topic Re: Curious about air fryer popularly in Today's Special Value

Curious about air fryer popularly

smoochy — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:11:34 GMT

Don't have one, can't imagine why I would need one. I've been putting meals on the table my entire adult life without one.

What's the attraction? Am I seriously missing something?

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

grandma petes — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:29:54 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
Don't have one, can't imagine why I would need one. I've been putting meals on the table my entire adult life without one.

What's the attraction? Am I seriously missing something?

I thought the same thing....until my son got me this one for Mother's Day. It has been a total game changer for me. The match cook/smart cook features are awesome. Cooking two different foods, at different temps and different times and having them ready at the same time...incredible. I haven't used my regular oven since. Everything I've cooked has been fantastic. Saves time, energy and calories. It has really made meal prep a whole new experience. I've been cooking for 50 years and this has been the best appliance I've ever owned. Once you try it...you'll wonder how you cooked without it.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

shoesnbags — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:33:52 GMT

@grandma petes wrote:
@smoochy wrote:
Don't have one, can't imagine why I would need one. I've been putting meals on the table my entire adult life without one.

What's the attraction? Am I seriously missing something?
I thought the same thing....until my son got me this one for Mother's Day. It has been a total game changer for me. The match cook/smart cook features are awesome. Cooking two different foods, at different temps and different times and having them ready at the same time...incredible. I haven't used my regular oven since. Everything I've cooked has been fantastic. Saves time, energy and calories. It has really made meal prep a whole new experience. I've been cooking for 50 years and this has been the best appliance I've ever owned. Once you try it...you'll wonder how you cooked without it.

@grandma petes

Which air fryer do you have?

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

Icegoddess — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:46:03 GMT

I would buy the TSV IF you had the option to replace the two small baskets with one big basket. Even though there are two sets of controls, you could set them for the same time/temp and make it work for larger items.

For now, I'll stick with the small one I have. The TSV would also require more counter space I would have a hard time coming up with.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

MJDinVegas — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:51:23 GMT

Hi, @smoochy ! I have two of different types both Ninja. The smaller of the two is the more barrel shaped and we use it for fries, potatoes, veggies, frozen fish mostly. The other is the Ninja Foodi grill which also air fries. We use it mostly as a grill in winter when we don't want to grill outside. It's not as convenient air frying since it's harder to mix contents while cooking. The new one is interesting but the individual compartments look small to me even only for 2 people.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

Roscoe the Rascal — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:59:07 GMT

I'm always liking new cooking gadgets, but never use like I should. I have a Ninja grill and it does all kinds of stuff. I only grill steaks and burgers on it and does a fantastic job on those.

I guess I am in no rush to get supper on the table. I prepare, pop in oven and do something else as it cooks. Just me and husband. I get the table ready, make a salad and prepare a veggie or read the paper. Sometimes I start the meal and go walk the dog and he finishes it up.

I don't use the oven every night either. Sometimes cook extra and have leftovers. Sometimes stir fry. If I lived alone maybe different story.

I do not need another item on my counter. I'm sure it is a nice appliance to have.

Two things I can't do without is a dishwasher and a microwave.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

TheMemphisVette — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 10:12:44 GMT

people love them or dont see a need.

i love my ninja!

my fav steak and roasted fresh veggies......delish! ohhhh and cornbread baked in it is yummm!

i do not do frozen fries or tots or cheese sticks or or or.........though i do understand that many think this is what an air fryer is for. no no no

10 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Whole Roast, Broil, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate, Reheat, and Pizza, all in one powerful 1800-watt appliance

i do not use a regular oven

i do not use a toaster

i do not use a toaster oven

i do not use a deep fryer

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

eadu4 — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 10:53:36 GMT

I had this one (broke it moving) and loved it. I could do both the meat and a vegetable and have it finish on time and it was big enough for both of us unless you eat a huge amount of food. IF you are using both sides it does take a little longer but other than that I found it worked great for me. Yes it is bigger (obviously) but to me it was worth it.

My husband now likes his chicken, fish, pork etc done in the air fryer much more than the oven. I replaced it with a barrel Insta-pot one and I like it but I miss the second basket. I use mine almost every night. On the plus side the house doesn't heat up like it would during the summer if using the oven.

For those that can't imagine why you would need one, well back in the day no one could imagine needing a microwave either. If you don't think you'll need it, you probably will be one of the ones that winds up griping about why you bought it and that you couldn't get it to work for you. For those of us that like to try new stuff and found we really like how it works we will continue to use it and enjoy it.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

KingstonsMom — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 10:34:45 GMT

@grandma petes

Please read the reviews on the TSV, one buyer posted photos showing the back of their unit melted (by the vents) and the scorched kitchen tiles.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

Ainhisg — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 16:47:26 GMT

I have a big Paula Deen 8.5 qt. air fryer I bought from ShopHQ several years ago. I love that thing! I love my pressure cooker more, but I digress. lol We don't eat a lot of convenience foods, but when we do, there is no comparison between using it and using the oven. And who wants to fry with hot popping grease on top of a stove? Not I. Nor do I want the calories. I make fried green tomatoes, salmon cakes, and grilled asparagus in mine besides using it to "bake" all frozen bread bread products like frozen bread sticks, cheese toast, etc. It's great to "bake" taco shells. You will never find crispier shells than those baked in an air fryer. It's great to heat up leftover pizza and crescent rolls--tastes just like they do after the initial cooking. I could go on and on, but I probably use it 3-4 times a week. If it died tomorrow, I would get another big one like I have now--and it is just my husband and me. We're not big people, but you can always cook less in a big air fryer; you can't cook more in a small one. I like the basket type of air fryer, because invariably, there will be that yellow grease that appears, and a basket type is so easy to clean and no one sees the stubborn leftover residue from that grease. Just my 2c!

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

millieshops — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 11:13:44 GMT

@MJDinVegas To me, the baskets look big enough that if I filled them even halfway, I'd always be eating leftovers.

The one demo I saw last night showed a whole small roaster in one and enough brussel sprouts for 4 in the other.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

Sweet Kitties — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 11:57:08 GMT

They make food a lot more crispy than putting in the oven. You can cut fat intake because they don't use oil. I bought one when I was on Nutrisystem. They made their low fat lunch wraps taste much better than microwaving them. I've been hooked on air fryers ever since then. It's kind of like if you never had a microwave before. Then when you get one, you realize how nice they are. That being said, they do take up a lot of counter space. I keep mine in the cabinet & bring it out when I use it. I hate counter clutter. Also, I haven't had much luck with Ninja products. I found an off brand one that works great.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

cindyNC — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:12:35 GMT

Ours is broken........the BF told me to pick one for him to purchase (he's the only one who uses it) but I'm overwhelmed by reviews etc.....only caveat is to keep it at $200 or less.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

grandma petes — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:17:49 GMT

@shoesnbags wrote:
@grandma petes wrote:
@smoochy wrote:
Don't have one, can't imagine why I would need one. I've been putting meals on the table my entire adult life without one.

What's the attraction? Am I seriously missing something?
I thought the same thing....until my son got me this one for Mother's Day. It has been a total game changer for me. The match cook/smart cook features are awesome. Cooking two different foods, at different temps and different times and having them ready at the same time...incredible. I haven't used my regular oven since. Everything I've cooked has been fantastic. Saves time, energy and calories. It has really made meal prep a whole new experience. I've been cooking for 50 years and this has been the best appliance I've ever owned. Once you try it...you'll wonder how you cooked without it.
@grandma petes
Which air fryer do you have?

I have the 8qt version of the TSV. Mine is an all digital one instead of the knob...but any version of this is awesome.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

amyb — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:23:11 GMT

I don't own one, and have a small condo kitchen with no "real estate" left...ok, one spot open for either air fryer or Kitchaid stand mixer...contemplating if I'll get either. Though not contemplating today's special, at this point.

Anyway, just fyi...I recently was watching about the PFOA's etc in non-stick cookware, and they mentioned making sure, if you buy an airfryer, get one where the basket is NOT non-stick, but stainless steel or I guess ceramic, if they even have those. But the point is...something safe, not the non-stick.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

bargainsgirl — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:06:29 GMT

I bought one and returned it. Way too loud and took up too much counter space. ALso, I just don't "cook" like that. Most of the foods seem to be ready made and you just heat up. Most, not all. I find this to be a useless tool for me. Give me a good knife and some good pans and I am ready to go.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

smoochy — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:15:21 GMT

lots of interesting responses. Thanks.

Even if I wanted an air fryer, I don't have the counter space.
I keep my slow cooker in a cupboard and pull it out when needed, which is fairly often.
Also I have a nice toaster oven in cupboard storage in case I want to use it.
I could actually live without a microwave, it's basically just a reheating appliance. I'd go back to reheating leftovers in a pan on the stove. Like in the olden days lol

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

RollTide2008 — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:16:20 GMT

I have this model and use it almost daily. I’m the time it takes my oven to reheat, food is nearly done in the air fryer. Last night I made chicken breasts in one side and sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts in the other. This morning my son toasted a bagel and heated some sausages.

Ninja air fryers are ceramic coated, not traditional nonstick. It’s super easy to clean.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

Effie54 — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:21:21 GMT

I bought one a year ago, used it for 2 weeks and returned it. I followed recipes to the letter, and felt it was messy, too much work and didn't like the outcome. I know most love theirs and wouldn't be without them. For me, it didn't fit the bill.

Re: Curious about air fryer popularly

DJs mom — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:22:29 GMT

@KingstonsMom wrote:
@grandma petes

Please read the reviews on the TSV, one buyer posted photos showing the back of their unit melted (by the vents) and the scorched kitchen tiles.

@KingstonsMom I read that review also, but wonder if the poster had the air fryer too close to the wall. As with any electronic appliance, you should never use if the vents are obstructed. They need room for air to circulate while in use.