Types of air fryers
There are two types of air fryers. The first one for preparing delicious, simple everyday dishes from fish, meat, poultry, and vegetables. Others are multifunctional, designed also for baking products from any type of dough (choux pastry meringue, sponge cake, bread and even Easter cakes), hot and cold smoking, preparing dairy delicacies - cottage cheese, fermented baked milk and even yogurt, and much more.
The first line is naturally cheaper. On the control panel, special functional switches regulate temperature and time. The timer of such devices is usually designed for 60 minutes and you need to set the required cooking time. At the right time, the device turns off automatically, which is quite convenient.
Expensive models are most often equipped with an electronic rather than mechanical (as was the case in the first case) control system. This is due, first of all, to the operation of the device, which has many functions and operating modes, so the switches here are replaced with buttons for convenience. These air fryers have an additional timer that delays the start of cooking, the so-called “late start”. Sometimes, the timer is designed to preheat food to a certain, set temperature at a designated time.
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The temperature modes of the air fryer allow you to heat food from 65 to 260 degrees and set the intensity of convection. Such devices provide an indication of operating modes.
The higher the power of the air fryer, the better, as the food will cook much faster. However, you should not go too far. When the house has old wiring that is not designed for a large load, it is better to take a model with a power of 1300-1400 W. If there are no problems with the wiring, take a 1750 W unit. The presence of a stabilizer will save the device during voltage surges.
Air fryer is perfect for the garden to diversify the menu. City dwellers, of course, may find it useful in the kitchen, but many users rarely use it after several uses, taking it out from the shelf once every three months. One wonders why it is needed if meat and fish in the oven turns out much more appetizing. But those who want a healthy diet will certainly choose the air fryer.
An air grill is a multifunctional device that can:
- Boil soups and eggs.
- Roast chicken or vegetables.
- Steam.
- Bake a variety of baked goods.
- Make crackers.
- Roast nuts or seeds.
- Dry mushrooms.
- Smoke fish.
Thus, one device combines the functions of various household appliances: oven, grill, smoker, dryer and steamer. The air fryer is made in such a way that, during the preparation of various dishes, the smell of the food being prepared does not penetrate into the kitchen. Condensation does not leak through the connecting joints, which means that grease and oil stains do not form on the surface of the tabletop. At the same time, they cook in an air fryer without adding oil, and such food is considered healthy.
Air fryer dishes: harm or benefit?
The dangers of microwave ovens in the home have long been proven. But there is probably no kitchen that doesn’t have a microwave. Why? Yes, all because it’s fast, easy and convenient: put the plate in the microwave, press the button and in a minute the hot dish is ready. Heating food on the stove is too labor-intensive. In addition, with the modern accelerated pace of life, many women are looking for all kinds of replacements for the stove - egg cookers, deep fryers, electric ovens, etc., in order to save time and effort when cooking. However, all these devices still need to be placed somewhere, and after use you also need to find time to wash them. This is what happens: you buy some new household electrical appliance, use it a couple of times, and then put it away in the closet so it doesn’t get in the way.
The convection oven was invented in the USA in the mid-80s of the 20th century and was called a “convection oven”.
But there is a way out. An air grill is a cooking device that, firstly, combines the functions of a microwave oven, a gas and electric stove, and many, many other kitchen appliances, and secondly, it is absolutely safe for health.
Food in an air fryer is cooked using hot air streams. The range of dishes that can be prepared in an air fryer amazes even professional chefs. These include soups, main courses, baked goods, yoghurts, porridge, smoked dishes, dried mushrooms and fruits, and even preparations for the winter. In an air fryer you can easily heat up a dish and defrost any product.
In English, the word "aerogrill" refers to the radiator grill of a car.
When cooking in an air fryer, there is absolutely no need to use fats - vegetable oils or butter. As a result, when cooking, food does not form carcinogens that are formed during frying (especially in a deep fryer). In addition, the fat contained in the products flows into a special compartment, which makes the dish dietary.
An air grill is a universal electrical appliance that allows you to organize proper nutrition for the whole family. The air fryer has the convenience of a microwave oven, but is completely harmless to health. In an air fryer you can cook many more dishes than on a regular home stove or oven, but at the same time it is easier and more convenient to do it. It seems that the convection oven has all the necessary qualities to eventually supplant gas and electric stoves.
Design features
The design of the device is based on a glass container, which is closed on top with a lid. A fan is installed inside the latter, blowing the interior of the device. The standard container has the same dimensions: width - 30 centimeters, length - 45 centimeters, height in the range of 30-60 centimeters. Depending on the height of the tank, the volume of equipment is selected. This parameter in the product passport is indicated by two numbers: 8-12 liters, 10-14 and 12-16 liters. The first value is the nominal volume of the air fryer, the second value is the increased volume. It is obtained through the use of special expansion rings supplied in the kit. The ring is installed on the neck of the glass container and closed with a lid. The height of the ring determines the additional volume, which in all models is 4 liters. Some manufacturers offer devices with two rings, which increases the volume to 8 liters.
Glass or ceramic dishes with food are placed inside the glass tank. The cookware must be heat-resistant. In addition to the rings, the air fryer also includes:
- several skewers;
- a frying pan with holes that functions as a steamer;
- a special attachment (roaster) for grilled chicken;
- gripping tongs;
- baking tray;
- three racks (lower for boiling eggs, middle universal, upper for toast).
Like any household appliance, in addition to its advantages, the air fryer also has several disadvantages. In addition, an air fryer cannot replace all kitchen appliances. So, the disadvantages of the device include:
- The glass container heats up to high temperatures during operation of the device, so it is operated with great care. It is better to keep children away from the air fryer.
- The double boiler mode is a lengthy process that takes a lot of time. It's easier and faster to cook food in a real steamer or in a saucepan on the hob.
- It is not recommended to heat food in an air fryer; it will be faster in the microwave.
- It is better to bake flour products in the oven.
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Pros and cons of air fryers
Here's how an air fryer works - its main advantage is the ability to cook food without using oil and fat. This is achieved by circulating hot, dry air around the food. The excess fat formed during this process flows into a glass flask. So, you can preserve all the beneficial substances and vitamins in the products.
Air grills are equipped with a self-cleaning function.
You can prepare soup or porridge in any container. Thanks to different temperature conditions, you can prepare a variety of dishes. The air grill has a compact size, which makes it easy to transport it to the dacha.
As for the shortcomings, there are them too. For example, baking in a convection oven does not always turn out perfect. It may turn out to be undercooked on the bottom and burnt on top. Also, it will not be possible to cook large chicken or goose in an airgyl due to the small capacity of the device.
The disadvantages of this device are the strong heating of the glass flask, a fairly long cooking time and the consumption of high power, which increases energy costs.
Advantages and disadvantages
Modern convection ovens have a number of advantages and disadvantages that become noticeable during use. The advantages of the device include the following points.
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Cooking without oil allows you to eat healthy and reduce the calorie content of dishes without losing taste. Also, thanks to hot air, the products retain a large amount of vitamins and nutrients that the body needs.
- Multifunctionality. This device can perform a whole list of functions - from steaming to cooking barbecue. An air grill can replace other household appliances for the kitchen - for example, a microwave oven, a steamer, a bread maker, etc.
- Ease of use. To prepare a dish, you just need to put the food in the bowl, select the desired mode and wait for the finished dish. The air fryer will independently prepare food - boil, fry, bake, depending on the need. If you choose a more complex recipe, you may need to turn the product over. But constant monitoring is still not required.
- The self-cleaning function saves a lot of time, especially when you need to wash off grease and other problematic contaminants.
- Easy controls. The user needs to set the required power and cooking time, after which the device will automatically turn off.
- The possibility of simple sterilization helps, if necessary, to make preparations for the winter or prepare dishes for feeding small children.
This device also has some disadvantages that should be taken into account before purchasing. Most often users note:
- Large dimensions of standard convection ovens. Even before purchasing, you should choose a place for the device in the kitchen and its storage. For small kitchens, air fryer lids are best suited as they take up significantly less space.
- Warm-up speed. The air fryer needs some time to create the set temperature inside the bowl and warm up the food.
- The appliance may heat up during cooking (lid, bowl walls). For this reason, small children should not be allowed near it.
- The process of heating food is quite slow compared to a microwave or a simple frying pan.
- High electrical power. If you use the device regularly, you need to be prepared for an increase in electricity bills.
The advantages of this device greatly outweigh the disadvantages. However, before purchasing, you should take into account all the nuances and read reviews from real customers.
Choosing a convection oven
Before choosing an air fryer, decide what dishes you want to purchase it for. If this is a standard set of dishes for an air fryer, then it is enough to purchase an inexpensive model. For a wider range of dishes and experiments, it is better to purchase a model with a large number of different functions.
The average power of air fryers is 600-1500 W. It depends on the temperature regime in which the appliance operates and what its blowing speed is during the preparation of a particular dish.
Another important parameter for choosing a particular appliance model is the volume of the pan. Typically, the instructions indicate two volumes: in the normal position and with magnifying rings.
The air fryer fan can operate in one or several speed modes. Three-speed fans are optimal. Budget convection oven models are equipped with a mechanical control unit and have one fan speed mode. Models with an electronic control unit have a larger selection of modes.
There are devices with the function of automatically heating food and delaying start. The timer should be designed for the cooking time of the most complex dish that you intend to cook in the air fryer.
The lids of air fryers are also different. They can be removable and fixed to the body using a special bracket. The removable cover may not be convenient enough due to its heavy weight. When it's hot, it's difficult to remove. But devices with a removable lid are more compact in size.
Budget and expensive models of devices are equipped with a self-cleaning function.
Another parameter that you should pay attention to before choosing an air fryer is its weight, since sometimes the flask needs to be washed by hand.
Multicooker and convection oven in the same design from Redmond
The air fryer has two control methods: mechanical control and electronic control. The first is two knobs, with the help of which modes are set and the temperature is set. Electronic convection ovens are improved designs that are easy to use and have greater capabilities. For example, such models have three air convection modes (65-260C), which allows you to diversify the range of prepared dishes.
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The presence of a mode for constantly maintaining a certain low temperature allows you to keep food hot for several hours. Another function is delay cooking, the essence of which is that in the morning food is placed in a glass container, the mode is set, and in the evening you get a ready-made hot dinner. But if with mechanically controlled air fryers you can postpone cooking for only one hour, then with electronic ones you can postpone cooking for a whole day. And also all devices of any model are equipped with a self-cleaning mode.
The REDMOND company has released a rather interesting model RAG-240 - a universal convection oven without a bowl. Essentially, it is a cover with a fan and a built-in heating element (halogen). The device is installed, for example, on a regular pan into which food is placed. The desired mode is set, and after a few hours a healthy dish is obtained. The diameter of the lid is 22.5 centimeters, which means it will cover any container in which food is prepared of the same size. These come in pots and pans, and this type of air fryer is also installed on baking dishes, bowls from multicookers and steamers. The main thing is that the dishes are heat-resistant.
About the advantages of the air fryer, its pros and cons
Regardless of the cooking method, food in the air fryer does not burn or stick to the bottom of the bowl.
The advantages of the device also include the following characteristics:
- Minimum odors during cooking.
- Reduced cooking time.
- Maximum preservation of vitamins and nutrients in prepared dishes - for those who adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
- Safety of technology for humans. No harmful radiation.
- You can cook food for one person or for the whole family.
- Doesn't take up much space.
- You can cook in dishes made of almost any material, including metal and wooden containers.
- The cooking process can be seen and controlled.
This is not a complete list of the capabilities and advantages of a home assistant, which fully preserves the beneficial properties of products.
Air fryers also have disadvantages, such as:
- Weak steaming system - according to owner reviews.
- The glass flask gets very hot; do not come into contact with the heated structure, especially for children.
- Dividing grids are difficult to clean.
- High power consumption.
Using the control system on the lid, you can adjust the cooking speed
Air fryer rating
The sales leader on the Russian market is. High quality, extensive range, thoughtful design, no complaints from consumers. The only disadvantage of the brand is the high price of the device. But there are more expensive brands on the market, for example, “Bork”. Consumer reviews indicate that the brand is overpriced. Air fryer rating>>>
The most popular among Russian buyers is the air fryer.
Such brands. like Bosch, Philips, Tefal are also in the expensive price segment, but they cost a little less, while having high technical characteristics. In the middle segment there are brands such as Zelmer, Farog and others.
Instructions for using the air fryer
Recommendations for working with the device:
- Choose a recipe from the book included with your air fryer. It describes in detail the technology for preparing a particular dish and gives detailed recommendations on using the device and setting the necessary parameters.
- Place the required products into the machine’s container and close it tightly with the lid.
- Set on the control panel the parameters necessary for preparing this dish: temperature mode, fan speed and time.
- When the temperature in the convection oven reaches the required level, the fan will start, which will circulate hot air inside the device.
- To clean the unit, use the self-cleaning function. If necessary, you can remove the work container and wash it by hand.
Useful properties of food cooked in an air fryer
Thanks to the hot and clean air with which the food is cooked, the air fryer is included in the list of the healthiest cooking methods.
The air fryer cooks without fat. And this is a big bonus for those who care about their figure, health and attractiveness.
Thanks to the environmental friendliness of the device, people prone to food allergies can enjoy various dishes prepared by this “miracle stove” with complete peace of mind.
It is thanks to all of the above useful properties that the air fryer can take its rightful place in your kitchen.
Dangerous properties of food cooked in an air fryer
As for the harmful properties of the air fryer, we could not find any.
The only thing you should remember when preparing certain dishes is that any product may have its own personal negative characteristics that have nothing to do with the cooking method. Research by scientists confirms that the design of the air fryer does not contain technologies that are hazardous to health. Attention! The information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to make a diagnosis or prescribe treatment. Always consult a specialized doctor!
Tatyana Eliseeva chief editor of the Food+ project
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Summarizing
The air fryer can safely be called a “super cook”, because a variety of dishes are prepared in it. It allows you to boil or fry meat, fish, cutlets, cook shashlik, bake potatoes, stew vegetables, cook porridges and soups, bake and dry fruits, vegetables, berries and herbs. This is the only device that provides the ability to prepare hot and cold smoked dishes. Also, during the preservation process, the workpieces can be sterilized directly in jars. The air fryer is easy to use and easy to clean, which is so necessary for the kitchen.
Now you know how to choose a convection oven, and you can purchase exactly the model that will fully meet your requirements.
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