Commercial models of hot air fryers have been around since at least 1990 with the introduction of the “QuikNCrispy” by Paul Artt in the States.
Home hot air fryers were introduced first in France in 2006 with the advent of the Actifry™ by T-Fal/Seb.
Once you are converted to air frying, you tend to use your machine a lot. Many people become quite loyal to their particular make and model, and come to rely on it several times a week for meals. And, these machines are not cheap, let’s face it. So going into the field, it can be important to figure out what model will work out to be the right overall fit for you. And, it can be scary trying to do so.
It is my hope that this site will help to at least clarify in your mind some of the choices, so that you can make a more informed decision about what is best for you. Please use all the information I present as the basis for your own research to verify information for yourself: this is a fast-changing field and a page is no sooner posted than it is out of date!
First, a small word of precaution: consider an extended warranty
One of the major, consistent, constant gripes about all makes and models of air fryers is that they just aren’t seeming to stand up to regular, daily use. There are sadly a lot of these appliances ending up in landfill after only a short period of usage, which should be a concern to us as taxpayers, as we have to pay to maintain this landfill year after year while the manufacturers walk off with the profit. It should also be a concern to the manufacturers, as there are many consumers swearing off any appliances from a given company owing to a poor experience with an air fryer.
Most machines only come with a standard one year warranty, and we all know how appliances tend to die 1 day and 1 year after the purchase. Consequently, I cannot suggest too strongly that you should strongly consider purchasing your hot air fryer only where you can get an extended warranty for it. I have had two die on me just after the regular warranty expired, and thankfully I was covered.
If you are purchasing on Amazon, there are several choices for an add-on protection plan that you can add to your cart for a fraction of the price of the fryer. Choose a plan that matches the level and length of cover you desire. At a minimum, if the appliance dies and you never want to see anything like it again, or try another type, you’ll get a gift card for your purchase money free, and can start out afresh.
Second, about our information
We have endeavoured to source our information about air frying models from reputable sources and to confirm facts two or three times from separate sources. That being said, our information is in the end only as good as the sources that were available to draw on. Sometimes people, even manufacturers and retailers, get information wrong about their own products even, and manufacturers do reserve to right to always change the specs of products all the time, anyway.
Consequently, please use all information provided about appliance models just as the starting point for your own research, and verify for yourself all information provided before making any purchase decisions, as we cannot be responsible in any way, shape, or form and are obliged to say for legal reasons that our information is provided “for entertainment purposes only.”
That being said, we are very happy to be kept informed if you come across information that is in error or out of date now, so please do let us know.
Categories of hot air fryers
Home hot air fryers break down into two major categories:
- paddle-type, with the category being led by the Actifry™.
- basket-type, with the category being led by the AirFryer™ by Philips;
- counter-top convection ovens which can also be used for some hot air frying functions;
- oil-less turkey fryers.
For the most part, the major difference between the categories is:
- paddle-type: tend to be more expensive but “self-tending” and stir / turn the food for you. You add the cooking fat to the pan along with the food;
- basket-type: tend to be a bit less expensive, but depending on what you are making may require intervention from you two or three times during the cooking process to shake the food. You have to coat the food in cooking fat before putting into the basket;
- counter-top oven: more multipurpose ovens rather than fine-tuned air fryers;
- oil-less turkey fryers: very large, outdoor use only, no forced air, can double as tandoori-type ovens.
Note that in the counter-top oven type, a handful are actually designed to be able to stir / turn the food for you. Note as well though that while counter-top ovens initially may seem inexpensive, they appear to have acquired a reputation for very short life spans, which pushes up the cost of ownership quickly.
In fact, the major common complaint with most types / models of air fryers seems to be short lifespans. It may perhaps be the quality of workmanship over all these days in appliances. We will be monitoring the field over the next few years and updating our information with what we are finding in this regard for you.
Actifry™
Basket-type Air Fryers
Countertop Convection Ovens
Oil-free Turkey Fryers
Paddle-Type Air Fryers
Philips AirFryers
Use & Care
* Actifry™ is a registered trademark of SEB, France.
* AirFryer™ is a registered trademark of Philips, Netherlands.
Someone gave me your Aroma Aeromatic Turbo Convention Oven; however there was not a manual with it I do not know how to use it. Please give me an address where I may order a book of instructions and recipes. Thank you
Hi Frances, you can use any recipes that are for Halogen / Countertop Convection Ovens. We have listed some recipes here: https://www.hotairfrying.com/halogen-oven-recipes/
As for the manual, it is here: https://www.aroma-housewares.com/manuals/AST-900E_InstructionManual.pdf
1-14-16 I rec’d my 16 qt. Big Boss Oil-Less fryer from Walmart on line. Perhaps it was a return. There was no unpacking or caution instructions.
I have tried a few of these brands, but I recently discovered another brand named Duronic, and I purchased one from them. I have had this air fryer for four months now and I find it fantastic. It was cheap as well, so maybe it’s worth adding it to the list above!