In India, the love for fried snacks runs deep, but health considerations often lead us to seek healthier alternatives. Enter the air fryer, a revolutionary appliance that promises the joy of fried food with a fraction of the oil.
If you’re planning to buy an air fryer then, this guide will empower you to make an informed decision and bring home the perfect air fryer that suits your lifestyle and cooking preferences.
Things to consider
Type of air fryers
In the market, There are some types of air fryers to cater to the different kinds of needs of users. These are as follows
Dial/knob Controlled
Dial/knob control is simple to use with just two knobs to set time and temperature and nothing else.
Digitally Controlled
In this, you get LED or LCD with a touchscreen to control your devices. You can also get some preset menus. In some models, wifi is also available to help user to operate their devices even away from devices.
Paddle-based
A paddle-based air fryer is a fully automatic machine. it is like you can turn this on and forget about it. the devices can automatically cook the food and turn it off on their own after cooking.
Oven-based
Oven-based air fryer combines the features of a traditional oven with the technology of an air fryer. In this, hot air is circulated rapidly around the food, creating a crispy outer layer while cooking the interior evenly.
These air fryers are designed to look and function like traditional toaster ovens. They have a larger cooking capacity compared to basket-style air fryers and often come with multiple cooking functions, including air frying, baking, toasting, and more.
Dual Compartment
Dual compartment air fryer has 2 compartments in which you can cook 2 different foods side by side same time. This type of air fryer is ideal for large families. And there is enough space between both compartments so that their taste won’t mix up with each other.
Capacity Matters
Air Fryers come in different capacity ranges from 2 to 6 liters. If you have a small family or want to use it for personal use, a smaller capacity is sufficient. But if you have a large family or frequent guests, then you must opt for a bigger capacity to avoid multiple cooking batches.
Power Consumption
The power consumption of air fryers is very crucial because it directly affects their performance. Higher wattage means that it is capable for to produce more heat, compared to less wattage. But it also consumes more electricity.
So it becomes necessary to take a balance between power consumption and efficiency to find an air fryer that best fits your cooking needs and energy consumption preferences.
Temperature Settings
A good air fryer should have adjustable temperature settings that allow you to cook a wide variety of food.
User-Friendly Controls
Control of the air fryer has to be easy and essential for a hassle-free cooking experience. Touchscreen displays and intuitive interfaces make setting the temperature, time, and cooking modes a breeze.
Safety Features
Safety is important, especially when dealing with high temperatures. So consider the safety features like cool-touch handles, automatic shut-off timers, and non-slip feet in your air fryer.
These features reduce the risk of accidents and make handling the appliance safer, especially in a busy kitchen.
Quality and Durability
Investing in a high-quality air fryer will ensure it lasts for years to come. Stainless steel exteriors and non-stick interiors are excellent choices for durability and easy cleaning.
Read reviews and check the warranty details to gain insights into the product’s reliability and after-sales support.
Budget Considerations
Air fryers come in a range of around 5000 to 16000 rupees. all air fryer has different functions. So first you need to identify your needs and set a budget according to that. Then find the best air fryer that has all your needed features and comes under your budget.
Additional Accessories
Different air fryer models come with additional accessories like baking trays, grilling racks, and skewers. These accessories can enhance the versatility of your air fryer, enabling you to cook a wider array of dishes.
So make sure that your selected air fryer has all the accessories you need.
Additional features
Some additional features you can consider while deciding on buying an air fryer in India are:
Scheduling
This is a rare feature that allows you to keep the food ready automatically when you reach home at the set time.
Preset menu
Good air fryers have some 5-8 preset menus for popular food like chicken, fish, mushrooms, paneer tikka, shrimp, samosa, pakoda, and many more. This feature is very useful to quickly set up your air fryer for cooking with a few or single clicks.
Cooking Modes
Air fryers have different cooking modes like Bake, Roast, Air Fry, Grill, Reheat, DeFreeze, DeHydrate, Rotisserie Grill, and Ferment.
So make sure your selected air fryer has all your required modes in it.
Timer
Timers features allow you to set a timer and after that period, your air fryer stops working.
Auto Cut-off
This feature turns off the machine automatically when air fryers get overheated or food is completely cooked. Otherwise, it can overcook your food or damage the air fryer in case of overheat.
Dishwasher Safe Parts
You must consider that air fryer parts are dishwasher-friendly. Most of the air fryer has dishwasher-friendly parts. But still, make sure your air fryer has it.
Indicators
Indicators show the status of the machine, what’s going on with the machine, how much time is left for cooking, and the error code or sound for the machine malfunctioning.
Keep Warm
This function keeps your food for a long period after cooking. Using this feature, you can provide a little heat to food regularly. This feature is very useful for those who don’t have a fixed time to eat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right air fryer in India can significantly enhance your cooking experience and promote a healthier lifestyle. With the right capacity, power, cooking settings, and safety features, you can enjoy crispy and delicious dishes without the guilt of excessive oil consumption.