Tool Reviews

Aerogrill appeared on the market of household appliances about 30 years ago. It was developed as an alternative to the microwave oven.

The name “air grill” was born in Russia in the distribution company “Hotter” and was fixed in the market of electrical household appliances for this type of oven.

Device and principle of operation

Aerogrills are convection ovens, in which food is cooked by processing with hot air streams.

Are divided into:

• household;
• professional.

Differ:

• internal volume of the chamber;
• power;
• functionality.

The design includes:

• round flask (glass in most models);
• stand (plastic in most models);
• cover with built-in heating element and fan;
• air flow temperature controller (60-260°С);
• air flow rate regulator (convection);
• nozzle for increasing the volume (expansion ring 1-2 pieces).

As a heating element is used:

• A metal heating element is a more powerful heating element, during operation it can undergo oxidation and corrosion, has high mechanical strength, and does not need interruptions for cooling.
• Halogen heater (halogen glass-ceramic lamp) – is considered an environmentally friendly option, does not oxidize, but has a shorter working life.
• Carbon heater (infrared based on carbon filaments) is a high-tech product, has a high energy conversion rate and a long service life.

The air heated to the selected temperature circulates with the help of a fan throughout the entire volume of the air grill, evenly processing the products on the grill. Cooking in an air grill is equivalent to cooking in a Russian oven.

Purpose and functions

The main purpose of the air grill is the preparation of various dishes. In addition, it has the following useful features:

• defrosting;
• heating;
• bakery products;
• baking (grilling);
• sterilization of dishes and blanks (preservation for the winter);
• drying berries and mushrooms;
• preparation of dietary meals;
• languishing and pasteurization;
• smoking.

Airfryer Advantages:

• cooking up to 3 dishes at the same time using different containers in 30-40 minutes;
• cooking without the use of oils and fats;
• no odors when cooking;
• the process does not require the participation of the user, the device itself prepares the dish according to the selected program;
• the use of any heat-resistant dishes (preferably thin-walled).

Minuses:

• increased power consumption;
• longer cooking process in comparison with an electric or gas stove;
• the need for protection from children due to the strong heating of the flask;
• a small amount of household models, in particular for baking and baking, in comparison with a conventional oven;
• cannot replace all household appliances declared by manufacturers, in particular, a full-fledged steamer, except for models with steam humidification.

How to choose an aerogrill

Before choosing an air fryer, determine:

• what dishes are planned to be prepared;
• Are additional features needed?
• the planned power of the device and energy consumption.

Important parameters

• The volume of the flask – the manufacturer indicates 2 digits – the main one and increased with the help of a special ring nozzle. All models are divided into three groups: small (8-12l), medium (10-14l), large (12-16l).
• Power (energy consumption) – the possibility of cooking individual dishes, as well as the cost of the prepared dish, depends on it. It ranges from 800 to 1700 watts.

• Fan speed controller – if available, the optimal value of energy consumption is achieved. A good model offers a choice of blowing speed (usually 2-3 values).
• Heating element – halogen is considered environmentally friendly.

In most household models, it is he who is installed, however, time-tested heating elements, whose service life is several times higher than halogen ones (8-10 years versus 2-3 years), are widely used by manufacturers in household and professional convection ovens.

Secondary Options

• Cover design – can be hinged or removable, the first is more mobile, saves space.

• Type of control – mechanical and electronic, their reliability depends on the quality of the model and manufacturer. Electronic is programmed for more functions, mechanical is traditionally considered more reliable.
• Timer – all devices have this function, in more expensive models, the delay period is increased (from the start of programming to the inclusion of the air grill in operation). Budget models are programmed for 1 hour delay.
• Complete set – all models are equipped with a standard set of grills, in addition, the kit includes skewers (skewers) for roasting meat and vegetables, tongs, grills of different heights, baking sheets for home baking, tongs.

The best air grills without a bowl

Rating:

• hotter (1300W, UK);
• Redmond RAG-2410 (800W, USA-China);
• Redmond RAG-242 (800W, USA-China).

They differ from other types in the absence of a bowl. They are a functional lid that can be used with any container of the corresponding diameter. It could be:

• a bowl from a multicooker;
• any container made of ceramics, metal, heat-resistant glass.

Cover design:

• heating device;
• fan;
• handle with safety lock;
• mechanical regulators of time and temperature;
• cord for connecting to the mains (1.5-1.8 m).

Additionally equipped with:

• stand under the lid;
• high and low grating;
• tongs for extracting gratings;
• silicone mat.

Characteristics:

• power – 800-1300 W;
• heater – a metal heating element of increased reliability or a halogen lamp;
• cover diameter – 22.5-31 cm;
• mechanical or electronic control;
• temperature range – 0-250°С;
• time (cooking time) – 0-120 minutes;
• cooking start delay time – 1-4 hours;
• stable operation under voltage drops.

Pros:

• fast heating;
• compactness (requires less storage space than a conventional air grill);
• use of any container of suitable diameter available in the house;
• long service life (up to 10 years);
• It has self-cleaning and defrost functions.

Minuses:

• with an incorrectly selected temperature regime, overdrying of the dish is possible;
• it is required to select a container exactly according to the diameter of the lid to ensure complete tightness;
• during operation, the container must be placed on a wooden or metal stand to avoid deformation of the countertop (or other surface) due to high temperature.

The best halogen air grills

Rating:

• Supra AGS-1241 (1300 W, 12 l, Japan);
• GorenjeHOK1400W (1400 W, 12 l, Slovenia);
• UnitUCO-2700X (1300 W, 12 l, Austria);
• MysteryMCO-1505 (1300 W, 12 L, USA-China).

The heating element is a halogen lamp, which is a glass-ceramic tube that creates an infrared heat flux.

Characteristics:

• power – 1200-1400 W;
• flask volume – 7-12 l;
• operating range – 60-250°С;
• cover type – removable or on a bracket;
• delayed start – 2-6 hours;
• additional functions – self-cleaning, auto-shutdown, work with voltage drops;
• weight – 4-7 kg;
• cable length – 1.2-1.8 m.

Pros:

• faster heating (radiate heat immediately after switching on) and cooling;
• lighter in weight than an air grill with a heating element;
• not afraid of aggressive environments;
• more precise temperature setting;
• emits a bright soft light, it is easier to observe the work process.

Minuses:

• low impact resistance (brittleness);
• afraid of sudden changes in temperature (burns out);
• shorter service life.

The best gas air grills

Rating:

• Unox XBC 615 EG (Italy);
• Technoinox GFP05M (Italy);
• Zanolli Planet 8/MC Gas (Italy).

A professional type of convection oven used for fast baking of bakery products in culinary, gastronomy (grilling), restaurants and pastry shops.

Work for:

• natural gas;
• propane.

According to the installation method, they are divided into:

• desktop;
• floor.

The design includes:

• stainless steel chamber;
• glass door with double glass with an air layer;
• heat exchanger;
• tubular burner or coil with holes on top;
• fan;
• electronic or mechanical control system;
• function programming system.

Additional functions:

• automatic fan reverse;
• steam humidification;
• combined mode (convection + steam humidification);
• regeneration – defrosting and heating dishes, vacuum processing, pasteurization;
• preheating;
• temperature probe to control the temperature inside the food during cooking.

Characteristics:

• chamber volume – 1.2-1.5 m³;
• operating temperature – 30-300°С;
• fan motor power – 180-560 W;
• timer – 0-120 minutes;
• the number of levels – 6-10;
• distance between levels – 60-90 mm;
• control panel – electronic, mechanical, combined (electromechanical);
• adjustable functions – temperature, heat output, evaporation, baking time, backlight.

Pros:

• simultaneous preparation of dishes from various products without mixing odors;
• high quality of the finished product.

Minuses:

• heating of external surfaces;
• high price.

The best air grills for heating food

Rating:

• Hotter HX-1057 Elite Orange (1300 W, 10 l, UK);
• Unit UCO-921 (1300 W, 12 l, Austria);
• VESAX 730 (1350 W, 12 l, China).

There is no separate type for warming up. You can heat up cooked food in any air grill – professional and household. This may be a model with a different type of heating element:

• halogen;
• heating elements;
• carbon.

Reheated food is placed:

• in special containers;
• placed directly on the grid.

Models with electronic control have a “preheat” function, which is used to warm the flask before initial operation.

And in the future – to warm up cooked food and before some types of cooking (before baking, baking).

Characteristics:

• volume -10-13 l;
• power – 1300-1400 W;
• operating temperature range – 65-250°C;
• additional functions – preheating, self-cleaning, auto-off.

Pros:

• fast heating of cooked food;
• allows you to restore the ruddy crust, especially when warming up culinary pastries.

Minuses:

• longer in time than in the microwave;
• food is better heated on a high grate closer to the fan;
• limited amount of food to be heated in air grills with a small bowl.

The best professional aerogrills

Rating:

• WiesheuIS600 (electric, 18.4 kW, 8 levels, Germany);
• SmegAlfa 341 XM (electric, 16 kW, 10 levels, Italy);
• SinmagSM 710EE (electric, 19 kW, 10 levels, China).

Differ from household air grills:

• overall dimensions;
• high performance;
• functionality;
• power.

The design of professional models includes:

• stainless steel body;
• heating element (mainly heating elements);
• a system of two fans with the function of synchronous change in the direction of air flow;
• doors with double or triple glazing made of tempered glass with an air gap;
• electronic (the richest functionality), mechanical or electromechanical control system;
• backlight (halogen lamp) for visual control.

Additionally equipped with:

• grill for roasting meat;
• steam function;
• preheating function;
• stage-by-stage cooking system (3-4 stages);
• the function of measuring the temperature difference inside and outside the product;
• automatic cleaning system;
• external cooling system.

Professional aerogrills replace:

• stove;
• oven;
• oven cabinet;
• deep fryer;
• frying pan.

By type of heating are:

• electric – the heating element is a heating element (tubular electric heater), which is distinguished by reliability and durability;
• gas – run on natural gas or propane.

In electric air, the air is heated by a heating element, in gas – using a gas burner. With the help of a system of two fans working in different directions, hot air is evenly distributed throughout the convection oven.

Changing the direction of rotation of the fans (reverse) occurs automatically.

By chamber volume (capacity):

• small – hold 2-6 baking sheets;
• medium – 6-12;
• large – 12-20.

Characteristics:

• power – 10-18 kW;
• volume (capacity) of the chamber – 8-12 levels;
• distance between levels (trays) – 60-80 mm;
• operating temperature range – 50-300°С;
• timer range – 0-120 minutes;
• delayed start of cooking – up to 6-10 hours;
• the number of fan speeds is 2-3.

Pros:

• the baking process is significantly accelerated;
• baking uniformity;
• high quality of prepared dishes;
• baking without the use of fats and oils;
• maximum preservation of the beneficial properties of the ingredients (vitamins and trace elements) due to the reduction of cooking time.

Minuses:

• high price;
• significant power consumption in electric models;
• heating of external surfaces.

The best convection ovens with a shadow heater

Rating:

• Hotter HX-1037 Classic Black (1300W, 10L, UK);
• Delta DL-6003B (1400 W, 12 l, Russia).
• Vitesse VS-400 (1200 W, 12 l, France);

Models with a metal tubular electric heater in the form of a spiral. The principle of operation of the air grill does not differ from the halogen one. The heating element is located in the cover, which can be removable or hinged on the bracket.

Characteristics:

• volume – 10-12 l (in the presence of an expansion ring 16-18 l);
• power – 1200-1400 W;
• delayed start – 1-2 hours;
• timer – up to 10 hours (in yogurt mode – up to 24 hours);
• operating temperature range – 50-250°С;
• weight – 10-12 kg with a flask;
• control – mechanical or electronic;
• additional functions – self-cleaning, auto-off, control panel lock (protection from children), protective cover against overheating, up to 3 convection speeds.

Models with electronic control are more functional, they have up to 20 cooking programs for various dishes.

Pros:

• long working life;
• mechanical strength;
• work without interruption for cooling;
• do not overdry products;
• lower cost compared to other types.

Minuses:

• heavier in weight than halogen and carbon;
• in aggressive environments, they can oxidize (rust);
• low insulation resistance (probability of electrical breakdown).

The best universal air grills

Rating:

• RedmondRAG-241 (700-800 W, 22.5 cm, halogen, China);
• RedmondRAG-2410 (700-800 W, 22.5 cm, halogen, China);
• hotter (1300 W, 31 cm, heater, UK).

It is a multifunctional lid that can be used with a universal volume flask that is suitable in diameter.

Inside the lid are:

• heating element (halogen or heating element);
• fan.

Top cover:

• control panel (mechanical or electronic);
• ergonomic handle with safety lock.

Characteristics:

• cover diameter – 22.5-31 cm;
• power – 700-800 W;
• type of heater – halogen or heating element;
• operating temperature range – 60-250°С;
• cooking time range – 5-60 minutes;
• cord length – 1.5-1.8 m.

Additional equipment:

• gratings of different heights;
• forceps.

The main functions of the universal air grill:

• grill;
• bakery products;
• heating food;
• sterilization.

Additional functions:

• defrosting products;
• self-cleaning;
• automatic disconnection of the device from the mains while lifting the handle;
• work with voltage drops.

Pros:

• the use of any heat-resistant dishes suitable for the diameter of the lid;
• cooking two dishes at the same time using racks of different heights;
• acceleration of baking by 2-3 times;
• cooking without the use of fats and oils, which helps to reduce the calorie content of food.

Minuses:

• the dishes must exactly match the diameter of the lid so that there is no air access to the container;
• significant power consumption.

The best aerogrills with spray steam

Rating:

• Hotter HX-2098 Fitness (household, 1400 W, UK);
• Apach A5/4RUD (steam convection, professional, 2600 W, Italy);
• SmegAlfa 43GH (steam convection, professional, 3000 W, Italy);
• Unox XFT 135 (professional with steam humidification, 3000 W, Italy).

They were created on the basis of the recommendations of professional chefs, who noted that the taste of the dish is noticeably improved when the products are processed simultaneously or sequentially with hot air and steam.

The function is installed in household and professional air grills.

They work in two modes:

• convection;
• steam convection.

Depending on the model and manufacturer, vaporization occurs in two main ways:

• Injection. Water is injected onto the heating element and together with the air flow in the form of steam moves through the volume of the chamber.
• Boiler. The design of the air grill includes a heat exchanger (steam generator), in which steam is formed by heating water with a coolant.

Air grills of the 5th generation are a complete combination of:

• steamers;
• grill;
• ovens.

You can set different parameters for different stages of cooking:

• temperature;
• humidity;
• air flow rate (convection).

Steam is injected:

• automatically;
• manually.

Characteristics:

• power – 1150-1400 W;
• temperature control – 40-260 ° С;
• convection speed – 1-3;
• timer – up to 10 hours.

Additional functions:

• delay start of cooking;
• automatic shutdown;
• protection of external heating surfaces (thermal protective transparent casing);
• steam generation function inside the grill;
• step-by-step programming of dish preparation parameters;
• electronic programs for preparing ready meals (up to 200 for professional models).

Some professional models are directly connected to the water supply.

Pros:

• full cooking of dietary dishes, as in a double boiler;
• choice of steam treatment mode (up to the maximum humidity of dry air inside the flask);
• dishes are more tender, tastier and look more natural;
• Ideal for warming up food
• when reheated, they do not dry out, do not burn.

Minuses:

• significant energy consumption;
• high price.

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