Air fryer v oven

thriftytracey

It would be good to have a sticky simply for what works well, (and what doesn't), using air fryers.

I was going to try and Toad in the Hole but the silicon mould was too large for the air fryer.  I used my halogen worktop over and although it cooked the batter did not rise.  I think it is because it wasn't raised up in the oven just positioned at the base, whereas in a large oven it would be surrounded by heat as it is on a shelf.  I did wonder if I should have used a metal tin instead of the silicon mould.

ariarnia

thriftytracey said:

It would be good to have a sticky simply for what works well, (and what doesn't), using air fryers.

I was going to try and Toad in the Hole but the silicon mould was too large for the air fryer.  I used my halogen worktop over and although it cooked the batter did not rise.  I think it is because it wasn't raised up in the oven just positioned at the base, whereas in a large oven it would be surrounded by heat as it is on a shelf.  I did wonder if I should have used a metal tin instead of the silicon mould.

i had wondered how you got on with that. when i make bread in the air fryer i use a metal cake tin and i think it helps the sides brown (though i do sometimes flip it). i might try the next one in a silicone tin just to see the difference. i know glass definately doesn't do well as no crust forms at all. i think thats because there slower to heat? i also wonder if the heat from above can firm up the top to quickly and stop it from rising as much. maybe some foil on top for the first bit would help that to redirect the heat around and to come in from the top at the end of cooking? i've got quite a tall af so when ive wanted to fit just a bit more in ive also put in a small metal trivet. i wonder if something like that would fit in yours to give a bit more space under for the air when you're cooking something in a tin or tray you can't flip? 

as you can probably tell i like the idea of a thread to share our experience and tips the old style forum had a really long one for remoskas when i first got mine in 2009 or so and ive seen one for slow cookers as well. but while i like the idea of sharing our experience theres so many different shapes and sizes that it probably will be a bit of trial and error tho with every new thing. 

mmmmikey

thriftytracey said:

It would be good to have a sticky simply for what works well, (and what doesn't), using air fryers.

I was going to try and Toad in the Hole but the silicon mould was too large for the air fryer.  I used my halogen worktop over and although it cooked the batter did not rise.  I think it is because it wasn't raised up in the oven just positioned at the base, whereas in a large oven it would be surrounded by heat as it is on a shelf.  I did wonder if I should have used a metal tin instead of the silicon mould.

Hi Tracey - I find a hot earthenware dish works best to make the batter rise. I put a little bit of oil in and heat it in a hot oven until the oil is just starting to smoke, then add the batter and sausages and cook at a high temperature - say about 220 degrees. I suspect the silicone mould is the issue. I have an Actifry with a paddle that doesn't really lend itself to toad in the hole so do it in the oven, but I would think that a standard air fryer would be excellent for toad in the hole, Yorkshire puddings, etc. And yes, I think your idea of a sticky is great

Ally_E.

[Deleted User] said:

rothesy said:

I mentioned already, my usage went down by £5 each month.  That is when I was paying 15p per KWh.

So for £150 ninja that is 30 months to break even. 

You've not saved anything yet.

You're looking at savings only, but most people I know use air frier to get very crispy results that the oven just can't achieve. It's about the type of cooking that is desirable as well as savings. 

Astria

Ally_E. said:

[Deleted User] said:

rothesy said:

I mentioned already, my usage went down by £5 each month.  That is when I was paying 15p per KWh.

So for £150 ninja that is 30 months to break even. 

You've not saved anything yet.

You're looking at savings only, but most people I know use air frier to get very crispy results that the oven just can't achieve. It's about the type of cooking that is desirable as well as savings. 

As well as how easy it is to clean up afterwards. Chips are easier, quicker, and taste better in an air-fryer than an oven.

My air frier doesn't seem to do a particularly good job at browning bread however, and I still prefer the grill for things like bacon, burgers, and so on.

Cisco001

[Deleted User] said:

rothesy said:

I mentioned already, my usage went down by £5 each month.  That is when I was paying 15p per KWh.

So for £150 ninja that is 30 months to break even. 

You've not saved anything yet.

I can't comment durability for ninja.
But my Philips was purchased back in Dec 2015 for £50.
And it is being used 4 - 5 times a week.

thriftytracey

mmmmikey said:

thriftytracey said:

It would be good to have a sticky simply for what works well, (and what doesn't), using air fryers.

I was going to try and Toad in the Hole but the silicon mould was too large for the air fryer.  I used my halogen worktop over and although it cooked the batter did not rise.  I think it is because it wasn't raised up in the oven just positioned at the base, whereas in a large oven it would be surrounded by heat as it is on a shelf.  I did wonder if I should have used a metal tin instead of the silicon mould.

Hi Tracey - I find a hot earthenware dish works best to make the batter rise. I put a little bit of oil in and heat it in a hot oven until the oil is just starting to smoke, then add the batter and sausages and cook at a high temperature - say about 220 degrees. I suspect the silicone mould is the issue. I have an Actifry with a paddle that doesn't really lend itself to toad in the hole so do it in the oven, but I would think that a standard air fryer would be excellent for toad in the hole, Yorkshire puddings, etc. And yes, I think your idea of a sticky is great

Thanks.  Yes, next time I will ditch the silicon mould.  I've used it for a few things - pies and flans I wasn't impressed!

thriftytracey

Lidl have air fryers in on Sunday 6th November retailing at £49.99.  

It looks identical to the one I purchased in March 2021 for £39.99. Don't you just love inflation?

It is a perfect size for two people but no good for a family.

weezie7

dander said:

I think this is somewhere that size definitely counts. I live alone and absolutely swear by my air-fryer - hugely faster for me. I have a bottom of the range, small air fryer that works well for cooking single portions. There's no pre-heating, I just throw food in, shut the drawer and it heats a few litres of air to cook the single portion of food and the air has lots of room to circulate. Whereas in the oven, I'm heating a load of space that I'm not using.

 If you have a small space in your air-fryer, but it's all packed with food, there's no room for the hot air to reach the middle so it will cook slowly and badly. If you have one of these massive all-singing all-dancing air fryers, then you are getting close to just replicating your oven so the benefits become less clear. 

Hi Dander, which air fryer did you get please? i only want a small one......thanks......

Mstty

Here is our 2pence worth.

We bought a tower air fryer 2.2l pT17023 before summer for £31 and it came with a 3 year warranty.

During the summer we did not use the oven at all cooking the protein in the air fryer and the gas BBQ was in use(a lot) we used the air fryer 3 times a week.

Moving into winter we used it 2 times a week for the same protein use and the microwave for rice and veg etc. We used the oven 2 times a week and make sure it cooks more than one meal or used for cakes or deserts etc so maxed out. We eat out twice a week.

From the Tapo P110 we save 25p per day we use the air fryer

Since 4th June we have saved £9.75 in the summer and £6.50 up until the end of the year. Now we did buy some paper liners so that knocks off 6p per use. So takes off £3.90

£12.30p saving in the first 6 months of use but bear in mind this was all within an energy saving mindset of using the air fryer in conjunction with the microwave more than the induction hob.

Basically 3 year warranty and pays for itself within 18 months even using disposable paper liners for easy cleaning.

Of course these fancy Dan 2 drawer units for big families not sure what the saving would be there.