cook without adding lots of oils and fats to the meal. You asked for the downside also: One more large appliance to take up room on the kitchen counter. Of course if you have a pantry and can store it there, I guess there really isn't a downside.

Canonuser Loc: UK and South Africa

I guess there are two types. Those that heat with a normal element and those with a halogen bulb. I bought the latter and find the rotating drum perfect for fries and roasting vegetables. The rotating steak basket is perfect for steaks or toasted sandwiches. Baked potatoes are also wonderful. The rotating kebab skewers for up to eight kebabs works wonderfully too. The rotisserie for smallish chickens is also excellent. We followed the advice to pour a cupful of water in the base for any roasting or for fries or vegetables in the rotating drum which enhances taste. We also cook joints of meat to perfection. It’s also great for cooking cakes etc.
The fact it heats up instantly saves both time and electricity.

AnnaZ Loc: SW Wis.

Canonuser, you must be talking about the "oven". Sounds like something I would like, from what I have seen about it, but can't justify the expense. I liked and use my air fryer so much that when we went to Texas in January, I took it along and made chicken most every night in our hotel room. I couldn't afford to eat out every meal, both money wise and calorie wise, so this was a good choice for us. I'm sure people wandering by our room were wondering about the cooking food smells. Our room had no microwave, had to go to the lobby for that. Didn't care to "fry" chicken in the lobby. LOL

Canonuser Loc: UK and South Africa

This is the device I have. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VQlPEboEHK0