The Actifry & AirFryer Thread - Merged

greasepalm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121233198#Comment_121233198

Just checked it out and looks good as you may have a big lump of meat or smaller items for the twin drawers. Somebody was thinking with their brains on that.

legend99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121233306#Comment_121233306

Yes. Exactly. I had a single 5.2l (the WiFi enabled Lidl one which stopped working after 3 weeks but I got a refund). It was handy obviously and I liked the relatively big drawer. However, at times having 2 drawers would have been very handy ala the Ninja one. Or I even considered buying 2 but then loads of counter space lost.

This one though seems to cover both options. The single drawers are still relatively large. You can have the dual cooking. But you also have a very large drawer for cooking outsized stuff. Close to pulling the trigger on it but was wondering if anyone else has before I do!

greasepalm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121233356#Comment_121233356

Not available when i looked earlier

Gloomtastic!

Don’t think I’ve posted here before or read the thread so please forgive if I’m repeating………

Anyone used an oven with an integrated air fryer?https://www.currys.ie/products/zanussi-airfry-zohna7x1-electric-oven-stainless-steel-10206590.html

Seems to solve the capacity problem but is it as effective as a stand alone fryer?

greasepalm

Looks like a built in unit and wonder if any different to my oven as it also has grills and a fan in the rear.

Think this thread was for stand alone models that can be moved on worktop and much smaller.

Warm up time might be 10 mins to come to temp.

Small units cook in under 30 secs and no waiting and less energy wasted.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119607095#Comment_119607095

Starting to explore the Ninja foodi multi cooker- air fryer slow cooker pressure cooker bake and dehydrate would likely be the functions I’d use the most

I think getting just an air fryer Id probably regret it - so could I ask any downsides of getting this ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NINJA-SmartLid-Multi-Cooker-OL550UK-Combi-Steam/dp/B09C874YNC/ref%3Dmp_s_a_1_4?crid=VCE9RSV33DQR&keywords=ninja+foodi&qid=1697389153&sprefix=nonja+foodi%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-4

greasepalm

I have the older twin lid model for pc mode and Af mode and with winter nearly here i shall be doing stews and other things.

Ninja models are heavy and have a short cable and tall , will it live on your countertop?

Have a look at " THE SALTED PEPPER " videos on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyh6YpKW-sw

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121243230#Comment_121243230

Thanks for the reply.

Before seeing your post I watched a number of review videos online. Here’s what I concluded for me:

1. I’ll never much use the full range of features on the 11-1 15-1 multi functionality cookers
2. even the double drawer ninja at over 200 squid is still just an air fryer so it’s all about your volume of cooking requirements
3. The Ninja Speedi might be versatile on paper in what it can cook but I’m not mad on how the results of the food look
4. While a slow cooker sounds great, I’d probably get sick of stewed food quite quickly- I can cook stews/casseroles now in the oven but I only do that occasionally

So all of the above is purely my own take on the multi cookers for ME-delighted if someone is using say a Ninja speedi every day and would be lost without it- fair play to you.

I think I’ll look for maybe the Philips air fryer or even a cheaper one - it will be used probably once a week that’s all- I’ll save a few Bob on electricity over time Vs using a big electric oven to heat a few chips or chicken strips. I’ll experiment also with homemade fried food to see how that goes but a little research has ensured I don’t end up buying a massive multi air fryer that will gather dust on the counter.

Hopefully this will help others in deciding whether an airfryer or multi machine is right for them

PS- before deciding I highly recommend you watch as many videos as possible of people demonstrating the air fryers- especially the more expensive ones with multi functionality - it really helps you to answer the question: Do I see myself doing what they’re doing in this video?

Frankly I answered no. If there were many in the household especially young kids then maybe.

I love cooking- rice dishes, curries, French food, Italian food etc etc I eat “deep fried” fried food occasionally.

But when it comes to say fish, a good frying pan is all I need - it’s a few mins either side and it’s done. I can breadcrumb small pieces and the frying pan still does me. I use a wok for quick curries. Really the way I’m set up in the kitchen I like it just the way it is- for someone without the resources I have in my kitchen then I might opt for a large air fryer and a separate slow cooker giving you more versatility in terms of what you can cook simultaneously

greasepalm

Yes its all about what you want to cook , My setup is

JML Halogen oven been the oldest and can cook my steaks and chops inside and see how they are doing cooking wise and if i need to turn them.

Philips Air Fryer as i like my oven chips and onion rings which i have gotten used to.

PKP was for stews but doing sauté mode stuff got burnt on the bottom. Does lovely rice puddings.

Ninja Foodi was the last one bought and still not done all that i want but have done joints of meat and chicken by pressure then air fry and is nice.

Many have done cakes and bread inside them.

Storage is the issue with many things but luck is with me as the 3 units are on a shelf just outside kitchen door and brought in when needed.

Halogen sits inside a deep drawer and onto countertop when needed.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121245057#Comment_121245057

Sounds like you’re enjoying your cooking experiences. If I didn’t have decent ovens and cooking pots etc and if I had a lot of mouths to feed I’d probably go down that road too but I just think it would gather dust after the initial use.

From experience I’ve found that if I hesitate at all on a purchase (which I’ve done on air fryers for a long time now) it’s a big sign that I likely don’t need the item- I’m eventually stating to listen to myself 😀

greasepalm

Yes cooking for myself , do i need this ? do i.

Do need to change things up for the cold weather when food is needed to heat you up as a sambo wont cut it.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121246051#Comment_121246051

By goto is a hot wok curry done in 15 mins including rice 😀

rob316

Bought the Tower Dual from Lidl at the weekend for €129 after I dropped my salter one off the counter :(

I like it, strangely its got the buttons on the top of the unit and what I like most is it has actually buttons, not touch buttons

FLOOPER

Apologies for replying to my own post but was looking at the posts here and while this https://amzn.eu/d/bqtEYrf

(The 10 lt 2 drawer) looks great it’s still twice the price of the Uton and actually not available now on Amazon now anyway.

Just wondering what ye think is the issue with this. It will do a roast and veg. with dripping tray which drawer AFs don’t.

I still haven’t made my mind up.

Thoughts?

Ronanc1

Currently have an Instant Vortex dual basket model, brand new in box on Adverts if anyone is in the market for an Airfryer.

Doge

Just discovered a four part series on Channel 5 called:

Air Fryers: Batch cooking made easy. Looks like pretty adventurous recipes from what I've seen, stuff I would never have thought you could cook in an air fryer.

You need a British VPN to access it on the channel 5 site.

https://www.itn.co.uk/media-centre/air-fryers-made-easy-new-fourpart-cookery-series-sharing-recipes-and-tips

https://www.channel5.com/air-fryers-made-easy/season-1/episode-2

dxhound2005

Jamie Oliver has 2 one hour programmes on Channel 4. 8 pm to 9 April 15 and 22. It is sponsored by Tefal, and he is using Tefal Air Fryers.

ellejay

I finally got off the fence and got an air fryer!

I got a 9 litre Salter from Dunnes and it's great, I'm just sorry I didn't get one sooner.

The deciding factor for me was the fact my Oven / Grill is about 18 years old and electric so it's a real energy guzzler.

I can't get over how moist chicken breasts are from it and the air fryer is a game changer for Pork Fillets.

I could never have justified turning the oven on for a few chicken breasts.

Even the part baked baguettes are divine from it - I'm in love 😍

I think if you're sitting on the fence definitely get one as apart from the energy economics, most food is nicer from it.

beggars_bush

New Ninja af180 which has 6L capacity

Surprised how noisy it is tbh

miamee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122242854#Comment_122242854

We recently got our first airfyer, the Ninja Double Stack whatever it's called and it is quite noisy alright. However I roasted a chicken in it in 50 minutes on Saturday and was able to do some roast potatoes in the other drawer so I'm happy enough 😁

Tree

The actifry has finally failed, so time to replace it. Do any of ye have the toaster oven shaped airfryers? Are they easier to clean? Do they work as well? Whatabou the ones with microwaves built in?

Mostly I want a quick small alternative to the oven. Mostly the actifry has been used for shredded chicken the last while or reheating chipper chips.

If we want chip chips, we use the deepfryer.I suspect, despite the evangelism, the chips from the airfryer will not compell us to change our ways. (and yes, ppl have fed us air fryer chips, we weren't particularly impressed)

Mervyn Skidmore

Any opinions on this air fryer available in Lidl tomorrow?

https://www.lidl.ie/p/1700w-dual-air-fryer/p10028225

Ryath

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122365270#Comment_122365270

Seems decently enough reviewed on amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CC381Q2R/?th=1

Made jump to the Ninja 9.5 Dual Drawer with thermometer probe last week from my nearly 6 year old £80 Bargain XXL Philips. Philips still works perfectly but mesh and insert is getting very hard keep clean. Priced new mesh and basket insert but hard find an expensive with shipping from Europe. Decided I was better putting the money in a new model. I'll still keep it for when I want to do a chicken or big batches.

Very pleased with the Ninja, much easier keep clean. The smaller separate drawers are very handy and much more manageable for washing. Tiny bit slower than the Philips to cook but still learning. Some things might need higher temp than the Philips though. Haven't done anything with probe yet but will be handier if I cook some bigger pieces of meat in it.

Mollyb60

Thoughts on this double air fryer in Lidl next week?

https://www.lidl.ie/p/xl-double-drawer-air-fryer/p10028724

Reviews online seem ok for it.

tuisginideach

I'm thinking strongly re buying an airfryer for first time - prob. Ninja 9.5 Dual Drawer. Main reason is so that family members can cook for themselves when coming in late from training etc. But having looked at recipe books and talked to people, I wonder about cooking 'family dinners' (which I try to do regularly) in an airfryer? What do you recommend? Thanks.

Gary_dunne

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122576435#Comment_122576435

They are extremely handy especially if you have a large one or a dual drawer one like you are considering. We have one however it is just myself and my partner and use it regularly to cook 4 portions or so of food.

I do see it as an addition to the hob and not the sole cooking device a lot of the time. Basically it has replaced the need for us to turn of the whole oven in order to roast some meat eg, a small 1.2kg chicken or a ham joint fit perfectly in one side of it and we can roast potatoes or veg in the other.

greasepalm

As its only myself twin drawer is overkill for me as i still have in use a PKP , Ninja twin lids , Halogen oven and Philips air fryer and can handle most items i want to cook. Micro and Hob.

Not sure when the last time i used my oven. When the winter is only around the corner more warm meals will be made and frozen for backups.

Gloomtastic!

What’s the best way of cleaning your fryer? Grime is building up here.

Kat1170

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122605524#Comment_122605524

I use kitchen degreaser from Lidl and warm soapy water

greasepalm

Depends on if dishwasher approved. or fill with hot soapy water to soak and use a bristle brush.

All depends on unit you have.

Gloomtastic!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122605552#Comment_122605552

I’ve a Ninja Electric BBQ. The Air fryer tray goes in the dishwasher, no problem. It’s the housing that I need to clean the grime off.

greasepalm

Is this it ?

https://support.ninjakitchen.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/10815528550940-How-To-Clean-Your-Electric-BBQ-Grill-Smoker-OG701UK

Gloomtastic!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122605786#Comment_122605786

Thanks for that but it’s inside the lid that needs cleaning. I’ll try a degreaser.

greasepalm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122606460#Comment_122606460

Dont use toxic stuff in there , we used cut up lemons in boiling water inside it for the Foodi model as it was natural cleaner.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122605524#Comment_122605524

each time you use it is my rule!

Gloomtastic!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122613207#Comment_122613207

Too late! 😬

L1011

Have a Tower with trays rather than baskets (and a rotiserrie I've never used) in the island house; but I've never used a basket type.

Need to take the oven out of action for a bit to get tiling done in the kitchen so bought the 7.6L dual basket Ninja today - was on sale.

Anyone know if there's much operational difference between a drop door, tray type and a basket type?

I went for the dual basket purely because my main 'can't be bothered cooking properly' dinner of packet katsu curry, chicken goujons and chips is a bit of an arse to cook in the single cavity/single temperature one.

greasepalm

Basket be it single or twin and if doing chips will need to be given a shake half way through to turn the food.

Bald Foodie Guy has a YouTube video and he has them all i think.