Should I buy the freakin' air fryer?
glassyo
Posts: 7,739 Member
Amazon Prime Days is upon us and I'm back on my air fryer *kitten*. 
A while ago I went back and forth on the "should I buy an air fryer" thing because I get ideas in my head and then spend lots of time researching and then the opportunity passes or I just say "nah".
There's a pretty good deal on an air fryer on amazon. It doesn't have the bells and whistles I was looking into the last time I went air fryer shopping but it's cheap and, let's face it, I still don't cook I basically just make rice cooker steel cut oats, rice cooker steamed chicken, and hard boiled eggs (in a dedicated hard boiled egg maker) so I'd use the air fryer to maybe roast/dehydrate veggies, make my chicken and maybe make more fish that isn't canned tuna and salmon (which I love).
https://amazon.com/Tasti-CrispTM-Digital-AirCrisp%C2%AE-Technology-Temperature/dp/B08QQSB15M/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?crid=1RGH6XL6L89NV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qY7jzgf62-vz-yhdsM4VqKLqcjoPkMc_5DnW5mDFbW3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.L_EOHW10mGDg_7GMuO4mFIuWZ7VKXCsyrCFRJbRKkYo&dib_tag=se&keywords=air%2Bfryer&psr=PDAY&qid=1721238968&refinements=p_n_feature_two_browse-bin%3A17686891011&rnid=17686890011&s=prime-day&sprefix=air%2Bfryer%2Cprime-day%2C140&sr=1-17-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dA&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&SPES=1&th=1
(Sorry for the long url!)
A while ago I went back and forth on the "should I buy an air fryer" thing because I get ideas in my head and then spend lots of time researching and then the opportunity passes or I just say "nah".
There's a pretty good deal on an air fryer on amazon. It doesn't have the bells and whistles I was looking into the last time I went air fryer shopping but it's cheap and, let's face it, I still don't cook
I basically just make rice cooker steel cut oats, rice cooker steamed chicken, and hard boiled eggs (in a dedicated hard boiled egg maker) so I'd use the air fryer to maybe roast/dehydrate veggies, make my chicken and maybe make more fish that isn't canned tuna and salmon (which I love).https://amazon.com/Tasti-CrispTM-Digital-AirCrisp%C2%AE-Technology-Temperature/dp/B08QQSB15M/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?crid=1RGH6XL6L89NV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qY7jzgf62-vz-yhdsM4VqKLqcjoPkMc_5DnW5mDFbW3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.L_EOHW10mGDg_7GMuO4mFIuWZ7VKXCsyrCFRJbRKkYo&dib_tag=se&keywords=air%2Bfryer&psr=PDAY&qid=1721238968&refinements=p_n_feature_two_browse-bin%3A17686891011&rnid=17686890011&s=prime-day&sprefix=air%2Bfryer%2Cprime-day%2C140&sr=1-17-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dA&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&SPES=1&th=1
(Sorry for the long url!)
Should I buy the freakin' air fryer? 13 votes
Sure, why not?
84%
11 votes
You LITERALLY only cook 3 things and don't want to do any fancy cooking
7%
1 vote
You expect me to help make a decision this fast??
7%
1 vote
0
Replies
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Take some cooking classes.1
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I don't know about that make or model, but the Ninja one I have is great. It's like having a small oven plus air fryer options, and it heats up to cooking temp in barely a minute, which is super helpful.1
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You expect me to help make a decision this fast??I resisted getting an air fryer for years, citing the expense. Then I got one as a Christmas bonus from my company, and it sat unused for six months, citing lack of time to learn how to use it.
I finally got off my duff and found a few recipes to try, and so far they've all been smashing successes! Even if all you use it for is reheating pizza and chicken nuggets, it does a better, faster job than either the oven or the microwave.
Will I do ALL my cooking using the air fryer now? Certainly not. But it is a tool I wish I hadn't resisted all this time.3 -
We got an air fryer about a year ago, and it basically gets used on the daily.2
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I basically don’t cook. Pretty much the only things I use at all to “cook” are my air fryer and microwave other than the occasional pot of grits. It’s fast, doesn’t heat up the house, and doesn’t make too much of a mess. I probably wouldn’t eat anything besides soup and enchiladas if I didn’t have the air fryer.1
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Ok, I'm easily influenced so I did it.
Thanks!
Or, possibly, what the hell were you people thinking??? 2 -
Don't buy it (oh, I'm too late) but learn to cook instead. I find airfryer food to be rather bland in the sense that you can't just add spices and herbs at various moments and wait for them to infuse into cooking oil, etc.0
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If I was ever tempted to buy an "air fryer" which I'm not, it would be a convection toaster oven anyway. If I actually want fries, chicken wings, or fish and chips I'll stick with deep frying that I do a few times a year for those purposes. 0
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neanderthin wrote: »Take some cooking classes.
Not cooking likely has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of knowledge. For me, I cooked 2-3 meals a day from the time I was in 5th grade and simply refuse to do it any more. I seriously doubt there’s anything I don’t have the objective skill to make. Not everyone finds cooking to be a pleasant chore. Personally, I’d rather scrub grout.0 -
Sure, why not?You don't need to ever post an Amazon item beyond the inventory number. The rest is your search/session ID reference.
https://amazon.com/Tasti-CrispTM-Digital-AirCrisp®-Technology-Temperature/dp/B08QQSB15M
That said, the capacity is very small. Costco sells the highly rated Gourmia 7 quart for the same price.1 -
Don't buy it (oh, I'm too late) but learn to cook instead. I find airfryer food to be rather bland in the sense that you can't just add spices and herbs at various moments and wait for them to infuse into cooking oil, etc.
I like bland! Which sucks because I'm trying to find a Mrs Dash seasoning that *doesn't* have any kind of kick to it and am failing miserably (blood work came back with a bit higher sodium count than the last time which makes sense, I guess, since I'm using more seasonings).neanderthin wrote: »If I was ever tempted to buy an "air fryer" which I'm not, it would be a convection toaster oven anyway. If I actually want fries, chicken wings, or fish and chips I'll stick with deep frying that I do a few times a year for those purposes.
I don't care about the "fryer" part. Weird, I know I was just initially looking for something that'll make what little I cook more convenient and maybe expand my protein and veggie horizons (I really wanted to attempt dehydrating veggies because it's so obvious my mindless eating ways aren't going to go away but now I'm on to mixed nuts.
Pressure cookers were brought up but, when I looked into them, there was no way a very messy ad dangerous explosion wasn't going to happen at some point.1 -
neanderthin wrote: »Take some cooking classes.
Not cooking likely has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of knowledge. For me, I cooked 2-3 meals a day from the time I was in 5th grade and simply refuse to do it any more. I seriously doubt there’s anything I don’t have the objective skill to make. Not everyone finds cooking to be a pleasant chore. Personally, I’d rather scrub grout.
The OP was describing themselves as not being a particular good cook who just does the basics and believes that maybe an appliance might be a good option when learning to cook might open more opportunity in my opinion and why I said what I said.
As a chef who have also taught many people to improve their skill for cooking I'm scratching my head trying to figure out someone that has developed a craft and improved their skill level to the point they could tackle any task and who then determined they would never cook again because of how much they hated it. I believe there's more going on here, but regardless, I do wish you the best.
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You don't need to ever post an Amazon item beyond the inventory number. The rest is your search/session ID reference.
https://amazon.com/Tasti-CrispTM-Digital-AirCrisp®-Technology-Temperature/dp/B08QQSB15M
That said, the capacity is very small. Costco sells the highly rated Gourmia 7 quart for the same price.
Thanks!
And I looked into capacity sizes the last go round but I'm only one person and won't be feeding anyone else so suggested sizes were like 2 to 3 qts. So I split the difference.
I also have to think about space which there isn't much of anymore.1 -
Sure, why not?I have the Instant Pot Vortex Plus, which is a large capacity unit. I use it practically every day. It is great for cooking skinless boneless chicken, veggies like zucchini slices, squash, frozen foods, etc. without added oils.0
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'neanderthin wrote: »neanderthin wrote: »Take some cooking classes.
Not cooking likely has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of knowledge. For me, I cooked 2-3 meals a day from the time I was in 5th grade and simply refuse to do it any more. I seriously doubt there’s anything I don’t have the objective skill to make. Not everyone finds cooking to be a pleasant chore. Personally, I’d rather scrub grout.
The OP was describing themselves as not being a particular good cook who just does the basics and believes that maybe an appliance might be a good option when learning to cook might open more opportunity in my opinion and why I said what I said.
As a chef who have also taught many people to improve their skill for cooking I'm scratching my head trying to figure out someone that has developed a craft and improved their skill level to the point they could tackle any task and who then determined they would never cook again because of how much they hated it. I believe there's more going on here, but regardless, I do wish you the best.
It's easy. Do something a minimum of twice a day for 35 years or so and you get pretty good at it. Plus, I like "special" cooking. Dinner party? Game day? Holidays? Sign me up! I have resented "plain" cooking pretty much since I was informed my parents wouldn't be cooking any more on weekdays and that would be my responsibility now. You know the cooking I'm talking about, the *kitten* you have to deal with because it's 8 o'clock and you're cold and getting the shakes, so you have to make something. It's literally not worth the time or mental energy it takes to shop and cook and clean when you only have one person to feed, so I don't. That doesn't mean the skills go anywhere.
1 -
Im a very good home-cook and I still think its a very useful appliance.0
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'neanderthin wrote: »neanderthin wrote: »Take some cooking classes.
Not cooking likely has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of knowledge. For me, I cooked 2-3 meals a day from the time I was in 5th grade and simply refuse to do it any more. I seriously doubt there’s anything I don’t have the objective skill to make. Not everyone finds cooking to be a pleasant chore. Personally, I’d rather scrub grout.
The OP was describing themselves as not being a particular good cook who just does the basics and believes that maybe an appliance might be a good option when learning to cook might open more opportunity in my opinion and why I said what I said.
As a chef who have also taught many people to improve their skill for cooking I'm scratching my head trying to figure out someone that has developed a craft and improved their skill level to the point they could tackle any task and who then determined they would never cook again because of how much they hated it. I believe there's more going on here, but regardless, I do wish you the best.
It's easy. Do something a minimum of twice a day for 35 years or so and you get pretty good at it. Plus, I like "special" cooking. Dinner party? Game day? Holidays? Sign me up! I have resented "plain" cooking pretty much since I was informed my parents wouldn't be cooking any more on weekdays and that would be my responsibility now. You know the cooking I'm talking about, the *kitten* you have to deal with because it's 8 o'clock and you're cold and getting the shakes, so you have to make something. It's literally not worth the time or mental energy it takes to shop and cook and clean when you only have one person to feed, so I don't. That doesn't mean the skills go anywhere.
I don't remember anyone other than my mother doing the cooking growing up and learning that skill was never part of my childhood. Not even in home ec at school. I did learn to sew but, just like algebra, I never really needed to use what I learned
For me, I'm one person and have been most of my adult life. I was fine living off take out, fast food, frozen dinners, and fun sized candy bars. The only thing I cooked was top ramen or some kind of noodles with butter and parmesean cheese.
Even when I went on Weight Watchers, it was mostly fast food and frozen dinners with added "better for me" foods. I nixed the candy bars and top ramen/noodles
Every once in a while something sounds good (usually a lower calorie knockoff of something sweet) and I'd make it. But I never found joy in cooking and the one time I made something for a boy friend (even then it was chicken helper) he started fancying it up and yeah, well, *kitten* you. Do it to your own plate. Not the whole dish.Hobartlemagne wrote: »Im a very good home-cook and I still think its a very useful appliance.
Yay for positivity!Bovinity55 wrote: »I have the Instant Pot Vortex Plus, which is a large capacity unit. I use it practically every day. It is great for cooking skinless boneless chicken, veggies like zucchini slices, squash, frozen foods, etc. without added oils.
Thanks! I probably looked at this way back when and it actually has all the pre-sets I wanted but it's huge!
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neanderthin wrote: »neanderthin wrote: »Take some cooking classes.
The OP was describing themselves as not being a particular good cook who just does the basics and believes that maybe an appliance might be a good option when learning to cook might open more opportunity in my opinion and why I said what I said.
Quotes got funky so....
Wow, the OP didn't say any of that. The OP said she still doesn't cook and doesn't want to do any fancy cooking. The OP doesn't and never truly did have a desire to learn to cook like an adult. She's just doing more of it out of necessity and future money problem reasons.
She's also happy she has a month to send it back if it's not all it's cracked up to be
(Ok, quotes are definitely acting weird and it's not anything I'm doing. Whew!)0 -
'neanderthin wrote: »neanderthin wrote: »Take some cooking classes.
Not cooking likely has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of knowledge. For me, I cooked 2-3 meals a day from the time I was in 5th grade and simply refuse to do it any more. I seriously doubt there’s anything I don’t have the objective skill to make. Not everyone finds cooking to be a pleasant chore. Personally, I’d rather scrub grout.
The OP was describing themselves as not being a particular good cook who just does the basics and believes that maybe an appliance might be a good option when learning to cook might open more opportunity in my opinion and why I said what I said.
As a chef who have also taught many people to improve their skill for cooking I'm scratching my head trying to figure out someone that has developed a craft and improved their skill level to the point they could tackle any task and who then determined they would never cook again because of how much they hated it. I believe there's more going on here, but regardless, I do wish you the best.
It's easy. Do something a minimum of twice a day for 35 years or so and you get pretty good at it. Plus, I like "special" cooking. Dinner party? Game day? Holidays? Sign me up! I have resented "plain" cooking pretty much since I was informed my parents wouldn't be cooking any more on weekdays and that would be my responsibility now. You know the cooking I'm talking about, the *kitten* you have to deal with because it's 8 o'clock and you're cold and getting the shakes, so you have to make something. It's literally not worth the time or mental energy it takes to shop and cook and clean when you only have one person to feed, so I don't. That doesn't mean the skills go anywhere.
I don't remember anyone other than my mother doing the cooking growing up and learning that skill was never part of my childhood. Not even in home ec at school. I did learn to sew but, just like algebra, I never really needed to use what I learned
snip
When I was in fifth grade, my mom went back to work outside the home so my sister and I had to take over most of the cooking and cleaning. We were the very epitome of the Gen X latch key generation, lol.
Funny you mention sewing, that's another thing I know passably well but would rather not do. I learned the basics from my grandmother, but really got more into it in college. I have Bipolar 2 and sewing was something very quiet I could do in my dorm room at night since I didn't sleep much. Now that the sleep stuff is resolved, I save my sewing prowess for the occasional button or hem
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Sure, why not?
And I looked into capacity sizes the last go round but I'm only one person and won't be feeding anyone else so suggested sizes were like 2 to 3 qts. So I split the difference.
I also have to think about space which there isn't much of anymore.
I mostly cook for myself and am very happy I got the 7 quart. I can make several tacos or a whole quesadilla. I also think the larger area makes for better air circulation.
1 -
So it came yesterday and I just ran my first test.
It went a little too hard on the frozen broccoli florets but the added Brussels sprouts I added to weight down the parchment paper a bit more weren't half bad.
And, damn, this thing is quiet. I didn't even realize it was on when I first started it.
But it's a good size and I would have to do some major rearranging to find a place for it to fit without fighting for counter space with the rice cooker. I still might. I already bought a heat resistant mat for it.
Next test will be frozen chicken!4 -
I know y'all are on pins and needles about the chicken so....
It turned out really well! It took half the time of the rice cooker and was obviously more solid(?) on top? And I could definitely taste the seasoning (trader joe's onion salt) so a little less the next time and it stayed on (it tends to...shift...while cutting the chicken when I use the rice cooker).
I more or less like the air fryer but I'm not in love with it. When I was looking into them before, I saw a Gourmia that had more presets and a window so you can check on the food and not have to take the basket out but I don't think they come in anything smaller than the 6 qt capacity and now I know that is definitely way too big. I could have really used that window with those broccoli florets!
And I wish it did steel cut oats.
So I have a little less than a month to decide.
And I'm still a little salty it's still only $40 on amazon!1 -
Mrs Dash has an everything but the salt seasoning (sesame seeds, minced garlic, minced onion, and poppy seed).0
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p8m6bwghh9 wrote: »Mrs Dash has an everything but the salt seasoning (sesame seeds, minced garlic, minced onion, and poppy seed).
I actually bought that at the same time as the air fryer but haven't tried it yet! I had it sitting in my cart waiting until I needed other things.0 -
I bought a new handblender because my old one (20+ years) spread food around the kitchen instead of blending a soup. It's not something I use every day, but for once in a while I'd like a soup and not an opportunity to repain a kitchenwall 🤣 So far so happy. It came with a cup for small amounts of ingredients and a bigger thingy with own knives. I found out that blending a carrot and a handful of cashews to a coarse mash is super tasty. Just wanted to test it, and found a lovely fresh snack 😅2
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