AIBU?
To not have a clue about air fryers?
Subaru4336 · 02/09/2022 14:31
So have been looking online, and even searched through MN threads, but still none the wiser 🤦🏻♀️
I want to be able to roast a chicken and do the veg at the same time, is this possible?! And if so, what do I buy? Do I need a multi drawer one? Or a multiple function in one one, e.g., 15-in-1?
I'm completely clueless 😳
StirredNotShaken00 · 02/09/2022 14:35
I'd like to know the same, I think with a two drawer fryer you could only do two foods at a time which to me seems pointless as if cooking a roast need meat, potatoes and often roasted veg for ours....
Also we are a family of 4, including two teens with huge appetites so am not convinced it would be big enough for the portion sizes we need 
Subaru4336 · 02/09/2022 14:41
@StirredNotShaken00 I'm the same, family of 4, so need to cater for all of us at the same time.
Unsure if the 15 in 1 version is only good to cook a single food type at a time, e.g., roast a chicken OR steam the veg. And if I went for a dual drawer version, does this mean it's not big enough to roast a chicken, as the drawers are then too small?! So many questions!
Hugasauras · 02/09/2022 14:42
They are essentially mini ovens. We have an 8L dual drawer that is enough for our family of 4 without having to cook in batches I would say but our kids are young. You can do different things in the same drawer (so add veg to the chips drawer halfway through) if you need. The drawers on ours are pretty deep. Pic for scale (I was doing cupcakes)
I love ours 
Haven't used the main oven since we bought it three weeks ago!
Hugasauras · 02/09/2022 14:42
If I was doing a full on roast dinner with whole chicken and trimmings I'd use the oven, but that's pretty much the only thing I would use the oven for now.
Subaru4336 · 02/09/2022 14:51
@Hugasauras that's good to know, I hasn't thought about adding to the drawers during cooking.
Forpoxsake · 02/09/2022 14:56
Does the silicone give off a funny smell? @Hugasauras I put something silicone in mine earlier and it gave off a weird almost plasticky smell
Hugasauras · 02/09/2022 14:58
I didn't notice anything! Just smelled of cake 
They did come out a bit weird shaped but I don't think I was very assiduous at flattening/evening out the batter when I poured it in.
Forpoxsake · 02/09/2022 14:58
I can do a full roast chicken in one drawer and then I put roasties and veg in the other, I do them separately but then stick them all in together for a few mins when I’m about to serve to crisp them up.
Ive not been as adventurous with mine as others on other threads but I’ve only used my oven for a pizza in the last few months (I do have a slow cooker so use that too)
toastofthetown · 02/09/2022 14:59
YABU to post the what must be the 10th thread this week I’ve seen on air fryers and to post it in a completely irrelevant section.
Subaru4336 · 02/09/2022 15:08
@toastofthetown you do know you don't have to click on threads you don't want to read, right? Try it, you'll save yourself that little angry feeling you're clearly experiencing 😊
antwacky · 02/09/2022 15:52
@Forpoxsake that sounds great, it's exactly what I'm looking for. Would you mind telling me which make/model you've got?
girlfriend44 · 02/09/2022 16:22
Same here only heard of them.but don't know much about them
tobee · 02/09/2022 16:38
They are great but it's probably a good thing to work out what size you need. For example mines 5.5l one drawer. That's fine for doing chips for family of 4 adults for eg. But I've seen up 11l and as small as 1.5l
Tunus · 02/09/2022 17:13
We’re a family of six (2 adults, 2 teenagers, 2children). I was going round in circles for ages trying to decide whether to get one but eventually got a 2 drawer one and have no regrets. If I’m doing a basic roast (eg meat, potatoes, yorkshires and parsnips or stuffing with other veg steamed on hob) I still use the ninja - do the meat in one drawer then yorkshires whilst it’s resting and do stuffing/parsnips in the other followed by potatoes then chuck them in together for the last couple of minutes to crisp up. A fancier roast with more bits needing the oven I’ll still use the oven but I get a bit annoyed with how long it takes in the oven now and keep forgetting to preheat.
I’ve cooked loads in it from roasts to chow mein.
Undermearmour · 02/09/2022 17:16
If you want to do a roast, why not just buy a halogen oven for £25 instead of £100 on a whopping air fryer.
limitededitionbarbie · 02/09/2022 17:17
Ninja foodie 14 in 1 although I'm still learning it myself
tobee · 02/09/2022 17:17
I've seen people advise against the ones with a paddle but I think that's mostly Actifry?
Subaru4336 · 02/09/2022 17:25
@limitededitionbarbie I've been looking at that one this afternoon, I like the idea of being able to cook meat and steam veggies at the same time, which that one seems to do.
@Undermearmour the roast was just an example, but I'll also look at halogen ovens, thank you.
limitededitionbarbie · 02/09/2022 17:47
Subaru4336 · 02/09/2022 17:25
@limitededitionbarbie I've been looking at that one this afternoon, I like the idea of being able to cook meat and steam veggies at the same time, which that one seems to do.
@Undermearmour the roast was just an example, but I'll also look at halogen ovens, thank you.
I don't think you can steam and roast at the same time? I do them one after the other. If you can do this please let me know how!
I've made a full roast in it. Pressure cooked the chicken, then kept the stock for the gravy, then pressure cooked the veg and then roasted the potatoes and parsnips etc. sprouts are fab air fried
Forpoxsake · 02/09/2022 18:33
@antwacky I have the ninja dual - it’s the larger one I think the AF400 (it’s got a round dial on the display panel)
I like that you can do different functions in the different drawers, so I could be baking in one and air frying in the other.
It has Air fry, Roast, Bake, dehydrate (not tried this yet) reheat and max crisp (good for frozen foods like chips or nuggets)
you can also sync the baskets so they’ll be ready at the same time.
wherearebeefandonioncrisps · 02/09/2022 19:08
As a PP asked, how do you do Yorkshires in an AF?
Muchtoomuchtodo · 02/09/2022 19:13
I’m getting more and more confused the more I read about them!
is an actifry different to an air fryer or just a brand name for the same type of device?
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