How to choose a convection oven for your home – selection parameters, popular models, expert advice

An air grill can replace most cooking appliances in the home, and therefore the question often arises of how to choose the right one for everyday use. Therefore, we will highlight the main points of solving this problem, namely: the main differences between the models in design and heating element, secondary parameters - control, equipment, power, as well as how to correctly determine the volume, what additional accessories are supplied with the models, which manufacturer to give preference to and what is recommended experts.

How to choose an air fryer

The air fryer replaces almost all modern kitchen appliances in the house, as it allows you to fully perform the following food preparation procedures:

1. Baking.
2. Frying.
3. Cooking.
4. Languor.
5. Smoking.
6. Baking.
7. Drying.
8. Defrosting.
9. Warming up
10. Sterilization.

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At the same time, in order for the prepared food to really be no different in consistency and gastronomic qualities from dishes from original appliances, it is necessary to correctly approach the choice of an air fryer for the home. Therefore, before you start choosing and buying it, you should decide on the following factors:

• real and plan a list of prepared dishes,
• amount of food
• cooking frequency,
• categories of products used (meat, fish, vegetables, etc.),
• the need for menu variety.

All these criteria directly affect the power, bowl volume, type of control, equipment and other important characteristics of the convection oven for the home. In turn, improper operation can lead not only to culinary failures, but also to a significant reduction in the service life of the equipment.

In most cases, in everyday use, the air fryer replaces the stove and oven in the house. If you follow the recipe recommendations, the food turns out tasty, aromatic and naturally juicy. In addition, thanks to heat treatment technology with a hot air stream, products retain most of the beneficial components.

Note! Compared to a number of traditional home appliances, the air fryer is more environmentally friendly, safe and economical. During operation, it does not produce harmful substances or electromagnetic radiation. The food itself, prepared in it, is distinguished by its dietary properties, since during cooking there is no need to add oil, and more than half of the natural fat is simply melted and flows down to the bottom of the bowl.

Types of air fryer

There are two types:

• Household;
• Professional;

These types differ from each other:

• By flask volume;
• Power;
• Functionality;

Main purposes: This device is intended for:

1. Defrosting food;
2. Warming food;
3. Baking;
4. Baking;
5. Grill;
6. Smoking;
7. Drying fruits;
8. Languor;
9. Preparation of dietary food;

Also, in this device it is possible to sterilize dishes and preparations for the winter.

The principle of cooking food in an air fryer is quite simple. Place the ingredients in the flask, select the mode you need, set the temperature, close the lid and wait for the required time. You won't notice any odors, smoke or fumes when cooking.

Main differences

To choose the right convection oven for your home, you first need to pay attention to its main parameters, such as:

• type of heating element,
• design features.

Let's look at them in more detail.

What heating element can be used in an air fryer?

In modern air fryer models for home, three main types of electric heater are installed:

1. heating element.
2. Halogen.
3. Carbon.

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A heating element is a thin curved metal tube, inside of which there is a spiral wire. When current passes, the latter heats up and produces heat. The main advantages of such a heater are a long service life (at least 10 years) and high strength - it is not damaged even if dropped from a great height.

Important! One of its disadvantages is its high thermal inertia - it takes some time to warm up and cool down, which increases the cooking time and delays maintenance after use. In addition, under the influence of high humidity, temperature and food components, the shell of the heating element can rust and lead to its rapid failure.

A halogen heater is an analogue of a lighting device. It also consists of a flask filled with gas and an electric heating coil. When current passes, it begins to heat up greatly. In this case, the time to reach operating temperature is minimal. This is its main advantage.

Another side of using a halogen heat source is its vulnerability to mechanical stress - it can simply be broken during maintenance. In addition, a poor-quality protective grill will lead to a layer of fat growing on the surface of the flask over time, which will naturally lead to destructuring inside it and subsequent rapid burnout of the spiral.

Similar materials

The best convection oven: operating principle, characteristics, TOP-10

Even under favorable conditions, a halogen heater lasts about 2 years. Then you need to either change it or choose a new convection oven for your home. On the practical side, many consumers of models equipped with such a thermoelement complain about uneven cooking of food.

A carbon heater is similar in appearance to a halogen heater; it also has an elongated glass bulb, but unlike it, it contains a thicker spiral - made of carbon material. When current passes through it, infrared radiation is released. This type of heat source belongs to the latest high-tech developments.

A carbon heater has a number of advantages:

1. High energy efficiency (maximum efficiency).
2. Low energy consumption.
3. Service life is at least 6 years.
4. Precise temperature adjustment.

Note! However, even such a device is not ideal - due to the natural characteristics of radiation, heat-sensitive objects should not be placed near the convection oven during operation. Thus, plastic bottles melt, paper turns yellow, and flammable liquids can burst into flames. Added to this is the low strength of the heater bulb - it can break if dropped or hit.

Design

By design, all air fryer models consist of the same basic elements - bowl, roof and control panel. The difference between them is observed in the following ways:

1. Volume.
2. Stand shape.
3. Cover fastening.
4. Control panel functionality.

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Recommendation! To choose the right convection oven for your home according to your needs, among other things, you need to pay attention to the capacity of the bowl. In some models, it is possible to increase it due to an additional metal ring placed on top. However, samples with a built-in cover (on the bracket) will not allow this.

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer is a type of convection oven in which food is cooked using hot air.

The device consists of two main parts:

1. The glass flask is the part of the device that contains all the food.
2. The lid is the most significant part of the device. This is where the heating element and fan are located, due to which the cooking process occurs.

A special automatic program is installed here. That is, when you open the lid, the heating element turns off by itself, but when you close the lid again, the air fryer will continue to operate, you won’t have to turn anything on or off.

Minor parameters

You can choose an air fryer for your home in accordance with your culinary tasks if you take into account not only the main, but also a number of secondary parameters, including:

1. Type of control system.
2. Equipment.
3. Power.
4. Type of cover fastening.

Let's look at these details in more detail.

Control type

There are two types of convection oven control system:

1. Mechanical.
2. Electronic.

The first option allows you to adjust time and temperature manually. This greatly simplifies setting parameters and simplifies maintenance. Mechanically controlled devices are inexpensive and have a basic set of functions. The disadvantage is the limited cooking capabilities, as well as the inevitable deformation of the bimetallic panels and detuning of the thermostat over time.

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The electronic version allows you to change the maximum operating characteristics of the convection oven - temperature, blowing speed, time. This significantly expands its capabilities - both in modes and in the accuracy of their programming. This option can be recommended for those who prefer a wide variety of prepared dishes. They also make available software automatic control for a specific recipe. The natural price for this is a significant increase in the cost of models equipped with such a control system.

Equipment

Depending on the manufacturer, the air fryer may have different basic equipment. However, this does not mean that you cannot independently select and purchase a set of necessary equipment for preparing specific dishes. The following types of components exist:

1. Grilles of different heights - low, medium and high, or one with variable stands.
2. Bird nozzle. Allows you to bake without oil.
3. Baking or meat trays.
4. Tongs for catching hot food.
5. Tray with holes for drying or steaming.
6. Smoking skewers.

Advice! If the air fryer is equipped with a removable lid, you can choose one or more rings for it to increase the volume of the bowl by several liters when you need to cook more than in everyday life, for example, for a holiday.

Power

In order for the air fryer to cook quickly and without surprises in the form of overdried or partially raw dishes, you need to choose it correctly in terms of power. The value of this parameter for modern devices can vary widely - from 600 watts to 1.8 kW and higher. However, low-power versions are best suited for intermittent use, for example, for trips to the country, a country house, where the characteristics of the electrical network are not stable.

On the other hand, strong models are the lot of professional kitchens, when food has to be prepared for several hours a day and in large quantities. For your home, it is optimal to choose a convection oven with a power of 1.2-1.4 kW. At the same time, there must be enough of it with a reserve - otherwise the device will work at the limit of its capabilities and may quickly deteriorate.

Lid

Although the configuration of the lid is a secondary parameter, it contains the main parts of the air fryer, and the comfort of use, and therefore the cooking result, depends on the type of its fastening. Each consumer is given the choice of one of two options:

1. Removable.
2. On the bracket.

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The first provides such advantages as a smaller height of the device, as well as the ability to install an additional ring to increase the volume of the bowl. However, during cooking the lid heats up to two hundred degrees, so you can’t just put it on the table - you need a special stand and special care so as not to get burned.

The version on brackets does not have such disadvantages, although the device will be slightly higher, which will take up additional space in the kitchen. In addition, the mount must have sufficient strength and long life to constantly support a fairly heavy cover during daily use.

Air fryer functions

Advanced convection oven models can have up to eight automatic operating programs:

• frying;
• bakery;
• baking;
• smoking;
• grill;
• drying;
• defrosting;
• canning;
• sterilization of dishes.

There are also additional useful programs:

• preheating the bowl. This program will be very useful for those who like to prepare baked goods from yeast dough, which does not like temperature changes. And this function also allows you to spend time on cooking;
• delayed start. allows you to put food in the bowl in advance and get the finished dish at the right time;
• heating (simmering). After completing the cooking program, the air fryer will keep the finished dish warm for about an hour. It turns out something like simmering in a Russian oven;
• self-cleaning. Just add water and detergent, turn on the device and in about 30 minutes you will have a perfectly clean bowl.

Determine the required volume

Based on volume, modern convection ovens for the home can be selected in three categories:

1. Small - from 2 to 6 liters.
2. Average - 8-12 liters.
3. Large - up to 18 liters.

The large volume of the air fryer makes it possible to cook more food at one time or several dishes at the same time. Therefore, in order to choose it correctly according to this characteristic, you must first of all proceed from the amount of food prepared at a time. For example, compact models are suitable for a small family, 10-12-liter ones are suitable for a medium-sized family, but if events accompanied by a feast are not uncommon, then it is better to choose the maximum option.

Air fryer volume

The volume of the working bowl is a very important parameter and before purchasing you should think carefully about what you are going to cook and in what quantities. You can roughly calculate it like this:

for a family of three people, a volume of 9 liters is enough for daily cooking;

For baking fish and chicken, and making pizza, it is better to use a bowl of 12 liters or more.

However, devices with a removable lid can increase their volume by 4-17 liters when using special rings. But air fryers with a bracket do not allow you to increase their volume so much due to their design.

Additional accessories

Additional accessories include expansion rings, skewers, as well as specific devices for preparing specific dishes - for example, ham, confectionery, etc. Moreover, if they are not purchased separately, but are included in the basic equipment, the manufacturer will always raise the price of the air fryer due to their presence in the kit.

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Which manufacturer to choose

The most popular manufacturers of convection ovens for home, from whose products you can choose fairly high-quality, durable and reliable models, are:

1. Нotter.
2. VES Electric.
3. Polaris.
4. Mystery.

The Chinese company Нotter is perhaps the most famous today. Its products are sold in medium and high price categories, as well as in three classes - classic, economical and intermediate. A distinctive feature of its convection ovens are tubular heating elements. Its wide network of service centers is known throughout the world.

The Spanish brand VES Electric has been producing household appliances for more than 15 years. Most of the production is located in China. A special feature of this brand of convection ovens are halogen heaters and a mechanical type of control system. Product prices are relatively low.

Polaris is an American company, also with a share of factories in China. Manufactures equipment since 1992. Its products are preferred by those who primarily focus on the low and medium price category. Air grills for the home of this brand are equipped primarily with halogen heaters and are equipped with mechanical controls.

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Mystery produces air fryers at low and medium costs. Most of them are equipped with removable covers. Despite the good quality and reasonable price, many consumers complain about poor assembly and instability of the devices due to voltage fluctuations in the power supply network.

Most popular models

Let's look at the most popular air fryers for home, which users of popular review sites preferred to choose for their home.

Air fryer equipment

The air fryer package should include quite a lot of useful things:

• high grille. Allows you to cook several dishes and is very convenient for making pizza and croutons;
• medium and low rack for cooking large dishes, dishes in pots and stewing meat and vegetables;
• a ring that increases the volume of the bowl. A very useful thing when preparing large (for example, goose) or several dishes. One ring can increase the volume of the bowl by 5 liters. However, as the volume increases, the cooking time also increases;
• mesh pan. Designed for steaming dishes, drying mushrooms, fruits, herbs and crackers;
• skewers for cooking barbecue;
• Wire tongs for removing hot foods and grates from the bowl.

Unfortunately, the air fryer cannot replace all kitchen appliances. It is simply an excellent addition to conventional kitchen appliances and allows you to prepare healthy and original dishes.

Expert advice on choosing a device

Some useful expert tips will help you choose the right convection oven for cooking at home:

1. You can quickly come to a solution to the problem of choosing an air fryer by specifying your needs and specifying the price.
2. Before choosing any convection oven, you should read reviews from real consumers about it, and also read the instructions to see if it meets your own needs and desires.
3. You can choose a reliable convection oven for everyday use at home in the middle price segment of a popular manufacturer.
4. Models with advanced functionality may include programs that are never used - for example, drying mushrooms, preservation, sterilization - but you will still have to pay for them - so it is better to choose a sample with only the necessary options.
5. Although the power of the air fryer directly affects its performance, its excess value will not make the dish tastier. Therefore, it is better to choose the option with its average value.

Air fryer power

Modern convection ovens usually have a power of 800-1400 W. A power of 1400 W is mainly available in expensive advanced models with enhanced convection function for fast cooking. Some convection ovens are equipped with voltage stabilizers, which can be very useful in the country or in the countryside.

The air fryer also has one drawback. This device has quite a lot of power and cooks food for a long time, so your electricity bill will increase slightly. But it pays off with delicious and healthy dishes prepared in it.

Main conclusions

To choose the right air fryer for your home, you must first take into account the culinary goals that are set for it, as well as the volume and variety of food prepared with its help. Its most important parameters are:

1. Type of heating element.
2. Design features.

In addition, you need to take into account a number of additional characteristics - control system option, configuration, power and modification of the cover fastening. The most reliable air fryers for home are produced by companies such as Нotter, VES Electric, Polaris, Mystery. At the same time, according to reviews from well-known review sites, consumers preferred to choose the following samples - Mystery MCO-747, HX-1087 TIGER, VES 797, Vitesse VS-408 and Delta DL-6002.

If you already own a convection oven or know how best to choose one for your home, be sure to share useful information in the comments.

Device operation

Twenty to thirty years ago, people would have been afraid to imagine that it would be possible to smoke fish, meat or lard in an air fryer, rather than in a traditional smokehouse. This device will prepare your favorite dishes, dry fruits, make barbecue and, of course, delicious smoked meats. For the latter, it is important that your air fryer has this feature.

The operation of the device is simple, it has a lot of functions. Whatever you cook, it will take 2-3 hours to cook, and the most important thing is that all the nutrients are preserved. However, with all the love for smoked meats, you shouldn’t eat a lot of them. You may harm your health. The air fryer does not require the use of oil or fat, so the dish will retain its original taste and will not be greasy. And to add a stunning aroma, cook with alder chips or sawdust. If you don't want wood chips, use liquid smoke. The effect will be the same.

If you have to choose between sawdust and liquid smoke, it is better to take wood. Thanks to it, microbes are destroyed. But the wood chips must be natural.

The components of liquid smoke are free of carcinogens and harmful things, since it is prepared on the basis of water and smoke from deciduous trees. However, if you are prone to allergic reactions, then it is better not to use it.

The process of cooking with an air fryer is similar to cooking in a smokehouse.

1. The product to be smoked is rubbed with salt and seasonings.
2. Sawdust soaked in water is placed at the bottom of the air fryer.
3. Place meat, fish or other product on the grill.
4. We turn on the unit. Thanks to the fan, the wood chips or liquid smoke are heated and the smoking process begins.

Don't forget that each product has its own cooking temperature. Keep this in mind when you cook.

A logical question arises: how to choose a convection oven so that it is of high quality and inexpensive? Let's figure it out.

There are two types of air grills: household and professional. They have differences in chamber volumes, power and functionality. Air grills have the following functions:

• Defrosting.
• Heating.
• Baking.
• Grill.
• Sterilization of kitchen utensils (preparation for winter).
• Drying fruits.
• Cooking low-calorie dishes.
• Simmering and pasteurization.
• Smoking.