Air Fryer vs Deep Fat Fryer
So, you have heard about this great kitchen appliance everyone is talking about – the air fryer. But what is it? How does it work? What is the difference between a deep fryer and a hot air fryer? Which one is a better option for you to buy for your home? Well, I will try to address all these questions in my article below.
To add oil or not to add oil?
Frying with a deep fat fryer means using between one and four quarts of oil, which is a lot to most people. Want to cook turkey this way? You will need at least three to five gallons of oil. And don’t forget you will need to dispose of all that oil in a environment friendly way! Ouch, another headache!
Cooking with a hot air fryer means using 75-80 percent less oil. Most air fryers require no more than one spoon of oil, and some require no oil at all. So, in terms of oil usage, air fryer wins.
Certainly, your deep-fried chicken will not taste the same as the air fried one. It won’t be as moist and tender, won’t have a fine crispy skin. But I will tell you what it also won’t have: a super high fat content.
Cleaning
When you don’t have to use oil, this means less mess to clean up! Air fryer parts are dishwasher safe, but even when cleaned by hand it is still aggravation free.
With deep fat fryer things get a little more complicated. Cleaning the oily pot is a hassle and consumes time. Besides, when your favorite dish was cooking, oil vapor may have settled on the counter top and kitchen walls. In this case you will be spending time cleaning the surrounding areas as well.
Safety
Cooking in an air fryer is easy and safe. The appliance comes covered with a lid. You don’t need to be present to watch over the cooking process. Most devices are equipped with auto shut off and stand by functions. So, you need not worry about overheating and burning food.
The dangers of deep fat frying are well known (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/65f762d0-e4d0-4278-b5cb-2836854a3eda/Deep_Fat_Frying.pdf?MOD=AJPERES). Besides the inconvenience of having to stand there and watch the hot oil boil, you are running the risk of getting scalded or even starting a fire in your home. You also need to worry about food getting burnt.
During air frying burning food is rare. The machine is safe and easy to use, even a child can do it.
Another limiting factor when choosing deep fryer over the air fryer is that its functions are limited. You can only deep fry foods in the deep fryer. With the air fryer though, your opportunities are virtually limitless. You can roast, bake, fry, grill and more!
Taste
Taste is the only department when air fryer loses to the deep fryer. Deep fried foods have a crunchy bite and a juicy taste to it. Air fried food is more dry, because of hot circulating air inside the appliance. But it also contains up to 80% less oil and fat. So it is up to you which route to go.
So, you have heard about this great kitchen appliance everyone is talking about – the air fryer. But what is it? How does it work? What is the difference between a deep fryer and a hot air fryer? Which one is a better option for you to buy for your home? Well, I will try to address all these questions in my article below.
To add oil or not to add oil?
Frying with a deep fat fryer means using between one and four quarts of oil, which is a lot to most people. Want to cook turkey this way? You will need at least three to five gallons of oil. And don’t forget you will need to dispose of all that oil in a environment friendly way! Ouch, another headache!
Cooking with a hot air fryer means using 75-80 percent less oil. Most air fryers require no more than one spoon of oil, and some require no oil at all. So, in terms of oil usage, air fryer wins.
Certainly, your deep-fried chicken will not taste the same as the air fried one. It won’t be as moist and tender, won’t have a fine crispy skin. But I will tell you what it also won’t have: a super high fat content.
Cleaning
When you don’t have to use oil, this means less mess to clean up! Air fryer parts are dishwasher safe, but even when cleaned by hand it is still aggravation free.
With deep fat fryer things get a little more complicated. Cleaning the oily pot is a hassle and consumes time. Besides, when your favorite dish was cooking, oil vapor may have settled on the counter top and kitchen walls. In this case you will be spending time cleaning the surrounding areas as well.
Safety
Cooking in an air fryer is easy and safe. The appliance comes covered with a lid. You don’t need to be present to watch over the cooking process. Most devices are equipped with auto shut off and stand by functions. So, you need not worry about overheating and burning food.
The dangers of deep fat frying are well known (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/65f762d0-e4d0-4278-b5cb-2836854a3eda/Deep_Fat_Frying.pdf?MOD=AJPERES). Besides the inconvenience of having to stand there and watch the hot oil boil, you are running the risk of getting scalded or even starting a fire in your home. You also need to worry about food getting burnt.
During air frying burning food is rare. The machine is safe and easy to use, even a child can do it.
Another limiting factor when choosing deep fryer over the air fryer is that its functions are limited. You can only deep fry foods in the deep fryer. With the air fryer though, your opportunities are virtually limitless. You can roast, bake, fry, grill and more!
Taste
Taste is the only department when air fryer loses to the deep fryer. Deep fried foods have a crunchy bite and a juicy taste to it. Air fried food is more dry, because of hot circulating air inside the appliance. But it also contains up to 80% less oil and fat. So it is up to you which route to go.