The Actifry & AirFryer Thread - Merged

OUTDOORLASS · 06-01-2022 2:51pm

My Phillip's is reaching its last days. Best gadget I ever bought. Somebody recommended a Ninja E120 in H.Norman Anybody any comments on it plz. Seemingly it has a few diff functions

Logo · 06-01-2022 9:08pm

Hi. I bought a Tower Airfryer last year and only taking it out of the box now. About to put frozen chips, sausages and pudding to cook. Just wondering if the chips will take longer than the unfrozen sausages & pudding. Also can I put tinfoil or a ramekin in the basket to reduce the chore of cleaning afterwards? TIA

54and56 · 06-01-2022 10:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118426950#Comment_118426950

My Philips died a death about a years ago (got several great years out of it) and decided to go for this Ninja Dual model which has been amazing, the dual drawers turned out to be far more useful than I thought (steak or wings in one, chips in another etc) and it gets used (by two adults and two teenage kids) several times a day and I can do a small chicken or roast up to 1.4KG in one drawer.

If I was buying again I'd probably go for the newer larger model which is €40 more as you can never have too much capacity!!

Thargor · 06-01-2022 10:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118426950#Comment_118426950

Whats wrong with it? Im still on an original Philips model from 10 years ago aswell, saw it on display in Harvey Normans years ago and it just called to me, best impulse buy ever, only thing wrong with mine is it doesn't Ding anymore when the timer runs out but that always happens to mechanical bells in my experience. Still in daily use since then.

OUTDOORLASS · 08-01-2022 4:47pm

Hi Thargor. Handle on it getting banjaxed. Have to agree that the airfryer is def one of the best gadgets I.v ever bought. I love keeping an eye on this thread for new ideas for its use. Thanks to all.

54and56 · 09-01-2022 11:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118439472#Comment_118439472

That's exactly what happened to my Philips also, I patched up the handle (where it's connected to the drawer) a few times but in the end it was unrepairable and a replacement drawer was going to cost over half the value of the (by then 6 year old) device so I just went with a new Air Fryer all together.

HeidiHeidi · 09-01-2022 2:22pm

Does anyone use these things for just one person?

I'm very tempted by the idea, and get the impression that the ActiFry is the best one. I'm happy to spend the money if it's the right one.

But space is an issue, and I don't want something that will take up half my very limited counter space.

Anyone on here who has and uses the smallest version of an actifry/airfryer? Is it too small to be practical? Or just right for single portions?

(I have previous for buying a mini slow cooker, which I literally never used once - it just wasn't practical - but a slow cooker would be better suited to batch cooking large amounts, but I copped that too late!)

savemejebus · 09-01-2022 4:31pm

The small Philips is perfect for one person. My wife called it a bachelor gadget.

Thargor · 09-01-2022 5:15pm

Yes perfect for one person, perfect for shared houses aswell, running the Airfryer for 15 minutes and done instead of burning enough gas to heat the house for an hour just to cook a single chicken breast, before the next housemate comes along and does the same with their dinner.

HeidiHeidi · 09-01-2022 5:19pm

What litre capacity are the ones you two are talking about?@Thargor @savemejebus

Thargor · 09-01-2022 6:37pm

The original Philips so 0.8 KG according to the Amazon listing whatever that means. Surely volume is a better way to measure these things than weight?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-HD9220-20-Technology-Grilling/dp/B0042EU3A2/ref%3Dasc_df_B0042EU3A2/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=231909287202&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5734500738908521545&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=20474&hvtargid=pla-385812356158&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Its more than enough for one, Ive done breakfasts frys for 4 out of it before, 2 people should be grand with it.

Muahahaha · 09-01-2022 6:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118443675#Comment_118443675

The small versions are perfect for cooking for 1-2 people, they are big enough to cook 2 portions of chips for example. You can also cook a small chicken in them if you leave the basket out.

Im not sure if the latest models of the Actifry still have the paddles that rotate and agitate the food but back in the day a few here complained that the paddles failed after a while and also if you were cooking breaded chicken they would knock the breading off and leave a mess. I think you'd be better off going with a Philips if budget allows it, if not the Tower airfryer is cheaper and will work just as well. Lidl and Aldi also sell their own branded airfryers (Silvercrest/Ambiano) several times a year and they are cheap (around 50-60 quid) and once you keep the receipt they have a 3 year warranty which is pretty decent. But if you have the budget Id go with a Philips as theyve proven to have good longevity, mine is on the go about 4 times a week and has lasted 6 years now and is still flawless.

HeidiHeidi · 09-01-2022 7:13pm

Thanks to you all, very helpful indeed!

SteelyDanJalapeno · 09-01-2022 9:32pm

Anyone got experience with the Lidl or Aldi versions?

savemejebus · 10-01-2022 12:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118444566#Comment_118444566

0.8kg, dunno what that is in litres

wersal gummage · 10-01-2022 12:59pm

Have read a few pages back but not found anything...

Sorry if this has come up before, we have tefal actifry about 2 years now, we are putting frozen chips into it (have tried lots of different types from lots of shops), we are regularly getting broken up chips, some says it's perfect, other days half of the chips will be just broken into crumbs...

Any ideas?

HeidiHeidi · 10-01-2022 4:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118445005#Comment_118445005

Right, yiz have me convinced!

I spotted the one that Thargor linked in HN for what seemed like a good price, so I've ordered it.

I hope it's as good as I hope!!

Muahahaha · 10-01-2022 5:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118450330#Comment_118450330

Im sure you'll love it, they are arguably the best kitchen gadget invention since the microwave all those years ago. I wouldnt be without one at this stage, they are just so much handier than firing up the main oven.

Tree · 11-01-2022 1:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118448700#Comment_118448700

I don't find it as bad with frozen chips as with fresh spuds. Wet potatoes seem to fair the worst. Are your frozen chips icy?

wersal gummage · 12-01-2022 11:53am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453262#Comment_118453262

Might be a bit icy at times alright, but I do tend to try off any noticeable ice. The chips aren't turning into mush, they are nice and crispy.... Just unfortunately broken into tiny crumbs!

HeidiHeidi · 14-01-2022 10:47am

Machine arrived (via a neighbour's house 🙄), and I'm very excited about using it!

There's no manual/usage booklet at all, so I googled a bit - and there seems to be all sorts of controversy about how it's impossible to clean it, and your house will fill with SMOKE and all your SMOKE ALARMS will go off and you'll be poisoned with the TOXIC SMOKE....

What do you guys do in terms of cleaning???

54and56 · 15-01-2022 9:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118472464#Comment_118472464

What type of machine do you have?

I've had a Philips and now a Ninja and never had any issues with smoke providing I didn't use too much oil or ram too much food into the drawer and I kept the area around the device well ventilated.

Kat1170 · 15-01-2022 3:04pm

Kitchen degreaser and wash after each use does it. Only something particularly oily where some might get blown up onto the element might cause smoke.

Don't overfill and you should be fine.

HeidiHeidi · 15-01-2022 4:20pm

It's a Philips.

Yes, it'll only me me using it, so no overfilling.

Washing the drawer each time is easy enough, it's the thoughts of trying to clean the innards was just a bit daunting, and all the hysterical posts online didn't help!

Be grand, I'm sure 😊

JackieChang · 22-01-2022 12:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118446083#Comment_118446083

I have the Lidl one that they were selling a few months ago. Silvercrest. It's my first air fryer so have nothing to compare it to, but it is a savage piece of kit. Gets a lot of use.

I have already destroyed the non stick coating on the bottom though. I had tin foil down to catch grease, but didn't bother removing it after cooking and the tin foil stuck to the bottom. When I ripped the tin foil off, I also ripped off a bit of non stick coating.

HeidiHeidi · 25-01-2022 1:45pm

Right, I've used the air fryer a few times now - and while I'm not a huge megafan, I can see it has its uses!

Crispiest, tastest chips (frozen Aldi skin-on ones) I've ever had - full marks!

Lovely baked/roast new spuds - great.

Fish-fingers - meh, managed to be soft and dry at the same time - I much prefer them done under a hot grill.

Tried sausages today - and holy moly, the SMOKE!!!! 😱 Had to open two windows to try and fumigate the place, and I'm freezing now.... I also prefer the crispy skins of the sausages done low and slow in a pan, so I won't be doing those again!

Is it OK to soak the bottom third of the drawer/basket in hot sudsy water (just covering the mesh)? I don't know why I think it might not be - I can't see any moving or electrical parts - but just in case I wanted to check - it was a greasy mess after the saussies today, and a divil to clean.

Next test is going to be a fresh beefburger - will this also turn into a greasy smokefest? Anyone have any tips for doing them (Angus burger from Lidl).

Badabing1 · 25-01-2022 5:03pm

I have the Lidl silvercrest too few years now, I find it great. I wouldn't do sausages or burgers in it though, bit too greasy I think. Chips, chicken wings, breaded chicken, spice burgers all come out lovely in it.

JackieChang · 25-01-2022 10:10pm

Just tried salmon darnes in the air fryer. Very delicious.

In order to not stink out the contraption I wrapped them in tin foil. Loosely wrapped at the top to let some steam out. Before wrapping them, I sprinkled some cajun seasoning and lemon juice over them, then closed it up. Threw them in for 12 minutes at 180. No turning or shaking. Delicious. You'd probably get away with 10 minutes for a super moist fillet. They were the skinny-ish darnes you get in Lidl/Aldi. 4 Darnes for €6 or thereabouts.

JackieChang · 25-01-2022 10:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118530373#Comment_118530373

Not sure how to quote your post bit by bit on this new boards. Is that possible? I'll just have to paste your comment bit by bit.

Crispiest, tastest chips (frozen Aldi skin-on ones) I've ever had - full marks!

They are pretty good. I found that they're best around the 10 minute mark - still a bit greasy like they came out of an oil fryer. But has a bit of crisp. Not a fan of them too dry/crispy. I'd try Aldi's skinny fries too, the McDonald style ones. Think they just call them French fries on the packet. Around 10 minutes again with a shake and they're perfect.

Fish-fingers - meh, managed to be soft and dry at the same time - I much prefer them done under a hot grill.

I found they went a bit shyt as well, they got all deformed. I think we forgot to apply the air fryer rule though - cut the cooking time. If it says 10 minutes on the packet try 6 or 7 minutes. Got stuck to the basket too. Still tasty though. I was surprised at how much grease dripped out of them actually.

Tried sausages today - and holy moly, the SMOKE!!!! 😱 Had to open two windows to try and fumigate the place, and I'm freezing now.... I also prefer the crispy skins of the sausages done low and slow in a pan, so I won't be doing those again!

Deep fried sausages are the only way. Give it a go. It'll give you that cafe / hospital / hotel style sausage. (because that's what they all do - deep fry them to ****). Tried them in the air fryer and they were to tough. Like eating pig cracklings.

Is it OK to soak the bottom third of the drawer/basket in hot sudsy water (just covering the mesh)? I don't know why I think it might not be - I can't see any moving or electrical parts - but just in case I wanted to check - it was a greasy mess after the saussies today, and a divil to clean.

I do that all the time. Don't use any super strong degreaser stuff. I've heard that can mess with the coating.

Next test is going to be a fresh beefburger - will this also turn into a greasy smokefest? Anyone have any tips for doing them (Angus burger from Lidl).

Not sure what is causing all these smoke fests. I do burgers all the time. (Lamb burgers from Aldi - 10000% recommended)

I've heard your first use of the air fryer can cause a bit of smoke. But you've obviously had a good few runs of it. The only other thing I can think of is bits of food have splattered onto the heating element above, and they're burning off it. What is your exact model of air fryer? I think your sausages were probably splattering grease up onto the heating element.

HeidiHeidi · 25-01-2022 10:41pm

I've only had the fryer (Philips) a short while, used it 4 or 5 times so far - no smoke until the sausages today - and yes I suspect it was the grease spattering up into the element that caused it. I much prefer them done in the pan, though - so that won't be happening again!

I'm cutting the cooking time on everything, including the fish fingers - but they just didn't work (to my liking anyway).

I didn't do the burger this evening after all - but delighted to hear you've had success with them! They're in the fridge, so I'll give it a go in the next day or two.

Interesting to see your post about fish wrapped in foil above..... I can't get microwave oven limitations out of my head for some reason, so foil just seems all wrong!! And obviously the whole point of the thing is the free circulation of hot air around the food.

Quite the learning curve this is!

54and56 · 26-01-2022 1:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118533023#Comment_118533023

One golden rule with AirFryers that I've found is to always heat it up empty for 3-4 minutes before adding the food you want cooked and once heated I also spray the empty tray with those one cal sunflower oil bottles. They emit a very fine spray which creates a very light coating on the tray floor and walls. I find this combination minimises anything, particularly anything breadcrumbed like fish fingers or chicken nuggets etc from sticking to the tray and it also results in a crispier coat as the outside of the food heats more quickly than it does if it goes into a cold tray.

HeidiHeidi · 26-01-2022 1:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118534957#Comment_118534957

Yeah, I don't have any of the spray (hate them!) but I have been brushing lightly with rape seed oil.

Muahahaha · 26-01-2022 6:12pm

Just on the sausages- anything that has high fat content will spit the fat upwards into the element and cause white smoke to come out of the air vent at the back of the airfryer. Bacon is particularly bad. I run mine underneath an extraction fan that is switched on anyway. If there is loads of smoke billowing out of it you can open the drawer (do this underneath an extractor) and that will release a plume of smoke and then it wont smoke so bad at the back.

A poster here @rubadub had a solution, get one of those frying pan splatter guards and with a scissors cut out the shape of the basket. Then when doing sausages put the mesh into the basket on top of the sausages. This should help prevent fat spitting upwards and reduce smoke.

HeidiHeidi · 26-01-2022 7:44pm

For burgers - do you sear them first, or just do them straight in the fryer?

JackieChang · 26-01-2022 8:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118537054#Comment_118537054

Straight into the air fryer. Around 10 minutes -ish at 200 degrees, turning half way. There'll probably be a bit of trial and error as we have different machines and different thickness of burgers.

HeidiHeidi · 26-01-2022 8:56pm

Well, the burger (Lidl, fresh) with fries (Aldi beef dripping, frozen) were a resounding success!

Didn't stink the house out, burger v nice (not sure it's not better seared first, might try that next time), could have done the fries a bit longer - but for an easy peasy one-pot meal, you can't beat that!!

JackieChang · 26-01-2022 10:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118537373#Comment_118537373

I would say sear it afterwards? Just very quickly in a hot pan. I don't think it'd be possible to sear a pink lump of meat without actually cooking most of it. Although I've never tried.

Mantis Toboggan · 06-06-2022 7:45pm

Hi thinking of getting an air fryer, I know it doesn't do anything your oven wouldn't but it could be handier.

Any recommendations for one that would cook enough food for at least 2 people? Seems to be a lot of choice but some look very small in trays. Preferably less than €150.

mrmorgan · 24-06-2022 3:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119166543#Comment_119166543

I have a ninja and I love it.... but if i had a choice again, i would go for the double barrel one

celticsfan · 12-07-2022 4:11pm

Any Ninja owners care to share some advice?? Kinda split between getting the AF100 or the AF160..mainly just to do fries for the kids in,thought maybe the 160 would do them quicker and would it have the larger capacity too I guess being 5.2L? is that and the higer wattage the only difference between them?

Muahahaha · 12-07-2022 4:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119327433#Comment_119327433

cant comment on the Ninja itself but if you are cooking for more than 2 people I think you are always better off going with the larger size as the regular size just isnt big enough to do 3-4 portions of chips

amber2 · 04-08-2022 10:19pm

Anyone have any reviews of the Lidl silvercrest 9 in 1 hot airfryer coming up on sale next week supposed to be like the ninja foodi.

JackieChang · 05-08-2022 3:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119430623#Comment_119430623

Those ones look like an absolute dose to clean. You're better off with the usual types where you pull out the tray with the handle.

Icsics · 12-08-2022 11:41am

Going to get an air fryer, mainly so I’m not turning on the main oven so much. Looking for recommendations for family of 4 please

snowgal · 26-08-2022 2:41pm

we are doing the same, after reading about the difference in cost oven vs air fryer! we are only 2 so dont think we'll need anything super duper....

shortcircuit_99 · 12-09-2022 12:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462827#Comment_119462827

Can thoroughly recommend the Ninja Foodi, it's a brilliant bit of kit. It has an air fryer, slow cooker and pressure cooker and all work very well.

My one is a touch small so get a good big one esp if you are feeding the family. The more room in the basket the nicer the results so its best to get the one with as big a capacity as you can afford.

The best thing about the Foodi is that it can cook an entire roast chicken in about half an hour! And it's delicious. You pressure cook the chicken for about 15 mins. Then you switch it to air fryer mode for about another ten minutes which gets it crispy. So come home from work bang a chicken into the cooker and it's perfect in 30 mins. And it's so delicious and juicy every bit as good as doing it in the oven, or maybe even better!

Icsics · 12-09-2022 1:33pm

Thanks shortcircuit….that’s exactly what I got & loving it so far!

shortcircuit_99 · 12-09-2022 1:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119607375#Comment_119607375

Ah that's great, delighted you are getting on well with it

Thargor · 12-09-2022 1:44pm

Anecdotal but I had a landlord a couple of years ago who bought one of those Lidl 9 in 1s with the rotisserie chicken ability and it died after the third use, brought it back and switched it and the same thing happened again. Maybe a bad batch the first time they sold it but tbh it was more like a small fan oven than a true airfryer when it was working anyway.

ablelocks · 12-09-2022 3:29pm

for a family of 6 is this tefal airfryer a decent buy?

The Actifry & AirFryer Thread - Merged

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