Air fryer, deep fryer, raclette, plancha: choosing your sociable cooking appliances well
Golden chips, a raclette with friends, pancakes on Sunday: these appliances are a pleasure and often get used. The most important thing is to choose the right size for your table.
- Air fryer : crispy with a spoonful of oil
- Fryer : the taste of a chip shop, double-fried
- Raclette and fondue: allow one pan or one fork per person
- Check the power, the thermostat and the cleaning
Air fryer or deep fryer?
| Air fryer | Fryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | A spoonful or none | 1 to 4 litres of oil or fat |
| Chip flavour | Crispy, lighter | The chip shop taste, double-fried |
| Smell | Low | Stronger (filter recommended) |
| What else it does | Chicken, fish, vegetables, cakes, reheating | Mainly frying |
| Cleaning | Non-stick basket, often dishwasher-safe | Oil that can be filtered and changed, washable pan |
Airfryer 3 to 4 L
Compact, it heats up quickly and often replaces the oven for small portions.
Airfryer 5 L and up
Large enough for a family portion of chips or a small chicken. Models with two drawers cook two foods at different settings.
Deep fryer with thermostat
An adjustable thermostat for both frying stages (blanching, then browning), a removable pan and an anti-odour filter.
For crispy chips in the airfryer, dry the potatoes well, add a spoonful of oil and shake the basket halfway through cooking.
Appliances for get-togethers with friends
| Device | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Raclette | Number of pans (6, 8, 10), grill plate or stone on top, long enough cable |
| Fondue | Suitable pot (bourguignonne, savoyarde or chocolate), thermostat, number of forks |
| 3-in-1 appliance | Raclette, fondue and grill in one appliance: handy for variety |
| Plancha and tabletop grill | Cooking surface, two heat zones, removable grease tray |
| Crêpe maker and waffle iron | Diameter, removable plates that go in the dishwasher, Brussels or Liège waffle plates |
| Steamer and multicooker | Number of baskets, programmes, timer and keep-warm function |
In every case, check the power (a powerful appliance heats up faster and keeps its heat when you add the food), an adjustable thermostat and the parts that go in the dishwasher.
Our sociable cooking appliances
Prices and availability shown on product pages are the reference; Nimesclub members often get a reduced price.
All our small kitchen appliances are in the small appliances.
Frequently asked questions
Does an airfryer replace a deep fryer?
For most families, yes: chips, nuggets, vegetables and crispy chicken with very little oil. For the exact taste of Belgian friterie chips, cooked twice in fat, a deep fryer remains unbeatable.
What size airfryer should I choose?
Around 3 to 4 litres for 1 to 2 people, 5 litres and up for a family. Models with two drawers cook two foods at the same time.
How many pans for a raclette?
One per person. Appliances with 6 to 8 pans suit most gatherings; beyond that, choose a 10-person model or two appliances.
How can I reduce deep fryer smells?
Choose a model with a lid and anti-odour filter, don't overheat the oil, and filter or change it regularly.
Come and see the appliances in person
At our Temploux shop, we open the doors and compare drums and finishes. Or ask our expert sales adviser online, right now.
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