Air Frier

[sandmaster]

My family keep asking for an air frier. I'm not convinced. My main concern is grease building up on the fan/motor unit. The rest should be easy to clean. I love baked potatoes with a crispy skin but I read air friers produce soggy skins. What are the experiences of fellow members? Any recommendations as to model?

[Buenchico]

I've got an ultra-cheapo air fryer, which cost me £35.  I see that it's now an ultra-ultra-cheapo model at just £25 though:
https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/russell-hobbs-1-8l-digital-satisfry-air-fryer-404682

[I've mentioned that so that you're aware that my experience is only with a very basic air fryer and not, for example, with an all-singing, all-dancing, mega-expensive Ninja model (or similar).]

Cleaning my air fryer has never been a problem at all.  All it takes is a quick wipe over of the basket and the crisping plate with soapy water and the job's done.  (The instructions specifically state that the the area above the basket shouldn't be cleaned and I can see no reason why it would ever be necessary anyway).

I can't recall trying to cook a jacket potato in my air fryer, as I'm perfectly happy to use my microwave oven for that task.  So I can't comment on the crispiness (or sogginess) of jacket potatoes cooked in an air fryer.  However I do know that, despite lots of websites and YouTube videos providing suggestions as to how to cook chips in them, they never come out right for me unless I use the 'special' frozen ones (specifically made for air fryers) made by McCain: https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/mccain-air-fryer-fries-deep-ridge-crinkle-cut-fries-628743011

However there are many other things that I find my air fryer really useful for.  For example, it makes superb toasties!
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/air-fryer-cheese-ham-toastie

I also cook frozen pies, fish (both fresh and frozen), casseroles (in aluminium foil trays) and loads of other stuff in my air fryer.  It's particularly handy during warm weather, when I wouldn't want to turn my gas oven on (because it would make my kitchen far too hot) but I can still have oven-cooked food anyway.

[Smowball]

Although I don't own one myself two of my close friends own one and absolutely swear by them! They barely use their main oven any more. And I know that they cook their baked potatoes with crispy skin - one of them cooks them all the time! 

[barry1010]

I don't have an air fryer because my combi microwave does everything I'd use an air fryer for but I do know an air fryer will cook potatoes with crispy skins

[davebro3]

I do baked potatoes in the microwave. I suppose finishing them off in the air fryer might crisp up the skins but I don't bother.

Can't see why the motor/fan/heater would get greased up in an air fryer.

[barry1010]

I can if you cook greasy spitty food like bacon or pork belly, or sticky food like marinated chicken.

I've seen a few filthy ones on selling/freebie sites. Puts me off buying one.

https://www.reddit.com/r/airfryer/comments/17sanb5/any_recommendations_on_how_i_should_clean_my_air/

https://www.reddit.com/r/airfryer/comments/15rqsnr/is_it_necessary_to_clean_top_of_airfryer/

[netherfield]

We have a Cosiri 3.8 litre, now I cook a steak in it, comes out perfect for me, crumpets, toast are lovely as well. Jackets we buy frozen and 6 mins in the microwave. Chips by Dave Myers,RIP, Slice to 20mm, submerge in water in the fridge for 10 mins, preheat to 160c, drain and pat dry, toss in one teaspoon oil. Don't stack, 15 mins@160c, shake halfway, increase to 200c for 3 mins.  Now I would pick a bigger model or even a twin basket. This model is easy enough to clean the basket and  tray, turn it upside down and clean the area around the element isn't too difficult to do. Just read lately that cutting a lemon in half and cooking for 5 mins on high helps to keep it clean, yet to try that idea. I think the chips and jackets depend on the variety of potato.

[mallyh]

after you have pricked them all over rub over a little olive oil ,some people add salt too  but i don't x

[1ozzy]

Do you have a "Ninja" air frier Mally?

Asking for a friend 😇

[netherfield]

And I once made rather good Yorkshire puddings in it, James Martin recipe. Lots of the famous TV chefs have recipes for air fryers.

 

[mallyh]

hi ozzy i have a cosori 5.5ltr x

[1ozzy]

And I have a cheap as chips machine I use regularly, works well, saves paying excesive power bills 😉

[barry1010]

Can't understand using an airfryer to cook things that would normally be cooked on a hob.  Induction hobs are cheaper to run than gas hobs, microwaves or airfryers.   

[1ozzy]

How about things that would usually be cooked in an oven Baz?

It's all about roasting healthily, not a greasy frying in a pan full of fat 😒

But, I guess that's an option some won't consider.

[naomi24]

I haven't got an air fryer.  'Gadgets' invariably end up in a cupboard in this house, destined eventually for a charity shop.  Bread makers, ice cream makers, sandwich toasters, fancy grills and more - all gone the same way.

[Old_Geezer]

See if you can find one of these for sell.

 

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-friar-shaped-mug-isolated-over-a-white-background-105164635.html?imageid=4273A88D-896B-4EE5-8C12-B054A2E0C5D2&p=163097&pn=1&searchId=42aa5028e7baaeaa65a4f51b5d7b468e&searchtype=0

[1ozzy]

🥱 I could do without your kitchen skills😒

Feeling sorry for your hubby😏

[Old_Geezer]

You can get reasonable results from an air frier from the start, but in needs experience & a try it and see period to get consistent results. I've not tried baked potatoes. Id have thought they may need turning as the top would be in contact with the hot air, but the base less so. Maybe better stood on a grid ?

[naomi24]

I'm assuming OG doesn't have a 'hubby', 1ozzy - but I could be wrong.

[barry1010]

Ozzy, I do cook healthily in the oven, and the oven is always full when I use it.  I batch cook.

Hob doesn't mean greasy cooking, it is possible to cook four steaks in a griddle pan on the hob and throw in the mushrooms while the steaks are resting using very little fat. I microwave or poach fish and it cooks beautifully with no fat. Everything we eat is cooked from scratch including bread. The only tinned food we eat is the occasional spoon of baked beans.

A lot of people only use their air fryers to cook ultra processed rubbish  so it's not about cooking healthily for everyone.

 

 

[Old_Geezer]

That's a secret, naomi 😉