Are you excited to buy your first-ever air fryer? So are we! But before you proceed, check out this checklist of important factors you need to look for before buying an air fryer.
Capacity
There are multiple size options available when it comes to choosing an air fryer. You need to pick one based on how frequently you’ll use it and what items you will be cooking in it.
An average small-sized air fryer offers a maximum capacity of 1 to 2 liters, whereas a medium-sized air fryer goes up to 2 to 2.5 liters. If this is not enough for your family, you can go for a bigger air fryer that offers a capacity of at least 5 liters.
If you are fond of hosting regular family dinners with roasted chicken and beef ribs, you should opt for a large air fryer. However, if you are a family of 2-3 members and only need to use the air fryer occasionally, a small or medium-sized air fryer would suffice.
In addition to this, you can also choose air fryers with detachable twin basket options. This allows you to cook a combination of your favorite meals together in one go.
Wattage
Many people tend to overlook wattage information when buying an air fryer, but this is equally important as any other factor. You need to have a clear-cut idea of the wattage supported by your kitchen’s power socket before you start looking for an air fryer. Typically, an air fryer requires 800 to 1500 watts for functioning, so your power socket should be able to handle this load.
If you have the option to go for an air fryer with an even higher wattage, you should consider it. The higher the wattage, the more efficient an air fryer is. This is why knowing the important details beforehand is essential to ensure you are not missing out on any valuable opportunity.
Temperature Control
One of the key features to look for in an air fryer is its temperature control. After all, this is what matters the most in an air fryer. The maximum temperature range offered in most air fryers these days goes up to 400 degrees. So, you need to make sure you choose an air fryer offering the same temperature control settings.
However, if you are looking for a more advanced air fryer offering a temperature beyond 400 degrees, a few options are available in the market. These air fryers will be on the pricier side but go for it if you can afford one. The cooking time and results offered are far better than any regular air fryer, so it will be worth the money if you decide to buy one.
Dishwasher Safe Parts
While cooking food in an air fryer is fun, but cleaning it afterward is a tedious task that no one enjoys doing. Luckily, various air fryers in the market come with detachable, dishwasher-safe parts that can easily be cleaned inside a dishwasher, saving you trouble.
Look for an air fryer with a removable container, cover, and crockery items so you can relax while the dishwasher does all the work.
Timers
You will come across two types of air fryers in the market: one with a digital timer and the other with a manual one. While manual timers also work just fine, and many people are used to it, you can also opt for air fryers with a digital timer.
A digital timer will save you the hassle of looking at the knob to estimate how much cooking time is left. Instead, you can enjoy watching a sleek digital clock and keep better track of your cooking time.
Brand Name
The brand of your air fryer is extremely important as it helps assess the quality and durability of the product. When investing in your first air fryer, always ensure you choose a trusted and well-reputed brand.
Buying an air fryer from a not-so-popular brand may come with a risk as the air fryer itself is an expensive kitchen gadget. If you buy an unbranded air fryer, the chances are that the product may malfunction anytime soon and might not even offer any warranty.
To save yourself from all this trouble and wastage of time, pick a branded air fryer that is already popular in the market and has received several positive reviews. The most popular air fryer brands include Philips, Breville, Tefal, etc.
If you are buying air fryers online, make sure you purchase them from a trusted online store. The store offers an extensive range of air fryers from reputed brands in the market, so you can be assured that you will get your money’s worth if you shop from here.
Featured Photo by Kalisha Ocheni on Unsplash
