Unlocking a New Food Tool - How the Air Fryer Works

In the realm of modern kitchen appliances, the air fryer has emerged as a revolutionary tool, transforming the way we cook and enjoy our favorite foods. This article will delve into the intricate workings of air fryers, explaining the science behind their operation and why they have become a game-changer in the culinary world.

What is the difference between an air fryer and a deep fryer?

1. The amount of oil needed during cooking.

Generally speaking, the amount of oil used in an air fryer may only be 2% of that used in a deep fryer for the same amount of food to be cooked. Why is there such a big difference in the amount of oil used between the two types of cookers?

First of all, an air fryer uses a high-powered fan to rapidly circulate hot air to bake the food, whereas a traditional deep fryer heats the oil and fat to high temperatures to cook it. This is what usually sees air fryers take almost zero time to preheat while deep fryers take up to 15 minutes.

2. Food texture is differentiated.

Secondly, an air fryer uses little to no oil so some foods come out dry and crisp, a deep fryer requires the oil to penetrate deeper into the food so the crust will be thicker and crisper.

Food fried in both types of equipment comes out crispy and juicy, but it tastes different, usually because the fried food is coated with a batter that is fried differently in an air fryer than in a deep fryer.

3. The way of frying is also different.

Air fryers fry food as long as the food wipes a layer of oil to help them color and crisp, adjust the settings, the equipment built-in large fan will dry the food for heating; deep frying requires food coated with a layer of flour or other, after the food is immersed in the preheated oil, through the high temperature of the oil to cook the food.

Flour batters and wet batters don't fry well in an air fryer, but they fry well in a deep fryer.

Of course, there are some other differences. More on how air fryers work and recommendations for buying will be told below.

What are the basics of an air fryer?

This refers specifically to the working principle of the Philips Air fryer, which is based on RUSH technology (short for Radiant and UpStream Heating), which was named Rapid Air Technology) when Philips introduced the Philips Airfryer. 

Schematic diagram of RUSH, from APDS websit

As we can see from the diagram above, on the one hand, radiant heat is generated by the heating element above the food; on the other hand, convection heat is generated by the strong upward flow of air through the opening at the bottom of the cooking cavity. The heat from both sources is completely concentrated on the food. In each cycle, there is no idle air circulating around the food, all air is forced through the food.

The special star-shaped design at the bottom of the cooking cavity optimizes the air flow pattern, so that the heat-loaded air is evenly distributed across the bottom of the food (this special star-shaped design is patented by Philips; other brands have different styles of baking trays at the bottom, and therefore the air flow varies).

This technology was originally created to mimic the effect of a deep fryer, with the difference being that it uses air rather than oil as the carrier of heat. Since oil can hold and transfer more heat per cubic decimeter than air, more air movement is required to achieve the same heat transfer effect.

Based on RUSH technology, the rapid air movement inside the air fryer allows for intense heat transfer to all aspects of the food and through very thick food. The heat radiation from the heater (partly far-infrared) penetrates deeply into the surface of the food. Thanks to the high heat transfer rate, the Air Fryer achieves deep-frying-like cooking results.

How to choose an air fryer?

How to buy an air fryer that suits your needs?When you are shopping, you can consider the capacity requirements family model and use of the size of the pan; functionality and cooking features, as well as easy to clean and maintain.Here are two hot-selling COSORI Air Fryer models.

COSORI"COSORI" is an acronym of "Cooking," "Smarter," with "Originality & Inspiration," which reflects the brand's core values from its establishment in2016.Ever since, Cosori has become well-known for their kitchen appliances, especially their stellar air fryer series.Today, both excellent R&D and a rapidly growing Cosori community are key components of the brand's work to revolutionize the home cooking experience.

COSORI CS358-AF Smart 5.8-Quart Air Fryer

5.8QT Large Airfryer, 12 in 1 Savable Custom Functions, Cookbook and Online Recipes, Nonstick and Dishwasher-Safe Detachable Square Basket.

· SAVE YOUR FAVORITE FLAVORS: With customizable cooking functions, you can customize and save the time and temperature of any preset. You can also add or remove a personal Shake Reminder to suit your preference

· AdaptIQ TECHNOLOGY: Rapid 360° air circulation heats food quickly, providing a crispy textures and even results, helping you make meals everyone will love

· 12 ONE-TOUCH COOKING FUNCTIONS: Steak, Chicken, Seafood, Shrimp, Bacon, Frozen Foods, French Fries, Vegetables, Toast, Bake, Preheat, Keep Warm

In conclusion, choosing the right air fryer involves considering your cooking needs, the appliance's features, ease of use, and maintenance. By taking these factors into account, you can confidently select an air fryer that not only meets but exceeds your expectations, elevating your culinary experience.