If you are looking for a healthy, grease-free, and fast way of heating your food, then you might already have looked over an air fryer. This thing is an amazing method of preparing food, but you might have looked at the price tag of some of them and wondered whether it is worth buying one.
The good news is that there are many affordable options out there that will make cooking with this appliance a breeze.
You can get a decent model for under $100, but if you want to save even more money, you should consider going for a used unit. These fryers use convection rather than just heat and oil to get the food cooked.
However, they do require a little bit of oil. We’ll go into the nitty-gritty of these fryers to see whether or not they’ll be useful for your needs.
What Is An Air Fryer?
An air fryer uses hot air instead of oil to cook food. It has two parts: a basket and a lid. The food is placed in the basket and the lid is closed on top of it. Then, the air fryer heats up the air inside until it reaches around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the temperature is reached, the fan circulates the heated air throughout the entire compartment. This circulation causes the food to cook faster because the air conducts heat well. Since the air doesn’t come into direct contact with the food, it won’t cause any burning or greasy flavors either.
This makes it perfect for people who don’t like using oil when cooking their foods. They also work great for those who prefer healthier eating habits. However, since the air comes directly from the outside, the temperature may vary depending on where you live.
So, if you’re living somewhere cold, you may need to turn down the temperature setting so that your food cooks evenly.
Where Can I Buy An Air Fryer?
You can buy an air fryer pretty much anywhere. There are plenty of online stores that sell them, as well as brick-and-mortar locations. But, if you want to save a few bucks, you should check out second-hand stores.
These places tend to carry older models that haven’t been sold yet. If you find one that’s still working fine, you can probably pick it up for a fraction of its original cost.
How Much Does A Used Air Fryer Cost?
A new air fryer can cost between $80-$100. That means that you could spend upwards of $200 on a brand-new machine. However, if you look around, you can usually find a used one for less than half of that amount. A lot of people think that they can only afford to purchase a new product.
However, if you take advantage of secondhand shops, you can often find a quality piece for pennies on the dollar.
What Features Does An Air Fryer Have?
There are several features that you should look for when shopping for an air fryer. First off, you should make sure that it has a timer. This feature allows you to set how long you want the food to cook before removing it from the oven.
The next thing to look for is a digital display. This helps you keep track of the time while you’re cooking without having to open the door every once in a while.
Another important feature is the power cord. If you have children running around, then this will help prevent accidents.
You should also look for a model that has a removable filter. This way, you can clean the unit easily.
Air fryers aren’t cheap. In fact, they can run you for more than $100. However, they do offer many benefits over other methods of cooking.
And, if you know what to look for, you’ll be able to get a good deal on a high-quality air fryer.
How Durable Is An Air Fryer?
An air fryer is very durable. Most of the time, these units last about five years. Some models even go longer than that. However, there are some things that can damage the unit. For example, if you drop it, you could crack the glass lid. Or, if you use too much oil, you might end up spilling it all over the interior.
That being said, most models are fairly easy to maintain. All you really need to do is wash the exterior regularly with soap and water. Then, just wipe down the inside with a damp cloth.
Is An Air Fryer Safe To Use Around Children?
Yes! The air fryer doesn’t emit any harmful chemicals or gasses. It’s completely safe to use around kids and pets. Plus, it won’t cause any harm to their skin either.
What Are The Benefits Of An Air Fryer?
There are so many reasons why you’d want to invest in an air fryer. Here are just a few:
- It saves energy – When you use an air fryer, you don’t have to heat up your kitchen.
- Instead, you simply turn on the temperature control and let the device do the work.
- It cooks evenly – Because the air fryer heats up quickly, it ensures that foods cook evenly.
- This makes it ideal for those who like crispy chicken wings.
- It’s versatile – No matter what type of food you’re making, you can use an air fryer to prepare it.
- From fish sticks to french fries, you can cook them all using the same device.
- It’s quick – Since the air fryer uses convection technology, you can prepare multiple dishes at once.
So, instead of spending hours preparing dinner, you can simply pop everything into the air fryer and walk away.
What Are The Downsides Of An Air Fryer?
Of course, not everyone likes using an air fryer. Below, we’ve listed some of the downsides of owning one.
- They take up space – While they may save you money by cutting out the need for heating up your kitchen, they still require quite a bit of room.
- They cost a lot – These devices typically cost between $80-$150. That’s a pretty hefty price tag for something that only takes up half of your kitchen counter.
- You have to buy extra pans – With most air fryers, you have to purchase additional pans. This means that you’ll have to keep buying new ones as your family grows.
- You have to clean them – Cleaning an air fryer isn’t exactly fun. But, since they tend to collect lots of greases, you’ll have to make sure to thoroughly wash them after each use.
What Foods Can You Cook In An Air Fryer?
The air fryer works great for cooking almost anything. However, here are some popular items that you can easily prepare in this appliance:
- Chicken Wings
- Fish Sticks
- French Fries
- Potatoes
- Vegetables
- Pizza
Even desserts like brownies and cake pops can be prepared in an air fryer!
How Long Does A Food Stay Crispy In An Air Fryer After Cooking?
Most people think that air fryers will only last about 20 minutes before the food starts to lose its crunchiness. However, this is actually false.
In fact, most food cooked in air fryers will retain its crispiness for several hours. And, even when the food has lost its crunchy texture, it still tastes delicious.
Can I Make Fried Rice In An Air Fryer Or Other Asian Dishes?
Absolutely! Many Asian cuisines rely heavily on rice. And, because of this, there are tons of recipes that call for fried rice, which can be cooked in an air fryer.
How Does Air Frying Compare With Regular Deep Frying?
While both methods of frying are very similar, there are a couple of differences. For instance, deep-frying usually requires more oil than air frying does.
This means that you’ll end up having to replace the oil more often with air frying. On top of that, deep frying tends to produce less flavorful results.
However, if you want to enjoy the taste of fried foods without the hassle of deep-frying, then an air fryer could be just what you’re looking for.
How To Use An Air Fryer Safely?
Air fryers aren’t meant to be used every day. Instead, they should only be used occasionally. If you use yours too much, you risk damaging it.
That said, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that your air fryer stays safe. First, always read the manual that comes with your device.
Second, never leave your air fryer unattended while it’s running. Third, don’t overfill your pan. Lastly, make sure that you store your air fryer properly so that it doesn’t get damaged.
Is It Worth Buying An Air Fryer?
It all depends on how frequently you plan to use your air fryer. If you’re planning on using it once or twice per week, then you probably won’t notice any major difference between regular frying and air frying.
If you’re planning on using your air fryer at least once a day, though, then you might want to consider investing in one.
Conclusion
We hope that our breakdown of the air fryer and how it works has given you a better idea about whether or not buying one will suit your needs.
