The air fryer, a popular small appliance in recent years, has quickly conquered the kitchen market with its health benefits, convenience, and multifunctionality. Although its working principle is more similar to a mini oven rather than a traditional deep fryer, air fryers showcase great flexibility in cooking, handling everything from French fries and chicken nuggets to small grilled meats. So, how do you choose a high-quality air fryer? This article will detail the working principle of air fryers, their price range, usage tips, and the considerations when purchasing, to help you make the best choice.

Working Principle of Air Fryers

Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air, similar to an oven with a fan. The high-temperature air inside can quickly and evenly heat the surface of the food, achieving a crispy effect. Based on design, air fryers usually come in the following types:

Drawer Type: This type comes with a pull-out drawer and a frying basket, requiring the user to manually shake the food every five minutes to ensure even heating. This model is best suited for shallow frying or grilling food such as fish, chicken, and vegetables.

Stirring Type: Self-stirring air fryers are equipped with a stirring paddle that automatically stirs the food during cooking, avoiding the hassle of manual shaking. However, the stirring effect is sometimes uneven, potentially causing some food to deform or burn. This model is suitable for cooking fries, small pieces of meat, and vegetables.

Rotating Basket Multifunction Pot: This type of air fryer comes with a rotating basket that automatically flips the food to ensure even heating. They typically have multiple functions like baking and grilling, with some models even capable of cooking a whole chicken.

Price Range of Air Fryers

The price of air fryers varies by brand, features, and capacity. Generally, basic models range from 200 to 500 yuan, while high-end models can exceed 1000 yuan. Before purchasing, it’s recommended to clarify your needs and budget to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Pros and Cons of Air Fryers

Pros:

Healthy Cooking: Air fryers use little or no oil, reducing fat intake.

Convenient and Fast: Heats quickly, suitable for a busy lifestyle.

Multifunctionality: Can fry, grill, and bake various foods.

Cons:

Limited Capacity: Most models have small capacities, suitable for small quantities of cooking.

Noise Issue: Some models can be noisy during operation.

Learning Curve: Requires some time to master the correct cooking time and temperature.

Considerations When Buying an Air Fryer

Space Requirements: Ensure your kitchen has enough countertop space for the air fryer. Tall and bulky models are suitable for kitchens with limited countertop space, while short and bulky models require ample overhead space.

Capacity: The manufacturer’s claimed capacity can be misleading; it’s advisable to check the actual usable capacity. For example, a "10-liter" model may only be able to cook about 500 grams of fries.

Ease of Cleaning: Most air fryer parts can be detached and placed in the dishwasher, but parts with non-stick coatings can also be hand-washed. Choosing an easy-to-clean model will greatly simplify your user experience.

Control Types: Air fryers typically have two types of controls: dial controls and digital controls. Dial controls are simple but less precise, while digital controls offer more precise temperature and time settings, with some models featuring pre-programmed functions.

Energy Consumption: Although air fryers heat quickly and are energy-efficient, if you need to cook a large amount of food in multiple batches, it may be less energy-efficient compared to an oven.

What Can You Cook in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers are suitable for cooking foods that need to be baked or fried, such as French fries, chicken nuggets, fish fillets, etc. They are also excellent for reheating food, especially retaining the crispiness of pizza or batter-coated items.

Tips for Making Homemade Chips: Slice the chips evenly, soak them in water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then dry them thoroughly and coat them with a small amount of oil. This will ensure the chips are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Precautions When Using an Air Fryer

Using Baking Paper or Foil: Check the manufacturer’s instructions before use. Some models do not recommend using baking paper or foil as it can affect airflow and cooking results.

Avoid Using Baking Paper or Foil During Preheating: The paper can fly into the heating element and burn. Use it only when the food is heavy enough to hold the paper down.

Avoid Overcooking: Air fryers heat up quickly, so it’s essential to master the correct cooking time and temperature to prevent food from burning.

Sustainability of Air Fryers

Air fryers are more energy-efficient compared to traditional ovens as their heating elements are closer to the food, allowing faster heating. In some cases, they are more energy-efficient than ovens. However, if you need to cook a large amount of food, using an oven might save time and energy.

Conclusion

Buying a high-quality air fryer requires considering multiple factors, including space requirements, capacity, ease of cleaning, control types, and energy efficiency. Understanding the working principle and applicable range of air fryers will help you make the most of this multifunctional kitchen appliance, enjoying a healthy and convenient cooking experience. Whether making delicious French fries, chicken nuggets, or trying more creative dishes, an air fryer will be a valuable assistant in your kitchen.