Cooking with an Air Fryer

[Anna N]

5 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

The question remains:  why do this?  Deep fried frozen potatoes are better and quicker, and just as easy.

And terribly dangerous for those of us with certain physical challenges!  And all that oil to deal with. I will be the last to argue that they are as good as deep-fried but they are certainly easier and less messy and most of all much safer. It’s a compromise that some of us have to make. 

[JoNorvelleWalker]

3 hours ago, Anna N said:

And terribly dangerous for those of us with certain physical challenges!  And all that oil to deal with. I will be the last to argue that they are as good as deep-fried but they are certainly easier and less messy and most of all much safer. It’s a compromise that some of us have to make. 

 

Safer, I certainly agree.

 

[mgaretz]

 

59 minutes ago, lindag said:

It is really worth the money and it does everything it claims to do.  I use mine all the time for burgers (with bacon jam, of course), chicken, bacon, french fries.

 

Do you coat most things in oil (like burgers, chops etc.) like they recommend?

[lindag]

2 minutes ago, mgaretz said:

 

 

Do you coat most things in oil (like burgers, chops etc.) like they recommend?

I use it mostly for grilling.  To air-fry I spray on a little olive oil, not Pam which they don't recommend saying it will get sticky..

[mgaretz]

27 minutes ago, lindag said:

I use it mostly for grilling.  To air-fry I spray on a little olive oil, not Pam which they don't recommend saying it will get sticky..

 

Even for grilling it recommends the oil coat.  I assume you don't use it.  I don't want to either (for grilling, but I do use it for air frying in the BSOA).

[Anna N]

 

Another attempt at a duck breast. The meat was excellent. Skin was another epic failure. It’s time I tried the low and slow route. I cooked it for 20 minutes at 300°F  turning it once at the halfway mark. Then I  flipped it skin side down and gave it five minutes at 400°F. 
I do not particularly wish to put it too close to the element. I have some health issues that smoke would exacerbate. No worries. I still have quite a number of duck breasts to experiment with. 

[heidih]

Great the meat was to your liking. Maybe peel off the skin and finish separately at high heat. Slack duck skin - not fun.

[ElsieD]

1 hour ago, Anna N said:

 

Another attempt at a duck breast. The meat was excellent. Skin was another epic failure. It’s time I tried the low and slow route. I cooked it for 20 minutes at 300°F  turning it once at the halfway mark. Then I  flipped it skin side down and gave it five minutes at 400°F. 
I do not particularly wish to put it too close to the element. I have some health issues that smoke would exacerbate. No worries. I still have quite a number of duck breasts to experiment with. 

 

I'm finding your experiments very interesting.  The last thing I need is another piece of kitchen equipment but.....

[Anna N]

55 minutes ago, ElsieD said:

 

I'm finding your experiments very interesting.  The last thing I need is another piece of kitchen equipment but.....

I am making the best of a situation where I am quite limited. Would it appeal to me as much if I could still lift a Dutch oven, still fry some spices without inducing a coughing fit, deep fry without having to worry about my balance, stand at the stove for more than a few minutes?  
I definitely would not recommend it for everyone. If you have loads of space for another appliance it might complement what you already have. It does nothing that cannot be done just as well another way.  
I would not class it as an appliance likely to appeal to one who loves to cook. It works for those who need to find a way to feed themselves that doesn’t always involve reservations or takeout — the young and the very old!

[JoNorvelleWalker]

1 hour ago, Anna N said:

I am making the best of a situation where I am quite limited. Would it appeal to me as much if I could still lift a Dutch oven, still fry some spices without inducing a coughing fit, deep fry without having to worry about my balance, stand at the stove for more than a few minutes?  
I definitely would not recommend it for everyone. If you have loads of space for another appliance it might complement what you already have. It does nothing that cannot be done just as well another way.  
I would not class it as an appliance likely to appeal to one who loves to cook. It works for those who need to find a way to feed themselves that doesn’t always involve reservations or takeout — the young and the very old!

 

Today's Wall Street Journal has a timely article about a French fry robot.  It bolts to the ceiling so does not take up precious counter space.

 

[FauxPas]

2 hours ago, Anna N said:

I would not class it as an appliance likely to appeal to one who loves to cook. It works for those who need to find a way to feed themselves that doesn’t always involve reservations or takeout — the young and the very old!

 

Does your granddaughter use it much? I think you said she was quite keen on one. If so, what types of things does she make? 

[Anna N]

2 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

 

Today's Wall Street Journal has a timely article about a French fry robot.  It bolts to the ceiling so does not take up precious counter space.

 

 

1 hour ago, FauxPas said:

 

Does your granddaughter use it much? I think you said she was quite keen on one. If so, what types of things does she make? 

No. She has shown no willingness to take it downstairs where she mostly lives. I was hoping we could share it but it doesn’t seem to be working out that way. 

[Anna N]

2 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

 

Today's Wall Street Journal has a timely article about a French fry robot.  It bolts to the ceiling so does not take up precious counter space.

 

It boggles the mind. 
 

[JoNorvelleWalker]

8 minutes ago, Anna N said:

It boggles the mind. 
 

 

Onion rings as well.

 

[Margaret Pilgrim]

4 hours ago, Anna N said:

I am making the best of a situation where I am quite limited. Would it appeal to me as much if I could still lift a Dutch oven, still fry some spices without inducing a coughing fit, deep fry without having to worry about my balance, stand at the stove for more than a few minutes?  
I definitely would not recommend it for everyone. If you have loads of space for another appliance it might complement what you already have. It does nothing that cannot be done just as well another way.  
I would not class it as an appliance likely to appeal to one who loves to cook. It works for those who need to find a way to feed themselves that doesn’t always involve reservations or takeout — the young and the very old!

Well considered and said.   What is important is that we each find the necessary work-arounds in our lives.  

[FauxPas]

4 hours ago, Anna N said:

I am making the best of a situation where I am quite limited.

 

I really love it that you still have a sense of adventure!  🙂

 

[mgaretz]

On 8/7/2021 at 8:58 AM, lindag said:

I use it mostly for grilling.  To air-fry I spray on a little olive oil, not Pam which they don't recommend saying it will get sticky..

 

I have decided to give it a try.  Planning on trying chicken thighs tonight.  Bone in, skin on.

[ElsieD]

3 minutes ago, mgaretz said:

 

I have decided to give it a try.  Planning on trying chicken thighs tonight.  Bone in, skin on.

 

I'll be really interested in reading about your results and opinion of it.

[lindag]

29 minutes ago, mgaretz said:

 

I have decided to give it a try.  Planning on trying chicken thighs tonight.  Bone in, skin on.

This is one of my favorites for the Ninja.  I grill mine on the lowest setting and brush with Bull's Eye toward the end of cooking.  Super good.  Has to be thighs for me too.

[mgaretz]

1 hour ago, lindag said:

This is one of my favorites for the Ninja.  I grill mine on the lowest setting and brush with Bull's Eye toward the end of cooking.  Super good.  Has to be thighs for me too.

 

I actually prefer white meat, but my wife prefers dark, and these days dark meat isn't that dark anymore.  Plus, we buy Costco's thighs and they come 4-6 in a pack (and there are 6 packs) which we freeze in the packs.  Upon thawing there's too many thighs for her, so I just eat the thighs too.

[mgaretz]

2 hours ago, ElsieD said:

 

I'll be really interested in reading about your results and opinion of it.

 

You bet.

[Anna N]

2 hours ago, mgaretz said:

 

I have decided to give it a try.  Planning on trying chicken thighs tonight.  Bone in, skin on.

I looked at this appliance more than once but it seems to take up one awful lot of kitchen real estate. 

[mgaretz]

1 hour ago, Anna N said:

I looked at this appliance more than once but it seems to take up one awful lot of kitchen real estate. 

 

I agree and it's pretty heavy too.  The biggest disappointment for me re: real estate is the air fryer basket and grill can't be stored in the unit together.  Seems like with a little more engineering effort that could have happened.

[Anna N]

52 minutes ago, mgaretz said:

 

I agree and it's pretty heavy too.  The biggest disappointment for me re: real estate is the air fryer basket and grill can't be stored in the unit together.  Seems like with a little more engineering effort that could have happened.

Oh. Then I am doubly glad that I resisted the temptation. Still I will be following with interest your adventures. 

[saluki]

45 minutes ago, mgaretz said:

 

I agree and it's pretty heavy too.  The biggest disappointment for me re: real estate is the air fryer basket and grill can't be stored in the unit together.  Seems like with a little more engineering effort that could have happened.

Your right about that grill grate... Also after a while its hard to clean.. I even bought a grout brush to clean it.  I don't use it a all anymore.. instead, I bought a Lodge handless round grill plate 9 1/4 inches.  I really don't need grill marks. The thing I use the most is the wired roasting rack accessory that had to be purchased separately.