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NFT: Air Fryers- Good, Bad, Or Meh?

CRinCA : 7/23/2021 8:07 pm
I’m probably a year or two late for this topic, because frankly I wasn’t interested before being an old school kitchen guy.

That said, somebody recently gave me a Black & Decker Crisp/Bake Air Fryer. I’ve 2 concerns, when I think Black & Decker, kitchen appliances don’t exactly spring to mind and I always question the technology of something that claims to be able to handle multiple tasks. In this case, air fry/bake/broil/toast.

And this is all before I begin to delve into to the taste of the delivered food product.

So talk to me gang- any and all feedback/related comments are appreciated. Are they worth it and if so, which brands. Thanks in advance.
Love mine  
Bricktop : 7/23/2021 8:13 pm : link
Got a Power XL from Amazon for a song. Takes a bit of experimenting to get cool times exactly where you want them. But everything comes out delicious. Especially wings.
Can’t speak to what you have  
UConn4523 : 7/23/2021 8:17 pm : link
but I have the ninja foodi xl and the air fry mode is great. Start with something simple like wings and go from there.
It's a small convection oven that works much quicker  
pjcas18 : 7/23/2021 8:17 pm : link
than a regular convection oven because it's smaller (obviously) and has a powerful fan - so it cooks faster.

I like it for wings (crispiest wings I've had without deep frying), french fries, etc.

My daughter made buffalo cauliflower in it a few nights ago that was really good.

I could live without it, but what it does, it does well and I do use it.
Foodie  
Eli owns all : 7/23/2021 8:36 pm : link
Ninja is dope. At worst you can just reheat a ton of leftovers. You can also make a ton of stuff I make bomb boneless in them.
Fryer  
Bigislandfan : 7/23/2021 9:11 pm : link
A boneless bomb sure has peaked my interest. Recipe
CR, the multitasking should not be a concern  
Bill in UT : 7/23/2021 9:12 pm : link
A regular toaster oven/countertop convection oven does all those things. I bought a top-rated AF by American Test Kitchens, and I does get things very crispy, but it's round, and more high than wide, so the basket doesn't hold very much in a single layer. It's got a top temp of 400. I added the Emeril unit, which has more functions, but doesn't get as hot as I'd like. I kept the old toaster-oven I replaced it with and still use it at times if I want to broil to char peppers or tomatoes. An AF may be the next best thing to a deep fryer, but I still use my deep fryer, especially for things that are battered and would make a mess out of an AF. I've read good things here about the Ninja Foodie, but I can't speak to it.
I have an attachment that goes on the top of my instant pot  
Bill L : 7/23/2021 9:15 pm : link
And turns it into a pseudo-air fryer. It’s good I guess but the amount of food it cooks is so small that you have to do batches and the total time to cook an entire meal is way to long for me.. literally cook half the amount of wings or French fries at a time and it’s not like it’s microwave speed for each batch.
RE: I have an attachment that goes on the top of my instant pot  
Bill in UT : 7/23/2021 9:27 pm : link
In comment 15311878 Bill L said:
Quote:
And turns it into a pseudo-air fryer.


I can't imagine what would go on an Instant Pot to convert into an AF. Instant Pots rely on steam, and in AF is dry heat. I know the IP can get hot at the base to saute on, but I don't see how that would generate enough heat to cook something on the top. Plus, the attachment would need to have a fan. You'd think an attachment like that would work better in a regular oven, which will generate more heat than an IP. I also don't think an IP is capable of heating to a specific temperature, as an oven or AF can.
RE: RE: I have an attachment that goes on the top of my instant pot  
Bill L : 7/23/2021 9:30 pm : link
In comment 15311895 Bill in UT said:
Quote:
In comment 15311878 Bill L said:


Quote:


And turns it into a pseudo-air fryer.



I can't imagine what would go on an Instant Pot to convert into an AF. Instant Pots rely on steam, and in AF is dry heat. I know the IP can get hot at the base to saute on, but I don't see how that would generate enough heat to cook something on the top. Plus, the attachment would need to have a fan. You'd think an attachment like that would work better in a regular oven, which will generate more heat than an IP. I also don't think an IP is capable of heating to a specific temperature, as an oven or AF can.


The instant pot stays unplugged. This is just a lid that fits over it (a trivet plus a basket goes in the chamber) and the lid has the convection unit. I bought it a few years ago. It was from a company called Mealthy or something like that.
_________  
I am Ninja : 7/23/2021 9:36 pm : link
it has its uses. just dont be one of the boners that tries to make spaghetti or soup in it and youll be good.
RE: _________  
Bill in UT : 7/23/2021 9:49 pm : link
In comment 15311908 I am Ninja said:
Quote:
it has its uses. just dont be one of the boners that tries to make spaghetti or soup in it and youll be good.


Thanks, but now I'm gonna have to replan tomorrow's dinner. And I was really looking forward to soup. Any ideas where I could cook some?
Game Changer For Parents  
blright : 7/23/2021 10:52 pm : link
Air fryers are awesome for parents of kids that eat chicken fingers, french fries and wings (and any other fried foods). If you buy frozen, the air fryer (with the occasional shake of the basket) will make the fried food uniformly crispy. Leftover fries reheated in the air fryer (again with the occasional shake) are nearly as tasty as they were at the restaurant. It's fairly good for reheating pizza too.

For us adults, we use it to heat up D'Artagnan duck confit. It's otherworldly as the air fryer makes them crispy and delicate, but succulent on the inside.

We have a separate instapot too. They are two of our kitchen appliances MVPs.
Blight  
CRinCA : 7/23/2021 11:06 pm : link
Never did I imagine duck confit and air fryer in the same sentence.
blriight that is+  
CRinCA : 7/23/2021 11:08 pm : link
Interesting,
RE: Game Changer For Parents  
Bill L : 7/23/2021 11:58 pm : link
In comment 15311980 blright said:
Quote:
Air fryers are awesome for parents of kids that eat chicken fingers, french fries and wings (and any other fried foods). If you buy frozen, the air fryer (with the occasional shake of the basket) will make the fried food uniformly crispy. Leftover fries reheated in the air fryer (again with the occasional shake) are nearly as tasty as they were at the restaurant. It's fairly good for reheating pizza too.

For us adults, we use it to heat up D'Artagnan duck confit. It's otherworldly as the air fryer makes them crispy and delicate, but succulent on the inside.

We have a separate instapot too. They are two of our kitchen appliances MVPs.

Add an anova to your mvp list, make your own duck confit (only with a tablespoon or two of fat), and move to your air fryer
RE: RE: Game Changer For Parents  
Bill in UT : 7/24/2021 12:32 am : link
In comment 15312017 Bill L said:
Quote:
In comment 15311980 blright said:


Quote:


Air fryers are awesome for parents of kids that eat chicken fingers, french fries and wings (and any other fried foods). If you buy frozen, the air fryer (with the occasional shake of the basket) will make the fried food uniformly crispy. Leftover fries reheated in the air fryer (again with the occasional shake) are nearly as tasty as they were at the restaurant. It's fairly good for reheating pizza too.

For us adults, we use it to heat up D'Artagnan duck confit. It's otherworldly as the air fryer makes them crispy and delicate, but succulent on the inside.

We have a separate instapot too. They are two of our kitchen appliances MVPs.


Add an anova to your mvp list, make your own duck confit (only with a tablespoon or two of fat), and move to your air fryer


What confit recipe are you using?
Usually the Serious Eats recipe  
Bill L : 7/24/2021 12:48 am : link
I like it because I never have rendered (or at least enough) duck fat on hand and plus there’s no overnight cure which I’ve usually done with an oven method. I can never seem to get enough off the salt washed away when I do that. So, this is still flavorful and easy, although it takes a longer time than the oven.
Link - ( New Window )
RE: Usually the Serious Eats recipe  
Bill in UT : 7/24/2021 1:03 am : link
In comment 15312034 Bill L said:
Quote:
I like it because I never have rendered (or at least enough) duck fat on hand and plus there’s no overnight cure which I’ve usually done with an oven method. I can never seem to get enough off the salt washed away when I do that. So, this is still flavorful and easy, although it takes a longer time than the oven. Link - ( New Window )


The comments on that look pretty good, I may try it. I've got to wrap my head around cooking for 36 hours. I've been using an Anne Burrell recipe, that I've been real happy with. In fact, I made duck confit poutine last week. It requires some olive oil, but no duck fat. Takes a couple of hours, but has a little bit of active time. You might be able to do it without the onions, if so, it's almost no active time. I haven't tried it that way, but I don't see why not.
Link - ( New Window )
My wife makes Garlic/Parmesan Chicken Thighs  
montanagiant : 7/24/2021 1:16 am : link
That are incredibly delicious in our Air-Fryer.
Good for some things  
fkap : 7/24/2021 7:42 am : link
but not magical.

Cooking quantity isn't large enough to be practical for more than 2 people. Has a fairly large footprint for a part time appliance, so if counter space is an issue, it may not be for you.


If someone gave you one, why question whether they're worth getting? Use it and decide for yourself.
Literally...  
DannyDimes : 7/24/2021 7:59 am : link
Can't live without it. Best wings ever, full air fried turkey was the best I've ever had..... so many great uses.
Bought one and returned it  
Daniel in MI : 7/24/2021 8:10 am : link
We already have a toaster over with convection and it does the same thing and is a multitasker. If you have the counter space I’d get the toaster oven.
RE: blriight that is+  
blright : 7/24/2021 8:15 am : link
In comment 15311984 CRinCA said:
Quote:
Interesting,


Me neither! But it's awesome! We would either put them in a cast iron pan or BBQ them. Of all the techniques, this one is the best!
RE: RE: Game Changer For Parents  
blright : 7/24/2021 8:18 am : link
In comment 15312017 Bill L said:
Quote:
In comment 15311980 blright said:


Quote:


Air fryers are awesome for parents of kids that eat chicken fingers, french fries and wings (and any other fried foods). If you buy frozen, the air fryer (with the occasional shake of the basket) will make the fried food uniformly crispy. Leftover fries reheated in the air fryer (again with the occasional shake) are nearly as tasty as they were at the restaurant. It's fairly good for reheating pizza too.

For us adults, we use it to heat up D'Artagnan duck confit. It's otherworldly as the air fryer makes them crispy and delicate, but succulent on the inside.

We have a separate instapot too. They are two of our kitchen appliances MVPs.


Add an anova to your mvp list, make your own duck confit (only with a tablespoon or two of fat), and move to your air fryer


I have an Anova too! It's awesome. I use it to make steak and rib roasts for holidays and dinner parties in particular because of the long "sweet spot" when the meat can be pulled and seared. This allows my wife to finish all of the accompaniments and I can finish the meat whenever convenient.
There is no debate  
djm : 7/24/2021 10:24 am : link
They are awesome.
Love mine  
bigblue1124 : 7/24/2021 11:45 am : link
We have a Ninja foodi sp101. Work great with most everything with the exception of hand cut fries it just does not work with a two cook method.

Everything else it great fried chicken, wing, veggies, cheese. The one I have also has a dehydrator among other functions but I really like the fact I can dehydrate my own herbs especially during growing season. I'll never have to buy a grocery store herb again.
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