Air Fryers….honest opinions!

Smoke alarm checked by Fire Service when I moved in. It's not in the kitchen, it's in the hall with the dining room separating it from the kitchen.

No problem with cooking on the hob or with any other appliance.

ferry23 : maybe you should get your smoke alarm checked. Could be it's too sensitive or located in the wrong place where the slightest air movement will trigger it?

After much procrastinating but having been encouraged by friends and family and keeping an eye on this thread, I finally took the plunge and bought a Lakeland dual drawer last week.

I packed up my much loved and very well used halogen oven.

It's been a disaster. The first time I used it it set off the smoke alarm - no smoke coming from the air fryer and plenty of space around it.

I've only recently moved and I was completely panicked - I couldn't think where there would be a broom or anything to jab the smoke alarm. It was 7pm and this is the quietest road ever, and I reckon everyone within a 10 mile radius heard it!

It was just a couple of bits of chicken with a dry rub - no oil.

I don't understand the settings - what are they for? If you've set the temperature and the time what else would you need to do?

I put off cooking anything in it for a few days until I managed to cook some oven chips which were ok. But yesterday I made some croutons with half a tspn of oil and off went the smoke alarm again.

I'm now thinking of every excuse not to use the damn thing but I'm not stupid and I can cook so I'm guessing it must be something I'm doing or not doing, but no idea what that might be.

Such a disappointment.

Wouldn’t be without ours. I have a Tower air fryer oven. Rarely use the main oven now. Living in an all electric property, it’s been well worth having!

I get annoyed with all the buttons on my Tower dual drawer. Roast, grill, bake etc of different foods are all exactly the same heating method with different temperature and times. I would rather have temp and time buttons only, as some of the small cheaper models do. I keep an indexed book in the kitchen in which I make a note of the settings for my usual meals.
Don't get me wrong, I love my air fryer. I used to use a Remoska but it died so the time was right, at the end of last year. I have only used my oven a couple of times since.

It should do, Marydoll. I've dehydrated various things in mine and they've worked well.

I plan to dehydrate the chillies I've grown in my Ninja air fryer today. I have no idea if it will work!

Just finished our Sunday roast with a whole chicken beautifully cooked in 45 mins, roast potatoes and carrots. I bought it about 2 months ago and am so pleased. I’ve done salmon and cod, chops, steaks, sausages, stuffed aubergine, chips as well as fish fingers for the grandchildren, peri peri chicken, meat balls …..
I hunted hard to find one to fit a shelf because I didn’t want it permanently on the worktop. Eventually found a ninja model. It has only one drawer but it’s deep and perfectly adequate for us.

I'm very happy with the Cosori I've owned for 3 days! I wanted a basic model, I don't like faff.

Tonight's meal was roast beetroot, potatoes and carrots, herbs and chili flakes, olive oil of course. All cooked in 20 mins at the press of a "Roast" button. I put a half precooked roast chicken on top of the veg for the final 10 mins.

Bluebelle how do you toast bread please?

I've got one gathering dust and cluttering up my worktop.

Calendargirl

Have not got one, or any experience of one.

I saw a recipe for something in the cake line the other day using one, but the cooking time seemed no different to a conventional oven.

But I assume uses less electricity?

It uses a bit less electricity but also there is no heating up time. My oven takes about 10 minutes to heat up each time I use it.

Cooking times are slightly less than a big fan oven too. I usually reduce the temp and time by about 10% (unless it's a very short cook time or grilling, in which case the air fryer might need preheating for a minute or so) which so far has worked quite well.

Like MissInterpreted I have a Ninja Foodi 9 in one. I use it a lot as its great for pressurecooking dried beans etc. Super for fish, in fact good for most things. I was very doubtful but I've been won over.

I really didn't want one initially because of the space it would take up on the work surface. However we bought a Ninja large single drawer one recently and its been a revelation. I use it almost every day.It cooks salmon fillets and other fish beautifully. Is great for bacon,sausage, meatballs etc. I've roasted peppers and other veg.Heated croissants and pastries .Roasted a chicken. Really I'm still learning but it's so easy to use and clean.I'm now an air fryer fan !

Skydancer, in the four months I have been using my airfryer and rarely using the oven, my electricity bill for the same period last year was down by 21%.

Thank you so much for all the replies. Seems more positive than negative. I may have to purchase one! Ninja seems to be the most popular make.

Like you, I debated for a long time whether to bother or not, but I can honestly say I’m glad that I did.

me too, I didn't want one

I've just cooked a sausage bap, 8 mins on air fry, perfect sausages. No pre heating just switch on and go. It is just too easy

I use mine a lot. I’ve cooked fish, pork steak, chicken breast, fries in it. I’ve reheated things such as pizza, French sticks, scones in it.

It saves putting the oven on for smaller quantities.

As regards cleaning, its simplicity itself. The drawers and shelves remove for washing and the cavity is easily wiped round once the element has cooled - much easier to deal with than a standard oven in that respect.

In terms of cooking time, I don’t find it massively quicker to cook the food but no pre heating is required in my model, so that, in itself, saves electricity usage. Trial and error regarding cooking times, I think, as I suppose different models cook at different rates, rather like different model ovens do.

Like you, I debated for a long time whether to bother or not, but I can honestly say I’m glad that I did.

I have a Tower with shelves and find it very versatile. Anything you can cook in a conventional oven you can cook in this. Makes good cakes, the best scones I’ve ever made, roast potatoes, roasted vegetables, cooks meat and fish without drying them out. I don’t use my conventional oven now unless I’m cooking a family roast dinner, and I think it saves me a good deal of electricity. A wipe round the inside with a soapy cloth and it’s as clean as a whistle. Drip tray and shelves go into the dishwasher or sink.

I have been using Ninja one for over 12 mnths now.

I do prefer my oven but as there is just myself the air fryer is easier.

But one thing I do find is it seems to "dry" food up if you don't get the timing and temp correct.

I've owned a Ninja Speedi 10 in 1 for about 6 months and I love it. For one or 2 people, it's great for grilling, baking, roasting, air frying, sauté ing, steam-baking or just heating up rolls, croissants etc.
It took a little getting used to and I'm still on the learning curve but I now only use the oven if cooking for a lot of people.
I wasn't hugely impressed with the slow cooker function. It's okay but I find my dedicated slow cookers preferable.
Overall, I regard it as one of my best purchasing decisions.

Yes uses a lot less energy Calandergirl
My oven has been declared completely redundant since I owned one I have a microwave an electric rice cooker and my air fryer on my counter and they are used for everything

LucyAnna, not a fault, just my reason for not using one.

Have not got one, or any experience of one.

I saw a recipe for something in the cake line the other day using one, but the cooking time seemed no different to a conventional oven.

But I assume uses less electricity?

I bought a cheap Daewoo one, it’s fab. £29
Made roast potatoes with a dash of olive oil & rosemary, came really crispy, delicious! May invest in the ninja duel