Air Fryers - What's Up With That?

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Buy a toaster oven combo “air fryer” (convection oven).

Like this: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/c...w.ds#store=260

Might seem obvious, but why do you like that option? We don’t have a toaster oven and use our oven a lot for many cooking tasks. Do you use it a lot?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Might seem obvious, but why do you like that option? We don’t have a toaster oven and use our oven a lot for many cooking tasks. Do you use it a lot?

Yeah I’ve had a toaster oven instead of a microwave for probably 12 years and love it. We use it way more than our oven. I use it at least once every day.

My latest one died, so I replaced it with the model I linked (bought on sale half off because you should never buy full price things at Canadian tire). I hate having excess appliances, so I’d never buy something like an air fryer or an instantpot.

[afc wimbledon]

I have a double oven, use the smaller top oven for most things, it heats up really quickly, the lower oven only gets used for big dinners

[chubeyr1]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

The giant bag of Cavendish fries at Costco. I use a Cosori air fryer, so I do the fries at 400F and shake the basket ever 7-8 minutes until the desired crispness is hit.

However, because it's Costco... I also walk away with their brown gravy mix and squeak'rs cheese. I "over fry" the Cavendish fries, add the cheese and gravy and it works awesome for a "poutine".

I love a good poutine.

That said I havent had a good one unless I make it myself.

You absolutely have to overcook the fries. Otherwise you end up with the worst mash potatoes and gravy you ever had.

Really disgusting.

This is like soggy chicken wings. Equally disgusting.

They should both be crisp when you take a bite. Not mush.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I have a double oven, use the smaller top oven for most things, it heats up really quickly, the lower oven only gets used for big dinners

Well la-de-da Mr Fancy 2 Ovens.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Looking for advice and recommendations on air fryers. We’re a household of two so don’t need a big one. Purchase cost isn’t a big issue but I want ease of use and reliability. I’d like to minimize the footprint due to limited counter space, but I guess we could store it off the counter. What do you like and recommend?

I am yet to hear anyone not liking their air fryers, so I’m guessing they are all simple and reliable enough. We got a $120 Instant Vortex from BBB and we love it for wings, calamari, pastry and potato skins. But the $50 one from Costco looks very similar too.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

The giant bag of Cavendish fries at Costco. I use a Cosori air fryer, so I do the fries at 400F and shake the basket ever 7-8 minutes until the desired crispness is hit.

However, because it's Costco... I also walk away with their brown gravy mix and squeak'rs cheese. I "over fry" the Cavendish fries, add the cheese and gravy and it works awesome for a "poutine".

Are you happy with the Cosori? I have been looking at picking up the 5.8 one as I want one that is a little bigger. My parents have a smaller ninja that I have tried to cook bacon in, which is great, just a little too small.

[Nyah]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Yeah I’ve had a toaster oven instead of a microwave for probably 12 years and love it. We use it way more than our oven. I use it at least once every day.

Same. My toaster oven is the most used appliance in my kitchen, I probably use it every day. We have an air fryer too, so the combo looks like a great idea.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Nyah

Same. My toaster oven is the most used appliance in my kitchen, I probably use it every day. We have an air fryer too, so the combo looks like a great idea.

Free your countertops and cupboards!

AFC has given me a dream I didn’t even know I wanted… when my stove dies I’m getting a double oven and ditching the toaster oven!

[JohnnyB]

My air fryer is my favorite kitchen appliance by far. Use it pretty much every day. Skewers of meat come out just like they'd been on the barbecue, with no hassle and virtually no cleaning.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I have a double oven, use the smaller top oven for most things, it heats up really quickly, the lower oven only gets used for big dinners

How much counter space does it take and how high is it? You’re likely not at home so an approximation is fine, and thank you.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

My air fryer is my favorite kitchen appliance by far. Use it pretty much every day. Skewers of meat come out just like they'd been on the barbecue, with no hassle and virtually no cleaning.

Yes yes they are great. But what people need to understand is it is just a convection oven. Some of you may already have one.

If you want another specialized appliance fine, but it’s a convection oven in a smaller size. Which you can get, in units that are much more versatile. Exact same results, by the exact same means. You don’t need an “air fryer” to do it.

[Minnie]

I got the Kalorik Maxx for Christmas - "it functions as an air fryer, roaster, broiler, grill, rotisserie, dehydrator, oven, toaster, pizza oven, and warmer." I love this thing, I use it so much that 3 days ago was the first time I've turned my actual oven on in about a month, maybe longer. Kind of makes me want to get rid of my oven entirely, just have a cooktop. The one I linked comes with a bacon tray, which mine didn't have and I may see if I can buy it separately.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Minnie

I got the Kalorik Maxx for Christmas - "it functions as an air fryer, roaster, broiler, grill, rotisserie, dehydrator, oven, toaster, pizza oven, and warmer." I love this thing, I use it so much that 3 days ago was the first time I've turned my actual oven on in about a month, maybe longer. Kind of makes me want to get rid of my oven entirely, just have a cooktop. The one I linked comes with a bacon tray, which mine didn't have and I may see if I can buy it separately.

That looks great. Same question, do you have the height and counter footprint? I really like that one.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Yes yes they are great. But what people need to understand is it is just a convection oven. Some of you may already have one.

If you want another specialized appliance fine, but it’s a convection oven in a smaller size. Which you can get, in units that are much more versatile. Exact same results, by the exact same means. You don’t need an “air fryer” to do it.

I used to think the same thing, but it's not true. A good air fryer is a high air-movement convection oven. And that makes a material difference in the speed of cooking.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

That looks great. Same question, do you have the height and counter footprint? I really like that one.

Height, yes. Footprint, no. My house is little and my kitchen is a wee one. I'm thinking of asking my FIL to make me a wood top that fits over my cooktop, that I can just remove when I need to use the cooktop - he's a retired master carpenter, and this would be a quick and easy build for him.

That, or getting a kitchen shelf/rack something like this that I would just add wheels to (or find one with wheels) - I have a spot it would fit and I could store other things on it, to free up a couple of spots.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Shazam

I used to think the same thing, but it's not true. A good air fryer is a high air-movement convection oven. And that makes a material difference in the speed of cooking.

Also, it's easier and faster to pull out the drawer of an air fryer to check on things, move stuff around, and continue the cooking process than it is with an oven. That's a material difference in the user experience imo.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I am yet to hear anyone not liking their air fryers, so I’m guessing they are all simple and reliable enough.

I really don't like my air fryer. I think a big part of it is due to it being too small. I can cook about a dozen wings in a reasonable amount of time, but more than that and the time goes up significantly. The only good side of my air fryer is apparently there is a recall on it, so Best Buy is supposed to be giving me most of my money back.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

How much counter space does it take and how high is it? You’re likely not at home so an approximation is fine, and thank you.

Aren’t these generally built-in?

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I really don't like my air fryer. I think a big part of it is due to it being too small. I can cook about a dozen wings in a reasonable amount of time, but more than that and the time goes up significantly. The only good side of my air fryer is apparently there is a recall on it, so Best Buy is supposed to be giving me most of my money back.

OK, so you need a larger one. We can have about 2-dozen wings in ours and they all get crispy without an issue.