Don't let a cramped kitchen keep you from buying an air fryer: there is a solution

There’s no denying that air fryers have had a huge impact on our kitchens in recent years. These latest cooking appliances have been flying off the shelves as we all try to get our hands on one of the best air fryers on the market.

Meals can be ready in minutes, saving time and energy. And traditional fried foods can be crispy to perfection without an unhealthy amount of oil. Air fryers have been a real winner for makers and home cooks.

But there is a downside. If you have a small kitchen with limited counter space, where can you place an air fryer without sacrificing your prep space? If you already have one of the best stand mixers, coffee makers, and bread makers on your counter, do you really want it cluttered with another appliance?

It was a problem I had myself. Although he desperately wanted to follow the trend and enjoy delicious air-fried chips without oil, my husband had other ideas. I was given an ultimatum: if you buy an air fryer, the bread maker has to go! As I use my Breville Custom Loaf bread maker regularly, I wasn’t prepared to store it in a cupboard to free up space, knowing that once out of sight I wouldn’t have the visual reminder that we could enjoy a good meal. freshly baked bread.

But fear not, there is a solution. You no longer need a countertop air fryer to enjoy the benefits of air frying technology. Manufacturers are now integrating air frying features into many of the best gas and electric ranges, allowing you to enjoy air fried foods without sacrificing your precious counter space. The only problem? You will need to replace your oven.

I asked SMEG and GE Appliances a few questions at a recent media event to learn more about the growing inclusion of air fry functions in ovens.

When did you introduce the air fry function to your ovens?

“In 2019, more than 4 million stand-alone air fryers were sold over a 12-month period, making it the fastest-growing small appliance segment in the United States,” said Amelia Hensley, Director cooking systems at GE. “Consumers loved it. this feature so much so that in 2021, we expanded Air Fry mode as a software update to more than 60 models and 200,000 consumers who purchased GE Appliances ranges in the last four years.

The free software update was available to all customers who purchased a cooker with Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing them to benefit from the No-Preheat Air Fry feature.

What was optional has become standard. “Now many of our products come with an additional button on the control panel,” Hensley said.

Meanwhile, Smeg launched its AirFry tray accessory in 2020, part of a wider collection, including a barbecue plate and pizza stone, allowing customers to get the most out of its ovens. “At the time of launch, the air-cooking trend was growing, and people were working to reduce their fat intake while still wanting crispy foods,” said Alice Snow, senior home economist. at Smeg.

With the Smeg AirFry accessory, whether you use a free-standing air fryer or cook food in the oven, the principle remains the same. “The AirFry accessory allows maximum air circulation around food. Minimal fat should be applied because the intense heat and airflow create a quick, crispy and healthier result,” Snow explained.

How does the air fry function work in an oven?

The air fry feature of GE Appliances ovens is based on a custom algorithm that quickly delivers heat to food. “Our ovens use multiple heaters as well as a convection fan,” Hensley explained. “The behavior of the oven heater and fan is optimized to produce crispy results while thoroughly cooking food within packaging and recipe times. We also tailor the air fry cycle to each oven system so that it is customized for that model for optimal and consistent performance across our entire range. »

All Smeg ovens have a function called Circular. “It is incredibly effective at moving air around food for fast, even cooking results without cross-transfer of flavors,” Snow said. “It’s ideal for air cooking because it’s an intense, moving air environment that foods need to crisp up quickly and evenly. Combined with the AirFry tray, which ensures that air circulates around every part of the food, the result will be as crispy as if you had fried the food.

Some Smeg ovens are equipped with a dedicated Airfry function. “This defaults to the best function and temperature, without the customer needing to adapt a recipe or cooking instructions,” says Snow.

However, Smeg advises you to use its AirFry tray accessory when using the air fry function.

Should you get an air fryer or other appliance with a built-in air fryer?

Cooking food on an air fryer rack in a GE Appliances range

(Image credit: GE appliances)

As consumers, we like choice, but I was curious if manufacturers thought they would move away from countertop air fryers. GE offers both free-standing air fryers, as well as other appliances, such as ovens, with built-in air fryer functionality.

“Air frying continues to be a popular feature, and we now offer toaster ovens with built-in air frying in addition to our wall ovens and ranges,” Hensley said. “We think we’ll continue to view air frying as a feature, especially integrated into products like our countertop ovens and ovens that have other cooking modes to save on counter space.

This may seem like an unusual route, but Smeg hasn’t jumped on the bandwagon of offering countertop air fryers. “Smeg is all about design and, if possible, keeping the counter clear,” Snow said. “Of course, the range includes many small household appliances that we all want to display. »

However, similar to my own experience, Snow acknowledged that “there’s only a limited amount of space” on the counter. She also sees a potential capacity issue when using a countertop air fryer, which can make it difficult to prepare an entire family meal. With the Smeg Air Fry option, additional racks can be added to the oven, making it cost effective when cooking larger meals. And the bonus: “There is no cross-transfer of flavors and odors: the user can combine a mixture of sweet and savory flavors or delicate and strong flavors. »

What changes can we expect in the air fryer market?

Roast chicken and potatoes cooked in an air fryer

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

There will always be a high demand for countertop air fryers. Still, as people gradually replace their cookers, they will consider the additional features an air fryer option will offer. This will partly depend on cost and the most cost-effective and energy-efficient option, while convenience is also key. It also depends on how you want to use the air fry function.

A countertop air fryer may be more convenient if you tend to reheat foods or prepare a small meal. If you want to cook larger meals, an air fryer function in an oven will give you greater capacity. Whatever your needs, you have no shortage of options.