Will an air fryer change my life?

How are people using it to cook things like bolognaise? Obviously you take the removable tray out, but do you brown onions in there, then add meat - or put it all in together? I can't see how it would work...

I once had a Higgidy pie and it had air fryer instructions on it which was 20c and 7mins lower than oven instructions. I have applied this with other pies - which I probably have 1 every 3 weeks. Beautiful crispy and golden brown.

If your budget can stetch, get a multicooker. I got the Ninja Speedi. I probably use it 2-3 times a week.

One of the great features of the Speedi is the Speedi Meal feature https://ninjatestkitchen.eu/speedi-recipe-builder/ can get a chicken, pasta, pepper meal done in 12-17 mins.

I also use it for as an oven - when cooking something like a quiche, put it on the bake/roast for about 20c lower and 5-7 mins less on cooking instructions. Plus use it as a pan to cook spag bol

DH works away and DC are grown and gone so I use mine a lot and I home cook even for myself, so I can make a small pie and put it in there.

I did do a Sunday lunch for 6 last week and the double oven range came back into use whilst the air fryer had a day off. It certainly has its uses but I wouldn’t be without a proper gas hobbed double oven.

My favourite part of the air fryer is that it doesn’t need to be preheated like the oven. It’s ready to go when you press ON.

I'm asking questions because I bought a Ninja one about 2 years ago and have barely used it as it scares me 😂

A) It has a small thing on the side that collects water. Like a steam vent thing I guess. That makes me slightly nervous that it must gather steam and might go a bit horrible inside somewhere i can't clean. Do they end up a bit icky under and around the inside of the lid?

B) Also how do you know how long and high to cook things? The little booklet that came with it is too broad and generic.

C) The bought a huge ninja foodi. I think I should have bought a 2 compartment thing as there's no way I can do a whole roast. If I put chicken in then there is no space for potatoes/carrots etc so I'd have to use the big oven anyway. How do people do everything for a roast?

Whole thing or you get a collection of bits of old food and gunk in the bottom which has dropped through the basket.

They are a massively different overhyped thing

I'm very confused about cleaning them. Do you clean the whole thing thoroughly each time or just the basket?

What sort of thing would you put in for breakfast and lunch please?

And do you clean it throughout after every use? Or like a big oven do you just clean it every now and again?

You would be better suited to a multi cooker

I have the 15 in 1 - its a big beast of a thing so do look at all the models to see which is best suited for you. I only got the 15 because I got such a good deal, I dont use all 15 functions. I mostly use the steam roast and pressure cook, along with the steam bake ( makes good bread) yoghurt functions. I do also have a dual drawer air fryer

This week Ive used mine to make two different soups, a vat of yoghurt, a spag Bol - including the pasta, roast dinner with all the veg - steamed and roasted, fish and chips, jacket potatoes, and lots more

It takes a bit of getting used to and you do have to juggle a bit. I can cook a full roast dinner in mine using the different functions not a bother. I also love just thinking, mmm, a nice bacon roll would be lovely right now and ten mins later they are on the plate, part baked rolls stuffed with crispy bacon

No. It cooks some things quicker but that's about it. And some things IME don't do well in the air fryer.

Multicooker changed my life, airfryer changed the way we’re reheating leftover pizza and make nachos, that’s about it :)

That's not true.
An air fryer can be used for healthier stuff too - it doesn't force you to put beige food in it.🫣

You didn't wash it after use?

As long as ypu buy one suitable for your needs then, yes, they are a great investment. Get the best you can afford though. We had a one drawer version (think it was a cheaper brand like tower) but upgraded to a two drawer (side by side) Ninja, and most of the things we previously used the oven for we now use the air fryer for. Both drawers can be set to different heats/times if needed, which is handy. Of course some things, eg. Ready made Pizza, don't fit whole but lots of stuff does. Ours has lots of different 'programmes' too. Definitely cheaper to use and easier to clean than an oven.

To anyone who wants a link to a bargain airfryer, you could try this. Add code 'GOODFOOD' for a further 20% off.
A dual basket airfryer for £55.99.

www.towerhousewares.co.uk/air-fryers/vortx-dual-basket-air-fryer-with-6-pre-set-functions-76-litre

Hope it helps!

Like pp's have already stated, I find mine invaluable.

Even though there are only the two of us at home now, I have 2 big Air fryers. A Ninja 15 in one - does just about everything and superb for cooking whole chickens. A medium chicken takes just 40 mins on steam roast.👍. However, I also have a Gourmet professional 12l oven style one as I find this one much better for baking.
Also my husband is always using the Ninja for making casseroles etc. The Ninja is also brilliant at grilling steaks
whereas I prefer the Gourmet for baked chicken portions.

I have a big Rangemaster range cooker which is little more than decoration these days as you can imagine.🤣

Airfyers are great for sausages, twenty minutes from frozen at 180c, turn once.
Bacon I do on the rack, the fat drips down and I chuck potatoes in it later for a roast (my family are from Yorkshire! ).
They are wonderful if you can't bend down, it really helped me after my illness. Ideal for aged parents.
I have cooked Yorkshire in mine but my DC like seeing the huge pud out of the oven.
It's fuss free and I find people help their selves.
I do spag bol in mine for my DD using a silicone liner. It's ideal for small portions like that. Less chance of burning.
You can use metal and foil. It's just a very hot mini oven.

There is a woman on YouTube who did reviews of many of the airfryers. Including all the ninja ones and their pros and cons, especially the dual zone one (difficult to clean due to large size) and the stacked one (doesn't cook as evenly) , which is what made me go for for the large double drawers instead.

Everyone's needs are different so worth a watch before buying.

Absolute nonsense. This week I have used mine every day to:
Cook half-baked Baguettes
Bake potatoes
Roast veg for soup
Roast veg for fajitas.
Cook a cottage pie
Cook baked oatmeal

As usual, there's a whiff of snobbery whenever air fryers are mentioned.

People who think they are only good for Nuggets and chips clearly are not imaginative cooks.

Great with my teenage son. He can heat up his bits of ultra processed foods.

I have the one with shelves too
I knock about 20c off the temp and then just rely on knowing when it's cooked really (I have a meat thermometer) as to if it's bubbling/browned etc

No. Everyone on my house eats more ultra processed beige food because we have an air fryer,

Thin, healthy people don't use them.

We have one as DH was desperate to get one. I have to admit that I thought it might be a gadget we didn’t really use but have to say I use my oven way less now. It’s brilliant and so much quicker and easier. We have a dual drawer one

Love mine, only used the oven about 3 times since we got it in July (for big stuff).

Got a big double drawer one (one small, one big) as gives you more options. You can double the cooking space with wire racks.

Don't have to wait ages for the oven chips anymore :D

Just make sure you turn the right drawer on though, and not the empty one ;-)