When it comes to choosing between an air fryer or a microwave, it depends on what you are looking to use it for. If you are looking to fry food, then an air fryer is the way to go. If you are looking to reheat food or cook simple meals, then a microwave is the better choice.
An air fryer is a countertop oven that uses hot air convection for making deep-fried, crisp foods without using any oil. It comes with adjustable temperature control that allows you to set the temperature of the air fryer to get the perfect cooking temperature for your food. If buying a new air fryer is on your shopping list you must read our blog on air fryer ovens to know more about them.
A microwave with convection is an electric oven that uses hot air to bake its contents and cook food to perfection. It has a separate heating chamber with a rotating turntable in the center to heat food evenly. This cooking appliance is popular because of its versatile cooking programs and easy-to-use interface. Both air fryers and microwaves have their own set of features and benefits that make them ideal for different types of cooking.
Air Fryer Or Microwave: What To Choose?
The major difference between microwaves and air fryers is that microwaves can heat and reheat food, whereas air fryers alter the way the food is cooked. You'll need a microwave if you're looking to heat or cook food. The air-fryer can be your preferred choice if you plan to cook healthy and get fryer-quality food items without using oil. We have listed some notable differences between the two appliances to help you decide which one should you buy.
Cooking Technique
An air fryer uses an inbuilt coil to produce heat. This, in turn, uses a fan to circulate the hot air within the chamber. A microwave has a heating element in the form of a tube called a magnetron. It blows out the heat produced by microwaves or high-frequency, short-length radio waves.
Cooking Time
An air fryer takes more time to cook the food as compared to a microwave. For example, if you decide to cook chicken wings in an air fryer, it might take you 15-20 minutes. It may take you around 3- 4 minutes when you cook the same in a microwave. Our genuine reviews show that the longer cooking time often results in a better infusion of flavors. That is why air fryers offer even and flavor-packed cooking.
Size
Microwave Sizes:
The top countertop microwaves are the best choice for convenient cooking. Figuring out what size you require is not that convenient, especially in the case of installing the microwave between cabinets. The majority of microwaves have between 1 and 2.2 cubic meters of internal space. The dimensions of the exterior differ based on the microwave model.
There are different types of microwaves in the market that offer distinct benefits. It doesn't matter if you are looking for an over-the-range microwave, countertop, air fryer oven, or built-in microwave, follow this guide on microwave sizes to find the ideal size.
| TYPE OF MICROWAVE | HEIGHT (IN.) | WIDTH (IN.) | DEPTH (IN.) | CAPACITY (CU. FT.) |
| Small Countertop Microwave | 10" - 11" | 15" - 18" | 12" - 16" | 0.5 - 0.9 |
| Standard and Large Microwave | 12" - 15" | 21" - 25" | 16" - 20" | 1.0 - 2.2 |
| Over-the-range Microwave | 17" - 10" (low profile) | 30" - 24" (compact) | 15" - 18" | 0.8 - 2.1 |
| Built-in Microwave | 17" - 22" | 24", 27" or 30" | 20" - 25" | 1.0 - 2.2 |
Airfryer Sizes:
We're here to help you decide with this easy air fryer size guide! No matter if you're a single person or have a family, we have the solution to your needs.
Versatility
Air Fryers are versatile cooking appliances. They can cook seafood recipes like crab cakes or vegan favorites like tofu, potato nuggets, potato wedges, etc. Microwaves can do all that and more. It can cook wet batter fish that you cannot cook with an air fryer.
Power Consumption
An air fryer uses less power than a microwave. Some models use around 1500 watts, with certain models using up to 1700 W. Based on customer reviews, a microwave uses 1200W for approximately 30-40 minutes of cooking with an additional power of 2-7 watts for other purposes like reheating.
Health Factor
You can cook without oil in air fryers and that is why they are a healthy option. Some amount of oil is still required for modern microwave models to cook larger batches of food. The electromagnetic radiation in microwaves can put your food and health at risk. The air fryers use rapid air technology to cook the food.
Capacity
The capacity of microwaves is more than air fryers. You can cook larger batches of food at once in microwaves by placing borosilicate bowls to warm the food. On the other hand, an air fryer is used to cook smaller batches of food. For example, while cooking churros in air fryers, you can place only 5 to 6 churros at a time whereas in microwaves you can place 10-12 churros at once.
You might also get confused between air fryers or grills while making your decision. To solve this confusion we have a detailed blog on air fryers vs grills that explains which one is better.
Buy the Best Air Fryer or Microwave
SMETA Countertop Microwave
SMETA Countertop Microwave's reviews claim that it is equipped with 10 variable power levels that allow for customized cooking. It comes with pre-programmed buttons for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen dinner, beverages, and reheats that offer easy usage. The built-in bright digital display and easy-to-read control panel of this model offer convenient operation.
Toshiba ML2-EM62P(SS) Large Countertop Microwave
The customer reviews of Toshiba Large Countertop Microwave mark that it is equipped with an LED display that clearly shows the remaining cooking time. The built-in interior light of this model helps in checking the status without having to open the door. It also features a safety lock that prevents unsupervised operation by children. It offers 360° heating and rotation of the glass turntables.
Ultrean Air Fryer 4.2 Quart
Ultrean Air Fryer 4.2 Quart comes with innovative heating system-rapid air technology that cooks the food evenly. The built-in accessible buttons of this model offer an easy cooking setup. It also offers innovative heating system-rapid air technology that allows for cooking food evenly. This model also comes with an auto switch-off timer (0-30mins) and adjustable temperature setting (180°F-400°F).
Dash Compact Air Fryer
Dash compact air fryer comes with an air crisp technology that helps reduce added fat by 70-80. Its built-in 2 qt capacity basket can cook food in a short period of time. This model also features an auto-shut-off function that prevents overcooking. This is a perfect appliance for picky eaters, large families, or those who have busy schedules.
Ninja DZ401 Foodi
The customer reviews of the Ninja DZ401 Foodi show that it comes with 2 independent baskets that allow cooking two foods in two ways at the same time. This model features 6 versatile cooking programs that meet varied cooking requirements. The built-in IQ boost optimally distributes power across each basket to cook a 6-lb whole chicken.
Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer
Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer comes with a rapid fan speed that delivers faster cooking and crisping. Its 5.5-quart large capacity basket helps to cook food in bulk. It also offers detachable parts with non-stick coating makes cleaning convenient. This model is also available at a discount of $20 during the sale. It delivers 450 degrees of superheated air to cook foods up to 30 % faster.
What are 3 Guidelines for Safely Using the Microwave?
1. Always use the microwave with supervision, especially if you are new to using it.
2. Make sure the microwave is clean and dry before using it.
3. Only use microwave-safe cookware in the microwave.
Following these simple guidelines will help you to safely use your microwave and avoid any accidents.
What material is safe for Microwaves?
Materials like china & pottery, ovenproof glass, and glass ceramic are ideally safe for microwaves. Some materials like bone china and ordinary glass should be microwaved for a short period only as they may break due to excessive heat. Other materials like paper cups, plastic, cartons, etc are also safe for microwaves.
What Temperature is Microwave safe?
It is safe to use the best microwave for cooking, reheating, and defrosting food as long as the temperature of the food does not exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest temperature a microwave can reach is 212°F (100°C).
Do I need to preheat the Air Fryer?
No, you don't need to preheat your air fryer before cooking. Preheating will help your food cook more evenly and prevent it from sticking to the basket. You can cook your food without preheating the air fryer if you're short on time.
We have reviewed some of the best air fryers on the basis of their performance and quality to make your choice easier.
How do I prevent food from sticking to my Air Fryer?
There are a few things you can do to prevent food from sticking to your air fryer. First, make sure that your air fryer is clean and dry before you start cooking. Any moisture on the surface of the air fryer will cause the food to stick. Second, spray the air fryer with a non-stick cooking spray before adding the food. This will help to create a barrier between the food and the air fryer. Finally, make sure that the food is not overcrowded in the air fryer. The food will stick together if it is touching.
What do I do if I smell smoke while air frying, or if my air fryer starts to smell funny?
Immediately turn off the air fryer and unplug it from the outlet if you smell smoke while air frying, or if your air fryer starts to smell. Check the food to see if it is burned. This can also happen if your air fryer is too dirty and needs a thorough cleaning. Food buildup and grease can also make your air fryer smell funny.
Cooking pork chops in an air fryer is also a great way to enjoy a delicious and flavorful meal without the hassle of deep-frying. Read our blog on how to cook pork chops in air fryer to know more.
Conclusion
Microwaves use radio frequencies and electromagnetic waves while air fryers use just hot air to cook food. Both gadgets have their distinct advantages and features. An air fryer is a great option if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cook small batches of food. You should go for a microwave if you need an appliance that can handle larger batches of food or if you want to be able to cook from scratch.
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