11 replies to this topic

[Keith_W]

A friend suggested that I buy an air fryer. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who has one, so I can't borrow one to try. Supposedly it works by blowing heated air into a container. Is it like a hair dryer on steroids?

Does anyone on eG have one? How does it compare to a regular deep fryer? Does fried chicken turn out as crisp? French fries? Can you fry anything based on batter (e.g. tempura) in there? What about donuts? Also, can it be used for anything else?

Your comments would be appreciated.

(I did a search on eG and found no results. If there is an existing thread, could the mods please merge?)

[HowardLi]

[Darienne]

Two for sale on Amazon. $499.00. Not inexpensive..

[Toliver]

It looks like a baby Dalek..."Exterminate!"

I can't imagine fried chicken without the lard/oil. Isn't this something similar to a convection oven then as opposed to a fryer?

[Baselerd]

If you read the fine print you do actually have to add a small amount of oil, a fact that Philips seems to make obscure (I believe they got into some legal trouble with their "just add air" commercials).

It seems akin to something like a rapid high temp dehydrator...

[vimaladevi]

is air frying the same as vacuum frying?

[pep.]

is air frying the same as vacuum frying?

No.

[ElsieD]

What does it do that the Actifry for a lot less money doesn't do?

[IndyRob]

I've been looking around the web and it appears that the AirFryer is like extreme convection cooking, whereas the Actifry is more like an automatic stir-fryer. I think the Actifry could work well enough on small items (e.g. fries, although I'd be sorely tempted to put it up against a wok), but not so much on larger items, say, a chicken leg (unless you like yours prepared by tiny hockey players). I don't think either would stand up to the results of true deep frying. Walmart has a (Air Fryer-Type) version from another manufacturer for $99.99, but the reviews vary widely (5 stars, or broke before completing a single cooking cycle). In fact, I can't find a single review for the AirFryer from someone who either isn't wearing a Phillips apron, or is not reading off the box or the enclosed recipe book.

Edited by IndyRob, 21 November 2012 - 04:32 PM.

[Kerry Beal]

Independent review here.

[Keith_W]

So far all the reviews have been pretty useless. They just say "these French fries are good!" without actually comparing them to deep fried fries. All claim that the fries are healthier without actually going to the trouble of analysing the nutritional content of the fries. No discussion on what else the machine can, or can not do. Nothing said about pros and cons. Surely someone knows something :(

[MSRadell]

I found it here for $200? http://www.langtonin...CFQiqnQod3xYArA