Should I go microwave free and buy an air fryer?

[Accy cyclist]

As the title asks, should I buy am air fryer to replace my seemingly broken down microwave, or should I buy another microwave? I'm asking as folk keep telling me to buy an air fryer as they are much better than microwaves. My microwave has given me wonderful service, having been used every day, sometimes quite a few times a day since I was given it over 8 years ago when I moved into my current flat. It's a Morphy Richards one, so quite a decent make, probably making it last so long. If I buy an airfryer I'll be able to have crispy, browned off food, instead of insipid pale food, which I don't mind, but think I should have better. Are air fryers difficult to master, can you put plastic containers in them and living alone would a small one meet my needs? Thanks in advance for any informative replies!!😉 PS....If I go microwave free, it'll be the first time since 1980 I havent had access to a microwave, when my parents bought our first microwave, with me putting an egg in water in a saucepan in the thing, only to see sparks flying all over the place!!😬

 

[Accy cyclist]

The first one I see on looking them up and I think this one looks decent enough for me!🤔😉

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-...gEze8bzWHYTmGLqcKTxoCotcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[a.twiddler]

I was an air fryer skeptic until we got one, and now it's in regular use. The microwave still gets used too. It's not a case of either/or. If you've got the space, they're both useful.

 

[Gwylan]

I'd say we use both a lot and more and more. They do different things. They do them well and efficiently
The air fryer does give you the effect of an oven, grill, frying pan.
The microwave does heat things through quickly. That's very useful too.

You cannot warm coffee or cook porridge in an air fryer.
I'd encourage you to avoid too many bells and whistles and get one of each.

Also, I'd add that they are much more efficient and quicker than the old fashioned, big, inefficient grill, oven thing.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

I too was an air fryer skeptic until I moved into my current home. The oven isn’t great and, as I don’t intend to be here too long, didn’t see the point in replacing it so bo an air fryer.

It’s great and gets most use in the kitchen. However it is not a complete microwave replacement and that still gets a good percentage of the remaining use that the air fryer doesn’t.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

We've had an air fryer for a few months now, but I'm a creature of habit, so when I'm cooking I use the frying pan and recently the microwave to blast carrot batons for ~6mins.

Better half has used it a bit, food cooked in the fryer tastes good and cooks far quicker than in the oven for just two of us.

 

[CentralCommuter]

Best option: air fryer and microwave
2nd best option: air fryer only
Worst option/status quo: microwave only

I’d say either get one of each or just get an air fryer - you’ll be amazed at the difference!

 

[ColinJ]

can you put plastic containers in them

Yes, but it would be a very bad idea!!!

 

[stephec]

You can't really replace one with the other, at a stretch you can poach an egg in a microwave, but don't try cooking frozen chips in one.

 

[albion]

You need both.

My 3 kitchen essentials are microwave, freezer and air fryer/s(small + large).
However, being a coffee junkie, my espresso maker is the heaviest used gadget.

 

[Drago]

I'm surprised your servants dont cook your giant hog roast on a spit in the inglenook fireplace.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I would also vote for both

They do different things

The ones with 2 drawers are the best - I often do sausages etc) in one and frozen (or real) chips in the others

This evening I have done gammon on one and roasties in the other

we generally prefer roasties in the air fryer - even on Christmas day!

 

[Vapin' Joe]

You do need both. Air fryers are brilliant, our oven has not been used since we got one three years ago. It takes about two thirds of the time an oven does to cook something and uses less power.

One tip, get a two drawer model as @ebikeerwidnes suggests. So much more versatile.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Yes, but it would be a very bad idea!!!

I had to ask!😉👍

 

[Accy cyclist]

Thanks for all the replies so far! It sounds like I still need a microwave, more than I need an air fryer! How about one of those microwaves that act like a conventional oven in browning and making food crisp, if required?🤔 Having a microwave AND an air fryer would be difficult due to a lack of space in my pokey kitchen!