Looking at air fryers. Any advice or recommendations?

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The best I can with what I got

I wish I had gotten a bigger one. Mine's fine for one or two people, but if you are cooking for more it's kind of a hassle to have to do batches.

Yeah. I understand that, but it's just me 99.9% of the time. I wonder if it's better to use a small one and do batches if I want to share, or get a bigger one and do small amounts in it all the time.

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The best I can with what I got

My wife and I got a Ninja Air Fryer as a wedding gift and we absolutely love it! Use it multiple times a week and would highly recommend it. It's one of the smaller models. but is plenty big enough for the two of us.

We also have a very large Ninja at my office that everyone loves. I have no experience with any other brand, but I can tell you my experience with Ninja air fryers has been all positives.

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Find a way or make one.

Mine is one of the smaller ones called Bella Pro Series.This one is several years old. It works well and gets used often. Basically it's an older version of this
My son recently got a 25 Qt. Emeril Legasse branded one at Sams that doubles as a toaster oven and convection oven. He seems happy with it, too.

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Or something like that . . .

How about one of these?
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link shows air fryer baskets.

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The best I can with what I got

Buy one that is twice the size you think you need. You'll find it handy the first time you don't have to do two batches in one air fryer.

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Heavily armed old man.

Absolutely correct! You just put them in your regular kitchen oven. Does the same thing as an air fryer.

Double drawer Ninja. Wonderful tool.

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Release the Kraken

I go to thrift shops frequently. They always have the previous "latest thing". Currently air fryers are there for $7.00 - $15.00, along with rotisseries, bread machines and rice cookers. I might get one just see if it offers any advantages.

Kinda recently, I got one. Strangely enough I haven’t used it yet! The one I got was on sale as a Best Buy Deal of the Day for $69.99, because I think it was too good of a deal to pass up. When I got it, it was much bigger than I expected it was going to be, but from what I am reading here, that’s good. Here is what I got:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/bella-p...?skuId=6461452

Two questions, what do you folks that have one like to cook in it, and how much trouble is it to clean it?
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

We also received a Ninja as a gift. Love the thing. We cook a lot at home. Very versatile, multifunctional kitchen aid. Didn’t expect to like it but use it almost every day.
Only thing we don’t like is that it’s a pain to clean. I’m a neat freak and don’t like dirty a kitchen or appliances. But it’s worth the nuisance.

We bought this one from Walmart.


Just two of us but wanted a bigger one. Double doors make it easier to load/unload. No stupid buttons to figure out.

The only thing is the top and back get HOT. So you shouldn’t touch it or put anything close to it.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Ours is a Sur La Table that we got at COSCO for $79 about two years ago. The French door models take up so much counter space, this one is narrow (and smaller, door opens down like an oven) but has proven quite nice for the two of us. If I had to choose between a countertop microwave and a countertop Air Fryer, I'd choose the fryer. We do a lot of chickens or pork chops in it, the skin/surface gets nice and crispy! She reheats leftovers too and they seem to taste better than Microwaved foods (probably very subjective).

Hope this gives you enough info.

Ivan

I have no idea what brand mine is, I got it for Christmas last year, but it's one of my favorite cooking tools. The only grease is a shot of aerosol spray, like PAM. I love it.

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Waiting For The Sun.

I like to keep it all outside when I can.

This Blackstone Griddle has two full size drawers for air frying and the third drawer is for warming.

It does a great job and with the griddle and air fryer I do a lot of my cooking outside. Keeps the mess and odor out of the house.

bdGreen

Not cheap but you get what you pay for

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

I just looked at the bottom of mine where the name tag is. It's TriStar Products, imported from China. On the front it says Power XL. I've even cooked steak in it...but it must be checked often, as I learned from the first one I cooked into a piece of leather. I gave that one to Angel Dog. She's eaten rawhide treats faster than she could eat that piece of shoe leather!
Grocery store sells seasoned flour for air frying; brand named Kentucky Kernel. It's best used for chicken wings. Just the drums & flats, not that useless pointy part. I would recommend one to anyone who doesn't have one and might be interested in expanding their cooking experience.

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Waiting For The Sun.

We have been really happy with the Ninja Foodie. It air frys, pressure cooks, slow cooks, and a few other things. $150 or so at Costco.

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Front sight and squeeze

Gross. Ain't no way I'd ever buy someone's used air fryer... But, to each his own.

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Find a way or make one.

I'm about to replace my old toaster oven. Will an air fryer do all that one expects a toaster oven to do? Plus, of course, air frying?

Second one I’ve had is a Cuisinart that cooks Very Well, I’m happy with it. They have to be cleaned every month or so or they will smoke, Have found the Dawn Power Wash Free and Clear spray works well with no typical oven cleaner smell.

I think that is why many of us like the Ninja.
You can air fry, roast, toast, bake, dehydrate or warm with it.

I have the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven, From the Makers of Instant Pot.
Ok for small groups, many types of cooking but the big plus is it has odor filters and is super easy to keep clean.
Had one other with the heating bar, thing could not be kept clean. I put the smelly thing into the recycle bin.

I was not enthusiastic about getting an air fryer until my wife insisted, and now it's our most-used kitchen appliance. That said, here are my recommendations:

1. Get one that looks like a toaster oven. The "box" style is much better than the ones that look like a bloated coffee pot for cooking, ease of cleaning and performing other functions that it may offer. If you already have a toaster oven, this style can replace it instead of adding another appliance to your counter top.
2. My preference is for mechanical dials (temp, timer, mode select) instead of digital controls. We have not had the best of luck with small appliances with digital controls. Our current air fryer is the Cuisinart TOA-70 and we love it.

What are some things that I definitely need to try in my air fryer?
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

I sear good steaks in a cast iron frying pan then air roast them to med. rare in the “ air fryer oven”. Big standard oven only bakes biscuits. Like others here it’s what I use 90% of the time with the microwave.

Start with air.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Can they do catfish and hushpuppies?

That's exactly the one we have. Couldn't find it during a quick google search, so I assumed they had quit making that model.

I've used ours for chicken, beef, frozen garlic bread, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, frozen burritos, and lots more.

Cleaning it is pretty easy as long as you do so while it's still warm. If you let it cool first, it can become quite a chore. I speak from experience.

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Or something like that . . .

Booooooooooooo!😜
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

Does it work well for reheating stuff like fried chicken or pizza?
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

Absolutely!
It will take time, and a few crispy/underdone items, but once you get familiar with the settings and how it heats and cooks, you will find it is one of the best things going.
It will not do a full-on family Thanksgiving meal be it is great for for 2-3 people and regular meals.

What's the difference between those that resemble a deep fryer and others that look like an oversized toaster oven?

Avoid running it as the same time you use the toaster if they are sharing an outlet. Circuit breaker time.

Kalorik MAXX(R) 26 Qt Air Fryer Oven: 10-in-1, 500^0F Countertop Cooking

Started with the smaller one then moved up to larger combination Oven Air Fryer Toaster Rotisserie.
Cons - Cleaning
Pro's - Tator Tots, Chicken on the Rotisserie. Coming home from Mc Donalds with nuggets and reheating them and the fries, taste better in the air fryer the second time. It replaces the microwave in many cases on reheating food.

. Running mine at the same time as my microwave means a trip downstairs to reset the circuit breaker.

We have two different types. The twin basked Food Ninja is in the 5th wheel, and one of the Emeril double doors is at my weekday apartment in town. Each work well, the Emeril is great for steaks and reheating due to the basket design. They both work really well for making egg rolls! No grease!

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Even older, even crankier....

Thank you all for your replies. I finally decided on this one.

Now, to figure out how to use it!

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The best I can with what I got

Can't help you there except maybe avoid using while underwater.
I've followed this thread with interest, MizzAnna's been making noise about acquiring one.

If you are past 80 years old;

the Ninja not only cooks but it gives you a good work out,
going to and from the counter or table !!

Fries and onjun rings are my favorite, junk food , that my wife cooks for me !