I hate my new air fryer what am I doing wrong

[KingofCats]

Firstly, I maybe haven’t gone big enough. I considered size before I purchase and decided to go small and cheap prepared that if I loved it I would upgrade. But I don’t like anything I’ve cooked in it so far.

chips cut narrowly from raw potatoes- took 1 hour 10 minutes, didn’t really love the texture and no colour. Quicker and tastier in the oven.

chicken nuggets - did one batch in the oven and one in the air fryer and the air fryer ones were soggy on the bottom - could be user error.

grilled cheese sandwich - Mega crispy bread like a crisp bread but again no browning colour and the cheese took forever to melt, after 15 minutes I took it out and put it in the frying pan to finish off the cheese melting

what am I doing wrong before I give it away?

Which one did you get and what settings are you using?

We used to have a single basket Philips one and now have a ninja after 8 years of the Philips.

Potato chips - toss in oil/salt/pepper. 200 degrees for around 20 mins shaking every so often
Nuggets - 180 degrees 12/15 mins.
Cheese Toastie - butter the outside of the bread (or mayo) and sae thins, 180for 10ish mins

all how I would do everything in mine and would be cooked perfectly

Chips taking an hour+ suggests you're using the wrong settings, or that the thing's faulty.

What temperature and function are you using?

It does not sound to me like your air fryer is getting hot enough. Thin cut chips taking over an hour is ridiculous. I have baked whole potatoes (without pre-microwaving them) in about 45 minutes so a few skinny fries should be quick. I use frozen oven French fries and they cook in about 8 minutes in my air fryer.

It might be faulty so can you take it back?

The slightly soggy bottom on chicken nuggets - I've had that a couple of times. I'm not 100% sure why. I know they do suggest you turn things over half way through so it might be that. But in my case, it doesn't happen very time and when it does, it's relatively minor so I just don't really care!

In my experience, learning to use and enjoy your air fryer is a bit of a cumulative experience. I started just using it for roasted vegetables at lunch, oven French fries and nuggets, and sausages. Now I use it for way more.

Can't advise specifically, as I've got a big multi-functional one. But the screamingly obvious cause of all the outcomes above is not cooking them hot enough!

Does it have heat settings? How close to the element were your ingredients? Most of these things have a sort of perforated tray or basket to position the food at the right height.

Otherwise, you might simply have a faulty one.

If you are doing something wrong you are not alone - several friends have proudly served me food cooked in their air fryer, and all of it would have been nicer from the oven or pan.

Hope you get good tips but... I don't think air fryers live up to the hype.

I had it at maximum temperature (200) for all the things I tried. It doesn’t seem to have any indication about pre-heating or when it’s hot enough. I used the rack it came with (only one place to set it). It’s this one. I know it’s not a major brand but i reviews seemed ok and the wattage high enough to be powerful enough. It’s only got one setting !

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0CCF7ZVLC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I don't really understand the argument that air fryer food must taste better to be worth it. There are things that definitely taste worse in the air fryer so I don't cook them that way - butternut does not roast well , for example, and I suspect wedges wouldn't get that almost meaty effect from almost caramelising to the oven tray. But most things just taste the same - and are massively convenient in the air fryer - which is why I love them. I did a quick packet of sausages the other day in about 15 minutes, with zero intervention vs cooking them under the grill which takes constant turning, or in the oven, which takes 45 minutes at least. I regularly use them for pre-crumbed chicken breasts or fish cakes or whatever as a nice way to heat them through properly without having to turn on the whole oven for close to an hour. I have started using them cook salmon, mostly just because if I fry salmon it stinks the house out and if I bake salmon, it takes longer and also DS and DH like the texture of a more "fried" version.

None of those things are "better" in the air fryer. But definitely easier for me!

I even did a small sirloin roast. The best thing was how easy it was to check on it as it was cooking!

It must be faulty, it even says itself it'll do chips in 15mins

Swan have a great one for £45.

I'd say it's likely faulty and not getting up to the right temperature and would be tempted to return it.

A quick look at reviews suggests that a number of people have found it too cold/ not quick enough.

I would send it back. There are other air fryers at similar price points that have more reviews, and better reviews. The one you bought only has about 24 reviews, and they're a bit mixed.

It sounds like it's faulty. 200° for chips should be fine, so it's not actually reaching that temperature. Return it and shop around for a better quality one.

I agree with pp though, the air fryer doesn't make anything taste better (usually things taste just as you'd expect), it's the convenience and timesaving that makes it worthwhile for me.

Thanks everyone I have just submitted a return request on Amazon! Unconvinced as to whether to buy a different one tho

Air fryers are best for single helpings or small quantities. Really, all they are is mini convection ovens. I’ve found them good for sausages (which tend to spit, slit or catch fire when grilled or fried) and foods with fragile coatings like kievs, fishcakes or escalopes (albeit kievs need turning over halfway). They’re also ace for reheating pies and pastries where microwaves make them go soggy. Chips are no good unless they’re a single helping in a rotating basket with large holes or wire mesh and plenty of room to mix.

You get what you pay for with a lot of these things, and it sounds like yours is a glorified warming up drawer.

Looking at the photos of the model you posted, if you put as many chips in as they show, that could be why it took so long. You need to have not much more than a single layer, and shake them very frequently.

Sounds like a gimmicky faff to me.

I would recommend the types that look like mini ovens with shelves rather than the ones with baskets (unless you're prepared to get a really large one)

I often cook a full meal (for 1 or 2) and the shelves mean the food doesn't steam from being crowded (ie salmon fillets, roast potatoes and asparagus all cooked together, it takes minutes and saves turning the oven on)

For £60 you can get a much better quality airfryer. Go for one of the better brands and give it another try. I love mine and use it every day.

Don't buy anything on amazon that has those square brackets in the description. It will have come from China direct for import and is very unlikely to meet any kind of quality control or safety standard.

Thanks for this tip!!

Thanks, we put a lot less in but at some point during the 1 hour 10 minutes we were waiting for our dinner and I was wondering why it was taking so long, my ten year old saw the picture on the box and said “we haven’t put as many in as they did!”

There was a program on C4 last night about airfryers which was interesting. Me and DH were watching as we don't have one and considering whether to get one.

I do wedges in our dryer, from fresh potatoes they take about 35 minutes and I usually do enough for about 5 people. I also layer on top of these with accompanying foods.

I would think you may have bought one that's just not very good quality and maybe to small for your needs

Chips I do in our ninja dual like this and they come out great -
cut into chips
soak cold water 10-15 mins
dry in tea towel
toss in oil and seasoning
cook 200c tossing every 5-7 mins until done, time depends on quantity but ours cake about 20mins

you do need to turn/toss food if more than a covering of the bottom

ours is fantastic and reduced our oven usage by 75% ish… we inherited a huge range cooker with the house so big saving

Regarding the cheese sandwich, a thin layer of mayonaise on the outside of the bread and turn it over regularly. This will give it a lovely, golden colour.

Mine is similar to this

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3652679360412364102?sca_esv=582478629&rlz=1C1GCEB_enGB930GB930&q=air+fryer&biw=1366&bih=651&dpr=1&prds=eto:6726705365709156405_0,pid:9358981824681430136,rsk:PC_2750151217797058975&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjRkqy3-cSCAxXMSUEAHRmLBfYQ8gIIrg0oAA

I bought my dad one too. It is small and you need to turn everything over half way.

It is very small, a single pork chop covers the bottom.

Some have 2 elements, one above and one below, if they don't then you need to turn things over half way.

I've not tried chips yet (I eat low carb) but steak and salmon both cook beautifully, so do fish fingers but again they need to be turned.

I do add some fat / oil.