Many people ask if air frying is healthy, but understanding how an air fryer works can provide some reassurance. An air fryer is essentially a little oven that uses its unique shape and structure to generate outcomes that set it apart from the competitors. A fan circulates hot air around the food as it cooks using a combination of heat exchange and convection, resulting in a notably crisper surface.
Deep-fried dishes are definitely delicious, but their high fat and cholesterol content make them an unhealthy choice for health-conscious folks or anyone watching their weight. Air fryer technology has leveled levels of competition, even though it was previously nearly impossible to replicate the crispy outside and juicy interior of foods that have been cooked in hot oil. But how do air fryers work?
Difference Between Convectional and Conventional
In order to fully understand how air fryers actually work, we first need to understand the two different types of cooking methods involved in our everyday lives. Both of these cooking techniques are incredibly efficient, but they involve two different kinds of heat transfer. Let’s see the difference between these methods in the table below:
| Conventional Cooking (Oven) | Convectional Cooking (Air Fryer) |
| Conventional cooking occurs when object (in this instance, an oven) becomes hot and transfers the energy to the molecule directly next to it (i.e. the pot that we use to cook). After heating, every molecule transfers heat to the next (i.e. the food we are cooking), and continues to do so. | In terms of how heat is transferred from the heating of the molecules to the food, they are very similar processes, however: presence of a fan to distribute heat is the only difference between convectional and conventional cooking methods. |
| Conventional cooking uses the agent to transfer the heat. For instance a chunk of butter or an oil. | Convectional cooking generally does not involve the use of butter or oil (small portion if required) and uses air as a heating agent |
| Conventional cooking involves gas, electricity or direct fire. | Convectional cooking uses electricity. |
| Conventional cooking is time consuming. | Convectional cooking is quicker. |
| Conventional cooking can prepare a huge meal at once. For example: this process can cook food for hundreds of people at once. | Convectional cooking usually limits the quantity of meal that can be cooked at once. |
| It is harder to clean. | It is easier to clean. |
How Does Air Frying Work?
As we have understood the key difference between convectional and conductional cooking. Now, we will look at the science of air frying. To understand how air fryers work, we need to understand the process involved, which has been explained below:
- Although there are numerous variations available, an air fryer is essentially a countertop electrical appliance with temperature and timing adjustments as well as a removable basket or other container that holds the food as it cooks.
- Through the use of a mechanism known as rapid air technology, the food gets cooked equally on all sides as the fan swiftly moves hot air around it. A heating element positioned at the upper part of the machine radiates heat downward where the food is placed.
- The compact and airtight design of air fryers ensures that all airflow stays inside the chamber and circulates around the food, accelerating and optimizing the cooking process.
- Energy is transferred by the movement of a liquid or gaseous medium in this type of heat transfer, which is also also known as convection.
- In order to speed up internal cooking, some air fryers additionally use far infrared radiation, which is produced when electromagnetic waves with wavelengths between 3000 nanometers and 0.1 millimeters vibrate molecules in the food being cooked.
- Furthermore, leftover fat and residues generally drip into a compartment under the food and are removed, significantly lowering the amount of fat consumed by the user.
Types of Air Fryers
The market is filled with a variety of air fryer models. They have a wide range of uses and come in an assortment of styles. They all still use convection heat when cooking, though, so this makes no difference. Some of which are listed here:
- Square
- Small Toaster Oven Style
- Air Frying Lids
- Egg
- Large Multi-capacity Ovens
Advantages of Air Fryers
There are several benefits of using air fryers some of which will be discussed briefly in the section below:
It is Safer
It may sound funny to the professional chefs out there but a significant number of amateur cooks gets burnt while frying food at home, sometimes getting a 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Being nearby an oven, keeping a close watch is important while preparing meals in hot oil. You can cook delicious meals while staying a safe distance from the heat source thanks to an air fryer.
Easier to Use
They’re also quite simple to use. Everything you need to do is set the machine with your preferred foods in removable basket. Instead of laboring over a hot stovetop, you can spend more time enjoying meals while spending time with friends and family because the appliance will take care of all the work for you.
Time Saving
While traditional fryers require more than 10 minutes to cook food, air fryers can prepare food in around 4 minutes. Because of its faster cooking time, you don’t have to worry about the food burning or being overdone as frequently as you would in a traditional fryer. It also saves time by preheating within a couple of minutes.
Lower the Use of Oil
The hot air circulating inside an air fryer can give food the crispy and crunchy texture that so many of us desire. This can be achieved with very little to no oil added for flavoring or to assist cooking. A teaspoon or two is usually enough for an hour of air frying, This method does not completely replace deep-frying, but it does a good job of replicating fried dishes for those who want part of the texture and flavor without all of the added oil.
Versatile
It can also be versatile with the range of meals that it cooks. We can prepare anything from desserts to the main course. As there are a number of recipes floating around on the internet, you can pick any and prepare them with your air fryer.
Healthier Food
As we already know, air fryers require little to no oil and can be a healthier option compared to conventional cooking. Lowering the amount of oil and fats while preparing food will help you cut calories and other harmful substances. It can also assist in preserving nutrients such as vitamin C and polyphenols, which are often lost during conventional cooking.
Easier to Clean
An air fryer uses a basket to hold food while cooking, which is placed inside the fryer. This can stop the oil splatter and the use of multiple pots and pans to prepare food. Most of the air fryers are non-stick and safe to put in the dishwasher.
Drawbacks of Air Fryers
Everything has advantages and disadvantages, and air fryers are no exception. Although there are numerous benefits to using an air fryer, there are also some drawbacks. Some of these have been briefly mentioned here:
Limited Capacity
The size and shape of most air fryer baskets limit how much you can cook at once. Big households or reunions will require longer cooking times because food will have to be prepared in batches. If your kitchen space is limited, storing this largest air fryer may be a challenge.
Inconsistent Texture
Another issue with air fryers is inconsistent crispiness. Fried chicken or fries cooked in an air fryer may not always equal the crispiness achieved with deep frying pan methods. That’s because traditional frying causes food to absorb more oil, resulting in the desired crunch effect.
Conclusion
In this article, we briefly discussed about the air fryers, its differences with the conventional methods of cooking, science of the air fryers, its benefits and limitations. Please feel free to ask anything
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Video Reference
Other References
- https://aminahshahid.medium.com/what-is-rapid-air-technology-95bbbc101bc
- https://www.johnshoes.com/blog/post/5-benefits-of-an-air-fryer-why-you-need-one.html
- https://www.alsothecrumbsplease.com/disadvantages-of-air-fryers/
- https://twosleevers.com/how-does-an-air-fryer-work/
- https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/how-do-air-fryers-work
