Air fryer for elderly parent

[FuzzikinsPompombum]

My dad’s oven is on the blink and I’m wondering whether he should get an air fryer.

He isn’t much of a cook and doesn’t use the oven much anyway, and he doesn’t have a big appetite these days. Are air fryers easy to use and clean and are they lightweight?

He has a bit of trouble with his hands sometimes so if it’s very fiddly or heavy it wouldn’t be suitable.

I’ve never used one myself and live overseas so can’t easily help him.

He lives alone and wouldn’t need to do anything other than simple food and small portions.

would love any advice or recommendations, thank you

I would just encourage him to replace or mend his oven, stick to what he knows. Learning how to use a new device is a pain in the butt.

I think a simple air fryer would be great for him. You don't need to get some fancy Ninja thing with multiple drawers. My DP got one from Lidl that was £25 and is tiny. It has 2 dials... one for time and one for temp.
It will do single portion things like a pie, or some chips.

You could buy one that’s like a small counter top oven, then it will be like what he already knows

Like this www.amazon.co.uk/Ninja-Foodi-SP101UK-Grill-Silver/dp/B08LDV22LK

Something like this would be ideal. Some silicone tongs will help. Just wash the drawer after each use - it’s easy.

Are air fryers easy to use and clean and are they lightweight?

Yes, yes, and yes.
As @XenoBitch says - a simple one really is very easy.
Just print out a conversion chart (which are all over the internet, or you can actually buy a laminated one) and he is away.
It would be MUCH better than a new over for him if he isn't baking loads of cakes and huge family meals.

I think this is a great idea, an airfryer that looks and is operated like a mini oven is more likely to be used.

I got my Dad a microwave when he was late 70s and he never used it, I think some people can get to an age when they can't be bothered with new technology. Something looks like a counter top oven would have been a lot more useful for him.

Our ninja is a pain to clean - probably because I’m the only one who does it!

I’d stick with what he knows. The temperature and timings are different for air fryers and not all foods have air fryer instructions on them yet.

I'm in my mid 70s and have Essential Tremor (among other things) and I love our air fryer.

Even I can use it, my adult child tells me how long and what heat I should use (but I'm pretty sure, if I lived alone I'd remember or write it down).

I can do a small salmon steak, roast veg and roast potatoes in less than about 15 minutes..

And I don't have to bend to get it out of our oven and lift it with one hand while holding on to the kitchen counter for balance with the other 😁

I love my Glass Air Fryer I got from Aldi ,very easy to use & clean.

Thanks everyone, really helpful advice. When I mentioned air fryer to him yesterday he was off to research them on his iPad so I think he’s be up for learning to use a simple one. Really good to think about ease of use/what he knows/nothing to fancy. Appreciate all your answers.

My brother gave my elderly parents one which they cook chops/sausages etc in. The trouble is their eyesight. They can’t see to clean it vey well so not sure if that’s a potential fire risk with the fat residue

My dad has a Ninja one with 2 drawers. It's really good, quicker and easier. You program the time/temperature in to each side and then sync and the drawers will start cooking so that they both finish at the same time. You can buy paper liners too and throw them away. He uses tongs to pick food out of the drawer. We have a conversion chart and it seems to be 20degrees/5 minutes less on average. I think it is safer and there is no bending over with hot pans etc.

Hmmm that’s a good point actually. Thanks.

I have one that’s really easy to use it’s like a mini oven, door flips down and there are little trays. It’s really easy to work. Was from Tesco about £50

I have a Cosori, very simple, big display. I can put the whole drawer in the dishwasher if necessary.

We just got this one recently

Air fryer oven

and it's fantastic. It's sold out on instant pot site (such a good deal!) but available on BrandAlley for a great price.

It's brilliant and I would highly recommend. Very easy to use, easy to clean.

The one I mentioned that’s like a mini oven is very easy to clean. It comes with four trays, three are mesh one is solid so Iput that on the bottom and it catches any fat and then just scrape off into food bin once cooled.