While air fryers have just one job – air frying your food – multi-cookers have a whole host of features, allowing you to roast, grill, slow cook, saute, pressure cook, steam and cook rice. Sounds a bit like one of those TV infomercials, right?

But wait, there’s more: some multi-cookers now also have an air fryer mode!

That’s right – for the low, low price of $500 to $700, you get one machine that replaces up to 14 different kitchen appliances, including an air fryer. 

And if you buy one today you’ll also get a cupboard full of accessories, including a cook and crisp basket, steaming basket, grill tray, trivet, measuring cup, serving spoon, condensation cup and more!

But what if you don’t want something that complicated? A straightforward air fryer can cost much less (under $50 for a Kmart Anko cheapie) and may do exactly what you need it to – and nothing you don’t.

So is it worth paying the extra for a multifunctional marvel? Or are you better off just buying an affordable air fryer and sticking with your existing appliances?

We’ll tell you everything you need to know to decide if a multi-cooker (with air fryer mode) or a standalone air fryer is the right appliance for you.

What do multi-cookers and air fryers do?

Multi-cookers

Perhaps a better question would be: what doesn’t a multi-cooker do? 

Some boast as many as 14 functions, from air frying and baking through to more niche functions like yoghurt making and sous vide cooking. 

But do you really need that many functions? Or will you end up only switching on your whizz-bang new appliance when you need to air fry?

Depending on exactly what you want to do with it and how much you want to pay, you could opt for a model with fewer functions – after all, just how often do you think you’ll be making yoghurt from scratch or dehydrating your own jerky?

But the flipside is that a multifunction machine can replace multiple appliances, giving you your cupboard space back and streamlining your kitchen. 

“Multi-cookers can replace appliances such as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sous vide, air fryer, and oven for roasting meats and vegetables. Some can also grill and sear and can be used instead of a cooktop,” says CHOICE home economist Fiona Mair.

“The type of functions available will vary between models, so choose one that has functions that suit your style of cooking.”

Air fryers

Some air fryers now have multiple functions, too.

“We are starting to see air fryers with a steaming function which is perfect for steaming vegetables, chicken, fish, dumplings, and more,” says Fiona. 

Even without a steam function, air fryers aren’t just for cooking chips and nuggets: you can use them to make banana bread, soft-boiled eggs, pizza, roasted nuts and chickpeas, and more. 

Here are seven weird air fryer recipes that we trialled to see if they work.

Air fryers: Pros and cons

Pros:

• Quick to heat up so you can have dinner on the table faster
• Simple to use
• Good for smaller households
• Can be used as an alternative to an oven for very small kitchens, caravans, granny flats, etc
• No bulky accessories to store
• Smaller models take up less space than multi-cookers

Cons:

• May not have a large enough capacity for bigger households
• Can be tricky to clean
• Not set and forget: you need to regularly shake the food for maximum crispness
• Depending on the configuration, they may not fit as much food as you expect
• Larger models can take up a lot of bench space

“If you’re wanting to replace your oven with an air fryer or reduce the amount of cooking in the oven then I would recommend you invest in a larger air fryer, perhaps with dual drawers so you can cook different foods at the same time,” says Fiona.

“Air fryers that have shelves and look like little ovens are great for one-shelf cooking but are not the best for food that requires shaking unless it has a rotating basket. This type is harder to clean and can come with accessories that are annoying to clean and store.”

Multi-cookers: Pros and cons

Pros:

• Versatile
• Replace multiple appliances
• Larger capacity
• Can be left unattended in slow cook mode
• A good multi-cooker can do lots of tasks well
• Many models come with air fryer mode so can replace a standalone air fryer

Cons:

• Can be tricky to clean – especially the steam valve for the pressure cooker
• Lots of accessories to store
• Large footprint
• Heavy and bulky
• Steeper learning curve, especially when using pressure cooker mode

“A multi-cooker isn’t the nicest-looking bench appliance, so you may want to store it away when not in use,” says Fiona.

“However, if you think you’ll use the air fryer function often, then it might be easier to leave out on the bench – they’re not easy to haul in and out of the cupboard every time you want to use them.

“While you might like the idea of an appliance that can do everything, have a think about whether an all-in-one multi-cooker is the best option, or whether you’d be better off having a standalone air fryer that stays on the bench plus a multi-cooker that doesn’t air fry in the cupboard.

“There are pros and cons to both scenarios.”

Do multi-cookers with air fryer mode work as well as standalone air fryers?

Some product mash-ups have been wildly successful – think phones and cameras, and touchscreen laptops that double as tablets. Others are more questionable: ever heard of the Evian water bra? There’s a reason for that. 

And the jury is still out on the Dyson Zone Absolute+, which is an unusual combination of headphones and an air purifier. (Rumour has it that the company had to clarify that the product was not, in fact, an April Fool’s joke.)

So is combining air frying with yoghurt making a good idea, or will you just end up with an appliance that does both poorly?

Fortunately these multifunction machines are one of the good mash-ups. 

“We’ve found the results to be very good to excellent,” says Fiona. “They tend to perform just as well as any standalone appliance.”

And while they might cost more upfront than single-function appliances, it could actually save you, too. 

“When you consider the cost of these appliances separately, you could be paying a lot more,” says Fiona. “And you’d have to find room to store all the standalone appliances if you buy them separately.”

A tale of two appliances

Having an air fryer or a multi-cooker in your kitchen will make life easier – but what about having both?

“I have a Ninja multi-cooker with an air fryer function which does about a hundred things and also works great as an air fryer, but it is very heavy and bulky,” says Pru, CHOICE’s audience and engagement editor and busy parent of two.

“I don’t want to leave it on my benchtop but it’s annoying to get in and out of the cupboard.

“To me, the best aspect of an air fryer is having food that’s perfectly cooked and ready to go quickly, so I wanted a smaller air fryer I could just keep on the bench and pop things in while I’m cooking dinner for the kids.”

Pru uses her multi-cooker more often in winter for pressure cooking, slow cooking and as a rice cooker, so she says it doesn’t make sense to keep it on the bench year-round.

“I bought a smaller, lighter air fryer and it just lives on our bench. It’s much easier to move around and clean, and is great for chips and nuggets for the kids, fish fillets, drumsticks, crispy kale and cauliflower, and more.”

What to consider when buying a multi-cooker or air fryer

Just as every household is different, so is every home cook. Make sure you’re clear on what you want from a kitchen appliance before you start looking for something that does everything under the sun. 

Here’s what Fiona suggests you ask yourself before you buy.

1. How many people are you cooking for?

Air fryers can be great for singles and small households, but may not have the capacity for cooking for crowds. (And if you need to make big batches, you already have a large air fryer in your kitchen: your oven.) 

Multi-cookers hold a lot more, so if you’re a one- or two-person household, they might be overkill for air frying small quantities of food.

2. How do you like to cook? 

You can only cook one meal or one type of food at a time in a multi-cooker, so think about whether that suits how you tend to cook. 

For instance, if you’re using your multi-cooker to slow cook a meal for eight hours, you won’t be able to whip up a batch of chicken nuggets to feed the kids until it’s done.

It’s much the same for air fryers, though: you can only really cook one type of food at a time, unless you have a dual-drawer air fryer (like this Kmart twin air fryer) or one with a flexi zone that lets you cook using two different times and temperatures. But obviously an air fryer has far fewer functions than a multi-cooker.

3. How big is your kitchen? 

Multi-cookers are generally quite large, and their round shape can make them awkward to store. Plus, you’ll need somewhere to keep the accessories, some of which can be quite bulky. 

However, they can replace multiple appliances so you’ll need much less storage space than if you had a standalone slow cooker, air fryer, pressure cooker and so on.

Some air fryers do have large footprints, but if space is at a premium you can opt for a smaller size, or even a stacked two-drawer model like the Ninja DoubleStack XXXL.

4. Where will you put it? 

Multi-cookers can be large and heavy, so they’re not the kind of appliance you’ll want to haul in and out of the cupboard every time you want to cook. 

You can pick up an air fryer that’s lighter and smaller than a multi-cooker if you want something to use every day. But if batch-cooked meals are in high rotation in your household, you might decide that your multi-cooker more than earns the space on your benchtop.

“If you want an air fryer, it’s best to use it as a permanent bench fixture so you can access it easily for quick heating and cooking,” says Fiona.

“A twin basket with a steamer makes the air fryer more versatile, which is something to consider.”

5. What kind of foods do you want to cook? 

If you just want crispy food, then you only need an air fryer – and there’s not much point paying for all the extra functions in a multi-cooker if you’re not going to use them. 

But if you want to cook a variety of meals using a range of different cooking techniques, a multi-cooker is the way to go.

Air fryers and multi-cookers compared: Which is best for which task?

Here are the benefits of a multi-cooker over an air fryer:

• You can batch cook, which is a great way to save money and time
• They’re very versatile so you can use them for many different dishes and ways of cooking, while air fryers only do one thing
• Slow cooker mode means you can prep meals ahead of time and come home to an already-cooked dinner
• Buying multiple appliances in one is cheaper than buying each one separately – and you’ll only need to store one appliance rather than several

Here’s where air fryers have the edge over multi-cookers:

• They can be cheaper
• Since they only have one function, they’re easier to learn how to use
• Some have a smaller footprint than multi-cookers
• There are a range of sizes to suit different households – whereas multi-cookers are generally all quite large

Expert verdict: air fryer or multi-cooker?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here: it depends on how you like to cook and what’s important to you in a kitchen appliance. 

“I think a multi-cooker can be a good option for someone who has limited bench space, or a small kitchen with very few appliances,” says Fiona. 

“If you don’t already have a slow cooker, pressure cooker, air fryer, and rice cooker but you’re interested in using these cooking methods, or if you want to consolidate a number of appliances into one, then I would definitely consider a multi-cooker with air fryer mode. 

“But if you just want crispy food, then you’ll only need a standalone air fryer.”

The post Air fryer vs multi-cooker: Which one should you buy? appeared first on CHOICE.

How many of you find the absorption method of cooking rice elusive and utterly confounding? If you can’t seem to find the sweet spot between soggy grains and a burnt saucepan, you may be a prime candidate for a rice cooker.

Or perhaps you just like to eat a lot of rice and you’re looking for a convenient way to prepare it. After all, it’s a cheap, nutritious and crowd-pleasing way to bulk out a number of family-favourite dishes, from stir-fries to chilli con carne, salads and more.

A rice cooker can make it easy to get fluffy, perfectly-tender grains, every time.

Rice cooker prices range from just $20 or less for a budget option, all the way up to about $350 for a premium model. 

So why the huge price differences?  What can expensive rice cookers do that the cheaper ones can’t? And is it worth spending the extra money in pursuit of first-rate rice?

You don’t need to spend big for decent performance

CHOICE experts have tested dozens of rice cookers in our kitchen labs over the years, and their results reveal some well-performing models at both ends of the price scale. 

When it comes to more frugal options, our experts found four examples – from Big W and the Anko brand available from Kmart and Target – that scored relatively well in our performance tests and will leave you with change from a $50 note. 

One of these even scores high enough to be recommended by our experts (CHOICE members can view recommended rice cookers), outperforming some more expensive models while representing great value for money.

The budget models aren’t perfect, but CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair says, “If you’re aware of the issues and don’t feel they’re a problem for you, then these models are worth considering if you’re on a tight budget.”

Budget rice cookers worth considering

CHOICE tested four budget rice cookers costing $39 or less that we think you could be happy with. 

“Although they’re very basic rice cookers, they’re inexpensive and relatively easy to use,” says Fiona. 

• Big W Brilliant Basics Rice Cooker – $14. 
• Big W Contempo 10 Cup Rice Cooker with Steamer – $39 
• Anko 10 Cup Rice Cooker – $39 (available in Kmart and Target) 
• Anko 1.5 Cup Mini Rice Cooker – $15 (available in Kmart and Target)

Kmart and Target rice cookers

We’ve tested two Anko rice cookers (available now in Kmart and Target stores) that cost $39 or less.

One of the first things to consider before you buy a rice cooker is the size you’ll need. One of the Anko rice cookers we’ve tested is a miniature version, cooking just 1.5 cups of rice. This results in about 4–4.5 cups of cooked rice, which, depending on your portion sizes and the dish you’re serving, could be enough for around one to two adults, and perhaps a small child.

If this fits your needs, our experts say this tiny appliance will give you mighty performance for a mini price tag.

“This basic rice cooker from Kmart is well-suited for a small family or small kitchen due to its size – it scores a good 83% on cooking rice, and achieved better results cooking brown rice than jasmine rice,” says Fiona.

“Positives are that it’s a very simple appliance that’s easy to assemble and easy to store, with clear indicator lights that switch to ‘warm’ function once your rice is finished cooking.”

But, as Fiona warns, the mini cooker does come with some down sides too. 

“It falls down slightly in its ease of use score, which is 76%. It comes with only very basic instructions and doesn’t make an audible beeping sound when your rice is finished – this is a feature we commonly see.

“The cord is not removable, and you should take care when using this model as the surfaces can become very hot. Also, as the appliance is so small, it can be tricky removing the inset bowl.”

Still, for such a small price tag, you may be willing to forgive these issues for rice at the touch of a button.

Then there’s the 10-cup rice cooker that costs $39.

For an extra $25 you’ll get more functionality and a larger capacity rice cooker. The controls have written labelling with bright indicator lights as well as four settings: white rice, brown rice, saute and steam. It’ll also alert you when cooking is completed.

However, this model also doesn’t suction to the bench and can slide easily, and the surface of the cooker can become dangerously hot.

How does it perform? Exactly the same as its $14 counterpart. If you’re looking for a larger capacity and think you’ll make use of the additional steamer basket, then this is worth a look.

Big W rice cookers

Next up is Big W. We’ve tested two of their rice cookers; one for $14 and another, larger 10-cup-capacity model for $39.

If you’re after a rice cooker for a larger family, our testers point to the Kmart 10-cup counterpart as the better overall performer.

“We found that the larger Big W model wasn’t as good because the base browned when cooking brown rice and the water level inside the bowl can be hard to view,” says Fiona.

The smaller Big W model certainly has a low price tag at $14, with our testers noting it is compact and easy to store. However, it received the lowest score on rice cooking in our review (68%).

As with the Kmart model, it also became dangerously hot.

A messy affair

Our testers warn users to be prepared for a bit of spillover with the Anko and Big W rice cookers.

“With all four models, we found that they can bubble up over the glass lid and starchy water can splatter onto the bench,” says Fiona. 

Aside from being irritating, this also makes the glass lid difficult to clean. And although each of these models automatically sets to warm once the rice has finished cooking, that’s not always a good thing, as Fiona says this can overcook the rice.

What they do and don’t do

You can expect some budget rice cookers to cook near (but not quite) perfect rice. Some more expensive models in our tests received a 100% success rate in this singular function, while others don’t stack up as well for the price you pay. The two Kmart models get relatively close, proving that some budget cookers can give great results, and in some cases, perform better than their more expensive counterparts. 

But spending less also means you’re likely to be sacrificing multi-functionality and detailed electronic displays. 

Cheaper appliances may also use cheaper parts and have shorter warranties than more expensive products. Replacement parts may also be hard to come by and you may receive better customer service from an established brand rather than a discount retailer.

Things to consider before buying a cheaper rice cooker

The temptation to serve up delightfully fluffy rice each time may be enough to send you running to the checkout with your low-cost rice cooker, but before you scan, you might want to consider the following points. 

After all, it’s just another appliance on your benchtop, and if you’re not an avid rice eater or you have a large family, these small machines don’t necessarily provide bang for your buck.

Do you really need it?

These simple models cook rice, that’s it. If you’re looking for something to assist in making risotto, porridge or congee, you’d be better off spending more and choosing a model with pre-programmed settings. Take a look at our rice cooker reviews to find the best fit for you. 

You could also consider a multi-cooker kitchen appliance if you don’t already have one. These workhorses can carry out functions like slow and pressure cooking as well as many others depending on the model. A multi-cooker could be a better investment if you think you’ll make use of its many functions. Models we’ve tested do a good job of steaming or pressure cooking rice too. 

And if you want to get away without buying yet another appliance, you can always have a go at cooking rice using your cooktop – using our kitchen expert’s method.

Are cheap appliances realistically repairable?

Cheaper appliances often cost less because they may be made with lower quality components that may not last as long or are unable to be repaired. This means that cheaper models may be destined for landfill much sooner, rather than lasting for decades as better quality appliances can. It’s likely that any cost to repair or replace parts of a cheap, broken cooker would be more expensive than the initial purchase.

CHOICE experts don’t test rice cookers for longevity, but it’s likely that cheaply made appliances will reach the end of their lifespan quicker.

You’ll need to look after your rice cooker

“If you’re overloading the bowl and don’t maintain your rice cooker – for example, if it boils over inside the unit – and you don’t clean it after each use, it’s possible it won’t last the year,” warns Fiona.

Still, for avid rice eaters, these little units can be a real time saver.

“For families who cook rice regularly, a rice cooker can be extremely handy,” says Fiona. “But if you only occasionally cook rice, try the absorption method on your stove, or if your microwave has a sensor rice function, use it – the results are often perfect.”

How we test rice cookers

We choose popular rice cookers from a variety of brands and put them through their paces in our test kitchen. As rice cookers all share the prime function of cooking rice well, that’s exactly what we look for, using both brown and white rice. 

The grains should be firm (with brown rice having a slightly chewier texture), not mushy, and remain separate. 

We also look at how easy the appliance is to use, store, clean and disassemble. If a rice cooker comes with specific settings for functions such as risotto or congee, we’ll take those into account, too.

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Standard-sized air fryers can only fit so much, which is fine if you’re only cooking for two or three people. But if you’re feeding a larger crowd or you want to air fry more than one thing at a time, a regular-sized air fryer might not cut it any more.

If you’re ready to move on from small fry to large, we’ll talk you through how to find the best large air fryer that delivers the right size and configuration for your needs, and tell you which large fryers you can forget about (the ones CHOICE experts didn’t rate).

And, exclusively for CHOICE members, we’ll reveal the top-scoring big hitters from our tests.

If you just want to get straight to the best large air fryers, you can jump to the results now.

How big is big?

So, you’re ready to level up your air fryer size. You’re probably thinking you should go big or go home – so you should look for models with the largest capacity, right? 

Yes and no. 

An ad might say that an air fryer has a huge 10-litre capacity, but what does that mean? Some manufacturers base the number on the entire space inside the air fryer, but not the actual cooking space, so the 10L you’ve been promised could turn out to be less.

And it’s not the size that matters, it’s what you do with it. Depending on the configuration, that 10-litre fryer might only be able to fit 500g of chips, or a model that claims to have a 2500-gram capacity might not be able to handle that amount of food.

For newer air fryer models, we report on the measured usable capacity, plus the number of chicken nuggets that can fit in a single layer in the cooking basket. 

Things to consider when buying a large air fryer

“First up, think about what types of foods you want to cook in your air fryer and how many people you cook for,” says CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair.

“If you’re a family of six then it’s a no brainer: you’ll need a large air fryer. 

“But it’s not just about how many mouths you’re feeding. If you’re planning to cook up an air-fried roast for Sunday lunch, then make sure a 2kg piece of meat will actually fit. Need to air fry a kilo of chips or a large serve of chicken wings? Find out whether the unit can accommodate that much.”

There’s one other angle you may not have considered: “If you want to cook large quantities of food, ask yourself whether you even need an air fryer at all when you have a perfectly good oven that could give you the same results,” says Fiona.

This is likely to be an unpopular opinion, but a fan-forced oven is basically an oversized air fryer – it uses a fan and a heating element to move hot air around the food, just like an air fryer does.

So, if you’re wanting to air fry in bulk, you might be better off sticking with what you already have rather than buying a new appliance.

And, if your oven is in need of an upgrade, perhaps you might like to consider one with an air-fry function (although our experts have also tested these in our labs and haven’t been overly impressed).  

Which type of large air fryer should you choose?

When you go big, a whole new world of possibilities opens up: all of a sudden, there are all sorts of different shapes, sizes and functions available. But which one is right for you?

Larger single drawer

Like what your basic air fryer is doing but just need more space? Keep it simple and just go for the same thing, but bigger. 

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Cheaper than models with more functions
• May be able to accommodate larger items, such as a whole chicken or a roast

Cons:

• Takes up more space but still only has one function
• Despite the larger size, it may not fit as much as you’d expect
• Larger drawer can be difficult to clean in a regular kitchen sink

Twin (aka double-drawer) air fryer

What’s better than one air fryer? Two, of course! 

Models with two drawers can double the fun: you can either cook twice as much of your favourite thing, or mix it up and prepare two different dishes at once.

Pros:

• Allows you to cook foods with different temperature and time requirements together
• With some models, you can sync the drawers so the foods finish cooking at the same time
• Some have a removable divider so you can just cook one big batch, or insert it to cook two different foods

Cons:

• They may not hold as much as a single-basket model with a larger capacity
• You can only really cook an entire meal for two to three people

Benchtop oven

Short on space but still want to whip up a Sunday roast? 

A benchtop oven with air fryer functionality could be just the ticket: you’ll be able to grill, bake and roast, plus knock out air-fried food as well.

For optimum air frying, look for a model that has a rotating basket and wire shelves – they’ll allow for better airflow during cooking, which means more evenly-browned food and better crispiness.

Pros:

• Larger capacity
• Versatile: more functions than a standard air fryer
• Provide oven functionality in spaces too small for a full-size oven

Cons:

• More expensive than other air fryer types
• Take up more space on the bench
• A rotating basket will only accommodate around 700g of chips
• Models without a rotating basket don’t always perform well as air fryers – each time you open the door to shake your food, the hot air escapes and the food can’t cook or crisp evenly

Multi-cooker with air fryer function

If you’re replacing your air fryer, why not replace your slow cooker, pressure cooker, sous vide machine, yoghurt maker, dehydrator and more at the same time?

Since you’re spending money on a new machine, you might as well make it earn its keep. 

These machines can have as many as 14 functions, so you won’t be restricted just to air-fried dinners. 

Pros:

• Can replace multiple appliances, such as a rice cooker and a slow cooker
• Many of them perform well when we test them against regular air fryers
• They may cost less than buying multiple single-function appliances

Cons:

• Take up a fair amount of bench space and can be quite heavy
• Can be more expensive than a standalone air fryer, especially the more features they have
• You’ll need room to store the accessories
• Can be more complicated to use at first (as compared to a simple air fryer)

The large air fryers not to buy

Knowing what you don’t want can be an important step in narrowing down what you do want. 

Our experts say that these air fryers are ones to take off your list: they’re the lowest-scoring large air fryers from our tests.

Kitchen Couture Dual View Stainless Steel Air Fryer Silver 10L

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 67%
• Claimed capacity: 10L
• Price: $499

Sunbeam Multi Zone Air Fryer

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 68%
• Claimed capacity: 11L
• Price: $299

Sunbeam 22L Multi Function Oven + Air Fryer

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 69%
• Claimed capacity: 22L
• Price: $299

What are the best large air fryers?

We independently test and review dozens of new kitchen appliances each year in our onsite kitchen lab, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.

Our detailed air fryer testing data is available exclusively for CHOICE members. 

If you’re not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, kettles and cots, and more. 

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which large air fryers are the best buys.

The post The best large air fryers appeared first on CHOICE.

Things our air fryer expert would never do

1. Forget to shake

If the foods you prepare in your air fryer aren’t cooking evenly, you’re probably not moving them around the basket as often as you should.

Turning larger items such as schnitzel and shaking smaller items like chips is necessary if you want to produce golden brown goodies.

“Some air fryers beep to remind you to shake the food,” says Fiona. “If not, you’ll need to set a timer to remind yourself to shake the basket every five minutes.”

2. Crowd the basket

Trying to fit too much in your air fryer is a recipe for disappointment. An overfilled basket will stop the hot air that does the cooking from circulating properly, which can result in slower, uneven cooking and make foods soggy rather than crisp. Do you want limp, steamed chips? No, we didn’t think so. 

But how much food is too much? Unfortunately, our testing often finds that claimed capacity can be misleading. That’s why our latest reviews include a measured usable capacity for the models we’ve tested, so be mindful of these findings when deciding how much to add to your air fryer. We also measure the capacity of a single layer of food (chicken nuggets) to give our members an idea of the size of the basket. 

“We base this on the chicken nugget capacity,” explains Fiona. “Extra large baskets can hold more than 30 nuggets, large baskets hold 25–29 nuggets, medium 15–24 nuggets, and a small basket holds less than 15 nuggets.”

As mentioned above, for crispy, golden results you need to turn or shake your food as it cooks, but overcrowding stops this from being effective. 

“If your basket is overfilled, then shaking the food becomes difficult,” says Fiona.

“Food that requires turning, such as crumbed chicken nuggets, should be placed on a grill rack in a single layer and turned at least once.”

3. Put it in the dishwasher

We get it, air fryer baskets can be large and bulky, making them awkward to clean by hand in a domestic sink. While many manufacturers will claim their air fryer baskets can be cleaned in the dishwasher, Fiona urges caution.

“Putting them in the dishwasher can damage the non-stick surface quite quickly due to the harsh detergents and prolonged exposure to hot water,” she says.

But that isn’t the only problem. “Damage to the non-stick coating may also release flakes of coating into your food when your air fryer is overheated to very high temperatures,” she says.

“You should also avoid using metal tongs and utensils to prevent scratching the non-stick coating. If the coating is scratched you may want to replace the basket.”

The non-stick coatings found on many air fryers are often made with PFAS – a group of widely used chemicals that are exceptionally resistant to oil, water, heat and stains and give many forms of cookware their non-stick properties. You may recognise the name of the specific PFAS used in cookware: PTFE (also known as Teflon).

It’s currently unclear if migration of PFAS chemicals in non-stick cookware into food harms human health. But if you’d prefer to avoid these types of non-stick coatings, look for an air fryer with a glass basket. 

4. Not cleaning it properly

Skipping the dishwasher doesn’t mean you can ignore the need for cleaning. 

While a conventional oven might only need to be cleaned every three to six months, depending on how much use it gets, an air fryer should be cleaned after every use. Failing to do so can leave residue and crumbs which can burn, and leftover oil which can smoke. This can affect your food’s flavour and can even pose a fire hazard. 

“After each use, clean around the fan and wipe inside the unit with warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth,” advises Fiona. Doing this while it’s still warm makes cleaning easier, too. 

Some air fryers also have special steam-cleaning functions that can make the job easier. 

Some people recommend silicone liners to help stop splatters, which will reduce the need for cleaning. However, they can prevent any oil from foods from draining away, and this can make your food less crispy.

5. Put it away in the cupboard

Unlike a fancy stand mixer, most air fryers aren’t very aesthetically pleasing, but putting them away in a cupboard can be a mistake. 

Air fryers are often heavy and bulky, so moving them from a cupboard to a benchtop can be hard work. That means you may be less likely to use them, making your investment a waste of money. 

“To get the most out of your air fryer, you might want to leave it out permanently,” advises Fiona.

“This, of course, depends on you having the space on your kitchen counter.”

A lack of space might also be a barrier to storing your air fryer in a cupboard, so bear these points in mind before you buy. 

Check out the pros and cons for each model in our reviews to read the tester’s comments on how bulky different models are and how easily they may fit into your cupboard. 

On the subject of space, make sure you position your air fryer so it isn’t against a wall, which can be a fire hazard.

The post 5 things our air fryer expert would never do appeared first on CHOICE.

In fact, the air fryer market in Australia is estimated to be worth over $58 million and is only expected to grow. 

Before you take the leap out of the frying pan and into the air fryer, do your research to choose the right machine for your needs. 

And when you start your research, you’ll soon find there’s an array of different sizes and types of air fryers that have a multitude of features and accessories.

While you don’t necessarily need to have every single feature under the sun, there are some that will help take you from ho-hum to “oh, yum” every time you fry. 

Here are our experts’ top picks for must-have air fryer features. 

Five great features to look for in an air fryer

1. A rotating basket

The key to perfect air-fried food is evenly distributed heat – it can mean the difference between hot chip heaven and half-crisp, half-soggy potato disappointment.

For most air fryers, pulling out the basket and shaking it is the best method, but each time you do this, it releases heat, which means cooking will take longer.

And if your air fryer doesn’t have a timer or alert to remind you, you’ll have to remember to do it yourself. (Tricky to do when you’re juggling multiple things at dinner time.)

If you want to level up your air fryer game, go for a model that has a rotating basket. They’re ideal if you’re a forgetful cook or if you want to ensure your chicken nuggets and chips come out perfectly crisp every time.

Some of these models also have attachments that enable you to cook a whole chicken or use other cooking methods like baking, grilling and roasting.

You’ll generally only find rotating baskets in benchtop oven air fryers – the type that look like miniature square ovens. They may have a door at the front or open from the top.

These can sometimes be more expensive than drawer types and take up more space on your counter, so bear that in mind if you’re looking for a rotating basket model.

2. A twin basket (but make sure it also has this one feature)

A double or twin basket allows you to prepare foods with different cooking times and temperatures at the same time, like chicken nuggets and chips. 

This can be a handy feature if you want to use your air fryer for preparing a whole meal.

If you’re going to buy a twin air fryer, though, make sure it has a sync function. This takes care of the timing so both baskets finish cooking at the same time, meaning you’re not stuck with cold chips and scalding-hot nuggets. 

Without this function you’ll have to do the calculations yourself, which can be tricky when you have a table full of kids screaming that they’re hungry. 

But keep in mind that a twin model won’t necessarily give you a larger capacity – some single-basket air fryers can take more food than twin-basket models. 

So if you think you’ll be cooking larger quantities of food more often, then a larger single-basket model is probably the best option for you. 

3. Helpful alerts

An alert that beeps when it’s time to shake the basket will ensure you don’t forget while you’re busy making the rest of dinner. 

If you haven’t got a model with an automatically rotating basket, this feature is definitely worth having as it’ll help you get the best results from your air fryer. 

4. An internal light and window

Each time you open your air fryer to check the food, heat escapes and the unit needs to heat up again. This slows down the cooking process, meaning you’ll have to wait longer to get your hands on your hot chips. 

But if you can see what’s going on inside without having to open the door, you’ll be able to keep an eye on things without slowing down the cooking process.

That’s why we suggest looking for an air fryer that has a window. But a window isn’t much help if it’s too dark inside to see what’s going on. Pair it with an internal light and you’re sorted. 

There are also more air fryers available now that have glass baskets, which give you greater visibility and are helpful for keeping an eye on how your nuggs are cooking. 

5. Pre-programmed settings

Some of us only ever set our ovens to 180°C and hope for the best (guilty as charged), but every food has different cooking temperature and time requirements. 

It can be hard to remember what’s what – do the chips need 20 minutes on high, or is that the chicken wings?

An air fryer that can take care of the hard work of remembering every cooking time and heat setting is worth its weight in gold – just press a button and it’ll take care of dinner. 

All you’ll need to remember is to shake it occasionally. (And which child has tomato sauce with everything and which doesn’t like their food types to touch each other.)

Different models have pre-programmed settings such as fresh or frozen chips, nuggets, fish, chicken drumsticks, steak, dry fruit, and more.

Look for models that have easy-to-understand icons and buttons so you’ll choose the right program every time.

The five features you don’t need in an air fryer

1. The whole thing (maybe)

This one is contentious, but it’s worth considering whether you need an air fryer at all! If you have an oven you’re happy with, you don’t necessarily need an air fryer as well – an air fryer is basically a small fan-forced oven, after all. 

But air fryers do have some benefits over regular ovens. They’re good for cooking quickly (whereas an oven takes a while to heat up), and for cooking small amounts of food (using your oven for small quantities isn’t energy-efficient), and for keeping the heat down in the kitchen in hot weather. 

But if you’re planning to cook large batches, or multiple foods at once, you’re better off using your oven so you can do it in one hit. 

Read this before you hit the shops or sites: Should you buy an air fryer?

2. A double-basket setup (if you’ve got a big family to feed)

We know, we know: we’ve just told you it’s a good thing! But before you accuse us of contradicting ourselves, hear us out.

Yes, a dual air fryer can be great if you want to cook two different types of foods, but what you gain in flexibility you lose in capacity – these twin air fryers can often only make enough food for two people. 

And they can’t accommodate larger foods like a piece of pork or a chicken, so you’re limited to smaller cuts.

Plus, they’re generally bigger than single-basket air fryers so you’ll be giving up more bench space. 

If you’re cooking large batches of the same food, you’re better off going for a larger air fryer with a single basket. 

If you’re specifically looking for a double air fryer, you can filter our detailed air fryer reviews to find the best ones.

3. Excess accessories 

As the popularity of air fryers has increased, so too has the number of accessories available. 

Now you can get things like pizza trays, double-tiered cooking trays, air fryer liners, silicone cookware and bread racks.

Some of these may elevate your air frying, but before you hit ‘add to cart’, ask yourself if you’ll really use them – don’t forget you’ll have to find somewhere to store them all!

Some models we have tested have filters that soak up oils and odours to stop smells permeating your kitchen. This might be handy, but bear in mind that you’ll have to buy extra filters so that’ll add to the cost of your machine.

4. Multiple multifunctions

Some of the air fryer models that have come through our test kitchen lately have new cooking modes and functions like keep warm, dehydrate, grill, bake, and more. 

If you’re considering a multifunctional air fryer, just remember that each extra function will push the price up, so before you buy one that has 45 different functions, ask yourself whether you’ll really use them. 

5. Bluetooth functionality

Yes, tech can be great (who doesn’t love on-demand TV and calendar reminders?), but how much is too much? 

Some air fryers now come with Bluetooth and can connect to voice-recognition software and recipe apps so you can monitor your food from your device. 

But our kitchen experts aren’t convinced that this kind of tech is necessary on an air fryer, especially models that still require you to shake or physically manipulate the food – it kind of defeats the purpose of having your device keep an eye on dinner!

The post Five features to look for in an air fryer appeared first on CHOICE.

If you’re trying to make some positive changes to your diet, reducing the amount of fat you cook with can be one tactic to try. 

An air fryer might help you do that, but before you splash out on a shiny new appliance, be aware that it isn’t going to magically transform your diet. 

How does an air fryer work?

Whoever it was that came up with the term ‘air fryer’ must surely be some sort of marketing genius. After all, an appliance that can fry with air sounds like just the ticket for people trying to reduce their use of fats for cooking. Alas, as is the case with a lot of marketing, describing what this machine does as ‘frying’ is quite a stretch.

Put simply, an air fryer is just a benchtop fan-forced oven, but that label lacks the pizzazz of ‘air fryer’. 

Making the category even more complicated is the fact that as these products have risen in popularity, the number of features found on them has grown just as rapidly. 

But despite the ever-lengthening list of bells and whistles to be found on air fryers, the fundamentals remain the same. Essentially, an air fryer has a fan, a heating element and a small cavity that holds the food as it cooks. 

Will an air fryer cook healthier food?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to that question and while it may seem obvious, it very much depends on what you put into the air fryer. 

While cooking in an air fryer is generally healthier than using a deep fryer (as it doesn’t require the use of a large amount of oil), it doesn’t magically make inherently unhealthy foods good for you.

And it is certainly no healthier than cooking in your oven (which can perform the same tasks as your air fryer).

Highly processed, packaged foods will never be the healthiest choice, no matter how you cook them. But cooking them in an air fryer as opposed to a deep fryer will mean using less oil and if you’re focusing on weight loss, that’s important.

While oils aren’t inherently unhealthy, they do have higher kilojoule content per gram than other macronutrients, so having more oil in your food means you’re likely to be consuming more kilojoules. This can impact your weight and therefore your overall health.

“Cooking in an air fryer can be a healthier option than some other methods of cooking,” says CHOICE home economist, Fiona Mair, “but it really depends on the food you choose to cook”. 

“Cooking processed frozen foods is not a healthy option, but if you prepare the food from scratch it will be a different story,” Fiona says.

Take the chicken nugget, a very popular and usually highly processed frozen food. Most frozen crumbed chicken is par-fried before it’s frozen and almost all chicken nuggets are made by blending chicken with starches, flavours and water retainers. No matter how you heat that at home it isn’t going to be a healthy option. But making your own version can change that

“You can buy chicken breast, cut it into cubes, coat it with flour, egg and wholemeal bread crumbs, spray it with a little canola oil and air fry it, for a healthier homemade option,” says Fiona. “But cooking in an oven will give you the same result as an air fryer when you use the fan-forced mode.”

Air fryers are often praised as a great way to cook frozen chips. While cooking them this way will be healthier than frying, an even better option is to make your own. Homemade vegie chips, made with potato or other vegetables, will be free from additives like salt, fat and starches commonly found in frozen chips or fries.  

Can you tell the difference between traditional and air-fried?

While the marketing spiel for many air fryers includes lots of the words we associate with traditionally fried foods, such as ‘crispy’, ‘juicy’ and ‘succulent’, the flavour and texture of food cooked in an air fryer will be unavoidably different to the fried versions.

“When you deep fry foods you will get an even, dark golden colouring,” says Fiona. 

“Flavour is also enhanced, especially when the food is battered or bread-crumbed. You’ll also find that oil adds flavour along with the kilojoules”

So if you’re buying an air fryer with the expectation that you can replace the deep fryer without noticing the difference, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

Will an air fryer help you eat better?

On its own, an air fryer won’t transform your diet, but it might be one tool to help you change the way you eat.

If an air fryer would make you more likely to eat fewer deep-fried foods, try new recipes and rethink the way you eat, it could be a useful addition to your kitchen and might help you reach some of your healthy eating goals. In particular, our expert testers have found that the dehydrator function they’re seeing in more and more new models can be an easy way to prepare healthy snacks like dried and semi-dried fruit and vegetables. You might also find that an air fryer with a steam function makes preparing vegetables easier.  

However, if you’re going to invest in new kitchen appliances to help you eat a healthier diet there might be some you already own that could be put to use.

“Multi cookers and slow cookers allow you to cook one-pot meals that are healthy and easy to prepare,” says Fiona. 

“Food processors also make the prep so much easier if you’re chopping or shredding vegetables for salad.”

The options don’t end there. 

“High-performance blenders and all-in-one appliances like the Thermomix allow you to prepare foods from scratch, which can reduce the need to buy processed foods from the supermarket,” Fiona suggests. 

“Any appliances that help make it easier to prepare or cook healthier options such as fruit and veg and whole foods can be a good thing.”

Coatings used in air fryers

Apart from the food you cook in your air fryer, you might also want to consider what your air fryer is made from. Many models use non-stick coatings made with PFAS – a group of widely used chemicals that are exceptionally resistant to oil, water, heat and stains, and which give many forms of cookware their non-stick properties. You may recognise the name of the specific PFAS used in cookware: PTFE (also known as Teflon). 

In recent years, concerns have been raised over the potential health risks associated with exposure to these sorts of coatings. If you are troubled by the possible effects of these chemicals, an air fryer that features a basket made of glass might be a better option for you. Not only are they free from these troublesome coatings, they also let you see what’s happening in the air fryer while you’re cooking.

The post Are air fryers a healthier way to cook? appeared first on CHOICE.

On this page:

• Kmart Anko vs Philips: Which air fryer brand is best?
• What air fryers does Kmart sell?
• What air fryers does Philips sell?
• Are Kmart air fryers any good?
• Are Philips air fryers any good?
• Kmart and Philips air fryers compared

The air fryer market continues to grow at a dizzying pace, and people’s love for the appliance shows no sign of waning.

Whether you’re new to this air frying caper or looking to upgrade your current model to something bigger or better, a few brand names probably keep cropping up in your search for the perfect machine. 

Two of them are likely to be Philips and Kmart Anko: they’re among the most searched-for air fryer brands on the internet.

We test tens of air fryers each year, and these two brands are often among the models that our kitchen expert and home economist Fiona Mair puts through their paces in our dedicated kitchen lab.

Fiona has tested hundreds of appliances in her 28 years in the CHOICE test kitchen, so we asked for her expert opinion on how these two brands compare.

Kmart Anko vs Philips: Which air fryer brand is best?

What’s right for one home cook could be wildly insufficient for another, so there’s no ‘best’ air fryer as such – it all depends on your particular needs.

Your budget, how you cook, what you cook and which features you’d like are just some of the factors that come into play.

But it’s also important to take other factors into consideration, such as:

• how reliable a brand’s appliances tend to be overall
• the brand’s track record for customer service and satisfaction
• technical support and repairability

When it comes to choosing an air fryer, we surveyed 690 CHOICE members to ask them what they think is most important. Ease of cleaning was the most important feature respondents look for in an air fryer, followed by price, ease of use, reliability, large capacity and type.

Brand reliability

Philips is a well-known brand in the appliance world: it’s been around since the 1890s, producing a wide range of products from kitchen appliances and TVs through to personal care appliances and smart lighting. 

The Dutch company has been making air fryers for around a decade. 

Kmart Anko needs no introduction. Like Philips, the budget retailer was early to the air fryer game in Australia and has been selling different iterations of the popular appliance for many years now. 

The extremely low price point in comparison to other brands has made Kmart models a very popular choice amongst air fryer enthusiasts.

Anko branded products are now also available at Target, and both stores sell the same range of air fryers, so even if you don’t live near a Kmart you may have another option to pick up one of these budget appliances.

Obviously they’re very different companies, but they both make very popular air fryers – albeit at different price points.

“Spending more on an appliance won’t necessarily guarantee you better performance, quality or longevity, and we’ve tested many cheaper appliances that outperform appliances costing several times more,” says Fiona.

But when you’re paying as little as $39 for an air fryer (the cheapest Anko air fryer available), the appliance is likely to be made from cheaper materials – that’s how they can produce them for such a low price.

And you might find it harder to have a cheap appliance repaired: it can be difficult to locate replacement parts, and you could end up spending as much (or more) than the purchase price having it repaired by a professional. 

On the other hand, established brands like Philips tend to have plenty of spare parts available, easier-to-access customer service, and make their appliances with better quality parts and materials. 

Plus, a larger, older company that solely makes appliances can invest more money in research and development in its products than a discount retailer that sells a broad range of products, of which appliances make up only a small part.

Something else to consider is that the more functions an air fryer has, the more there is that can potentially go wrong – whereas a simple, straightforward model has only a few moving parts, so to speak.

Again, it all comes down to what kind of features you want, how much you want to pay, and how you plan to use your air fryer.

Overall brand vs individual model

“Don’t assume that just because one product from a brand is good that all their products are,” says Fiona.

“In our testing, we sometimes see significant differences in performance between models from the same brand. Buying on brand alone won’t necessarily guarantee you’ll end up with a good product.”

To make sure you’re not buying a poor appliance from a good brand, check the results of each model in our detailed air fryer reviews before you buy.

Manufacturing and warranty

Kmart offers a 12-month warranty on its air fryers, which are made in China.

Philips air fryers are also manufactured in China and have a warranty of two years.

Range and price

There’s obviously a considerable price difference between Kmart Anko and Philips air fryers, and both brands make a variety of sizes and styles.

What air fryers does Kmart sell?

The Anko range currently includes nine air fryers. The range does vary, with models being introduced and discontinued throughout the year, which is why we’ve currently reviewed four models. These units are also available in Target stores.

• 1.2L mini air fryer: $39
• 5L air fryer: $62
• 5.3L air fryer: $75
• 5.75L air fryer: $79
• 7.5L air fryer: $85
• 6.2L window air fryer: $95
• 9L twin air fryer: $119
• 12L air fryer oven: $119
• 24L air fryer and oven: $145

Are air fryer capacities accurate?

The capacity you see displayed on the box isn’t always entirely accurate. Some manufacturers calculate it based on the entire space inside the air fryer, but not the actual cooking space you can use.

One air fryer that supposedly has a 6L capacity actually only fit 4L when our experts measured it.

For newer models, we report on the measured usable capacity, plus the number of chicken nuggets that can fit in a single layer in the cooking basket. (Surely chicken nugget capacity should become a standard measurement for every kitchen item!)

What air fryers does Philips sell?

At the other end of the price spectrum, Philips’ air fryers start at $199 for the single-drawer Air Fryer Essential HD9200/21.

The range extends all the way through to a whopping $699 for the 7000 Series Air fryer Combi XXXL Connected HD9880/90.

It’s the most expensive air fryer in our review, the only model that costs more is the multi-cooker with air fryer function, the Ninja Foodi SmartLid Multi Cooker OL650, which is priced at $800.

Philips has 17 air fryers in their range, the models we’ve tested include:

• Philips Air Fryer Essential HD9200/21: $199
• Philips Essential Airfryer XL HD9270/21: $299
• Philips Air fryer 5000 Series XL HD9280: $349
• Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer NA352/00: $399
• Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer NA551/00: $499
• Philips 7000 Series Air fryer Combi XXXL Connected HD9880/90: $699

Their latest release is the Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Airfryer NA462/70, a contender to the space-saving Ninja DoubleStack XXXL 9.5L 2 Drawer Air Fryer SL400. It’s now on our wish list to get in front of our experts to put it to the test.

Are Kmart air fryers any good?

While we can’t reveal the results of our rigorous testing (that’s available exclusively for CHOICE members), we can tell you more generally how Kmart air fryers have performed, both in our most recent tests and over the years.

Kmart Anko air fryers have been hit and miss. A few have performed quite well, with one even receiving a CHOICE Expert Rating of 84% and being recommended by our experts (this model has since been discontinued). It was rated as ‘Excellent’ for cooking crumbed chicken, marinated chicken wings and roast pork.

The most recent models we’ve tested achieved CHOICE Expert Ratings in the 70s, but aren’t quite good enough for our experts to recommend them. Some of them were rated as ‘Excellent’ on some of our tests, but fell down in others, receiving just ‘OK’ scores.

However, a number have also hovered around the bottom of the pile, with a (now discontinued) 3.2L model scoring just 64%. A Kmart twin air fryer (which is also discontinued) was similarly disappointing, scoring only 67%.

One thing’s for sure, though: Kmart’s air fryers are consistently far cheaper than any other brand, so if you’re looking for a cheap buy, Kmart models won’t break the bank. However, with some models you’ll only get what you pay for, while with others you could end up with budget brilliance.

The only way to tell is to check our detailed air fryer reviews to see how they compare.

Are Philips air fryers any good?

Philips air fryers have historically been more consistent than Kmart models. Two of the 13 Philips fryers that we’ve tested have been recommended by our experts, with the rest ranking as ‘good’.

Many of them have been let down by their ease of use score, which is a measure of how easy they are to assemble, store, use and clean.

And, of course, they’re far more expensive than comparably-sized Kmart models. In some cases they’re worth what you pay for them, but you might also find cheaper air fryers from different brands that perform just as well as or even better than Philips products.

Kmart and Philips air fryers compared

Kmart Anko 5.3L Air Fryer vs Philips Air Fryer 5000 Series XL

The price gap between these fryers is fairly significant: $274 extra for the Philips.

For that kind of dollar difference, you’d expect more features and fancier technology, and the Philips does deliver these, but perhaps not to the extent that you’d expect for the money.

The Philips has a digital display with touchscreen controls, whereas the Kmart is more old-school with dial controls; one for temperature and one for time. 

And of course there’s the Philips Wi-Fi app called Home ID. Our experts say it’s easy to set up and navigate, with easy-to-follow recipes, photos of ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

When you select a recipe, the air fryer will display the program, including the temperature and cooking time. You can even start the air fryer through the app.

Surprisingly, though, the Philips doesn’t sound alerts to remind you to shake or turn your food, and it doesn’t make any sounds when you select functions, which can be disconcerting. However, you can adjust the time and temperature settings on the Philips once the cooking process has begun.

You can also adjust the time and temperature while you’re cooking with the Anko model. However, the dial controls may not be very accurate: they only have 20°C increments for temperature and 5-minute increments for the timer.

Our experts gave both models similar scores for ease of use, but neither scored especially well for cooking frozen chips. We have also tested these air fryers on how well they cook crumbed chicken, roast pork and marinated chicken wings, and scored them on how easy they are to use and clean. 

The full details are listed in our air fryer reviews, available exclusively to CHOICE members. In these reviews you can also find details on how much each of these air fryers cost to run. 

Kmart Anko 9L twin air fryer vs Philips 3000 series dual basket air fryer

Kmart’s twin model costs only $119 which is cheap for a twin air fryer. You’ll spend an extra $200 Philips dual basket model, but do the results justify the extra spend?

Kmart’s performance has significantly improved since their last twin air fryer we tested. The previous version received an overall cooking performance score of only 65% (which we consider to be ‘OK’) in comparison to 81% for the most current version. While the Philip’s outperforms the Kmart, you’ll need to weigh up if it’s worth the extra $200.

The Philips twin air fryer has the edge in terms of convenience: you can set it so the two baskets finish cooking at the same time, even if you’re cooking different foods with different time and temperature requirements, and you can set both baskets to cook at the same time and temperature if you’re just making one big batch.

The Kmart machine didn’t have these features, so you needed to enter time and temperature manually for each basket, even if you were using the same time and temperature for both.

A twin air fryer that lacks the ‘sync’ and ‘match’ functions can make the simple task of air frying far more complicated and time-consuming than it ought to be.

Want to know more? We break down the Kmart twin air fryer’s performance, share tips and help you answer the question “should you buy a twin air fryer?”.

The post Kmart vs Philips air fryers: How do they compare and which should you buy? appeared first on CHOICE.

It’s favoured by many fervent fans as a handy helper at mealtimes, with an ability to produce delicious and fast results for a wide range of foods. 

But, while there are plenty of high-flying fryers on the market, we’ve uncovered  some subpar units that you steer clear of. 

These big-brand air fryers disappointed our experts in our latest tests, so if you’re looking to up your kitchen game, give these models a miss.

What to look for when buying an air fryer

“When buying an air fryer, it’s important that you choose one with comprehensive instructions including cooking guidelines and recipes,” says CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair.

“It’s especially important if you’ve never used an air fryer before – otherwise it can be very difficult to figure out how to use them properly.

“Digital controls give better accuracy, and pre-programmed settings take the guesswork out of choosing a temperature and cooking time, and may also give you a reminder to shake the food to ensure even cooking.”

The worst performing air fryers in our tests

Kitchen Couture Dual View Stainless Steel Air Fryer Silver

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 67%
• Performance score: 70%
• RRP: $499

This isn’t Kitchen Couture’s first time in our list of air fryers to avoid: its black 3.4L model was ranked second-lowest in our last test.

It’s since been discontinued, but the company’s latest offering isn’t much better – and it costs more than three times as much.

The first Kitchen Couture air fryer we tested achieved a CHOICE Expert Rating of just 66% (which our experts rate as just “OK”), acing our hot chips test but bombing out on pretty much everything else.

So how does this Kitchen Couture fryer fare? Like its predecessor, it turned out crispy chips, and it also did a nice job of cooking marinated chicken wings. 

But sadly that’s the extent of its talents. Chicken nugget lovers would do well to avoid this fryer: our experts scored it just 60% for cooking crumbed chicken. It also did a disappointing job of roast pork. And our experts didn’t exactly find it a joy to cook with, either, rating it 63% for ease of use.

Despite being a relatively large unit, it only has a small capacity in each drawer – in fact, the manufacturer recommends you put only 125g of chips in each drawer. That’s not a lot of crunch for your cash!

With performance like this, it’s hard to justify the $499 price tag. 

Considering that several air fryers our experts recommend cost less than $100, you could buy a yearly CHOICE membership for $98, find out which cheap air fryer is best, and pocket the extra $300 you would’ve spent on this one. 

Read the full Kitchen Couture Dual View Stainless Steel Air Fryer Silver review.

Sunbeam Multi Zone Air Fryer

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 68%
• Performance score: 69%
• RRP: $299

Another fryer that’s big on capacity but small on performance, this Sunbeam claims to handle 11L, but our experts found it only holds 9L. 

That’s because the manufacturer’s claims can sometimes be misleading. We measure each air fryer’s actual usable capacity so you know exactly how much room you’ll have to cook with.

The Sunbeam was the best of this sorry bunch at cooking chicken nuggets, but that’s not saying much. And when you consider that it wasn’t much chop when we tested its ability to cook chips and chicken wings, it’s not exactly smashing it out of the park, is it?

It does double as a benchtop oven, and it does a better job of this than as an air fryer. If you’re in the market for a benchtop oven, it’s worth considering but as an air fryer, not so much.

Just like its companions on this list, its price doesn’t match its performance. There are plenty of other options around this size but below this price point that will do a much better job of cooking your dinner.

Read the full Sunbeam Multi Zone Air Fryer review.

Sunbeam 22L Multi Function Oven + Air Fryer BT7200

• CHOICE Expert Rating: 69%
• Performance score: 74%
• RRP: $299

This is another benchtop oven from Sunbeam with an air fryer function that underwhelms. While it achieved an excellent performance in our benchtop oven testing (achieving high scores for cooking roast chicken, grilling toast and reheating pizza), it was less impressive in our air fryer testing.

Its weakest point was when cooking crumbed chicken, which is virtually unforgivable in an air fryer. It scored just 55% on this test.

CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair said this is a common issue they find when testing benchtop ovens with air fryer functions.

“The reason benchtop ovens don’t do as well as air fryers for chips or food that requires shaking or turning, like crumbed chicken, is because you need to open the door frequently. This means the heat escapes from the oven and therefore the food won’t crisp and brown evenly,” she says.

“In this particular model, the air fryer basket does not slide into the shelf supports. Rather it sits on a tray, which further blocks hot air from circulating around the food and crisping it up.”

Our experts also noted this model is difficult to clean, with no pre-programmed settings and only two shelf positions. If you’re focused on air-frying capability, there are better options even at this low price tag.

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The air fryer has amassed a dedicated following since it came onto the scene promising more convenience and healthier cooking. Hailed as a better way to enjoy fried foods and streamline meal prep, air fryers are the appliance du jour. 

But do they deserve the hype? As with every appliance, air fryers have their pros and cons. CHOICE’s kitchen experts have tested dozens of air fryers over the years and say that while they have certainly come a long way in terms of features and convenience, air fryers aren’t for everyone. And as we often find in our CHOICE testing, there’s quite a difference in terms of the performance and usability of each model. So if you’re investing in one, it’s important you choose the best one for your needs.

Read on to find out if an air fryer is just what you need, or if you should just take a pass. And if you’re ready to buy, our current CHOICE air fryer review, available exclusively to CHOICE members, includes over 45 models to compare. 

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer is essentially a mini, portable oven that sits on your kitchen benchtop. Despite its name, an air fryer doesn’t actually ‘fry’ food. It works more like a small fan-forced oven and bakes food by circulating hot air around it. 

CHOICE home economist Fiona Mair explains: “An air fryer has a fan and a heating element and the fan circulates the heat from the element around a small cavity that your food is placed within.”

“A pull-out drawer with a basket or removable grill rack allows the hot air to flow around the food, working in the same way as a fan-forced oven.

“The simplest and most common type of air fryer has a pull-out drawer with a basket, while others may look more like a small square benchtop oven with a drop-down door or even a lid for multi-cooker models that feature air frying functionality.”

Do air fryers make fried food healthy?

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about air fryers, and the marketing messages can be misleading. Whether an air fryer is ‘healthier’ depends on what you are cooking and what you are comparing it to. Generally, cooking foods in an air fryer will be healthier than cooking them in a deep fryer, however it won’t magically make processed foods such as chips or nuggets better for you.

Your air fryer can be used to cook healthier foods such as fish, lean meats or vegetables the same way you do in an oven (and it may do so more quickly than in a standard oven), but if you’re cooking pre-packaged frozen foods that are highly processed, it won’t make them healthier than if you cooked them in an oven.

“The way many of these air fryers are marketed make it sound like you can get the same results as deep frying without all the oil used, but this is not the case,” says Fiona.

“If you were choosing between deep-frying home-cut chips or cooking them in an air fryer, the air fryer option will likely be a little healthier as you’ll use less oil, however the resulting flavour and texture of the food will be quite different.”

It’s not a deep fryer

Fiona also warns against using your air fryer as you would a deep fryer. Wet, homemade batters will slip off thr food and right through the basket. 

But there are a few traditionally fried foods, such as doughnuts, that can be made in an air fryer. They may not taste or look exactly like their fried counterparts, but they will be somewhat better for you without the oil.

Pros of owning an air fryer

1. They’re convenient and great for frozen foods

After cooking with air fryers in the CHOICE test kitchen for many years, Fiona says that convenience is one of their biggest advantages. If you are someone who needs meals ready fast, or your family eats at different times, or you just don’t have a great oven, an air fryer can be pretty handy. 

Air fryers have quick pre-heat times (or sometimes no pre-heat is required at all) which means food is ready faster than if you were using an oven.

They really shine when it comes to cooking frozen pre-packaged foods, such as chicken nuggets, fish fingers, spring rolls and chips. CHOICE members seem to agree. We surveyed 690 members about how they use their air fryers and found that the majority use them to cook frozen chips and wedges.

They’re also good for making some foods for easy family-friendly dinners, such as salmon fillets or marinated chicken wings. CHOICE members said they also use their air fryers to cook fresh potatoes/sweet potatoes, fresh chicken, frozen fish fingers/fillets and sweet or savoury pies.

So, if you cook dinner for the kids separately and just want something ready quick-smart for the table, you have older kids who can use it themselves to cook a snack, or you live on your own and want a meal for one in less time, an air fryer could be a great buy.

2. Reheating is a cinch

Rather than waiting for your oven to heat up just to warm through last night’s pizza, the air fryer makes short work of reheating jobs. It’s quick and efficient, uses less energy for small portions and, unlike the microwave, your leftover pie will be delightfully crisp, not sad and soggy. 

That said, if you need to do a few batches, you’d be better off using your oven.

3. They’re great for small households, and could save you money on your energy bills

If you have a smaller household and are cooking meals for just one, two or three people, an air fryer could well replace your oven.

While most air fryers can not accommodate anywhere near the amount of food you can cook in an oven at one time, this may not be an issue for smaller households.

And if you use an air fryer instead of your oven, you may make small energy savings, depending on how long you are cooking for and what temperature you are cooking the food at. Plus, it won’t heat up your kitchen like an oven does so it can replace your oven during the warmer months.

It’s also great for renters who may have substandard ovens, or for small spaces that don’t have an oven at all.

According to our CHOICE Community, many people also love to use their air fryer in their caravans or on camping trips.

4. They’re (generally) easy to use

Although the latest generation of air fryers are introducing more fancy features, Fiona says they’re usually straightforward to use with few safety issues. You just need to select the temperature and cooking time, or choose from the pre-programmed settings, and you’re away.

While preprogrammed settings can be useful if you’re starting out on your air frying journey, CHOICE members told us they prefer to set their own time and temperature rather than relying on preset functions.

You should check the CHOICE expert air fryer reviews before you buy though, as some models are definitely easier to use than others. Our testers look at things such as the controls (digital vs manual), the instructions that come with the appliance, and how easy they are to assemble, store, operate and clean.

“Look for functions that will make the air fryer cooking experience easier,” says Fiona.

“Things such as digital controls, an accurate timer and temperature readings are all handy. Many also now come with pre-programmed settings. Look for models with easy to understand icons and an alarm that sounds when cooking is completed. 

“Some also have a rotating basket that will move the food automatically, to save you from shaking it yourself.”

Ease of cleaning is the most important factor CHOICE members look for when choosing an air fryer. While none of the models we tested are great for cleaning, some are definitely better than others and the main issue tends to be cleaning around the element. Check our air fryers review where we list the ease of cleaning score and make comments in the good and bad points on particular cleaning pain points.

5. You can cook a wide range of foods in them

As air fryers have become mainstream, you’ll find countless recipes online for all the things you can cook in them. While you may get varied results, air fryers can be used to cook a huge array of foods including everything from cheesecakes and cookies to steaks and boiled eggs.

We tested how good one of the air fryers was at making chocolate-chip cookies, and we also put the Aldi air fryer to the test against an oven and barbecue to cook a gozleme danish, a salmon fillet, a steak and boiled eggs.

We’ve even tested models like the Sunbeam SteamFry Air Fryer + Steam AFP4600BK and Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer NA551/00 that have steam functions to help retain moisture and nutrients. They also have steam clean functions to help loosen fat build-up from the basket and around the element after you’re done cooking.

6. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good one

As with most appliances, there is quite a price range when it comes to air fryers. We’ve tested models costing as little as $75 all the way through to $800.

The most expensive models don’t always rate highest in our testing, so it pays to do your research, and there are certainly some cheaper models that are worth considering if you’re on a budget. We recommend air fryers that achieve a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 80%. Many of these top performers cost between $200 to $400 and there are even a couple of sub-$100 models that make the list too.

“The more expensive air fryers will likely have more sophisticated features, come with more accessories or have a wider range of pre-programmed settings which may be worth paying more for, however we have found some mid-range air fryers that still score quite well. The best thing to do is to check our reviews before you buy,” says Fiona.

Cons of owning an air fryer

1. They have limitations

Convenient though they may be, air fryers are not set-and-forget appliances.

Unless you have an airfryer-oven with a rotating basket, you still need to be around to give your food a shake or a turn during cooking – otherwise it won’t cook evenly and you might find your food is deliciously golden on one side and pale on the other.

The air fryer is unable to crisp and brown on the base of solid foods, so if your model doesn’t let out a beep to remind you to attend to your meal, you’ll need to set a timer or remember to do it yourself.

2. They take up valuable bench space

Air fryers are yet another appliance jostling for precious real estate on your benchtop. And to get the most out of your air fryer, you would probably like to leave it out rather than store it away in a cupboard.

The problem is, they’re not small. In fact, we’re noticing air fryers are getting even bigger, particularly the air fryers with twin drawers or those that function more like multi-purpose mini ovens.

We’ve tested the Ninja DoubleStack XXL 9.5L 2 Drawer Air Fryer SL400 that has the versatility of a twin drawer air fryer but with a space-saving design where its cooking drawers are stacked on top of each other. While it may save valuable bench space, if you want to put it away, it’s tall height makes cupboard storage tricky.

So unless you have a large kitchen with bench space to spare, or space in the cupboard (and you don’t mind getting the air fryer out every time you want to use it), you may have to weigh up whether this is an appliance you really need.

3. There are concerns over the safety of the non-stick coatings

Non-stick coatings in air fryers have become a common feature because they help to avoid foods from sticking and make cleaning easier.

However, non-stick coatings have been traditionally made using PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coatings, more commonly known as Teflon. PTFE belongs to a larger group of chemical compounds referred to as PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) which make surfaces slippery and resistant to water and oils.

These substances are often referred to as “forever chemicals” for their ability to persist for long periods of time in our bodies, and break down very slowly (or not at all) in the environment, so there’s increasing concern around the long-term safety of using products with these coatings.

Research suggests that these non-stick coatings only start to break down and release harmful toxins above 260°C, no toxins are released at temperatures below this. The toxins seem to be lethal to birds and may cause headaches, nausea and damage to the respiratory tract in humans. We’ve only tested one model that reaches 260°C – the Russell Hobbs SatisFry Air Fry & Grill Multicooker RHMCAF40.

If you’re looking to avoid non-stick coatings, Fiona says to look for a model that has a drawer or basket that’s made from glass, ceramic or stainless steel. While these options aren’t common, we’ve tested models from Instant, Healthy Choice, Smith + Nobel and Sunbeam with these alternative internal bowl coatings.

Fiona also warns to avoid using metal utensils on non-stick coatings. “Once scratched, the coating may start to flake off into the food. Over time, this can also compromise the non-stick performance, making cleaning more difficult and reducing the durability of the coating.”

4. They really only cook one thing at a time – and not a lot of it

Despite their size and the area they occupy, the interior capacity of an air fryer isn’t huge. Although some models have pull-out shelves or a divider for multiple ingredients, for most models, everything you put in will need to cook at the same temperature and has to physically fit in the air fryer. 

You should take manufacturer’s claims with a grain of salt, too, as the claimed capacity or volume can be misleading. Some manufacturers measure the whole space inside the air fryer and not the actual useable capacity. For example, a ’10-litre’ model may only be able to cook about 500g of chips and a ‘2500g’ model won’t actually be able to accommodate that weight of food.

Larger households still may find they need to cook in batches or, as many in our social media community have done, buy a second air fryer to handle the workload. That said, air fryers are getting bigger, and there are now twin-drawer air fryer models available which can cook two foods at different temperatures at once. We’ve even tested Ninja’s FlexDrawer air fryers which use a divider so they can be used as one large air fryer or in a twin configuration.

With twin air fryers ,the baskets can usually be synced to complete cooking at the same time, so your salmon fillet will be ready at the same time as your hot chips.

However, keep in mind that sometimes the capacity of these two baskets  combined may just be the same as one air fryer with a big basket.

Another thing to remember when considering the size of air fryer you buy, is that you shouldn’t overcrowd the basket, as this will result in uneven cooking. 

“If you’re wanting to cook a large amount of a couple of different types of food,  it’s probably best to opt for a conventional oven,” says Fiona.

Should you buy an air fryer?

The post Should you buy an air fryer? appeared first on CHOICE.

They free up hob space (and saucepans) and take the guesswork out of cooking rice – a process that can confound even capable cooks.

If you’re wondering whether you have room for yet another appliance, rest assured that a rice cooker will more than earn its keep in your kitchen. 

It’s handy for so much more than just cooking plain old rice and will up the convenience factor of your meal prep.

Our CHOICE kitchen experts have just spent many hours putting a range of different rice cookers to the test in our kitchen labs, steaming kilos of white and brown rice to rate how each cooker performs. CHOICE members can view the full results in our rice cooker review.

And, if you’re looking to invest in a rice cooker or experiment with the one you have, we delve into what you can cook in your rice cooker, from poached fruits to steamed veg and dhal. Plus, we show you some ways to incorporate a rice cooker into your meal prep, and how to store and use up the leftovers safely.

Is a rice cooker worth buying?

There’s no denying that a rice cooker is extremely handy if you cook rice regularly: just add grains and water, and it’ll take care of the rest so you can focus on the rest of dinner prep.

And a good rice cooker will keep the rice warm until you’re ready to serve, some for up to 12 hours, which is helpful if you’re catering for a crowd or feeding family members on different schedules.

But if you’re still on the fence about buying one, it’s worth considering some of the more creative uses for a rice cooker. 

1. Other grains and pulses

Basic rice cookers will cook all types of rice – brown, long grain, short grain, jasmine or basmati – but they can also be used to cook other grains and pulses such as quinoa, pearl barley and lentils. 

Alternative grains can make a great substitution for standard rice to serve alongside your chilli con carne or stir-fry, and they’re great to keep on hand as a nutritious and satisfying addition to salads, meatballs, stews or soups.

Water-to-grain ratio

When cooking up a batch of grains or pulses in your rice cooker, the key is to make sure the ratio of water to grain is correct. 

CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair says: “Some rice cooker models will come with pre-set programs for other grains, or recipe booklets that will give you the correct water-to-grain ratios to use if you’re cooking something like lentils or quinoa”.

“If you have a more basic model that doesn’t include these directions, follow the guidelines for cooking brown rice, as other grains usually require longer cooking times than standard white rice. 

“Always use the supplied measuring cup to measure out the grain and follow the grading in the bowl to check how much water you’re adding.”

2. Steamed vegetables and fish

Some rice cookers come with a steaming tray or basket that lets you steam everything from dumplings and vegetables to poultry or fish, meaning you could cook an entire meal using just one appliance (no hob or saucepan required!). 

Steaming veg is a great way to lock in nutrients and moisture (and therefore flavour), so if you’re guilty of over-boiling your greens until they go grey, bland and mushy, this could be your new kitchen hero.

CHOICE experts note in our rice cooker reviews whether the rice cookers we’ve tested include a steamer tray or basket (although we don’t specifically test their effectiveness). 

If you’re after a model that incorporates a steamer, Fiona suggests opting for a larger model.

“The steamer basket is the same size as the diameter of the rice cooker bowl, so if you’d like to steam large quantities of food while cooking your rice, then you may want to opt for a rice cooker with a larger capacity.” 

“Always refer to your manual for instructions on how to use your cooker for steaming.”

3. Sushi

OK, so it’s not going to roll your nori rolls for you, but some rice cookers come with a setting specifically for sushi rice, which means you could be dishing up Japanese-style delicacies with even greater ease. 

With the ability to incorporate all sorts of flavours and textures, sushi is perfect for kids’ lunchboxes, toddler snacks or light meals, and it’s also fun to make.

The right consistency

One of the most important aspects of cooking sushi rice is getting the right consistency so it sticks together and is easy to shape, which is why a rice cooker with a sushi setting can be helpful to make sure you get the best, most consistent results.

Although we don’t specifically test rice cookers on their sushi rice settings (also called sticky rice or Japanese rice on some models), we have reviewed a few rice cookers that have this feature: the Breville Rice Box, the Breville Smart Rice Box and the Tefal Induction Rice Master and Slow Cooker.

4. Porridge, congee, risotto or dhal

Okay, so we know that making risotto or congee in your rice cooker is technically still cooking rice (so is sushi rice for that matter). But it’s an outside-the-box way to use your rice cooker for more than just fluffy white rice.

A multifunctional rice cooker will probably come with pre-programmed settings and perhaps a recipe booklet that can help you cook rice- or grain-based dishes such as congee or risotto. (CHOICE’s expert rice cooker reviews note whether each rice cooker has a specific program/setting for cooking porridge or congee.)

Even if you only have a basic rice cooker, you can still use it to cook these types of dishes. But Fiona advises that you should probably only do this if you don’t have access to a cooktop and saucepan. 

“Using a basic rice cooker to cook dishes such as risotto, porridge, congee, polenta and dhal is possible, but it can take longer than just using your cooktop,” she says.

“These types of dishes need to be stirred to develop creaminess and so the rice or grains won’t stick and burn on the bottom of the bowl,” she says.

“And remember you can’t adjust the temperature in a basic rice cooker, so you’ll need to take the lid off frequently to stir and check on the dish, which will increase the cooking time.

“Multifunctional rice cookers are more expensive, but they have sealed locking lids, timers with audible feedback and a more durable cooking bowl that can handle higher temperatures and vigorous stirring, so can be suitable for cooking a wide range of recipes.”

5. Poached fruits and cake

Although we question whether you really need a rice cooker that’s going to cook a cake for you (we prefer the good ol’ oven for that), it’s definitely one of the more interesting items to include in an article about non-rice dishes you can make in your rice cooker! 

Admittedly, your basic $15 Kmart rice cooker isn’t going to help you turn out baked treats, but if you have a more sophisticated multifunctional model, it’s possible. And you could definitely poach pears or apples in a rice cooker with a steamer basket for a quick and easy dessert or to add to your morning porridge. 

Check the instructions and pre-programmed settings for your rice cooker to find out if your model is the cake-creating kind. 

How to use your rice cooker for meal planning and prep

Anything that can lighten the load of meal planning or cooking for a busy family is always welcome, and a rice cooker can certainly help. 

Not to mention that cooking extra food for leftovers or planning a few work lunches ahead of time can save you spending money on expensive takeaways – which is essential with the cost of living skyrocketing.

Here are some tips for using a rice cooker in your meal prep:

• When cooking dinner, pop your rice in the cooker first so you can set and forget it, then get on with whatever you’re making so it’s all ready at the same time. Win!
• Cook double the amount of rice, quinoa or lentils you need so you have enough for your evening meal and enough to use in a chilled grain salad the next day. Add anything you like – tuna, spinach leaves, chopped chicken, capsicum, corn, herbs, tomato, cucumber, nuts, seeds – and finish it off with a homemade dressing of lemon and olive oil. 
• Making fried rice? Day-old rice is perfect as it retains its texture well. (Just make sure it’s been refrigerated properly overnight.) Stir fry with garlic, ginger, soy and onion and add any veg or protein you like. 
• Leftover risotto can be turned into arancini: form into balls, then coat with breadcrumbs and deep-fry until golden. 
• If you have a steamer tray or basket, cook fish fillets at the same time as some brown rice or quinoa for a healthy dinner with minimal washing up. Check your manual for cooking instructions.
• Cook batches of quinoa or lentils to bulk out and add extra nutrition to meatballs, vegetable patties, soups or bolognaise. Quinoa also freezes well if you have leftovers. 
• Rice is a great blank canvas for so many dishes that are low-cost yet delicious. Although it’s great in meat or fish dishes, it’s equally satisfying when paired with some sauteed spinach, mushrooms and garlic, and perhaps a fried egg. A dash of chilli wouldn’t go astray here either. A winning budget-friendly dinner!

How to store, freeze and reheat cooked rice safely

Storing cooked rice the right way is essential. 

If you’ve cooked an extra batch of rice to use for meals later, first leave it to cool to room temperature. As soon as it’s cool, place into a sealed container in the fridge. You can spread it on a tray so it cools more quickly. 

When reheating in the microwave, add a little water (one teaspoon to one cup) to loosen up the grains and cover with plastic wrap or a plate so it steams and plumps up the grains.

Cooked rice should be used within one to two days to prevent any bacteria growth. But if you’d like to keep it for longer, it can be frozen for up to about a month. Portion it into freezer bags or plastic containers once it’s cooled, then pop it in the freezer. 

The post Things you can make in a rice cooker that aren’t rice appeared first on CHOICE.