Why You Should Never Use An Air Fryer
Air fryers are the latest craze in the kitchen. They promise guilt-free, crispy treats without all that messy oil and extra calories.
In recent years, these appliances have been flying off the shelves, with people raving about their ability to fry foods using hot air instead of oil. Where once ovens and stoves were the only way for people to make the food they love, air fryers have given everyone a new, healthy, and often cheaper way to cook things.
And yet, despite all of the obvious benefits, air fryers aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, and I’m here to tell you why.
9 reasons why you shouldn’t use an air fryer
1. Good air fryers are expensive to buy
There are 1001 different air fryers on the market today. Okay, slight exaggeration, but it does seem like that sometimes. Sadly, not all air fryers are created equal.
The best ones are expensive, and if you want one that will do more than just cook frozen french fries or reheat a slice of pizza, you’ll have to shell out some serious cash.
Yes, air fryers are cheaper than buying an oven or stove, but the initial investment can still be costly, especially if you don’t use it often. Smaller, more specialized appliances like rice cookers or slow cookers might be better suited for your kitchen if you’re on a budget.
2. They’re not cheap to run, either
Air fryers require electricity to function, and if you use yours often, it can increase your energy bills considerably.
The more powerful models use, on average, 2000 watts of energy, which is higher than most other kitchen appliances. This means that the longer you use your air fryer, the more it will cost you to run.
3. Small capacity
Air fryers are great if you’re cooking for just yourself or one other person. But if you have more than two people to feed, the small capacity can quickly become a problem.
Some models might be able to cook enough food for only one serving at a time, which means that you’ll have to cook in batches if you’re feeding a family or hosting a dinner party. Talk about time-consuming!
4. They take up a lot of space on your counter
The average air fryer is relatively large compared to other kitchen appliances. Even if you have a generously sized counter space, an air fryer can still take up a significant amount of room.
If you don’t use it often enough to warrant devoting valuable real estate to it in your kitchen, then chances are its bulkiness will begin causing clutter and hassle. And no one wants more things on their counters!
5. They’re often hard to clean
Although the pertinent parts of the air fryer – namely the basket and tray – are dishwasher safe and have been designed to pop right out so that you can easily clean them, other parts of the machine can be a hassle to clean.
The inside of the air fryer, for example, often has hard-to-reach areas that collect grease and grime. If you’re not meticulous with your cleaning routine, these parts can quickly become clogged up and affect the performance of your appliance.
And in some cases, even the baskets and trays get so caked in oil that they require a good amount of elbow grease to get them back to their original state.
6. They’re not as versatile as you might think
Air fryers are great for fries and chicken tenders, but if you’re looking to cook a more extensive variety of meals, they may not be up to the task.
Some brands claim that their air fryers are capable of baking, roasting, and grilling as well. However, in truth – they don’t do any of those things particularly well.
An oven or stovetop burner would likely do a much better job with some meals than an air fryer.
7. They’re pretty loud
If you’re someone who likes to cook in relative silence, an air fryer will probably drive you crazy.
The fan inside the machine circulates hot air around your food, and all that whirring and humming can quickly become a distraction.
8. Reduced oil, not no oil at all
Air fryers are often touted as a way to enjoy fried food without any of the unhealthy oil. While it is true that air frying uses less oil, no one would dare say that it doesn’t use oil at all.
The process itself necessitates some amount of oil, either sprayed onto the food or applied on the basket/tray before cooking. This is usually necessary to achieve that crispy texture that people love about fried food.
If you use too little oil, your food might turn out dry or undercooked. So while air fryers do use less oil than traditional frying methods, it’s not entirely accurate to say they’re completely free of unhealthy fats and calories.
9. It’s easy for food to burn
Air fryers use convection heat, which closely mimics oven cooking. However, this also means that the cooking is relatively rapid. It’s easy for food to burn if left unattended, meaning that you have to keep a close eye on the cooking process.
Even small variations in temperature and time can affect your final results. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve stepped away from my air fryer for a couple of minutes only to come back and find that the food has turned to charcoal! (Though this probably says more about my abysmal cooking skills than it does about the air fryer.)
Final word
Okay, so I’m gonna be a complete hypocrite here and say that despite all the reasons why an air fryer might not be worth it, I still use mine regularly! What can I say – I love the convenience.
This doesn’t, however, mean that air fryers are for everyone or every occasion. Because they’re not. I’ve been plenty frustrated with the limited capacity, the higher electricity bill, and the mess after cooking. And don’t get me started on the fact that I can’t hear anything I’m trying to watch over all the noise it produces!
Ultimately, whether or not to use an air fryer depends on your lifestyle and how often you would use it. They’re great for some things but might be redundant for others.
If you don’t already have one, you need to consider your current cooking habits, the amount of food you need to cook for your family, and how much counter space you’re comfortable giving up before you buy one.
