By: Mitch | Last updated January 6, 2023 
Air fryers have been one of the most talked about new kitchen gadgets in the last couple of years. They can be a great way to make healthy and delicious meals in no time. They can help you cook up your favorite dishes without all the added fat that traditional frying methods bring. This article will explore some of the essential features to look for when selecting an air fryer because as they have become more and more popular, there have been more and more brands and versions released.
We will take a look a the most important features to look for, as well as some that are just niced to have. We'll also look at what an air fryer is and the benefits of using one in our guide ( just in case you haven't heard enough about them from your friends and family.)
Air fryers are becoming increasingly popular kitchen appliances. They allow you to cook food with little or no oil, resulting in a healthier version of fried foods that still tastes delicious. If you’re looking to add an air fryer to your kitchen, it’s important to know what features you should look for to get the most out of this useful tool. From adjustable temperature settings and timers to large capacities and accessories, there are many things you should consider when choosing the right air fryer for your needs. In this article, we'll explore what features should be considered when selecting an air fryer so that you can find the one that's perfect for your lifestyle and cooking habits. Here is an awesome video that breaks it down with some cool animations, just in case this part is a bit boring.
Air fryers are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and health benefits. An air fryer is a countertop appliance that uses hot air to cook food quickly and evenly, yielding the same delicious results as deep-frying without all of the unhealthy fat. So you get the benefits of an oven, but with less space and energy needed to cook things.
The next major benefit of an air fryer is its versatility. Air fryers can be used for various dishes, from French fries, nuggets, and fish sticks to roasted vegetables and grilled cheese sandwiches. This makes it easier than ever for busy families to whip up quick meals without sacrificing nutrition or flavor. Additionally, many models come with adjustable temperature settings that allow for different cooking types, including baking and grilling.
We have even seen additional benefits coming out in the newer models of air fryers, but for now, we will stick to the specific air fryer styles we have reviewed already. We don't want to get into things that deviate too far from their original purpose of air frying.
Regarding air fryers, size and capacity are two of the most important features to consider. If you’re shopping for an air fryer, it’s important to consider how much space you have available in your kitchen and how many people you plan on cooking for. Air fryers come in various sizes with capacities ranging from 2-6 quarts, allowing you to find one that best fits your needs. A smaller air fryer is better suited for individuals or couples, while larger models can accommodate large families or those who entertain.
The type of food that will be cooked also plays a role in selecting the right size and capacity of an air fryer. A smaller model might suffice if you plan on cooking smaller items like french fries or chicken tenders. But if you're thinking that you'll want to cook bigger pieces of meat or things like a Pizza, then you'll want to make sure that you purchase the right-sized air fryer for your needs.
When shopping for an air fryer, it’s important to consider its power, temperature, and timer settings. Power is one of the most important features of an air fryer; higher wattage means hotter temperatures and faster cooking times. Choose an air fryer with at least 1500 watts of power so that you can easily prepare your meals, as we found the lower wattage models just took a while longer and the difference in price didn't make up for the difference in cooking times.
Temperature settings are also key when considering which device to buy: some models have adjustable temperature controls while others do not, so keep this in mind when making your decision. Like wattage, the temperature is important to know before you buy, as some dishes require higher cooking times than the smaller models can reach. And again, for the difference in price we couldn't suggest getting the cheaper one as it isn't a big difference to sacrifice the wider variety of things you could purchase.
When figuring out which air fryer to buy, you'll want to see what types of accessories come with each model – some may include baskets, trays or skewers that allow you to cook different kinds of food or multiple items at once. Additionally, consider whether a drip tray is included; this allows any excess fat and oil from the food to be collected separately for easier cleaning afterward. Although these aren't make-or-break aspects of your purchase, they are nice little bonuses to get if you can. The drip trays are great at reducing your cleaning time as they can catch a lot of the grease that is coming off your recipes, so if there was one bonus accessory to look for we would suggest keeping an eye out for a drip tray.
Another cool feature to have is a timer and automatic shut-off. This feature helps ensure your food cooks evenly and safely without constantly monitoring it. A timer on an air fryer can be used to set cooking times for different types of food so that you don't have to worry about checking every few minutes. The automatic shut-off feature will turn off the machine once the preset cooking time has been reached, preventing accidental burning or overcooking.
While this is common on most entry-level air fryers, there are variations you can look for, so if you really need that Bluetooth connectivity or whatever the newest feature is then make sure you keep that at the top of your list. But for us, it should have at LEAST an automatic shut-off or timer.
One of the most important elements is the brand and price of the appliance, as we don't like to overspend and avoid doing it whenever we can. We aren't against spending money, but wasting money on features or a brand name that doesn't add any value to the product is pointless... other than making your wallet or purse lighter.
The brand of an air fryer can be a great indicator of quality and reliability. Brands such as Philips, T-fal, and NuWave have established themselves as reliable names in the market, so they’re often good choices when looking for an air fryer. While the name doesn't always make a great product, in the long run, the better the name, the better the average quality of the builds is. Some newer brands are putting out great products, but the might have QA issues that result in more breakdowns or shorter lifespans. So, like everything else in life it is a bit of a scale to weigh the value of a brand name and the price tag. But the good news is that usually bigger brand names will offer sales on their products, so that could be a bonus for buying a well known brands air fryer.
An air fryer can be a great addition to your kitchen, but it’s important to consider all the features before making your purchase. We have gone over the different features that you should look for, and some that are nice to get if you can. At the end of the day, the right air fryer is the one that works best for you and your living situation. There is no one size fits all because the demands for your air fryer will change if you are cooking for yourself or for a family of 4, so only you can know what is the best fit for your needs. But, we hope that our feature list has helped give you an idea of things to keep in mind before you purchase your air fryer and if you want to see our top picks make sure you check our updated air fryer reviews.
