An air fryer is one of the easy ways to find the perfect kitchen companion. You can enjoy crunchy and delicious foods without feeling guilty about deep-frying and excess oil. Whether you want to enjoy pakora on a rainy day or require quick ways to reheat samosa, a good air fryer can make a big difference. We all know shopping for kitchen appliances can be challenging. You need the best air fryer, but the technical specifications may confuse you.
Here is a buying guide for air fryers to help you identify what matters the most.
What is an air fryer, and how does it work?
An air fryer is a compact kitchen appliance. It serves as a great alternative for deep-frying. However, there’s a secret about it—it does not really fry your food. Unlike other deep fryers, it doesn’t come with a big pool of oil.
It comes equipped with a smart convection mechanism. The device includes a heating unit at the top. When heated, a powerful fan starts working. This fan creates a flow of hot air all over the food at high speed.
The result is a crispy, brown layer on the exterior of the food while the interior remains soft and moist. This technology is known as “Rapid Air Technology.” It provides the flavor and texture of fried foods. But with minimal amount of oil required to cook.
Here is the detailed explanation: How Does an Air Fryer Work? | Kitchen Guide
Key benefits of buying an air fryer
Why buy one? There are several advantages.
1. Healthy frying method: This is the biggest advantage of air fryers. You can reduce the amount of oil needed to cook by up to 80-90%. Enjoy your favorite snacks without feeling guilty. Your heart and body will definitely thank you.
2. Easy cooking: No one wants to spend hours waiting for their dinner to be ready. Air fryers can cook food much faster than conventional ovens. The compact size of the air fryer ensures instant heat-up. The Rapid Air Technology helps to cook food quickly. Frozen snacks can be prepared within minutes.
3. Energy saving: Air fryers are compact appliances. As they heat up quickly and cook food quickly, they require a minimal amount of electricity. Compared to large OTGs or microwaves, air fryers are more efficient in conserving energy. They help in reducing the monthly electricity bill.
Related: Pros and Cons of Air Fryer: Is It Worth Buying?
Quick buying guide specific to India
1. Power and voltage: India follows a standard 230V power supply. No need to buy a voltage converter for Indian models. However, do check out the wattage requirement. What is the ideal wattage of an air fryer needed in India? Generally, the capacity ranges from 900W to 2100W. 1200 W to 1500 W air fryers are ideal for our daily Indian cooking requirements. Models with less capacity take a longer time to heat up.
2. Capacity requirements for Indian family sizes: Indian families love making big batches of snacks. Air fryers with capacities of 1-2 liters are ideal for a single person or small couple. A 3-5 liter capacity air fryer is good enough for a small family of 3. If you are looking to buy a good air fryer for an Indian family of 4, go for 4.5 to 5.5 liters capacity. If you have a joint family, look out for 5 liter plus capacities.
3. Availability of models and after-sales service: Check if the brand has a service center in your city. Good after-sales service is a bonus. Metropolitan cities have numerous options available. However, if you reside in a Tier 2 city, opt for reliable brands.
4. Ingredient and Recipe Compatibility: One common question that comes to mind is, can we make pakoras in an air fryer? Yes, we can. A good air fryer for Indian recipes can manage strong-spiced dishes easily. You can make crunchy pakoras, samosas, and tikka and even make tadkas (temperings) on it. However, the basket should be able to hold and deal with sticky marinades.
5. Warranty: Check out the air fryer’s warranty and service facility in India. A 1-year warranty is the minimum. Some premium brands provide 2 years of warranty on the product and 5 years on the motor.
Which is the best air fryer in India? Here is our list. 12 Best Air Fryers in India: Our Top Picks for Healthy Cooking, 8 Best Air Fryer Ovens in India: Our Top Picks & Reviews
What to look for when buying air fryer
Now let’s get to the key features. Keep these points in mind while shopping.
1. Capacity and space required for your kitchen: Don’t buy a bulky machine for a compact kitchen countertop. First, measure your available space. Large baskets require sufficient space. Also, ensure that the compartment can be pulled out fully without touching any wall.
2. Heating technology and temperature range: Look for appliances providing genuine 360-degree heating facilities. The temperature range is important. Indian cooking requires strong heat to make crispy dishes. Ensure that the appliance can reach at least 200°C.
3. Temperature Control: Do you prefer touchscreen displays or traditional dials? Digital displays give a modern look and provide precise temperature readings. Manual dials are robust, long-lasting, and easy to operate. Preset buttons are beneficial for beginners. They take away the need to guess how much heat is needed to cook the food.
4. Timer function and automatic shut-off: Never leave an appliance with high heat settings unattended. A built-in timer is a must-have feature. The auto shut-off feature stops the appliance as soon as the timer goes off. This helps in preventing food from being burnt and reduces the risk of fires.
5. Accessories: Every air fryer comes with a large air frying basket. The crisper tray is useful to make pizza and puri. A grill rack is helpful to cook multiple layers of dishes. Skewers can be used to prepare paneer and chicken tikka. Food-grade silicone mats help prevent food from sticking. Check what comes along with the appliance.
6. Ease of cleaning: Indian cooking involves generous amounts of oils and spices, resulting in a lot of mess. Opt for air fryers with good quality non-stick coatings. Find out if the accessories can be cleaned using a dishwasher. If the basket can be washed in a dishwasher, it saves hours of tedious scrubbing.
7. Building quality and materials: Avoid kitchen devices made of cheap plastic bodies if you plan to cook every day. The stainless steel versus plastic exterior debate is a common one. Stainless steel lasts longer, retains heat better, and looks premium. However, plastic bodies are lightweight and inexpensive but may retain strong smells over time.
8. Safety features: Good safety measures are important features in any kitchen gadget. An auto shut-off function is a must-have feature. The cool-touch exterior provides a safe barrier to protect your skin from accidental burns. An overflowing protector is beneficial if you cook food rich in oils or marinated foods that ooze out oil during cooking.
9. Smart features (optional): Want to go fancy? There are various air fryer models available, equipped with preset recipes. Some have Wi-Fi-enabled app connectivity, allowing you to operate them using your smartphone. Various models come with several features such as roasting, baking, toasting, and dehydrating capabilities. While they are optional, having them is a good thing to have.
10. The level of noise and the air circulation system: The air fryers are equipped with powerful air circulators. A loud air-circulating fan can be a nuisance, especially when living in a small apartment or for a sleeping baby. Check the customer feedback section to find out about silent models. Most of the models in the market are not that noisy.
Note that not every model has all the features. Choose as per your requirement.
Check out our list for the best Philips model: 7 Best Philips Air Fryers in India: Our Top Picks for Every Kitchen.
How to maintain and care for air fryer
A good appliance requires proper care. If it is well maintained, it can serve us for years.
1. General cleaning routine after use: Avoid using steel wool or abrasive scrubbers to clean the non-stick coating of your induction cooker. After usage, allow the basket to cool down. Clean it with a soft sponge, mild dish soap, and warm water. Wipe the internal heating element with a damp cloth to get rid of the oil residues that stick to it.
2. How to avoid bad odor build-up: Indian spices like mustard seeds and curry leaves give out a strong smell. These can cause persistent smells in the equipment. How to deal with this? EASY. Keep a small container of water with lemon juice or white vinegar. Cook without any food content at 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Any bad odor is removed immediately.
3. Part replacement: The baskets undergo heavy usage. After some time, the non-stick coating may start to peel off. Do not cook in a basket with a peeling nonstick coating. You can buy new containers easily from online stores. Be sure to check the company’s official website to get genuine spare parts.
Want to know more about the cleaning process? How to Clean Air Fryer | Kitchen Cleaning Guide and Tips
Troubleshooting guide
If you’re experiencing any issues, don’t worry. Most problems can be solved easily at home.
1. Uneven cooking: Has half of your food burnt while the other half is raw? You’ve overcrowded the basket. Air requires space to circulate freely. Do not pile up the food one upon the other. Cook in smaller batches to achieve perfectly evenly cooked food.
2. Over-crisping: Is your food getting too dark or burning? Your air fryer temperature setting is too high. Reduce it by 10 to 20 degrees. Also, reduce the cooking time. Keep shaking the basket half way through the cooking time.
3. Under-crisping: Want to experience that crunchy feeling? Your air fryer temperature setting might be too low. Try brushing a thin layer of oil on the food. Good circulation of heat helps create a crunchy crust.
4. When to contact customer support: The air fryer won’t turn on—check the power socket. If the digital display is blank or the fan makes a loud grinding sound, do not try to open the air fryer yourself, as this could be due to internal wire issues. Contact customer support immediately, especially if your air fryer is still under warranty.
Conclusions
Buying a new kitchen gadget is a big decision. Remember, the best air fryer is one that suits your lifestyle well. Don’t just look out for air fryers with stylish touch screens or think that expensive air fryers are the best options. Stop and think for a moment. Consider the size of your family. Identify the food items you make every day. Once you are clear about what you need, you can easily order an air fryer online with great confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, 100%. It helps us save a lot of oil and time. We can make a variety of dishes in it—from tikkas and kebabs to roasting nuts and preparing tempering for dal. It is a game changer for Indian kitchens.
Yes, you can. You can easily bake cakes, muffins, and cookies. You will need to get a small baking tray that can fit inside the basket. Do remember to set the temperature correctly. Air fryers heat up faster than conventional ovens, so reduce the temperature by 20°C from what the recipe suggests.
With proper care and maintenance, air fryers can be used for 3 to 5 years. The duration of usage depends on the frequency of usage and quality of the product. Stainless steel air fryers last longer than those made of plastic.
No, as long as we exercise caution. Ensure that your kitchen outlet can provide sufficient wattage. Do not use substandard extension cords to run the 1500W+ air fryers, as they may lead to overheating. Always use the handle, as the cool-touch exterior applies only to the outside of the air fryer and not the interior parts.