The article covers several important aspects of cooking in a home fryer: what oil to choose, how to adjust cooking times, how to clean the machine after use. We also go over choosing between an air fryer and a deep fryer and their properties and features.
We bet you love those crispy ribs, succulent chicken, and grilled potatoes they serve at cafes and restaurants. Wouldn’t it be nice, you think, to cook these at home whenever you want instead of going out? If you have an air fryer or a deep fryer at home, then the answer is a resounding “yes”! Yes, you can fry meat, fish, and vegetables and serve excellent dinners at home.
You only need to choose between two types of fryers and bear in mind some cooking tips… but you will learn it all from our article!
Deep Fryer or Air Fryer?!
If you wonder that the difference is between the two, the answer is simple: an air fryer needs almost no grease, while a deep fryer does not work without oil. And you have probably heard about the damage deep frying can cause your health, etc. In fact, it depends entirely on the kind of oil you choose. Below are three things you really should consider when choosing a fryer.
- What kind of frying you prefer. If you like your veggies and chicken as crispy as in KFC, opt for a deep fryer. If you are a fan of healthy cooking and do not like much grease, go for an air fryer.
- Multifunctional device or not. Simply put, the sole function of a deep fryer is, well, deep frying. Air fryers utilize the same convection principle as the famous air grills. This means that you may not only fry, but also bake, grill, and roast in an air fryer. If you already have an air grill, then you probably do not need a similar device, if smaller in size.
- Dishwasher-friendly or not. This aspect is purely practical but it can make a difference. If you live by your dishwasher, then look for fryers with parts that do not require hand washing.
Last but not least, think of your company. The average capacity of a deep fryer is 1,5 kg of food and 3 liters of oil, which can serve a family of six.
Fact: the bigger your family is, the bigger your fryer needs to be.
Features and Properties
In addition to the type of fryer, here are a few other aspects to pay attention to.
- Size and shape. Fryers come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, so you are guaranteed to find the one that will fit your kitchen perfectly. And yet… think of where it is going to stand during cooking and after it. Some fryers’ shape makes it difficult to grab it.
- Sturdiness. When you are buying a white electronic device, always think of how sturdy it is. You do not want your fryer to overturn and spill hot oil all over your kitchen floor…
- Removable parts. Many fryers are equipped with these parts, so check whether or not you can clean them in the dishwasher. Another idea is to check whether you can buy substitute parts for your fryer.
- Handles. These are important for all fryers. You need to check whether they are well-fitted, though.
- Window. This is not a mandatory feature, but let’s be fair, it adds some television glamor to your cooking process. Also, since cooking times vary, a window is excellent to visually estimate the food readiness.
- Cool zone. Another glamorous feature, it mostly adds to the price of a fryer.
Cooking
All fryers come with instructions, but there are some tips that will make your cooking more pleasant and tasty. This section mostly concerns the kind of oil, the cooking times, and opportunities for multitasking.
Cooking Oils
Here we will mostly talk about deep fryers, as they require the most amount of oil. Whereas an air fryer uses very little grease, if any, a deep fryer needs the boiling oil to cook any food.
For your deep frying you are strongly recommended to choose from the following:
- avocado
- peanut
- sesame
- grapeseed
- soybean
- safflower
- sunflower oil
These kinds of oil have a high burning index, meaning that they will not start to burn when the fryer gets hot. Extra virgin olive oil, on another hand, burns easily and is likely to cause your smoke alarm to go off.
Important: if you use oil in your air fryer, do it sparingly, especially if you are cooking asparagus and other vegetables. This way the veggies remain crisp and tasty, rather than soggy.
Also, before you put your food to cook, pat it with paper napkins to remove excessive water. This is especially important for deep frying, as extra water will dissolve the oil and will prevent the food from cooking properly.
Adding Water
This is a helpful tip for those who like to cook bacon or burgers in the air fryer. Adding a little water to the drawer or tray will prevent smoking. Bacon (and other food, too) renders off a lot of fat which will start burning. If you add some water to the drawer before cooking, it will offset the effect.
Cooking Times
Experts state that all time indications you may find in your recipe are not exact. This means that your fryer may cook the food quicker or longer, so take the food out to check for readiness. One thing is certain: your food will be cooked quicker than in a traditional frying pan.
Cooking Several Dishes At Once
Call it multicooking if you like, this function is actually available in some fryers. These devices come with an extra tray for you to use. For instance, you may cook French fries in one tray, and crispy chicken in another. They may not be ready at the same time, but you will save at least 10 minutes if you put them on together!
Give It Some Space
Make sure there is enough space around your fryer. If this is a deep fryer, oil may spill on the surrounding items, making your cleansing routine extra-hard. If you cook in an air fryer, it needs hot air circulating freely around it.
Tip: if you cook in a big fryer, put it on your dinner table, not the counter.
Cleaning
It is advisable to use the kitchen foil or baking paper even if you cook in an air fryer, to make cleaning less demanding. With the deep fryer, this is impossible, so make sure you adhere to the cleaning instructions. If a component cannot be treated by a dishwasher, wash it by hand.
Attention: do not use abrasives to wash your fryer.
Conclusion
Having a fryer at home saves a lot of time and effort. You do not need to queue at your local fast food eatery to purchase those crispy chicken wings. And provided that you do not cook your deep-fried dishes every day, they are unlikely to cause any damage to your health. So, choose the fryer you like, study recipes, and get on with cooking. Bon appetit!
