As air fryers begin to appear in many of your favorite bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers, or even parents' houses, it's tempting to try one out for yourself. But are air fryers worth the price? Because of their sizes, many struggle to find places to store an air fryer while not in use and wouldn't recommend this appliance for those with limited counter space. Some say they've replaced their microwave ovens, toaster ovens, and even steam ovens to accommodate for this appliance and they still remain satisfied with their decision.
Air fryers can cook, bake, roast, steam, and even saute your favorite dishes. This revolutionizing technology is something that kitchen appliances gurus find it hard to keep their hands off. Air fryers rapidly blast hot air on and completely around your food for even baking, much like convection ovens do. It also uses microwave technology to cook foods much faster than regular convection ovens.
What are Air Fryers?
Air fryers come in many sizes to fit your household size: 2 quarts, 2.3 quarts, and 5.3 quarts, though there are some brands that make sizes up to 7 quarts. When deciding which size fits your needs, keep in mind that the bigger the size, the more counter space, and storage space you'll need to provide. While in use, the air fryer has a fan behind and on the top, so it should not be operated next to a wall or under cabinets.
Air fryers are great appliances for single families or small families in need of quick and easy meals.
→ Air fryers are known for their incredibly fast cooking times, some 15-20 times faster than standard ovens. This is because the air completely circulates the food, creating browning on the outsides but keeping the insides moist.
→Air fryers have many important safety features, one being an automatic turnoff. This lets you leave food unattended whilst it cooks and you can be sure your food won't burn. This is especially handy for young mothers as multitasking is something they can't escape from.
→Air fryers use 70% less oil than regular cooking and yet is still able to provide absolute results. This is a great compromise for those trying to lose weight, but still want to enjoy french fries.
What Can It Make?
Steaks, fries, pork chops, chicken, cookies, cakes, vegetables, and even donuts are a few things that air fryers can make. But, keep in mind that the serving sizes vary depending on the size of the air fryer.
How To Use
- Preheat for 2-3 minutes.
- While it's preheating, prep and load your food.
- Spray your food with a bit of oil.
- Set time and temperature.
- Halfway through the cooking process, flip or shake food for even cooking.
- Season food.
- Rest food.
How To Clean
The cleaning process of an air fryer is quite simple. Firstly, remove the basket and drawer. These two pieces are dishwasher safe and can both be completely submerged in water. Be sure to take out the basket to clear the bottom of the drawer compartment from grease. Wipe down the outsides of the air fryer with soap to rid of grease buildup and fingerprint marks.
Tips and FAQ's
Here are a few tips and tricks that will make your air fryer experience flow a bit smoother.
1. Don't overfill the basket
It's crucial not to overfill your basket as the food will not cook properly, and there is a chance your food will damage the fans on the top of the compartment.
2. Pour water in the base of the drawer to keep foods moist.
Afraid that your foods will dry out during the air frying process? Put 1-2 tablespoons of water in the base of the basket to keep it moist during the cooking process.
3. Use toothpicks to hold your food in place.
Air fryers blast air all throughout your food, and sometimes this will make your food move around during the cooking process. If you're cooking sandwiches or foods that need to stay in place, use toothpicks to hold it down.
4. Keep your air fryer away from cabinets.
Air fryers have a fan in the back and on the top, so it's important to keep them out of tight spaces while in use. These appliances shouldn't be used under cupboards or next to any walls while in use. This also means you shouldn't be putting anything on top of your air fryer while in use because it will block air vents and break your equipment.