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Original poster

Do I need an air fryer?

56 replies

DelphiniumBlue · 05/12/2023 15:50

I keep on seeing them mentioned on threads, and am being targeted by advertisers, but would it improve my life if I had one?
My kitchen is small, so it would need to be worth the space it would take up. I have the usual oven, grill and microwave, and cook from scratch most of the time. There are always 2 but often 4 or 5 adults for evening meals.
Any thoughts?

OP posts:
Aworldofmyown · 05/12/2023 15:52

IMO. No. 😆
It's a cult!

Theresit · 05/12/2023 15:52

No

EmpressaurusOfCats · 05/12/2023 15:55

You’d need a pretty big one for 4 or 5 of you, so doubtful.

I love mine but I’m mainly just cooking for me.

HappiestSleeping · 05/12/2023 15:56

We like ours. There are two of us, and it's more economical to run than the oven. We use it a good deal, most nights. We got one with a paddle that revolves, but I think if we had known then what we know now, a two drawer one would be a better choice.

It isn't any miracle thing though, and doesn't do anything that you can't achieve some other way, it's just very convenient for the two of us.

jellytots18 · 05/12/2023 15:56

I wouldn't be without mine! Saves so much time but yes they are bulky and quite ugly For me it's worth it though x

LucyLoopyLu · 05/12/2023 15:57

I think if you have 4-5 for meals then no, it's not going to be useful for you unless you get a big one and then it would potentially take up too much space.

I love ours for cooking for 2 people. Saves putting the oven on

Fartooold · 05/12/2023 15:58

OK, going against the grain, but i say yes!
I was very sceptical about them, but bought one about 6 or 7 months ago.
My oven has been switched on twice since I bought AF, my hob, probably less than 50% of the time.
I love putting stuff in and walking away, knowing it not only beeps at me when ready, but turns itself off.
I have been using Bored of Lunch airfryer ( and slow cooker)books and really enjoying simple, good food.

wineoclock90 · 05/12/2023 16:00

No

Mindymomo · 05/12/2023 16:01

We have one, but adult DS uses it to cook every night, so I don’t often get to use it. We are 4 adults here. I cook bacon, burgers, chicken, fish on the grill setting, I feel it’s a lot safer then the grill on my main cooker as it doesn’t catch fire. I’ve used the bottom of the air fryer for potato wedges, new potatoes, oven chips and roast potatoes these are all cooked so much faster and taste really good and a lot healthier. We have a Ninja Speedy 6.5 kg. Air fryers are good, but doubt I would have got one, had my DS not wanted one. I can see it being worthwhile if there’s only 2 of you.

ThreeRingCircus · 05/12/2023 16:04

I love ours but am normally only cooking for two people and have a decent sized kitchen. We have the Ninja Dual and I wouldn't be without it but it is big so in a small kitchen is maybe not worth the counter space.

We use it most days and it's brilliant for things that it would be wasteful heating up the whole oven for e.g. a part baked roll to have with soup, or a jacket potato for lunch. For us, it's definitely worth it.

LemonLimeDivine · 05/12/2023 16:05

No

Ulysees · 05/12/2023 16:06

Yes they're good. Not a cult although ds1 would agree with you 🤣

Not really useful for big groups.

Devilsmommy · 05/12/2023 16:09

I really don't understand the fascination tbh. I went and got a deep fat fryer a few weeks ago, not sure if it was in protest at constantly hearing about air fryers but I love it so no air fryers for me 🤣😁

marshmallowfinder · 05/12/2023 16:10

For 1 or 2 they're fabulous but cooking for lots of people I wouldn't bother. I live alone, with the tiniest kitchen, and store mine in the now redundant oven as I don't have worktop space for clutter. Careful measuring was required!

GasPanic · 05/12/2023 16:17

They are good if you only use a small amount of the oven each time you cook, either a person on their own, or a family where people come in and all cook separately at different times. They can save energy and cook faster.

They cook beige stuff well and things like burgers, sausages bacon but probably less good for stews and wet stuff like curries, bolognese etc.

I think if you are a proper cook then something like a Ninja Foodie is more versatile and more useful.

Ulysees · 05/12/2023 16:26

marshmallowfinder · 05/12/2023 16:10

For 1 or 2 they're fabulous but cooking for lots of people I wouldn't bother. I live alone, with the tiniest kitchen, and store mine in the now redundant oven as I don't have worktop space for clutter. Careful measuring was required!

That's a good idea storing it in the oven

CrapGoat · 05/12/2023 16:46

I was reluctant but I do love mine, however I am a spinster. If in a family of four or such and needing a massive one, I might say no.

FirstFallopians · 05/12/2023 16:51

DH bought a Ninja Dual in the Black Friday sales and I’m a total convert.

Oven chips now taste nice, no weird soggy pale or random burnt ones. Great for beige frozen food- really quick, and easy to clean.

I did fillet steaks in it last week- blasphemy I know, but they were melt in your mouth tasty. I’m about to head down and make some Chinese pork belly for my dinner, which is something I’d never have felt confident enough to do with the oven.

ChateauDuMont · 05/12/2023 16:58

I have a small one which I mainly use for just me when my husband is away.

It's brilliant.

I've just discovered disposable liners for it which are fab.

Stressfordays · 05/12/2023 17:03

I've had one for years and it broke the other day. I went straight out and replaced it as I feel it's a kitchen staple. I have little kids though and it cooks all their beige food in record time! I do all sorts in it though, not just chips and turkey dinosaurs 🤣

YoureALizardHarry11 · 05/12/2023 17:05

I have never met anyone in real life that didn’t love theirs. Yes, I accept that ‘some’ people genuinely don’t like them, but I would guess most people who don’t either use a cheap one that is only really suitable for chips, or they have an expensive one but don’t know how to use it to its full potential. It’s the best gadget I own, personally.

Foxymoxy68 · 05/12/2023 17:28

We wouldn't be without our 2 drawer air fryer now and this is coming from
someone who was very sceptical! It's so quick and convenient. Haven't scratched the surface of what it can do though.

Original poster
DelphiniumBlue · 05/12/2023 17:36

Ooh that's very mixed reviews!

OP posts:
LulooLemon · 05/12/2023 17:36

Go and try out a friend's?

User2856948 · 05/12/2023 17:38

We have the small ninja, its ok but I don't use it a huge amount

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