From ingredients to skin type, here’s what to check before choosing: A practical reader guide

From ingredients to skin type, here’s what to check before choosing: A practical reader guide

Kitchen appliances have undergone a major transformation with advancements in technology. With health-conscious cooking gaining popularity, air fryers have become one of the most sought-after kitchen appliances, offering a convenient way to prepare quick meals with less oil. However, with a wide variety of options available in the market, choosing one that fits your needs can be challenging. Also read | Before you buy: From ingredients to skin type, here’s what to check before choosing a skincare serum

Buyers can now choose from compact baskets, oven-style units, dual-zone machines and glass models, at a wide range of prices. Knowing what you need makes the choice much easier. Models that come with two container sizes let you switch between a quick solo snack and a family meal without heating more space than you need. Wattage decides how fast an air fryer heats up and how well it browns food. Every time you open a drawer to check on food, heat escapes. A viewing window or transparent glass container lets you watch pakoras turn golden and take them out at the right moment.

A 2–3 litre unit works well for one or two people, while a family of four is better served by 4–6 litres. Models in the 1,500W–1,800W range reach temperature quickly and recover heat fast between batches. They are efficient too: a typical 20-minute cook uses just over half a unit of electricity.

Because food crisps best in a single layer, also look at the flat cooking surface,.

Mrunmay said, “From festive snacks to weeknight dinners, the air fryer has become a regular fixture in Indian kitchens.