Oil-free fryers have become a global trend thanks to their ability to cook the fried foods we love with less fat. But can they fry our food wonderfully? And how does an air fryer work to create such unique meals?
Below, we will explain how does an air fryer work and why it can reduce excess fat and bring delicious meals. Furthermore, we’ll also explore other foods you can make using an oil-free fryer, not just limited to low-fat fries.
Describe an air fryer
In the bustling market of the modern kitchen industry, the oil-free fryer has quickly gained attention and become a “new wind” for cooking lovers. The oil-free fryer has revolutionized food processing with advanced technology and incredible convenience. However, with the explosion of oil-free fryers on the market, many people still wonder: “What is an air fryer that can solve their worries?”
The simple answer is that an air fryer is a kitchen appliance that utilizes convection air currents to cook food, serving as a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods while overcoming drawbacks. The structure of a basic oil-free fryer consists of a shell, an upper body, and a lower body.
Structure of the shell: This is the outer covering, which insulates and insulates to keep the user safe during the pot operation. On the case, there are buttons to adjust the temperature and time.
- Time knob: Mechanical knobs or control keys with attached screens adjust food cooking time. The maximum cooking time is about 60 minutes.
- Temperature knob: Can be mechanical knobs or control keys with an attached screen to adjust the cooking temperature. The normal maximum temperature is 200 degrees Celsius.
Structure of the upper body: Including heat bar and fan.
- Heat rod (Mayso wire): this is the main part that generates heat to heat the air inside the pot. The heating temperature of an oil-free fryer may vary slightly depending on the model, typically around 200 degrees Celsius.
- Fan: Has the function of helping the air flow heated by the Mayso wire to circulate throughout the inside of the pot, helping the hot air to circulate quickly in the direction of cooking the food inside.
Structure of the lower body: Consists of 2 parts: tray and frying basket.
- Frying tray: Used to store food. The frying tray can be easily inserted or removed from the case thanks to a plastic handle that attaches directly to the tray.
- Frying basket: Placed inside the tray, made from metal and usually coated with one or more non-stick layers to prevent food from sticking to the pot. The bottom of the frying pan is usually made of a ridge shaped like a pinwheel to help distribute heat more evenly.
With different types of oil-free fryers, the corresponding frying tray and the frying pan will also have different sizes. The most common size of fried fish is about 2 liters, equivalent to holding nearly 1kg of food (actual weight may vary depending on the type of food).
How does an air fryer work?
Oil-free fryers use heat instead of traditional grease to fry food. The heating element generates heat, which is transferred in two directions. The first direction of radiation goes directly to the top of the food, and the other direction is pushed along the sides by the fan to the bottom of the pot and then reflected and cooked to the bottom.
This is the Rapid Air technology, which is the key to the success of the oil-free fryer. Nearly all fryers today use this technology to cook food. With Rapid Air technology, the heat is evenly focused on both sides of the food, so the food is cooked evenly without the cook having to turn around like the traditional cooking method (the traditional way of frying, the heat is focused on the underside more).
In traditional frying, cooking oil is a heat transfer solvent, whereas Rapid Air technology uses air. The characteristic of air is that it transmits heat less than cooking oil, so in an oil-free fryer, for food to be cooked and golden evenly like oil, the air needs to circulate very quickly and strongly to be able to carry a large amount of heat through the air through a thick mass of food.
At the same time, the heating element also generates infrared radiation that penetrates deep below the surface of the food, and this combination produces a very high heat transfer rate. As a result, the food is cooked to a golden, crispy color, without or using only a tiny amount of fat, so the food is better for the user’s health.
How does an air fryer work compared to an oven?
The same point
Oven and oil-free fryers have one thing in common they both heat and cook food with heat. Oven use microwaves, while oil-free fryers use convection hot air to cook food.
Both of these devices are geared towards modern life – serving the family’s daily meals and minimizing effort and time in preparation and cleaning.
Differences
So the oil-free fryer is different from the oven?
The oil-free fryer was invented to serve the primary function of frying and baking to be optimal for these two features. However, microwave ovens are limited in heat dissipation, so it is difficult to use for frying or baking purposes like a microwave oven.
Currently, on the market, there is a microwave with a grill advertised as being able to take care of the baking feature already on an oven or oil-free fryers. However, according to Select Standard, this device only has the above heat bar, so it can still only do some simple dishes such as toasting sandwiches, popping popcorn, etc. Still, it is difficult to roast a whole chicken like an oil-free fryer.
The microwave was born to reheat and defrost food, so it is optimized in design and function to serve these two purposes. Thus, it is also impossible if you use any other device, such as an oil-free fryer or oven, to replace the microwave.
Advantages and disadvantages of air fryer
Oil-free fryers have many advantages but could be better devices. Oil-free fryers also have disadvantages and notes when buying and using to take full advantage of the cooker’s benefits. In the article, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of an oil-free fryer:
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How to choose an air fryer?
An oil-free fryer is a household electrical appliance that cooks food without using oil, which is very suitable for those afraid to gain weight. Remember the ways to choose the oil-free fryer below to choose the best multi-function fryer.
Material: Choose a pot with a PP, ABS, or other heat- and force-resistant shell. The inner pot should be stainless steel with a non-stick coating for cleaning and easy cooking.
Power: High power cooks food faster but also consumes a lot of electricity. You can choose a pot with a high capacity to save time. Standard control is usually from 1500W – 2000W.
Style and design:
- Choose a pot style that suits your taste and check parts like the lid.
- Handle.
- Control panel for quality and usability.
Capacity: Select the pot capacity based on the number of family members and cooking needs. The 2-3L accommodation is suitable for a family of 3-4 people, while the 4-6L capacity is suitable for large families.
The ability to absorb odors and reduce smoke: Choose a pot that absorbs and reduces smoke to keep the flavor of food and avoid the smell of cooking oil on the wall.
Brand and origin: Choose pots from reputable brands with transparent sources to ensure quality and after-sales service.
Warranty: Check the pot’s warranty period to ensure stability and durability.
Bundled conveniences: Consider add-ons such as a timer, temperature control, automatic shut-off, and Rapid Air technology that shortens cooking time and reduces smoke odors.
Cost: Set a budget that fits the price of an oil-free fryer; fees typically range from $120-$250, depending on the brand and features.
Walking around the big e-commerce sites: Amazon, eBay. I noticed that oil-free fryers in the price range of 130-200 USD are the most purchased by users because these prices are affordable for American homemakers and consumers in the European market.
What can you cook in an oil-free fryer?
While dedicated oil-free fryers can be used to reheat leftovers and toast, these work best for making potatoes or anything frozen and fried. It also includes chicken dishes, which can be incredibly healthy in a deep fryer if you don’t use too much oil.
You can also fry eggs in a deep fryer. We explain how to do it:
- Preheat your deep fryer to 163ºC.
- Crack an egg (or two) into a lightly oiled fryer tray.
- Slide the tray into the deep fryer for about seven minutes.
What foods should you avoid?
Experts warn against deep fryers to prepare doughy foods, as they won’t cook homemade pancakes or pastries like an oven. Similarly, rice and pasta should not be cooked in an oil-free fryer as these need to be cooked first for the oven to have a delicious texture.
Do oil-free fryers make tasty food?
In addition to faster cooking times, oil-free fryers can add an interesting texture to your meals, as they can crisp up chicken and kale in no time. And since these devices don’t require butter and oil, you can also create more heart-healthy recipes.
We’ll love the oil-free fryers if we cook many frozen and breaded foods, such as fried onions and chicken fillets. The oil-free fryer crisps your food, giving you a crispy, golden exterior instead of soggy.
Final Thoughts
Both help women reduce the burden when cooking, saving time and being convenient and safe for health. This product line is increasingly trusted, becoming a practical assistant in cooking work grills. Our above article – Big Sun Cook, has provided everyone with the most complete and accurate information to answer the question How does an air fryer work? I hope the above article will help you choose an oil-free fryer for your family’s kitchen! What are you waiting for? Buy a genuine, reasonably priced oil-free fryer for your family kitchen. Delicious, attractive meals, bring rice and safe for health!
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Derry Clarke is an Irish celebrity chef and restaurant owner L’Ecrivain. He has also served as a reality TV judge, having acted as a judge alongside Bibi Baskin and Sammy Leslie on the RTÉ reality television series One Fáilte Towers, and has appeared on other shows such as Restaurants.