Both air fryers and fan-forced ovens are appliances that use hot air circulation to cook food evenly. They both rely on dry heat cooking methods. However, there is a distinct difference between air fryer and fan forced oven.
What is the difference between air fryer and fan forced oven? An air fryer is compact and designed for quick cooking with minimal or no oil, and creates healthier “fried” dishes. A fan-forced oven, on the other hand, is larger, more versatile for bigger meals, and can handle multiple trays at once.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is an Air Fryer
– Definition, Features
2. What is a Fan Forced Oven
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Air Fryer and Fan Forced Oven
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Air Fryer and Fan Forced Oven
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Air Fryer and Fan Forced Oven
– Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
Air Fryer, Fan Forced Oven
What is an Air Fryer
An air fryer is a small kitchen appliance that lets you cook crispy, golden food without deep frying it in oil. It works by circulating hot air quickly around the food, similar to a convection oven, but in a smaller space. The food is placed in a basket or tray with tiny holes, so the hot air reaches all sides and makes it crispy without needing much oil, sometimes just a spoonful or none at all. This makes air frying a healthier option compared to traditional frying.
Air fryers are popular because they cook food faster than ovens, keep more nutrients in the food, and are simple to use. You can prepare fries, chicken, vegetables, and even baked goods. They also replace multiple appliances, since they can bake, reheat, defrost, and fry. Cleaning is easy too, because the basket and parts are usually dishwasher safe. Overall, an air fryer is a convenient, versatile, and healthier way to enjoy your favorite crispy dishes.
What is a Fan Forced Oven
A fan forced oven is an oven that has a fan at the back of it to distribute heat evenly. The fan circulates the hot air, equalizing the temperature inside and heating every tray inside the chamber equally. Fan forced ovens are also known as convection ovens. These ovens are always electric. They can be as small as tabletop ovens or as large as ovens at commercial bakeries. You can easily identify fan forced ovens by the fans at the back. You can also notice the symbol of a spinning fan inside a circle on the packaging of the oven.
This type of oven is best for baking large batches of food that require the same temperature. They also heat very quickly, reducing the cooking time and saving energy. When cooking food like meat and vegetables, their interior may remain moist while the exterior gets browner. This is because convection creates a dry atmosphere caramelizing sugars faster when roasting. You can bake almost any type of food using these ovens. However, delicate foods like soufflés, mud cakes, and meringues are better suited to conventional ovens.
Similarities Between Air Fryer and Fan Forced Oven
- Both air fryers and fan-forced ovens use a fan to circulate hot air around the food, which helps it cook more evenly.
- Both appliances can produce a crispy outer layer on food without the need to fully submerge it in oil.
- They rely on dry heat cooking methods, as opposed to steaming or boiling.
Difference Between Air Fryer and Fan Forced Oven
Definition
- An air fryer is a compact appliance that cooks food by rapidly circulating hot air in a small space, while a fan-forced oven is a larger appliance that uses a fan to distribute heat throughout its interior.
Time Taken for Food
- Air fryers generally cook food faster because the heat is concentrated in a smaller cooking chamber, whereas fan-forced ovens take more time due to their larger size.
Type of Cooking
- Air fryers are designed to make food crispy with little to no oil, giving a “fried” texture, while fan-forced ovens are better for even baking and roasting over a wider range of dishes.
Portion Size
- Fan-forced ovens can cook larger quantities of food at once, but air fryers are more energy-efficient for smaller portions.
FAQ: Air Fryer and Fan Forced Oven
1. Is an air fryer the same as a fan-forced oven?
No, they’re not the same. Both use a fan to circulate hot air, but an air fryer is smaller, cooks faster, and is designed to make food crispy with little or no oil. A fan-forced oven is larger, takes longer to heat, and is better for cooking big meals or multiple dishes at once.
2. Can you use a fan oven as an air fryer?
Yes, you can use a fan oven to get a similar result to an air fryer, but it won’t be exactly the same. An air fryer cooks faster because it’s smaller and has a more intense airflow, so food gets crispier more quickly.
3. What are the disadvantages of an air fryer oven?
An air fryer oven can take up more space and cook more slowly than basket air fryers. They are also harder to clean, cost more, and may not crisp food as well in small batches.
4. Why are people getting rid of air fryers?
Some people are getting rid of air fryers because they take up too much space, can be tricky to clean, and sometimes don’t make food as crispy as expected.
Reference:
1. “What is an Air Fryer, and How Does Air Frying Work?” Kitchen Aid.
2. McKay, Rhys. “Fan Forced Oven: What Are They, How to Use & How Do They Compare?” Better Homes and Gardens, 27 Nov. 2020.
Image Courtesy:
1. “oven, pizza, baker, bakery, baking, catering, commercial, cook, cooking, equipment, food” (CC0) via HippoPix
2. “Air Fryer 2020” By I am R. (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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