Air Fryers

Blondiescot

That's why I find my Ninja so useful - I rarely fried things the conventional way either, but it's not only useful for the air fryer function - mine also does slow cooking, pressure cooking, baking, dehydrating and even makes yogurt!

Ah, ok - sounds like I need to look into these. Sound useful!

I've been reading the reviews on the official Ninja website. Most users are pleased with the product, but a few report total breakdown after 13/14 months. The guarantee is for 12 months. Are there any GN users with long term experience of Ninja Air Fryers?

DH has been saying for a while that he fancied getting an air fryer, but I wasn't keen. My DS has just bought one and has been trying to convince us to get one, but I'm still having my doubts.

I love cooking, but we don't generally have much fried food as such. I like to cook steak in my cast iron pan, or on the griddle, as well as chicken breast, or roast it in the oven if it's a whole chicken. Apart from needing to saute stuff like mushrooms/onions, I sometimes fry the occasional bit of bacon on a Sunday morning, and I do sometimes do potato wedges, jacket potatoes and roast veg, such as cauliflower, carrots, etc.

Is it worth me getting an air fryer just for the odd side dish, because I can't imagine that I'd be using it to make whole meals, so if the oven has to be on anyway, why bother using an air fryer just for part of a meal? I don't want to buy one if it ends up just taking up space in my kitchen. Is anyone a convert who can convince me otherwise?

I have a tower air fryer which is 12 years old use it for roasties and chips. I cook jacket pots in the microwave then pop them in the oven to crisp up the skin.

Yesterday I spotted Aldi’s version of the Tower halogen air fryer for only £29.99 so picked up the last one without really thinking it through.

It’s er….large and more suited to family meals rather than somebody living on their own but I tried it out last night and have to say I was very pleased with the chicken and sweet potato fries.

The powerful halogen light was a bit off putting. I had to avoid looking at it but it will be great when the grandchildren come round for Sunday lunch, which they keep threatening to do once I’ve finished decorating!

My gas oven is a bit on the small side so back up for roast potatoes will be useful.

Definitely what you might call an impulse buy! ☺️?

I bought a Pro Breeze, British made air fryer about a month before Christmas. I have a double electric oven which was costing me a fortune to run- I live on my own. Already I have noticed the amount of money I am saving.

Yes, it is large but I use it nearly every day. Some air fryers need warming, mine does for 5 minutes but my oven took 20 minutes at times.

Last night I cooked Tempura prawns, french fries and sweetcorn. I had forgotten to put a stick through the sweetcorn so it was difficult to lift and eat but not the end of the world. It is so easy to clean and the inner bowl is dishwasher safe.

The major con is the outside becomes very hot so it must have enough space and also my worktop surface is well protected with trivets. It must not sit under cupboards. Mine is beside the cooker so I can easily transfer the piping hot pan without burning myself.

I cannot live without it now. the best invention since the washing machine.

Aldom

I've been reading the reviews on the official Ninja website. Most users are pleased with the product, but a few report total breakdown after 13/14 months. The guarantee is for 12 months. Are there any GN users with long term experience of Ninja Air Fryers?

I've had mine for almost two years now and never had any problems with it whatsoever.

Blondiescot thank you for responding to my query.

I am following this thread with interest as I’ve been looking into buying one of these. I need to consider where I might keep it, I do have plenty of work tops but not necessarily near a socket and they are mainly underneath wall cupboards which I think is not acceptable? I certainly would not want to keep it in a cupboard but might have to reorganise my kitchen!

I live alone so only need a small one and I also need to think how many functions I actually need. I think I mainly cook using the hob, slow cooker, microwave, grill and main oven so I’m not sure which make I need to get. I’ve never used a pressure cooker as I’m scared of them and actually threw mine away just a few months ago!

I’ll keep reading your comments and do my research!

Blondiescot

That's why I find my Ninja so useful - I rarely fried things the conventional way either, but it's not only useful for the air fryer function - mine also does slow cooking, pressure cooking, baking, dehydrating and even makes yogurt!

I have an Instant Pot, which does everything the Ninja does except the air frying.

I wish I'd known about Ninjas when I bought my IP, but it's only a couple of years old, and I can't really justify buying another gadget to replace what I already have - because of both the cost and the space issue. I do use gadgets and have a lot of them, so space is a problem. I don't want to get a single-use air fryer for the same reason. I would like one though . . .

Teacheranne if you buy an airfryer you will never use it if is going to live in a cupboard. They are heavy and awkward so mine sits between the cooker and the sink.

Please do not buy the smallest on the market because you will be frustrated cooking something and having to keep it warm while you cook the remainder of your meal.

Mine is 4.2 litre, small by airfryer terms but looks large in my big kitchen.

my tower 2.2 has a small footprint and small capacity, it cost me £40 and I am delighted with it. It takes a small bit of room in my low cupboard and is very cheap to use. It is light and easy to lift up and down. I saw the same on amazon for £28 and snaffled that too, now I have 2 small airfryers and they are far more useful flexible and easier to handle and store than the tefal actifry, which I passed to my dd and her 4 person household. My cupboard space is very limited but these are definitely worth every penny and each are light enough to lift without any effort whatsoever

£32.49 on amazon right now.

www.amazon.co.uk/Tower-Circulation-Technology-Adjustable-Temperature/dp/B084KJQ4XY?tag=gransnetforum-21

whoops, that one above is obviously returned. Sorry, ignore it. New ones are just £5 more

I have a cosori air fryer 3.5 litre size which is large enough for one/two. It’s £85 at amazon. Larger sizes are available. I use it several times a week. It is really a mini fanned oven with two baskets. Any fat runs out of the upper basket into the lower one. It’s very easy to use and clean. A recipe book along with with a list of cooking times for varying foods.

Doodledog

Blondiescot

That's why I find my Ninja so useful - I rarely fried things the conventional way either, but it's not only useful for the air fryer function - mine also does slow cooking, pressure cooking, baking, dehydrating and even makes yogurt!

I have an Instant Pot, which does everything the Ninja does except the air frying.

I wish I'd known about Ninjas when I bought my IP, but it's only a couple of years old, and I can't really justify buying another gadget to replace what I already have - because of both the cost and the space issue. I do use gadgets and have a lot of them, so space is a problem. I don't want to get a single-use air fryer for the same reason. I would like one though . . .

We have an instant pot duo which is a pressure cooker and air fryer and a vast array of other functions. Not cheap at around £120 minimum but is worth its weight in gold.

Is it ok to cook sausages in an air fryer? I thought you could cook anything too fatty in it

I cook sausages in mine, the fat drains into the little tray underneath.

Bacon cooked in an air fryer is amazing. I hang it from one of the racks (a bit like washing), all the fat drips away.

Today I pressure cooked a large chicken, then air fried. It was absolutely delicious.

I might try that with bacon, Marydoll

Use mine at least 3 or 4 times a week , much more economical to use than bigger oven . The model I have was inexpensive and i've had it about 2 years - money well spent . Just ' boiled' eggs in it today - place eggs in , close drawer for about 12 mins - very nice .

I just love my Ninja air fryer. It's on the worktop, ready to use, never in a cupboard.

I have an Instantpot duo too - which is brilliant - so hardly ever use the oven. I gave away the sandwich toaster (use the Ninja, easy to clean) but I've kept my other slow cooker. With that and the Instantpot I can have two pre-cooked dishes keeping warm for guests.

(I think the 'air fryer' name puts some people off. Really, they're a compact fan oven, very good for crisping and grilling.)

Hetty58

I just love my Ninja air fryer. It's on the worktop, ready to use, never in a cupboard.

I have an Instantpot duo too - which is brilliant - so hardly ever use the oven. I gave away the sandwich toaster (use the Ninja, easy to clean) but I've kept my other slow cooker. With that and the Instantpot I can have two pre-cooked dishes keeping warm for guests.

This is interesting, as I have an Instant pot (and a slow cooker), which has put me off getting a Ninja, as I thought the Ninja would make the Instant pot redundant. Do you still use both, other than to keep food warm? I would also want to keep the Ninja out (the IP is on top of the freezer, but easily accessible) but don't they take up a lot of worktop space? I have been talking myself in and out of getting one for ages.

I’ve been deliberating over getting one as well. I had finally decided to get one this week until I read a post saying they shouldn’t be placed on a work top area that has a cupboard above it. That’s pretty much all of my kitchen so I’m disappointed I won’t be buying one after all.