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Stella's avatar

I feel like maybe air fryers are a bit of a fad, yet I am a bit of a luddite when it comes to the kitchen hehehe. It's basically a mini oven! Maybe I should try and see what the hype is all about.

I don't think it's a necessary piece of equipment enough to become a staple in people's kitchens. I can see a lot of people's air fryers perhaps getting chucked in a cupboard because they need more space and poof... it's forgotten about!

Boomer's avatar

This is exactly why we've not picked one up! 😝

There's cupboard in our utility room I call the kitchen graveyard. It's full of devices that aren't in regular use but are too good to get rid of 🙄

JB

I love my air fryer, I find that roast potatoes/chips always end up with a much more consistent crispy finish and it generally takes far less time than using a conventional oven.

I think the lower cost for use over an oven is always going to be a big draw for people, especially with utility bills being so high. It a convenient gadget and they are generally aesthetically pleasing to match other kitchen appliances.

I don't think there will be such high levels of sales moving forward but I don't think that is because of it being a fad, more that a lot of people will have already have one and there will be less of a rush for people to buy then as a result!

Boomer's avatar

You've said the magic word! 🤤 If anything would convince me to get one it's...

Horror and Cats's avatar

I got an air fryer as a gift from work and I make EVERYTHING in it. Toasted sandwiches, home made chicken strips, fried pickles, even cooking frozen pizza. It has replaced my oven and my microwave.

If it is a fad, I’m going to be wearing these proverbial bell-bottoms as my funeral suit. I love how much faster it is to make certain meals and the nice, even cook you get through things which historically can be a little tricky to get right.

BeyondBelief's avatar

I personally haven't used one nor do I own one, but I know plenty of people who do and say that they enjoy them! I think that they're great for people who live on their own or for someone who doesn't fancy turning on the oven for a full meal, there's plenty of use for them! I think it could be a faze, but I think they're so popular that I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon!

avrona's avatar

Between all the other appliances in our kitchens already, I think one of the largest things preventing me and many others from picking one up is simply space. Probably one of the big reasons why they're mainly so popular in larger American houses (on top of just the fact that Americans love frying stuff), but I don't think that for too many others the appeal of air frying something from time to time will be worth both the cost and space.

Paul's avatar

I have one but it has never left the box as I live in a one bedroom flat and my kitch in tiny.

I would love to use it as I would save money on energy and from what iv heard the food cooked in them is actually nicer.

When we move to a bigger home that will be one thing I will have out and likely use daily!

Sturmer's avatar

I don't currently own an air fryer, but I did have one back in 2011. I'm not entirely sure about the current hype, but it's worth noting that air fryers have been around for quite some time - since 1944, according to Wikipedia. From my experience, there wasn't anything particularly remarkable about it. My top kitchen gadget remains the multi-kettle, which I find incredibly versatile for all sorts of tasks. In comparison, the air fryer seemed like just another appliance, not offering the game-changing culinary experience some might expect. It's efficient and handy for certain dishes, but in my kitchen, it didn’t become an indispensable tool.

L

Well, here's my take on it: Air fryers have definitely carved out a niche in the culinary world, but will the hype die down? It's tough to say for sure.

One thing to consider is the growing concern over microplastics. If worries about plastic particles leaching into food from air fryer baskets or accessories become more prominent, it could certainly affect people's perception of these devices. Additionally, Teflon coatings, commonly used in air fryer baskets to prevent sticking, have raised some health and environmental concerns. If these worries escalate, there might be calls for alternatives to Teflon or increased regulation.

However, despite these potential issues, I don't see air fryers disappearing anytime soon. They've become a staple in many kitchens for a reason. Much like trendy diets or workout crazes, people love to talk about them and share their experiences. Plus, air fryers offer a convenient and healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, which appeals to a wide range of consumers. So, while the hype might ebb and flow, I think air fryers are here to stay.

Boomer's avatar

I wonder where the tipping point between consumer hype and public health will be?

Microplastics are all over the news recently, but do you think it'll be enough to change buying habits?

EveOnlineTutorials's avatar

So as a father of 7, food cooking quickly is often needed, whether it's been a long day or it's chicken nuggets and chips night, the air fryer is key in these situations, why? Well, I'm glad you asked.

So picture this

The oven has three shelves, each level cooks slightly less fast than the level above, this makes "timing" food that is supposed to take 20 minutes each, difficult.

Enter the air fryer, so, dual pod, left side fill with chips, right side with chicken nuggets, wait for 20-25 minutes, kids diners are a ready, good job, quick each and done.

Food is evening cooked, with no burned edges and I don't have all the outside chips cooked and the inside ones not cooked.

Air fryers are here to stay, I would put money on it and IMO they are going to get bigger and better to the point we can literally cook anything we want at home for as many people as we like!

I LOVE MY AIR FRYER, take it and Imma start WWIII

D

Absolutely not - a mini-oven that heats immediately and leaves things crispy and delicious without waiting for the damn oven to hear up, or resorting to a microwave. How can it ever die out?

Pop in your delicious goodies, walk away and do your thing, come back a short while later to perfectly cooked goodness.

You can create anything from crispy bacon, to pizzas and even a full roast dinner in some. Why on earth would we ever want that to fizzle out?

Boomer's avatar

Well when you put it like that...

Rich's avatar

I was waiting for this take. We have one, my partner swears by it, and it's made pretty much all our meals taste loads better with a nicer texture. Here to stay, for sure.

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