It all started a few years ago, when all sorts of “couch shops” vied with each other to praise and promote a new phenomenon in the world of cooking devices - the “air fryer”. Switching cable channels, you could several times stumble upon another ode to this device.
Inspiring speeches promised that the new device replaces the stove, the oven, the microwave, the smokehouse, and five more kitchen units, and it does all this much better, and the food cooked in it is much healthier.
The price of the new product was especially invigorating and refreshing - less than 10,000 rubles.
Years passed, and the accompanying advertising tinsel gradually subsided and dropped out. The new product turned out to be a really useful, although not such a universal kitchen device. Today, a good convection oven can be bought for 2-3 thousand rubles, or even less. Air fryers, as usual, have their fans and detractors.
What do we have in the dry sediment? Is an air fryer worth the money asked for it and especially the space in the kitchen? Let's figure it out and start with the operating principle of this device.
⇡#Aerogrill: device and principle of operation
The air fryer looks like a large transparent pan: a glass heat-resistant flask is placed on a plastic stand, which is covered with a thick lid. The cover is equipped with a built-in heater, fan and control panel (mechanical or electronic). The device is usually supplied with several baking grates, a steamer (a smooth baking tray separated by small partitions for cooking different products at the same time), tongs for gripping hot food, skewers, an expansion ring (to increase the volume of the air fryer like a pressure cooker), etc. .d.
Before cooking begins, the products are placed on grates and/or steamer, placed inside a glass flask and closed with a lid, after which the required operating mode is selected. The heater emits heat, which is picked up by the fan and distributed evenly throughout the entire working chamber. Many models allow you to regulate both air temperature and air flow speed. This is very convenient: each product can be given an individual approach, avoiding overdrying, undercooking, etc.
Which is better to buy an air fryer or an oven?
In the modern world there are a lot of special household appliances that help you prepare delicious food for yourself and your family. Many devices operate almost automatically, have a large number of modes and methods of preparing food, which makes it possible to prepare any dish. Often, the cook does not even need to monitor the cooking time, and recipes and built-in food processing programs will be responsible for the diversity of the diet.
What to choose between a convection oven and an oven? Both appliances can exist in the same kitchen, but which should be preferred?
⇡#Aerogrill: how it cooks
The principle of cooking food in an air fryer is somewhat reminiscent of a grill, in some ways convection, and, as manufacturers say, it comes closest to the technology of a Russian oven. Cooking occurs either on a grate (or steamer) or in a fireproof container (glass, ceramic or metal).
The instructions, as a rule, indicate an almost inexhaustible range of uses, but in practice, the air fryer is used mainly for frying and baking meat, poultry and fish, and preparing homemade shish kebab. It is in these cases that the taste and appearance of the finished dishes are simply excellent, and besides, the process almost does not require the use of oil and fat. Moreover, excess fat is rendered and flows down, so that most of the resulting dishes can be called dietary.
Much less often (in practice it is not always convenient) the air fryer is used for stewing, cooking soups and porridges, baking, drying or simmering, smoking and sterilizing marinades. Most of the functions of an air fryer can be replaced by a conventional electric oven, however, compared to it, an air fryer heats up faster (but not faster than a gas oven), saves energy and can cook several dishes at the same time.
Quartz grill
Quartz consists of lamps hidden in the upper part of the inner chamber of the microwave oven and hidden by a grill. The more lamps, the more powerful the grill, the faster it cooks, and the more electricity it consumes during operation.
Advantages of a quartz grill: it turns on faster and does not take up space in the work area.
Flaws:
- Price. Models with a quartz grill are slightly more expensive than similar models with a heating element.
- Uneven cooking. Since the lamps shine through the grille, the product sometimes turns into a “grid”.
Some people note in the list of advantages that a quartz grill is easier to care for: wipe it with a cloth and the job is done. However, there is also an opposite opinion. The fact is that the quartz grill is hidden by a grate, on which sooner or later fat will begin to accumulate. And a grate is more difficult to clean than a flat, smooth surface.
⇡#Aerogrill: advantages and disadvantages
Once again about the advantages. If you have not skimped and purchased a multifunctional device that is not the cheapest, you can use it to: prepare baked goods (pizza, pies, cookies, cakes), fried and stewed meat, poultry and fish, smoked meats (with the addition of alder shavings), soups, cereals ; reheat and defrost food, sterilize jars, dry fruits or mushrooms, stew vegetables.
In this case, any dish is cooked in its own juice without adding oil, and the excess fat of the food itself drains onto the tray. Since it is still a grill, meat, chicken or vegetables are covered with an appetizing crispy crust. The food turns out tasty and healthy.
However, the device, which positions itself as universal and has taken on the functions of 4-5 kitchen devices, also has its drawbacks. Firstly, it is not as spacious as an oven (usually the volume does not exceed 18 liters), secondly, it heats individual portions of food more slowly than a microwave oven, thirdly, it consumes a considerable amount of electricity, although much less than an electric oven, but more than a microwave oven.
In addition, the convection oven is quite bulky, heavy (7-10 kg) and difficult to clean. The self-cleaning function declared in the device does not cope with greasy stains. Over time, the heater cover may accumulate odor. The most convenient way to wash a glass flask is in a dishwasher, but not everyone has it.
Microwave oven with grill
Simple microwave ovens without grills are designed to heat all kinds of foods. They are practically not intended for cooking; the most that a consumer can count on is hot sandwiches with cheese, porridge and ready-made semi-finished products. Baking chicken legs, frying potatoes or stewing vegetables in them is very problematic.
A microwave oven with a grill is a completely different matter. They are perfect not only for heating, but also for preparing all kinds of foods. The grill can be of two types: quartz and shadow.
⇡#Aerogrill: which one to choose?
When choosing an air fryer, the first thing you should think about is the list of potential kitchen tasks that it will have to solve, as well as realistically assess the availability of free space for such a voluminous unit, and only then navigate the variety of offers according to the selected parameters.
An air fryer will certainly be an indispensable purchase for owners of compact kitchens without a powerful electric or gas oven, especially those who have to manage with a minimal set of kitchen utensils.
For complete clarity, it also wouldn’t hurt to compare the functions of an air fryer with a multicooker, which is also electronically controlled and has a partially overlapping list of functions. As a result, it may be more prudent to choose just one thing. A multicooker is a compact automatic saucepan with a capacity of 2-5 liters that can stew, prepare soups, milk porridges, steam (if it comes with a wire rack), bake and simmer. Like a convection oven, you can load food into the multicooker and set the program.
On the one hand, unlike an air fryer, a multicooker usually weighs no more than 3 kg, so you can always take it to the dacha or on vacation. The multicooker is easy to clean and can be easily washed both manually and in the dishwasher. On the other hand, there are culinary masterpieces that a multicooker is simply powerless to handle. For example, there is no way in the world you can stuff a large holiday turkey, goose, duck or plump chicken into a slow cooker, and even more so you will never achieve the wonderful crispy golden crust that only an air fryer, an oven and some types of microwaves with a grill can achieve.
Can an electric convection oven in your kitchen replace a real grill or barbecue that runs on coal or wood? This is unlikely, at best, only partially. Will an air fryer be able to significantly diversify your diet with truly delicious unusual dishes? Without a doubt.
In our future publications, we will definitely confirm the theoretical recommendations with real tests of real retail samples of air fryers from different manufacturers. But right now one cannot help but confirm one of the most common promises of air fryer advertising: the dishes in it turn out to be truly tasty and healthy.
Which is better, an oven or a convection oven - a matter of priorities: we compare, we advise
It all started a few years ago, when all sorts of “couch shops” vied with each other to praise and promote a new phenomenon in the world of cooking devices - the “air fryer”. Switching cable channels, you could several times stumble upon another ode to this device.
Inspiring speeches promised that the new device replaces the stove, the oven, the microwave, the smokehouse, and five more kitchen units, and it does all this much better, and the food cooked in it is much healthier.
The price of the new product was especially invigorating and refreshing - less than 10,000 rubles.
Years passed, and the accompanying advertising tinsel gradually subsided and dropped out. The new product turned out to be a really useful, although not such a universal kitchen device. Today, a good convection oven can be bought for 2-3 thousand rubles, or even less. Air fryers, as usual, have their fans and detractors.
What do we have in the dry sediment? Is an air fryer worth the money asked for it and especially the space in the kitchen? Let's figure it out and start with the operating principle of this device.
Kinds
The air fryer is:
- with mechanical control. A budget option for kitchen appliances, there is one mode, simple controls. Models in this category are gradually becoming a thing of the past, but anyone who does not want to spend a lot of money on purchasing a convection oven can recommend a simple device;
- with electronic control. An improved version of a convection oven: there are several programs, you can adjust the temperature, cooking time, and select the optimal power. Additional functions: self-cleaning, timer for turning the device on and off at the right time, maintaining the set temperature for quick cooking, height adjustment (you can move food closer to the heating element).
Types of heating elements:
- tubular. High quality, fast heating, maintaining optimal temperature. A tubular heating element in combination with a fan ensures active penetration of heat into the food. The tubular heating element is 2–3 times more durable than the second option, which will be discussed further;
- halogen. The element also warms up the container well, reducing the risk of rusting and oxidation of metal parts, but the service life is shorter. The service life of a convection oven with a halogen heater is about 3 years, while a tubular heating element lasts longer – up to 10 years.
READ ALSO: What parameters to pay attention to and how to choose a dishwasher: expert advice on choosing, connecting and caring for equipment
Cover fastening:
- removable;
- on the bracket.
Flask volume:
- standard equipment - 12 l;
- for a large family - with a metal expansion ring.
What's better?
What is better for the kitchen of a modern person? It is impossible to say for sure.
A person who needs to prepare food daily and who likes to try new recipes should choose a grill. The device is small in size, consumes little energy and is easy to use. Often it doesn’t even need to be washed - in modern models the self-cleaning function works like a charm.
But a family man who needs to cook several servings of food at the same time will like the oven. A modern model with a timer will not leave you indifferent; a design that protects the case from overheating will help protect small children from burns.
The choice between devices is purely subjective. No one can give a specific assessment and award the title of best. Despite the similarity in operating principles, these devices still have different directions.
What common
Both the oven and the air fryer perform several similar functions. For example:
- Allows you to prepare baked and fried dishes, as well as side dishes, soups, dried fruits and berries, etc.
- Oversized. They take up little space in the kitchen, but can completely replace the stove.
- There are models with a timer. The cook does not need to monitor the temperature and duration of cooking - after the timer expires, the device turns off.
- Both devices require the use of special heat-resistant cookware. Before use, you need to make sure that the selected utensil can withstand the set temperature. It is not advisable to use plastic, even if it is characterized as heat-resistant.
Suitable for ceramics, metals (cast iron, aluminum), fireproof glass.
Thus, the basic functions and similarities of the devices make them almost similar in use at first glance. Whether they can be called interchangeable will be discussed further.
