How is really different then a convection oven? seems like these reviews are fake, theres only 1 verified purchased. other sites aren't so positive!
193367
Hi. Real life customer here. I had one of these in Australia for about a year (they seem more popular there and you can buy them at most appliance retailers). We loved it so much we hunted one down in the US when we moved there earlier this year. It does a brilliant job of giving you the taste and crispiness of fried food without any of the oil. It really works. It is good for frozen fries, chicken nuggets and other types of frozen oven bake style fried foods. Heating in an oven gives a good result but this is much faster and is just like it has been freshly fried...with zero oil. It is also brilliant at reheating takeout. No more yuk cold McDonald's fries when you get home with your burger. It is not a straight replacement for a deep fryer though. I sometimes use it to cook fried chicken, but I coat the chicken pieces in seasoning, then shallow fry in a frypan for 2-3 minutes each side just to get some oil into the pieces and then put in the air fryer for 10 minutes. They come out perfect. My mum skips the shallow fry step but just sprays some oil (Pam) on them then air fries them. They come out pretty good but I find them a little dryer - not quite golden KFC style. I've not tried baking with it, though I have done nachos in it which turned out well. Also anything you want to cook in a batter will still need to be 'sealed' by shallow frying it first before moving to the air fryer. To be honest, we mostly use it for frozen fried foods (fries, chicken pieces) because it is fast and gives a perfect result...and it is worth it just for this!
193368
In my opinion the Philips Air Fryer is excellent. I have prepared various foods and all turned out great (chicken, nuggets, hamburger, kibe...). I use much more than the microwave. Besides being easy and convenient, the food does not lose quality, are tasty and healthy.
193369
It really fries all meats without a single drop of oil. Chicken, shrimps, beefs, french fries, etc. The only downside is that is small and cleaning, but if you have a dish washer won't be an issue.
193370
I agree that some reviews look fishy (as are some answers to your question). Yes, this is essentially a small convection oven, not a "fryer". You will get exactly the same results in a convection (or regular) oven.
193371
Not quite sure how convection oven works, however this one circulates hot air over, under and around. Little oil required. Frying crispy without lots of oil. Also cooks fast. I like it for cooking and convenience. Hope this helps.
193372
Don't waste your money, the product does not hold up to it's advertising. I have one, can't get rid of it. What a waste of money!
193373
Honestly, it's the best thing I've bought in years, cooking wise. It's a lot faster than the C.O. for a "fry" and the taste is just as good! I think it's almost as good as frying in oil! I use it daily for battered fish or chicken, potatos, veggies, everything! One GREAT machine! I love it! I've had a few friends buy it after a cooked for them using it. So it's def a VERY POSITIVE review!
193374
Basic logic behind the gadget is to coat food with thin layer of oil containing skin, or add minimal amount of oil inside food. That way, there will be very little oil evaporation during heating. Judging from my experiments, unless you have a good reason to minimize oil intake or to avoid oil fume, I do not recommend. One problem is the temperature setting is too low. This may be necessery to minimize the evaporation of oil. However, for some recipe it does work. Since I have not tested all recipe, it all depending on your intention.
193375
It doesn't use any oil. It's fast to cook and the fries come crispy. I've bought it. It's great!!!
552877
It really doesn't get hot on the exterior. I adore this convection oven and use it almost every day. Have never felt that it is hot on the outside, in fact I keep a small metal decoration on top and it is no problem. Used up my first one in four years, and now on to my second. LOVE, love, love this oven.
1637652
Yes, they are two totally separate functions. You must tell it you are using convection oven cooking instead of the default microwave cooking. My daughter uses the convection oven to cook her gluten free pizza instead of heating up our large oven and waiting for it to come up to heat. We love both functions but if you wish to use it for convection only cooking, you may do so. :-)
1382746
I have the same question, because I have been just using the drip/bake pan that came with the box and it was bowing when I was using the convection oven but eventually came back to normal shape. This worries me that it's not made to withstand the heat. I'll let you know if I find anything.
1688419
The majority of the posts are positive. However, a few fuss about "breakage" and/or the heating element dying out after a couple of uses.What model is yours? I am begining to comprehend the proper uses and the best recipes, but "model numbers" are not given with the posts.MML
426517
I can tell you this, it is not true convection, it is combined. External temp reached over 110 degrees, attempting to return to Sharp, wish me luck, been going thru the return process for over a month now. I would not recommend to anyone who loves and have cooked in true convection ovens.
732247
I found this Proctor Silex toaster oven to heat very uneven for everything. Also always felt hot from the outside... was very poorly made. I returned it and bought and Oster, toaster/convection over. A little more money but well worth it. I have it for a year now and make almost all my meals in it! Great toast too! I hope this helps.
2086773
Yes, I've done both and was very pleased with the result. In fact, I like this better than my large Samsung convection oven.
604199
Excellent question and one I thought about before purchase and was prepared to place some ceramic tiles to absorb excess heat. But, it is not needed. The insulation is good and I can actually set my hand upon the top when it has been baking at 350 for 20 minutes. It continues to gain some heat, but nowheres near what the consumer countertop ovens I had before radiated. I think that is because the consumer models have NO insulation. I absolutely love the oven and it bakes better than my expensive double convection stainless Thermador. Hope that helps in your decision process. I don't see how you can go wrong if you get one of the ovens as pictured in the photo as I did. Good things have a way of changing locations of manufacturing if you know what I mean. ;)
2059513
Yes, but I use a convection oven. I dont know if there is a difference. But, i say it Just to warn.
492184
Great question, the guidelines for any Counter Top Halogen Convection Oven (Cooker) can provide general info. Many brands have their owners manual online, too. If you Google for Halogen Convection Counter Top Cooker, you will get British sites, where they love the cooker, but have different terms and taste.I have only bought one cook book, by Ojakangas, which I returned for credit as it is written for full size kitchen convection ovens, not the counter top kind.
2117311
We have our oven for about four years and never needed any repairs. I don't recommend buying this product - not powerful as a microwave (needs more time to nuke); too weak as a steamer (we revert back to using a bamboo steamer). The only merit is that it works good as a second oven. We paid $1000, at the same price we could have gotten a better looking microwave/convection oven combo.
191696
Don't have a clue -- I'm using it in my standard wall oven. I don't have a convection oven, and don't need it in my microwave. Sorry
920111
My bride of 44 years tell me that it is straight convection, when used in that mode. However, there is a compu cook mode, it will combine both means of convection and microwave. From my perspective, when using convection, we use a metal dish, and it doesn't spark. That seems to be the sign that it is only using convection when in the convection mode. I sure hope this helps. This is the second of these that we have had, and we both love it. Good luck, and again, I hope this helps you. Harry
392418
I'm sorry Sheila, I really wish I had as experience as you seem to have had, cooking for a family seems impossible since it cooks small amounts of food at a time. I found nothing juicy, tender nor crispy with the food and believe I tried various foods and temperatures before I returned it. I still feel its total waste of money a convection counter oven does a wonderful job, fast, juicy, crispy food in half the time of a regular oven and cooking spray still offers grease feel food. And takes up less space without all the clear up!
642348
I have baked cakes and cupcakes in this oven. The only thing I noticed is that when baking with the convection oven on, it takes less time for the baking to be done. So I check sooner than the directions suggest.
861673
I don't think there is a difference. The oven cooks using convection and infrared technology. I don't know why they list them different. I bought this black one with the extender ring. I love it. It comes with a pan, 2 metal racks, the extender ring and a DVD to show you how to use it. They also give you a plastic coated 8x11 card that is a quick guide to how long to cook meats and a little cook book. Here's my advice to you. They give you this lid holder. Don't use it. I think that is one of the reasons people's domes are cracking. The plastic gets really hot and the heating unit on top is heavy. When I want to check or turn the food, I pause it and completely take the dome off and place it upright on a wooden cutting board. Further more. When your food is done cooking, take the heating unit off the dome and let them cool separately. After the dome is cool, as in after your meal, hand wash it. People seem to have a problem with the dome cracking. I don't. I never put it in the dishwasher and I never leave it on it's side. Other than that, it's a great oven and I highly recommend it.