How to choose an air grill?

An air grill or convection oven is a relatively new type of kitchen equipment, but it has already won the love of many housewives. If you are thinking about purchasing this equipment, but don’t know how to choose a home grill, we will try to tell you below.

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What is an air grill for?

Air grill is a unique appliance that can replace both an oven, a stove, a microwave, and even a toaster or a double boiler.

The aero prefix means that the grill does its job thanks to the flow of air. It works by convection: the heating element creates hot air, which gradually heats the food, and the fan distributes the air so that the food heats up evenly.

Important! This cooking process is safer than, for example, in the microwave.

The device and equipment

A conventional air grill consists of:

• a fan;
• a glass flask on a stand;
• covers with heater and control panel.

Important! Depending on the configuration, inside the flask can be installed baking sheets, wire racks and even skewers.

The ability to install several wire racks and trays allows you to cook several different dishes at once in the appliance.

Important! Do not fry meat and try to bake buns at the same time. The smells of the dishes will mix, and you will not get the result you expected.

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Functions

Different models have a different set of functions. In new types of air grills, mechanisms have been developed that allow housewives to regulate not only the temperature regime, but also the speed of blowing. To choose the right grill for the home, the functionality of the device must be taken into account, based on your needs.

The main functions of air grills:

1. Temperature control is a must-have feature and should be supported by all models. The temperature regime may vary, but mainly varies from 60 to 260 degrees Celsius.
2. Maintaining the temperature is an additional function in which the dish will maintain the temperature after it is cooked.
3. Convection speed control is an optional feature, but very useful. With its help, you can adjust how much the dish will blow. This will affect the formation of a delicious crust and cooking speed.
4. Deferred inclusion - not available on all models, but very convenient. With this function, you can set the timer for the required time, and the dish will be prepared exactly for your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
5. Cooking programs - this smart option is in most expensive models. It is convenient for those who do not want to monitor temperature or time. The option allows you to simply add the necessary ingredients of the dish and set the desired mode.

Important! Also, various manufacturers offer the following additional modes:

• defrosting;
• drying;
• grill;
• frying;
• bakery products;
• smoking.

But not even the most expensive model can easily cope with the preparation of meat, fish, vegetables, pastries and heating food.

Important! For comparison, also read about alternative cooking techniques:

• Slow cooker or multicooker pressure cooker - which is better?
• A double boiler or a slow cooker - which is better?

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Air grill selection

Before headlong to run to buy new equipment, you need to disassemble its main functions, compare models to choose the appropriate option.Different manufacturers offer an extensive range of functions, and among this variety remains a difficult question, what should a beginner pay attention to. Consider the important parameters that you should pay attention to before choosing an aerogrill.

Heating element

Today, heating air grills is represented by metal tubular electric heaters or glass halogen lamps:

1. The first type of heater can easily last up to ten years, but its heating is very slow.
2. The service life of a halogen lamp is only about three years. But a halogen lamp has its own advantages: it processes food more carefully, and unlike a heating element, it is not susceptible to oxidation and will cook food much faster.

Important! If you decide to purchase an air grill, which will last a long time, then it is better to stop the choice on the option with a tubular heater. If the price of such a device is too high for you, you can purchase a more budgetary, but less durable option.

Cap

The quality of its work and the prepared food will depend on how the aerogrill is reliably closed.

Today, instrument covers are presented with options on mounts, and without them:

1. The minus of the attached cover will be the additional weight of the equipment and the reduction of its volume.
2. Of the minuses of the removable version, the hostesses note a risk of burns and inconvenience when storing a single item.

Control

1. Aerogrill control in modern models of such household appliances is represented by mechanical or electronic options:
   If for cooking you only need to know the time and temperature, then the mechanical option is quite suitable. All his control is focused on the switch, which rotates to the required values.
2. If you need more controllable functions, for example: adjustment of the blowing speed, exact temperature, various cooking modes, delayed cooking according to the set time, then your option is an electric grill with electronic control. Such a device is equipped with a display with basic information about its operation.

Important! The display can be touch-sensitive or operate from buttons, and everyone can choose the most convenient option for themselves.

If we compare the cost of these options, then mechanical control of the air grill is much cheaper than its advanced electronic counterpart. Consider this factor before choosing an aerogrill.

The size

Typically, the size of the air grills is indicated by two numbers:

1. The first means the size of the inner bowl.
2. The second - indicates the volume in the presence of additional elements.

Conventionally, appliances can be divided into small ones - up to 12 liters with additions, medium and large (more than 16 liters):

1. Large models take up more space and time for cooking, but they can cook for 10 or more people.
2. Small models are compact, they are much easier to wash, and they are designed for a family of 2-3 people.

Important! The most popular models today have a volume of 5 to 12 liters.

Power

It is important to pay particular attention to this characteristic. Aerogrill is not one of those appliances that save electricity. Small air grills with a minimum set of functions can work at a power of 1000 watts, but for volumetric models with a large bowl and with all the additional parameters, there may be a little 1700 watts.

Important! The home option is the golden mean with a power of about 1300 watts. If you intend to purchase a more powerful option, get ready for the fact that the bill for electricity can greatly increase.

Optional accessories

In the configuration, manufacturers often add additional useful accessories to the device itself. Their presence, of course, increases the price, but in most cases they are very useful, and sometimes irreplaceable.

Accessories:

1. Lattice - usually there are several pieces. This makes it possible to cook several different dishes at once in the device.
2. Baking tray - perfect for preparing dishes in foil or for baking.
3. Additional rings - allow you to expand the volume of air grill.
4. Skewers - it’s convenient to cook kebabs on them without leaving your home.
5. Nozzle for grilling - any meat is much more useful if you cook it in an air grill, rather than buying ready-made grill products in stores.
6. Tongs - help housewives not get burned while extracting cooked foods.
7. Double boiler - with it it is easy and simple to cook healthy food in an air grill.

Important! The list of additional devices does not end there, so before deciding which aerogrill is best to choose, pay attention to its configuration. Choose those options that will really be useful to you, so as not to overpay for unnecessary functionality.

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Popular models

Today, manufacturers present different models, with completely different prices for air grills. Functions are sometimes so incomprehensible that it is easy to get confused not only for a novice, but also for a specialist. Let's try to compare the most famous brands. Let's start with the most budget options and gradually move on to more expensive models.

Air Grill UNIT UCO-916

Unit is an Austrian brand known in Russia since 1993. The company has established itself as a good manufacturer of inexpensive household appliances for the home and kitchen - from small kettles to vacuum cleaners and air grills.

Characteristics:

• The heater is halogen.
• Volume - 7 liters.
• Power - 1000 watts.
• Management is mechanical.
• The cover is removable.
• Additional rings are absent.
• Additional functions: self-cleaning, timer for an hour, indicator light.
• Options - tongs, lower grill.

Important! Customer reviews note the bulky design, the inability to put an extra bowl. Of the advantages, an attractive price and fast heating of the device stand out.

Air grill DAEWOO DAG-2211

The Korean company DAEWOO has long been familiar to Russian consumers, since a huge corporation includes various divisions that produce everything from automobiles to household appliances. The brand division - DAEWOO Electronics makes various electronic devices of the middle price category, which include both office and household appliances.

Characteristics of the air grill:

• The heater is halogen.
• Volume - 12 liters.
• Power - 1200 watts.
• Management is mechanical.
• The cover is removable.
• Additional rings - one.
• Additional functions - self-cleaning, timer for an hour, indicator light.
• Complete set - nippers, lower and upper lattices.

Important! The price of such a device is quite attractive, but the device is large, so in a small kitchen it will be difficult for him to find a suitable installation location.

Aerogrill POLARIS PAG 1207

Polaris is also a bright representative of the home appliance market in Russia, but the company began to produce air grills relatively recently. The middle price segment and the quality of the devices of this brand attract customers.

Model Features:

• The heater is halogen.
• Volume - 7-10 liters.
• Power - 1000 watts.
• Management is mechanical.
• The cover is removable.
• Additional rings - one.
• Additional functions: timer for 60 minutes, self-cleaning, auto power off.
• Complete set - tongs, a baking sheet, two lattices.

Important! According to reviews, problems with self-cleaning and a small volume of the bulb are noted, of the advantages are compactness and low price of the device.

Air Grill VES AX-730

VES is not a well-known Russian consumer company whose main focus is the development and sale of air grills. Since the company is not sprayed on various household appliances, the quality of its products in comparison with previous models increases, but the cost at the same time becomes above average.

Characteristics:

• The heater is halogen.
• Volume - 12-17 liters.
• Power - 1350 watts.
• Management - electronic.
• Cover - bracket.
• Additional rings - one.
• Additional functions: automatic shutdown, self-cleaning, 2-hour timer, LCD display, temperature maintenance and adjustment, convection speed adjustment.
• Complete set: two lattices 4 skewers, nippers, support for a cover, support for a bird.

Important! Users note the simplicity and convenience of this air grill, the relatively low price and compactness. At the same time, many housewives complained about the inconvenience of the bracket cover and the long heating of the device.

Hot Grill Hotter HX-1098 Smart

Hotter today is the most famous brand of air grills. Due to their quality, the devices of this brand have won the hearts of many housewives. The price segment of Hotter air grills is average and above average.

Characteristics:

• The heater is metal.
• Volume - 10-14 liters.
• Power - 1300 watts.
• Management - electronic.
• Cover - bracket.
• Additional rings - one.
• Additional functions: self-cleaning, convection speed adjustment, touch screen, 10 different cooking programs, protection against voltage surges, day timer.
• Options: 3 wire racks, baking tray, tongs, 4 skewers.

Important! Reviews note the convenience and ease of control, fast heating. Of the minuses, a not very large flask and a high cost were noted.

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Safety precautions

Whichever grill you choose, it is important to remember the precautions:

1. Before use, the flask must be warmed up.
2. If the device is equipped with a sensor, do not allow water or grease to enter the panel.
3. In no case do you turn on the air grill with plastic or wooden products inside.
4. When opening the cover of the switched on device, be as careful as possible.

Important! The device makes life easier for many housewives, simple and easy to use, but if there are small children at home, it is better to play it safe and think in advance of a place where it can not do harm.

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Pros and Cons of Air Grills

If you still doubt whether it is worth choosing an air grill for the house or it is quite possible to do without it, it will not be superfluous to know about the advantages and disadvantages of such a technique.

Pros:

1. The main advantage of convection ovens is the ability to cook without the use of oil. Processing food with hot air allows you to create delicious dishes, with maximum preservation of all nutrients.
2. Another important advantage of this technique is its compactness - the air grill fits in any kitchen and is also easy to transport.
3. They liked the air grills for most housewives for their multifunctionality.

Minuses:

1. High power consumption of the device.
2. Small volume, as well as various advertising tricks of manufacturers. For example, pastries that are difficult to prepare are not possible using an air grill.

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Summary

Aerogrill is a very convenient device that allows you to cook a wide variety of dishes without oil and fat. Its functions depend on the chosen model, but even the simplest options can replace a stove, microwave, toaster, slow cooker or double boiler.

If we compare such popular kitchen appliances as an air grill, a slow cooker and a microwave oven with convection function, we can not say unequivocally which of the appliances is better. The difference of all three devices lies in their principle of operation:

• a crock-pot, in fact, is an electric pan;
• the microwave uses radiation at high frequencies for its work;
• air grill - hot air currents.

Accordingly - the same dish, cooked in three different devices will have a completely different taste.

Important! The cost of good models of air grills is great, but if you take into account their multifunctionality, then it is better not to save on purchase, and to get a faithful and high-quality assistant for the long term.

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We hope that now it’s much easier for you to decide what you really need, and you can choose your home grill not just to stand, but to really use it and delight your loved ones with delicious and healthy food.