Those who love to eat know that fried food is among the tastiest and tastiest that can exist. Unfortunately, the flip side of the coin is given not only by the risk of gaining weight by abusing frying, but also by the fact that the oil boiling process and high temperatures can trigger harmful chemical processes.
To overcome these two discordant notes of such a well-liked cooking process, some engineers have put their knowledge into motion and have created the so-called air fryer.
Incredible, highly technological invention, and a godsend to solve the problem of physical fitness – frying toxicity.
Let’s try to understand together how this very modern and still little known household appliance works, considering both the advantages and the disadvantages.
What is an air fryer
Before examining the operation and pros and cons, let’s see some more information about this innovative frying tool.
We are talking about a normal fryer which, instead of using oil (whatever type is used for frying can cause damage to health), uses another element that is always available and super cheap- air.
This new appliance triggers a rapid and very high temperature heating mechanism using the air that circulates inside it.
Taking advantage of this completely innovative (and not yet widespread) system, the food placed inside the fryer takes on the same flavor of fried with oil, but without using the latter.
The well-being of the body benefits from this innovation, but also the cleanliness of the kitchen, since there will be no burnt odors or grease stains here and there on the kitchen counter.
How does it work
We have already mentioned more or less the system used by the air fryer to cook foods as if they were normally dropped in oil. Now let’s try to analyze more closely such a mechanism, which could become the new frontier of frying, both in restaurants and in DIY cooking.
Basically, the heat carrier, that is the substance through which the temperature, that is the energy, is conveyed to ferment the food and create the process called “cooking” is no longer the oil, but the air.
In fact, air circulates in the fryer coil and is subjected to a heating process that reaches 200 ° C. In this way, a sort of vortex is created that shakes very quickly and acts on the food to cook it and give it that typical thermal shock that characterizes the classic frying process.
If the novelty scares you, and you fear that the taste may not be the same, you can also apply a little trick.
Before immersing the food in the air fryer, sprinkle it with oil (not in excess) so as to use the appliance without fully losing the taste of traditional fried food.
The pros
As for the advantages of this new tool, first of all we must indicate the versatility.
In fact, we are talking about a brand new appliance which, unlike the classic oil fryers, can also be used as an oven.
Secondly, there is the odor aspect to consider. If with the classic frying we go outdoors so as not to “contaminate” the kitchen, in the case of the air fryer there will be no acrid odors, or oil stains, to dirty the internal environment. Which makes it, therefore, to all the most modern kitchens, almost chic.
In addition, those who use the air fryer will have very tasty dishes, full of flavor, but with a much lower caloric intake. Those who always give up french fries, meatballs or omelettes, can say goodbye to deprivation.
Finally it must be said that the air fryer, in spite of the oil one, is very easy to clean. We will not have to use elbow grease to clean and disinfect our air fryer, as we do for the classic one which often remains greasy with oil.
The cons
As for the disadvantages, of course there are. First of all you will have to buy a fryer model with costs on average higher than the classic models.
There are numerous reviews of air fryers that will help you in your choice. However, it goes from a minimum of € 100 up to € 200 to go up for the top-of-the-range models.
In fact, while saving in buying oil for frying (which in any case does not cost much) we will spend much more in terms of electricity consumption.
In fact, consider that the most renowned models on the market, since the heating process requires high temperatures, need a high power, between 800 and 2000 watts to work.
Precisely in view of this large consumption, the latest models proposed on the market have also been made taking into account the eco-sustainable and saving policy.
You will then find some of these fryers with high energy classes, for example A, triple AAA, etc. In this way we will have a healthy and light fried food, also consuming little electricity.
Last but not least, the ultimate disadvantage to consider is cooking. There are some things that in fact cannot be “fried” with air- for example homemade pizzas in batter, or anything else that risks not holding and starting to come off in the air fryer, thus losing the very sense of fried food.
Finally, perhaps the strongest disadvantage is that the more traditionalists will notice the difference in taste and flavor, even if not so decisive.
Having said that mix these advantages and disadvantages and make your decision, a nice mixed fried fish is waiting for you!
