What Is The Best Air Fryer? Here Are 5 You Must Know

What is an air fryer?

Cooking without a single drop of oil is now a wish come true. The device is known as an air fryer. As clear as it sounds, your foods are fried by a system through hot air which end-result is as crispy as the traditional way of cooking. 

An air fryer is a device that functions to fry your favorite foods, such as fries, veggies, shrimp, and toast without a sprinkle of oil. It works from the hot air circulation that is running on the cooking basket or racks when you press a certain preset on the control panel. Some also work like an oven, making it versatile, both from the functions and cooking menus.

The benefits of the air fryer

Its invention is led by the advantages for the easiness of cooking. And so, the unique traits of air fryers are interesting for some innovators to build the best of the best not only from the features but also the goods that every human can obtain.

If cooking has become your new addiction, purchasing an air fryer is never wrong. Let’s say this is for your health investment. This time, you have to get some game-changer for your daily consumptions too.

• All-around cooking experience, from frying, toasting to baking.
• Healthier ways to cook your favorite meals, at least 2 drops of oil is enough to get the same crunch as the regular way of frying.
• Quick and easy to use, especially if you are new to cooking and have little time to learn all techniques.
• A high-function kitchen decoration, whether on the countertop, cabinet or even put in the break room.

 

How to choose the best air fryer?

Cooking presets

You might notice the presets on the control menu. Depending on the level of functions of the air fryer, the setups are different from one another. Let’s take the example between the electric air fryer and oven-toaster air fryer we have here.

The ones that have specific cooking references are COSORI Air Fryer Max XL, Innsky Air Fryer 5.8QT, and Elite Gourmet EAF4617. If you take a closer look, there are pictures of specific menus that you can touch and set the temperature based on the manual. Each of the three also has a different full menu of the desired settings. 

COSORI Max XL has 11 sleek menu presets which you can choose from processing steak, vegetables to making desserts and bread. You can also do the Preheat to get the crips same as when you do it in the oil and Keep Warm when the food is ready but you haven't been able to eat the meal yet. Along with the digital panel, Innsky Air Fryer 5.8QT has 7 cooking presets for Steak, Chicken, Shrimp, Seafood, Fries, Vegetables, and Bread. 

The 4QT capacity of Elite Gourmet EAF4617 stirs to the options of the cooking settings. Instead of digital buttons, this one has 2 dials; one for temperature settings and the next is the timer. You still can see the menus on the top of the device; French Fries, Cheese, Seafood, Baked Goods, Meat, and Vegetables. 

The multifaceted oven-toaster air fryers affect the cooking dial. You won’t see the icons for fries, bread, and so on. With the body of an oven, the presets follow the functions. Cuisinart TOA-60 and Ninja SP101 are two examples.

If you’ve been cooking for a long time, you are already familiar with the dials you will work with. Cuisinart TOA-60 has the ones that look like any conventional oven you’ve ever encountered. There are Timer and Temperature Dials as you get acquainted with, plus Function Dial for changing the cooking methods featured from Warm, Broil, Toast, Bake, Air Fry to Toast Timer Dial.

Ninja SP101 is another kind of oven-toaster air fryer that is space-saving. With the Start/Pause button and cooking dial, you can set the program from Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Dehydrate, Keep Warm, Toast, and Bagel.

Capacity

Talking about the capacity, a lot of air fryers come in different sizes both from the outside and inside. You will most probably place the device on the countertop. For today, we are going to be meeting the ones with 5.8QT and 4QT frying baskets and slide frying trays that fit for 10 pounds of wings and large size of pizza.

You can feed 3 to 5 people with the 5.8QT COSORI Air Fryer Max XL and Innsky Air Fryer. These square - small-space-friendly and compact gadgets fit the 5 to 6lbs whole chicken. The size also helps the cooking time that makes the process fast like no other. Meanwhile, Elite Gourmet EAF4617 has 4QT capacity that can hold a maximum of 3.2lbs of food for 1 to 3 people.

Cuisinart TOA-60 and Ninja SP101 are perfect to cook for leftovers and mouthful families. The Cuisinart could surely fit 4 regular chicken breasts or 13 medium wings at a time. On the other hand, Ninja SP101 capacity is perfect to reheat 13 inches pizza, inserting 9 slices of toast, and roasting 6 chicken breasts.

Easy to clean

Obviously, every kitchen appliance needs a special treatment to keep the durability and most importantly, the hygiene. Whether you prefer to wash it by hand or dishwasher, there are specific methods to clean these 5 kinds of air fryers we have today. The first you can keep in mind is that you can wipe both on the exterior and interior.

COSORI Air Fryer Max XL, Innsky Fryer 5.8QT, and Elite Gourmet EAF4617 are the ones that have a dishwasher safe removable non-stick basket. Yet, you can always hand wash with soapy water to remove the fats and other liquids. For first-time use, it is certain that there is still a smell of the plastic. To get rid of the odor, after you’ve soaked the inner basket in sudsy water, you have to do a 5-minute test. If the smell comes from the exterior, then you can wipe it with a damp cloth.

There is different conduct to spruce up Cuisinart TOA-60 and Ninja SP101. The trays and oven baskets are not dishwasher-friendly. But for the outer parts, both oven-toaster air fryers can be cleansed with a wet sponge or soft cloth and that’s the only safest way to do so.

For the attachable components, as in the trays and baskets, you are allowed to hand wash SP101, as well as put the sheet pan and air fryer basket in the dishwasher. While for TOA-60, it is best to clean it with hot water. There is probably the downside of only washing without being able to scrub it all the way through - there is still residue inside the device. But, worry not, because you can always cover the trays with aluminum foil. And so, after you have finished, you can just throw the foil and wipe the rest.

Where the drips go

Although you fry your favorite wings oilless, the chicken contains fat when it is heated. For some cases, it is common to find out that there are sprinkles of oil coming from the cooking process, thus another mess to clean up the countertop. You don’t want to have more cleaning jobs, do you?

As we all know, the inner basket of COSORI Air Fryer Max XL, Innsky Fryer 5.8QT, and Elite Gourmet EAF4617 are detachable. In fact, there is another layer under the removable basket as we can call the outer basket, which is connected with the handle and basket opener. The good news is, there are no holes under the main basket. If so, when you are in a hurry, the only thing you clean at ease is the cooking basket and wipe off some on the inner side.

Since Cuisinart TOA-60 and Ninja SP101 are also oven-toaster, the liquids will drop on the crumb tray. It is removable as you can slide it in and out. It is located at the very bottom of the tray slots. You can rinse the tray by washing it by hands or mopping it with a special wipe for such material.

Other best features

Touch-screen menu

If you want to upgrade your kitchen to the modern style, you can choose the ones that have sleek touch-screen cooking panels. Those features belongs to COSORI Air Fryer Max XL and Innsky Fryer 5.8QT. With a single touch, you already can cook at a precise temperature and time. The stickers are designed with a special effect, so they won’t fade away even though you touch them oftentimes.

Elite Gourmet EAF4617, Cuisinart TOA-60, and Ninja SP101 still catch your attention as a potential addition to your kitchen. However for the cooking presets and setting up the temperature and menu is still by by turning the dials to the right and left.

Oven light

For Cuisinart TOA-60 and Ninja SP101 since they are oven-like ones, there is a light inside the device. Still, between the two, you are required to turn the lamp on, and the other will on automatically. Ninja SP101 is the one that you have to press the Light Button from the control panel. While Cuisinart TOA-60 will automatically on when in use.

COSORI Air Fryer Max XL, Innsky Fryer 5.8QT, and Elite Gourmet EAF4617 are entirely functioning as an electric air fryer. Although some of them have the baking preset, it is only for a small amount of batch and it is kept inside the slide-basket. The main role of the inner inlet is for air circulation.

Flippable to save limited space

Ninja SP101 is not only versatile but also counter space friendly. To do so, you have to wait until it cools down. Then, hold the handles each on the left and right. And finally, flip it to the upside. 

Despite sharing the same features as Ninja SP101, Cuisinart TOA-60 can only be moved from one space to another. There is no difference between the electric COSORI Air Fryer Max XL, Innsky Fryer 5.8QT, and Elite Gourmet EAF4617. You can either put it on a special cabinet or display it on the countertop, as their dimensions are designed to decorate your kitchen as the professional-looking one.

Free cookbook

The free cookbook can also help you to keep the overall function, as you will follow the step by step from the instruction on how to use the device properly.

In a single order of COSORI Air Fryer Max XL, there are 100 free recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Along with the user’s guide, there are 32 menus of the manual in Innsky Fryer 5.8QT. The cooking guidebook is also attached with the instruction manual of Elite Gourmet EAF4617.

It is actually understandable that you won’t get as varied as these three digital air fryers when you choose the two oven-toaster air fryers, Cuisinart TOA-60 and Ninja SP101. The versatility of the products can satisfy your appetite for having many different types of meals. You might as well get the ideas from different sources available and apply them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How loud does the sound compare to other home appliances?

It is normally as noisy as a microwave and kitchen fan. You might as well call it peaceful noise, as you still can hear your children’s crying and dog’s barking.

Is there any way to lower the beeping sound?

As you will hear the beeping sound when the food is ready, there is no way to lower it down. You still need the clear beep sound so if you are far away from the air fryer, it reminds you to pick up the food or any kind of action afterward.

Can I buy a new replacement for the frying basket?

Sure thing. You can do so by contacting the manufacturer. There is also a warranty if there is anything error with the device, too.

Will the heat get to the cabinet?

The surrounding of the cabinet gets hot but not extremely can damage the others. You can also reangle the device and give a way out for the air.

How long does it take to toast a slice of bread?

Depending on the color, you will get a nice light brown crisp for 2 minutes. If you like it darker, it takes 4 minutes or so. You are free to put the toast up to 9 slices.

The Result

The best way to know your preference is by checking out the countertop, the people you have in the house, as well as your budget. After all, one purchase is unforgettable for the rest of the benefits it gives you back.

Our recommendation pick is preferable, sending you a signal to get the COSORI Air Fryer Max XL for a simple yet versatile air fryer that is super easy to use and provides the best flavor to delish. For other options, if you are looking for an air fryer oven that could fit more and to bake things inside, our pick is Ninja SP101. As a digital air fryer oven, this one is counter space friendly for such a versatile device and easy to use with the food being done in under 30 minutes.