The controls couldn’t be simpler, and we definitely didn’t need to consult the manual before getting started. Brussels sprouts, frozen French fries and breaded chicken cutlets came out just about perfect; all were browned, crisped, moist and tender. Homemade French fries came out reasonably browned and crispy without becoming dry or cardboard-like in just 18 minutes. This air fryer didn’t perform quite so well on chicken wings though, as these were cooked to doneness, but could have been better browned and crisped. As the manufacturer claims you can cook 2 pounds of French fries, we cooked a whole bag at once.
They’ve since sent us a replacement quickly (not an air fryer) without much hassle. We’ll write a more detailed comparison guide including pros and cons about these two air fryers which you can read soon. Because we have cooked so many different things in this air fryer, we thought it might be helpful to see how it performed on different types of foods. Yes, out of the box the Vortex® 6qt air fryer beeps when you touch any button, when preheating is done, when it’s time to turn the food, etc. Additionally, this air fryer pauses automatically when you open the basket. It will resume air frying once the basket is properly inserted again.
Both the insert and the basket are coated with non-stick, which means they mostly wipe clean and then need a little scrubbing with some dish soap and water. With this air fryer you get a removable air fryer insert grid which can be lifted and removed using a hook in the center of the grid. The drawer is not quite square, and we found it a little confusing to fit this inside the air fryer on the first use. Once we realised it needed to be turned 90 degrees, this was easy enough.
This means you can easily see how your food is doing without having to disrupt the cooking cycle. The Instant™ Vortex™ is perfect for quick meals on the go, with EvenCrisp™ technology for crispy, tender results every time. Fast, versatile, and convenient, make all your favorite finger foods with less oil and instant vortex no mess. The SyncCook gives the user a chance to cook the same thing in both baskets at the same time, whilst the SyncFinish ensures that whatever is being cooked in the baskets will finish at the same time. Odor Ease Filters, Again, cooking smells are never a problem for me – I like the smell of food.
Like the Ninja, it produced crispy yet tender chicken and golden brown french fries. The four preset options—air fry, bake, roast, and reheat—all performed perfectly. It is wider and heavier than the Ninja, which means it takes up more space on the countertop and is slightly less portable.
Bacon cooked on air fry was one of my favorite results in testing. It was crispy and the design of the slotted baking tray allows grease to drip through to a foil-lined crumb tray below, making cleanup nice and easy. Another great option is our best budget air fryer pick, the Beautiful 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore.
The basket takes up a lot of real estate in the washer — the nonstick coating releases debris with ease, so it was easy to clean with a sponge. Plus, you can use silicone air fryer liners to almost eliminate the need to wash it altogether. I’ve been testing air fryers regularly for a year, and have become very familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of various features, as well as what to look for in everyday use. Millie put this air fryer to the test for a number of weeks to make fries, bacon, and roasted vegetables. She will keep this review updated with any thoughts on how it compares to other models on the market.
We will continue to monitor and update our recommendations accordingly. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Many people don’t like to cook with Teflon coating for various different reasons that I won’t get into here, but this is a drawback for some people. What is cool about this, is that halfway through your cook cycle, it will beep at you and tell you to flip your food. Rotisserie Basket – At first, I wasn’t sure what to do with it or if I would use it, but I actually use it a lot. I also put anything that won’t fall apart with the tossing into it.
The fried chicken and waffles were especially impressive; my family couldn’t believe those chicken thighs hadn’t been deep fried when I brought them to the dinner table. Throughout the testing process, we also considered elements like the provided manual, clean-up process, and ease of use. We washed the accessories in the dishwasher—as advised—and monitored them for any deterioration or other damages along the way. The Ultenic K10 is a bit more of a statement piece aesthetically and rings in a similar size and capacity to the instant pot duo nova Slim. It’s a little pricier but comes with more presets, a companion app, and other smart features.