Would you replace a microwave with an air fryer?

[Globules]

My microwave isn't going to last much longer.

I only really use it for defrosting things, cooking beans or soup, and DD cooks instant noodles in it at least once a week.

Several friends are still raving about how good their air fryers are. I only have counter space for one appliance.

The microwave is actually a combi oven, but I've never used any of those functions. I'm wondering if I buy an air fryer when the microwave breaks, if I'll actually use the air fryer aside from learning how I can defrost a shepherd's pie or a tub of soup in it.

Would you swap?

I have a microwave/air fryer 5 in 1 thing. Gets used every day for either microwaving or air frying. It is a chunky appliance but I needed both and didn’t have the space for separate appliances.

It’s this one www.daewooelectricals.com/kitchen-c15/air-fryers-c24/daewoo-26l-5-in-1-air-fryer-microwave-oven-p662

Not in a million years! We've got a combi microwave and the grill/crisp setting is really good for getting a similar setting to an air fryer for crisping things

My son is staying with us and has brought an air fryer with him. Tried it several times and really can't see what all the fuss is about.

Nope! I got myself a ninja air fryer (one you can slow cook, sauté etc) and I can count on one hand the amount of times I have reached for it. I think they’re only good if you eat lots of frozen foods or you need to cook something super quick but I must be honest I don’t find them any quicker at cooking really and more of a faff to clean!

I would without a doubt

No. How will you warm your soups or sauces? I would imagine anything liquidy would be splattered and messy.

Nope but I use my microwave all the time. I batch cook and freeze multiple meals and then reheat in microwave most days. Plus toddlers bedtime milk is warmed in it. My partner has an air fryer and no microwave and he seems ok with that set up other than having to heat things like milk on the hob. But he’s not a person to cook and gets a lot of take away or easy meals like oven meals or pasta is probably his most involved meal he cooks. So depends on your cooking style I guess

No- I personally wouldn't replace a microwave for an air fryer. Do you have a regular oven? I use my microwave far more than the air fryer, likely about 5x a day vs one every day or 2 for the air fryer. It really depends what you eat though.

When renovating we lived in a static caravan and the microwave was in a spare room. The only prep area in the 'kitchen' area was less than 1m2 so really tiny. IF you had both a microwave and an air fryer, do you have a utility, spare room, cupboard you could clear to put one into?

No. I have both but would keep the micro over the air fryer.

I replaced my oven with an air fryer! I do also own a low cooker, a microwave and a two ring hob, but the only time I miss my oven is when I'd like to cook a whole pizza (air fryer is excellent at slices). We are a small household so never used the oven much anyway. I wouldn't give up the microwave, but I love my airfryer.

I have both…and use both of them a lot. But…if I was forced to choose only one, it would have to be my microwave (much as it would pain me to say goodbye to my trusty air fryer 😂).

No. I have both, and use them both, but if I had to have just one, I'd get a microwave with an oven/grill function. There are lots of things you can only do in a microwave - defrosting, heating milk, warming my microwave hottie..... but anything you can do in an airfryer you could also do in a combi microwave.

I have a combi microwave and a Ninja Speedi, also a gas hob. The main oven hasn't been used since the Speedi arrived over a year ago - and I cook from scratch.

I'd not be able to choose between the air fryer and microwave.

I also have 1 of these and it is fab mine is a Sharp, i use it daily.

No. An air fryer's function overlaps more with your actual oven. I think the best thing would be to replace with a combi that has a microwave function, and learn to use the other functions.

I didn't think we had space for a second appliance either, but a small air fryer is only 21cm wide.

Wow, I didn't expect so many of you to advocate for the microwave.

I should probably get my head around the combi/grill functions of my microwave before it dies, then that will help me decide what I want to buy next.

My oven also has an air fryer function, which I'd forgotten about.

I'll also investigate the combination air fryers/microwaves.

Huge thanks everyone.

If you can only have one I’d stick with the microwave and learn how to use its functions. I love my air fryer but I wouldn’t cook soup in it.

No

I use both, probably about the same amount. If either packs up it'll be replaced.

I bought a super cheap basic microwave when mine died, plus I have an air fryer. Air fryer is only used for nuggets/chips but microwave used more.

I have both a microwave and an air fryer but use them for totally different things.

They both have different jobs. Unless you get a combi (are they really as good at both jobs?) the. You really need both, or at least I do. I cook large portions of soups, chilli’s etc though and microwave is the easiest way to reheat.

my mircrowave died in the summer and haven't replaced it yet. Been doing the old fashioned reheat on the hob/in the oven. Yes it was more convenient but mostly enjoying the additional space in the kitchen!

I have a combination one and it's absolutely wonderful. Very easy to use and lovely to have the choice of microwaving and air frying.

Never had an microwave. Only had an air fryer and now I dont even have that 😂 I do have an oven though..

I wouldn’t. All I use my air fryer for is chips 🤣