[M_Six]

Wifey and I have been thinking about getting an air fryer. But after our less-than-successful effort at using an InstantPot, we're a bit gun shy about trying yet another counter space stealing appliance.

Who here has (or had) an air fryer? What are the pros and cons? Recommended brands and models? Things to watch out for?

[ErikJ1]

We got a Ninja Air Fryer/Toaster/oven combo
Ninja DCT401...get it today off Amazon. We have not turned on our oven since Xmas.

[dreamingat30fps]

I don't cook, but my gf does. She makes all kinds of shit in the air fryer, however she also uses the instapot sometimes so..... I would say she likes the air fryer although she's always bitching about it. We have a Ninja that seems pretty nice to me, even has a temp probe. She makes pretty good steaks in there. She got it refurb for like $100 and it was basically brand new.

I only use it to reheat stuff like pizza or bbq stuff I don't want to get soggy in the microwave.

In our case it basically replaced the toaster oven since it's about the same size.

[MassWholeBimmer]

Have a toaster oven/air fryer combo. Only use my regular oven for big things.. Hams, turkeys and the like. Love it. I'll never put pork chops on a grille again... amongst other things... Those 1.5" boneless costco pork chops, dry spice/rub, 10 minutes on a side.. 425 degrees...pretty good !!

[infinitekidM2C]

We have an air fryer. Use it all the time for anything that needs baking but isn't huge or delicate
chicken nuggets
warm pizza
pretzels
fries
tamales
fried tofu (no need to use a pan)
i'd get one that has a decent size opening like an oven, but not too big so you can stuff it back in your cabinets
cuisinart or such

[JJ 911SC]

When the 25+ year old Panasonic Genius microwave bought the farm, I look at a replacement and came up with a Combo Microwave - Convection - Air fry - Inverter one.

She said she did not need Air fry... Well she now love it.

Bty, we have an InstantPot and got an Air fry cover for it but it end up on Kijiji (Cdn version of Craigslist) after we use the Microwave Combo.

Panasonic 4-in-1 1000W Microwave Oven with Air Fryer, Convection Bake, Broiler, Inverter - 1.2 cu ft, Stainless Steel

https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-NN-...04&sr=8-1&th=1

[ky0u]

Airfryer is probably our most used appliance.
Plus it allows for nice quick reheating of leftovers for food you didn't want to get soggy

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

When the 25+ year old Panasonic Genius microwave bought the farm, I look at a replacement and came up with a Combo Microwave - Convection - Air fry - Inverter one.

She said she did not need Air fry... Well she now love it.

Bty, we have an InstantPot and got an Air fry cover for it but it end up on Kijiji (Cdn version of Craigslist) after we use the Microwave Combo.

Panasonic 4-in-1 1000W Microwave Oven with Air Fryer, Convection Bake, Broiler, Inverter - 1.2 cu ft, Stainless Steel

https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-NN-...04&sr=8-1&th=1

That's cool! Our air fryer is kind of on it's last leg. I might replace my built in microwave with that.

[floridaorange]

I prefer using an oven.

[RickFLM4]

Isn’t an air fryer just a small convection oven? We have a convection microwave, which we use when we need a second oven. But we prefer the regular oven (which also has a convection feature of its own) for consistent results.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Isn’t an air fryer just a small convection oven? We have a convection microwave, which we use when we need a second oven. But we prefer the regular oven (which also has a convection feature of its own) for consistent results.

I've asked my gf to explain to me how an air fryer is different than an oven. Still don't know. From my limited experience with ours it does seem to heat/cook much faster than a regular oven and can get a nice sear on meat. It's also loud as fuck compared to an oven which is practically silent.

I like it because it's fast. Ain't no one got time to sit around waiting for the oven to heat up.

[M_Six]

That's something that has me interested in an air fryer. My brother's girlfriend did steaks in an air fryer and he sent me pics. I can say how they tasted, but they look perfectly cooked medium-rare. He said they were delicious.

[MisanoblueZ4]

We bought a dual basket Ninja from Costco. We use it for all kinds of things. My personal favorite is cooking up shrimp in it.

Buy one from Costco, if it doesn’t work out return for a full refund.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by M_Six

My brother's girlfriend did steaks in an air fryer and he sent me pics. I can say how they tasted, but they look perfectly cooked medium-rare. He said they were delicious.

My DW cooks our filet mignon from the local beef farm in our air fryer, along with hamburgers, meatballs, etc. A month after buying the air fryer, she hauled our stainless steel BBQ gas grill to the scrap yard saying that she would never use it again.

If you go to your web search engine du jour and look for "air fryer recipe [some food]," it will quickly show how versatile they are.

FWIW, we never had an instant pot, but she also makes frequent use of our crock pot (aka: incubator) for dinners during the week. She also uses it to make bone broth every month or so.....

[Lady Jane]

I just use my Kitchen Aid oven for air frying and slow cooking since it has everything built-in. All I needed were a few specialty pans and/or baskets.

[celsdogg]

We have a Cosori air fryer. Used it a ton and loved it during the pandemic. Really got tired of washing it though.

[ShopVac]

So - I've always ran with the toaster, air fryer, roaster, oven combo things.

Currently have the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Digital Air Fry Oven Pro - Model FT205CO that I got from Costco for under $200. Note that this sits on my counter.

With this, I'm a firm believe that if you get a unit that does 10 things - it will not do any of them well. Thus, as a toaster, it's overkill, as an air fryer, it's weak, as an oven/roaster, it's small. I've had some good and bad "toaster ovens" over the years...this one does seem to be a little better.

That being said, I'm not really sure that I understand the difference between an air fryer and a convection oven. Both move air...maybe it's how much? But, in walking through Costco the other day, bit the bullet and just bought an 'air fryer' only item, as they had the Gourmia 7-Quart Digital Air Fryer for $50.

In the few uses I've had with it (spicy chicken thighs, fries, tator-tots) it's worked very quick - and has been good. Only down side, gives off a slight burning plastic smell.

Finding cabinet space for all these items is becoming an issue - food dehydrator, instapot, this airfryer, crock pots - all sit in an upstairs closet. I'm running out of space.

[shimmy23]

little kids here and we love our air fryer. i bought thinking i'd probably not use it much. i use it 3 times a week at least! again, we have little kids so our air fryer menus look like:
chicken nuggets
home made fries
chicken wings
pot stickers
baked potatoes
pizza rolls

we use the air fryer mostly for chicken wings. it is so damn good and easy to do! my regret is maybe not buying a bigger one

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by ShopVac

So - I've always ran with the toaster, air fryer, roaster, oven combo things.

Currently have the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Digital Air Fry Oven Pro - Model FT205CO that I got from Costco for under $200. Note that this sits on my counter.

With this, I'm a firm believe that if you get a unit that does 10 things - it will not do any of them well. Thus, as a toaster, it's overkill, as an air fryer, it's weak, as an oven/roaster, it's small. I've had some good and bad "toaster ovens" over the years...this one does seem to be a little better.

That being said, I'm not really sure that I understand the difference between an air fryer and a convection oven. Both move air...maybe it's how much? But, in walking through Costco the other day, bit the bullet and just bought an 'air fryer' only item, as they had the Gourmia 7-Quart Digital Air Fryer for $50.

In the few uses I've had with it (spicy chicken thighs, fries, tator-tots) it's worked very quick - and has been good. Only down side, gives off a slight burning plastic smell.

Finding cabinet space for all these items is becoming an issue - food dehydrator, instapot, this airfryer, crock pots - all sit in an upstairs closet. I'm running out of space.

I've read that complaint a lot in reviews of various air fryers with plastic bodies. That burning plastic smell. Even the Ninjas. That would be an instant deal killer for us. We need a new toaster oven, or we'll need an air fryer and a regular toaster. But that means two appliances instead of one. We also lack counter space, so the fewer appliances, the better. Even is there's a bit of a trade-off.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I've read that complaint a lot in reviews of various air fryers with plastic bodies. That burning plastic smell. Even the Ninjas. That would be an instant deal killer for us. We need a new toaster oven, or we'll need an air fryer and a regular toaster. But that means two appliances instead of one. We also lack counter space, so the fewer appliances, the better. Even is there's a bit of a trade-off.

ah yes, i forgot to mention that... the smell when its cooking is both good and gross. lol. There's definitely a plastic kinda smell. My wife can't stand it. The food doesn't take on any of that smell though. all good!

I hear ya on counter space too. I store mine in one of the cabinets when not in use... despite me using it so often. I'm kinda a counter free kinda guy... i like nothing on the counters.

[R BMW]

We like ours except for the cleaning issue. if you clean it just as the food comes out, it's easier.
Small things work great like fries, chicken wings, things you want crunchy.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I've read that complaint a lot in reviews of various air fryers with plastic bodies. That burning plastic smell. Even the Ninjas. That would be an instant deal killer for us. We need a new toaster oven, or we'll need an air fryer and a regular toaster. But that means two appliances instead of one. We also lack counter space, so the fewer appliances, the better. Even is there's a bit of a trade-off.

On the smell... the ninja we bought refurbished has no smell, however the no name brand one we bought new in NC does stink pretty bad. The no name brand one looks more like a traditional toaster oven vs the ninja I posted below.

I have not tried toasting bread in the ninja as we have a toaster in FL since we have enough counter space. I have toasted in the other one and it's fine. It takes longer than a toaster, but it has a setting specifically for toast.