The Differences between an Air Fryer and an Oven
The debate between using an air fryer or a conventional oven has become a hot topic over the last few years. With increasing numbers of people looking to balance convenience, health benefits, and energy efficiency, the air fryer has emerged as a seemingly must-have kitchen appliance. However, are these modern gadgets truly a game-changer or would you be better off sticking with a conventional oven?
In this guide, you’ll learn what air fryers are, how they work, the main differences between them and conventional ovens, and the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about them.
What Is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a modern kitchen appliance designed to produce similar results to traditional frying but without the need for lots of oil. Unlike traditional frying methods that submerge food in hot oil, air fryers use something called rapid air circulation to cook food. This process uses a high-powered fan to circulate hot air evenly throughout the air fryer to cook the food from all angles.
Air Fryer vs Oven: The Main Differences
There are many similarities between air fryers and ovens insomuch that they both provide versatile cooking options. However, there are still several differences between the two, including the following:
Do Air Fryers and Ovens Use Different Cooking Methods?
Air fryers and traditional ovens use different cooking methods, which impacts performance and suitability for certain foods. Air fryers use high-powered fans to circulate hot air around the food, providing fast and even cooking. On the contrary, traditional ovens use a combination of radiant heat from the top and bottom of the appliance to cook food. However, modern convection ovens are also available, and work similarly to air fryers by using fans to help circulate heat evenly around the unit.
Are Air Fryers More Efficient Than Ovens?
As air fryers tend to be smaller than most ovens, they are often more efficient in terms of cooking time and energy expenditure. This is because they heat up faster and usually require less time to cook food, which is great news for people looking to cut down on energy bills. For example, Panasonic’s compact air fryers provide a perfect balance between space-saving design and cooking efficiency.
Are Air Fryers Quicker Than an Oven?
Even if you’re not concerned about the cost comparisons of running an air fryer versus an oven, it’s worth considering cooking times. For those with busy lives, air fryers make a great addition to the kitchen because rapid air circulation helps to cook food quickly and evenly. Furthermore, unlike ovens, air fryers don’t need to be pre-heated, which can save valuable time when preparing meals.
Do Air Fryers and Ovens Have Different Cooking Capacities?
When it comes to capacity, conventional ovens typically have the upper hand. These units are designed to cater for larger volumes of food, which makes them beneficial for big families or when preparing multiple dishes at the same time.
Air fryers may struggle to meet these demands, although they do come in lots of different sizes these days. For example, Panasonic offers a 5-litre air fryer and a 6-litre alternative, with the larger model able to accommodate a whole chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
With air fryers being a relatively new addition to the kitchen appliance market, consumers have lots of questions about their use. Some of the more frequently asked questions include the following:
Is Food Healthier When Cooked in an Air Fryer?
Food is generally considered healthier when cooked in an air fryer instead of by traditional frying methods. This is because they require little to no oil to achieve the finished product, which reduces the fat and calorie content of the meal.
However, this will depend on the cooking method you’re comparing it to. For example, many modern microwaves provide multiple cooking methods, including steaming, which is certainly a healthy way to prepare vegetables and other foods.
What Types of Food Can You Cook in an Air Fryer?
Air fryers are versatile appliances and can cook a wide variety of foods. Notably, these units can often roast, grill, bake, steam, and reheat food, and this makes them a fantastic option for people who want to enjoy different types of meals without using lots of appliances.
Can You Bake in an Air Fryer?
Many air fryers come with baking functions, which makes it easy to cook things like cakes, muffins, and cookies. The circulating hot air is ideal for this process because it helps to produce an even bake. Furthermore, some air fryers, such as the Panasonic NF-CC600, come with built-in viewing windows, which means you can check how your baked goods are doing without needing to open the unit. This prevents heat from being lost, which can lead to longer cooking times and uneven end products.
Do Air Fryers Require Special Maintenance?
Typically, air fryers are easy to maintain, but they do require some regular upkeep to ensure peak performance and longevity. Thankfully, most air fryer baskets and trays are dishwasher safe, which makes the clean-up process simple. However, the interior and exterior of the appliance should be regularly wiped down to remove any leftover food particles.
If you’re in the market for an easy-to-use, easy-to-clean cooking method, browse our range of Air Fryers today.
