You've decided to buy an air fryer, but you're not quite sure what to look for when making your purchase decision?
We want to make the purchase decision easier and assist you in finding the best possible air fryer for you.
1. Capacity - size matters :-)
The first and most important decision you need to make concerns the capacity of your air fryer. Your needs depend on how many people you want to cook for.
From this, one can conclude that an extra-large cooking chamber is only necessary for a family. However, even for just two people or a single-person household, we strongly recommend an extra-large air fryer because a larger cooking chamber means better air circulation, resulting in crispier food. A capacity of at least 4.5 liters is ideal.
2. Wattage - More power is better
Besides size, wattage is extremely important for an air fryer. Lower wattage means less power, resulting in poorer frying results. We recommend a power output of at least 1800W , or even better, 2000 watts , to achieve the best results when frying without oil.
3. Hot air technology
Modern hot air technology is just as important as wattage. Wattage plays a crucial role in heat distribution. It must be even and fill the entire appliance. We recommend a device with Hot-Air Twist technology that circulates hot air at a speed of at least 70 km/h. A temperature range of up to 200 degrees Celsius should be covered.
4. Manual operation & automatic cooking programs
To guarantee you maximum freedom to experiment and cook recipes with your air fryer, make sure it offers both manual temperature and time settings, as well as automatic programs where time and temperature are preset. In addition to manual temperature control, automatic cooking programs are highly recommended, as they simplify everyday life. Automatic programs are therefore a fantastic extra feature; however, relying solely on them will somewhat limit your culinary creativity.
5. PFOA-free coating
What exactly is PFOA? Perfluorooctanoic acid (abbreviated PFOA) is a perfluorinated (perfluorinated) carboxylic acid belonging to the per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS). It has oil- and water-repellent (amphiphobic) properties and thus acts as a surfactant. PFOA is harmful to health, and therefore pan coatings containing PFOA are not recommended. This substance leach from the pan over time, gets into the food, and from there into your body. This chemical can be extremely harmful to our health. Therefore: be sure to buy a healthy air fryer with a PFOA-free coating .
6. Easy cleaning & splash protection
To minimize your workload, you should ensure that as many parts of the air fryer as possible are removable and dishwasher-safe. This way, you can simply put it in the dishwasher after use, eliminating the need for tedious manual cleaning.
Furthermore, it is absolutely essential that the air fryer's heating element has a splash guard, as splashing can quickly make using an air fryer a nuisance. Some manufacturers, like Philips Airfryer, sell a splash guard as an additional accessory; however, there are also air fryers that have this feature integrated into the unit.
7. Overheating protection - safety is paramount.
Overheating protection is important for your safety and essential in households with children. Especially with very inexpensive air fryers, you should absolutely ensure they have overheating protection. We also recommend air fryers with a "cool touch" finish, meaning they don't get hot on the outside. A small but important safety feature is non-slip rubber feet, which ensure the air fryer always stands securely.
8. Automatic shut-off
Equally important is an automatic shut-off function, which ensures that the air fryer switches off by itself and you don't have to switch it off yourself after the acoustic signal sounds.
9. Integrated air filter
The major advantage of an air fryer over a regular fryer is that it's virtually odorless, so you don't have that unpleasant frying smell in your breathing room. Crucially, the air fryer also needs to have an integrated air filter.
10. Timer function with beep
Most air fryers have a timer function. However, there are exceptions. When buying your air fryer, pay attention to this feature, as it's extremely practical. It allows you to precisely set the cooking time. The adjustable timer duration varies between models. Some offer only 30 minutes, while others allow 60 minutes or more. The ideal timer duration for you depends on the size of the portions you plan to prepare. A signal will reliably indicate when your food is ready.
One last tip: Space requirements of the air fryer
The last point to consider is the space you'll need for the air fryer. If you plan to use it frequently, it makes sense to give it a permanent spot in your kitchen. Therefore, we recommend quickly measuring your kitchen to determine the maximum size the air fryer can accommodate. A slim design is advantageous here. This is also possible with an extra-large cooking chamber, as the Nutri-Fryer clearly demonstrates.
As you can see, an air fryer can be a tremendous asset to any household. Whether you live alone or with a family, an air fryer is a practical addition to any kitchen. The way food is "fried" (it's not actually deep-fried) in an air fryer is low in fat and healthy, while preserving the natural flavor and color of the food.
Our recommendation:
NUTRI-FRYER Stainless Steel Hot Air Fryer XXL
Read more: If you want to know more about air fryers, we recommend our article:
What is an air fryer? What is it used for?
Recommended test websites for air fryers:
https://friteusen-profi.de/testberichte
https://www.der-heissluftfritteuse-test.de
https://www.friteuseohnefett-vergleich-test.de
https://www.heissluftfritteuse-testsieger.de
https://www.heissluftfriteuse-test.eu
https://www.friteuse-tipps.de
