Air Fryers,Right For Me?

[NoseyNose]

Having watched the TV programme this evening,about air fryers, my question is:~

As I am (now) a single household,is it worth me buying one?

I think that one person heating,and using, a large fan assisted oven(me)wastes money,and it seems take much longer to cook food.

So a small air fryer might be cheaper,and easier for me.

I have yet to work out the way to cook using the main(fan) part of my cooker,so use the small top oven(which works),but I think that even this is more expensive than the air fryer would be?

I don't have the instruction book for my cooker,lord knows where my partner put it.LOL

So I could start all over again with an  air fryer,and know just what I was doing.

Any comments/advice would be most welcome/

Thank You,Gordon.

[NoseyNose]

Also, I have quite a few freezer foods.

They all say  Fan****Oven***(and sometimes ***Microwave) but not all give air fryer temeperatures(more are doing so) how would I convert the Fan***or Oven****,to the air fryer ones,or does the booklet with the air fryer explain this?

[fender62]

we were given a cheapo air fryer last year, rubbish and waste of space, but the ninja ones are first class.

[Barsel]

Thanks for BA Gordon.

Do you have a microwave? 

I always check when buying ready meals that they can be microwaved.

Doesn't always work out best to go for the cheapest, but I suppose if it's just to give you an idea of how they work.

You just need to think about what you are likely to use it for really.

 

[Barsel]

I would tend to go on YouTube.

How to cook ????? in an air fryer.

Or how to cook ????? in a slow cooker.

[NoseyNose]

Barsel

Yes,I have a microwave,and make good use of it.

I shop a lot at Tesco, and many of their ready meals(fresh & frozen) can be microwaved.

I shall have to look on YouTube at air fryer demos.I already know what a slow cooker does,as a friend has one,and makes good stews etc,but it stops at that.

I think that an air fryer seems more versatile,but I will post further when I have considered them both.

Thanks once again for your great suggestions,I does help to have another opinion!

Gordon.

[Samuraisan]

Airfryers and slow cookers are totally different and make totally different dishes. Airfyers are really great, and I can imagine for one person they are perfect. But buy a good one. I have a cosiri and use it, not every day, but two or three times a week.

[Gizmonster]

We haven't used our oven for about 3 years now.

Me and my missus love our air fryer.

It's also ideal for a single person .... when my missus is working late, I'll cook for myself ..... a quick meal of chips, onion rings and a chicken in breadcrumbs takes 15 minutes.

If it fits in, my missus cooks it in the air fryer:

lasagne, pizza, shepherds pie, toasties, chicken fillets.

There are special containers you can buy that will accommodate different food items.

We have a 3 tier rack and have cooked cheese on toast on it ... it takes 8-9 minutes for 3 slices  :)

I can safely say we'll never use our oven again .... if the air fryer dies, we'll def buy another one.

My missus was even contemplating removing the oven and using the space for something else

[Vagus]

We debated long and hard about an air fryer or, as the microwave needed replacing anyway, a bigger microwave that is also an oven and grill.

We plumped for the microwave and haven't regreted it. I only use my large fan oven for bulk cooking, rest of the time I use the oven bit of the microwave.

[davebro3]

I have a small air fryer - used mainly for frozen oven chips/fish etc.

I'm finding ways to use the microwave for stuff I used to cook in the big oven. Also use slow cooker for stews etc.

[barry1010]

An air fryer wouldn't suit me.  When I put my oven on it is full capacity.  I also have a flat bottomed microwave/fan oven/grill combi that has two shelves.  Using the combination settings is quick and perfect for cooking say shepherds pie with roast veg.

Very quick for up to 8 slices of cheese on toast, too. 

I use my pressure cooker and slow cookers a lot, too.

Gordon, think about the foods you want to eat - can they be cooked in an air fryer or will your microwave and hob do the job?

Think about what you want to eat

 

[barry1010]

Also my main oven doesn't cost as near as much to run as the air fryer ads would have me believe.  Those smart meters are a boon for finding out how much appliances cost to run.

[ladybirder]

Gordon, I have a Micrwave, great, and a JML Halogen Oven which is brilliant. It's OOS in my link but have a look at the price and what they do before you commit to anything else please.

https://www.jmldirect.com/halowave-halogen-oven-self-cleaning-energy-efficient-countertop-halogen-oven-1400w-105l?aid=5651&;gclid=CjwKCAjw8sCRBhA6EiwA6_IF4UrWTxgaO9RhzA2qfHODQgK9zDdx-liY6z1XTvd4GUKBLH_Nyf-4kRoCCv8QAvD_BwE#93=71

[Canary42]

I too live alone, and since acquiring an air fryer my work-top oven has lain idle.

 

[Moorea7]

I cannot comment on air-fryers as don't own one but use my slow cooker a lot - they are not just for stews, soups, etc.  Put in a small gammon joint, make a syrup sponge pudding and so on.
If considering one, don't buy the smallest - you might regret doing so later.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/slow-cooker-recipes

[Buenchico]

A rough guide to changing regular oven instructions into air fryer ones is to use the 'twenty twenty rule'.  i.e. reduce the temperature by 20C and reduce the cooking time by 20%.  It's not perfect but it provides a useful starting point from which to learn the best times and temperatures for particular foods.

I bought one of these just before Christmas.  (It's definitely a 'one portion only' machine):
https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/russell-hobbs-1-8l-digital-satisfry-air-fryer-404682

It's not going to save me loads of money because, even though I'm heating a smaller space, at lower temperatures, and for less time, I'm still using a fuel (electricity) which is 4 times more expensive than the fuel for my regular oven (gas).

However I am finding it convenient to cook certain foods.  So I don't regret buying it.  It makes superb toasties!
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/air-fryer-cheese-ham-toastie

[Buenchico]

PS: I bought a slow cooker about 15 years ago.  It's still in its box!

[pastafreak]

An airfyer is just a mini fan oven. Don't think of it as a fryer...it's not.

My microwave is in a cupboard...I only ever used it occasionally to defrost or reheat. I'd never, ever cook in one. Textures are wrong and flavour doesn't develop. 

[youngmafbog]

We've got an over that comes with a basket to emulate an air 'fryer'.

[NoseyNose]

Thank You ALL, for your advice and comments.

As I hope to be going into sheltered housing relatively soon,I think that I will wait, until I see the size of the kitchen in the flat.

I do think that an air fryer might be more versatile,but I don't know what white goods come with  sheltered housing,if any?

So my motto will have to be "Wait and See".

Thanks,Gordon.

[NoseyNose]

Thank You ALL, for your advice and comments.

As I hope to be going into sheltered housing relatively soon,I think that I will wait, until I see the size of the kitchen in the flat.

I do think that an air fryer might be more versatile,but I don't know what white goods come with  sheltered housing,if any?

So my motto will have to be "Wait and See".

Thanks,Gordon.