How to use the air grill: the principle of operation with a description of the functions. Do you need an air grill in the kitchen? Air grill functions and principle of operation

An experienced hostess always has her own signature dishes, which she is happy to pamper guests at the dinner table. Her indispensable assistant in the kitchen is the convection oven. What is this device, how does it work and what products can be cooked in it? Let's take a closer look at these questions.

What is an aerogrill.

Since ancient times, people have cooked food on fire. Hearths, stoves and gas stoves were used by man to provide his food. Aerogrill is a modern invention that has recently appeared in our kitchens. It was created only in the mid-80s of the last century in the USA and was originally called the "convection oven". In English, "air grill" means a radiator grill in a car engine. When a convection oven appeared in Russia in the 90s, it was called an air grill.

Distinctive features - the minimum amount of fat used, high speed and quality of cooking. The package of an air grill usually includes several items. Grids are used, in particular, for cooking meat. As a rule, there are three of them, different in height. The mesh tray is essential for steaming and deep-frying, as well as for drying. There are skewers for shish kebabs and a skewer for cooking poultry. To extract products, dishes and grates, special tongs are used. And finally, an enlarger ring is designed to regulate the volume of the container.

According to the principle of operation, the control of air grills is divided into electronic and mechanical. Electronically controlled devices have several operating speeds and various additional functions. A mechanically controlled air grill is, of course, cheaper and has one mode of operation.

The principle of operation of the airfryer.

At the heart of the air grill is an electric oven that heats food not from below, but from above. This device is a round glass container located on a plastic stand, in which food for cooking is placed. It is covered with a lid with an electric heater. The fan running in the heater drives hot air inside the container. These eddy currents heat up the food being cooked. The temperature inside the air grill can reach 260 degrees. It can be controlled with a thermostat.

Airfryer food is prepared practically without the use of oils. Almost any utensil can be used for cooking. If you bake meat on a grill, then excess fat flows onto the pan of the container. Airfryer can cook several dishes at the same time. Since the cooking container is transparent, you can watch the cooking from the side.

When buying, pay special attention to the fastening of the cover. A hinged lid attached to the case is much more convenient than a completely removable one. The air grill must have at least three speed modes. Choose the capacity that best suits your kitchen. You can increase it with a special ring, but then the cooking time will increase by almost one and a half times. The size of the container is of great importance, because the air grill is washed by hand. It is important that the voltage stabilizes in the air grill. To avoid fire, the convection oven must be kept on a fireproof stand. Before use, it must be warmed up, and after - allow time to cool.

What can be cooked in an air fryer.

In fact, the convection oven is a universal device for preparing any kind of hot food. In it you can cook soups, borscht and other first courses. It is not a problem to cook any porridge, bake potatoes in pots, cook original pizza. Kebabs, meatballs, vegetables, fish are perfectly fried in the air grill. You can test your culinary skills and bake pies, buns and just fragrant homemade bread. Cold and hot smoking, drying mushrooms, berries, fruits and vegetables for the winter are also under the power of an air grill. The most refined taste of your guests will be completely satisfied.

Airfryer functions.

The air grill has many necessary functions. Cooking in absolutely any dish, frying meat and fish without the use of oil - this is only a small part of what this magical device is capable of. He can stew, boil and bake vegetables, create pastries from all types of dough. Deep-frying and steaming, as well as cooking homemade cottage cheese and nutritious yogurt - all this can be done effortlessly with an air grill. It is indispensable for summer preparations - for canning and pickling. You can cook jam and mulled wine in an air grill, raise the dough, defrost food and heat up cooked food. And this is not the limit! New models of aerogrills, produced taking into account all modern requirements, have additional functions. Article prepared with the support of KIV.KZ. We hope that the new generation units will pleasantly surprise even the most experienced housewives.

In household appliance stores, did you like the new kitchen appliance - air grill? You have already heard feedback about this technique from a consultant. However, I would like to know detailed information about what kind of device it is, to get some recommendations on its operation. This article will help all the curious.

Principle of operation

A standard air grill consists of a large glass flask. Also included is a lid in which a special heating element with a fan is mounted. The latter provides a uniform "blowing" of the product, located on a special grid inside the flask. This feature allows you to cook food simultaneously in all planes, regardless of the selected mode, whether it is frying, baking or boiling.

A timer and temperature controller are installed on the heating element from the outside. Food can be cooked in different temperature conditions: from 60 to 260 degrees. When cooking, you can refuse to use oil - the products will not burn. This will be especially appreciated by people who are adherents of healthy food, without harmful carcinogens and fats.

What other functions does the air grill perform? The review of an experienced user who has owned this device for more than a day speaks of the rapid defrosting of fish and meat using this device. An air grill can bake a cake, dry mushrooms or berries, and also sterilize jars during canning.

Tasty and healthy

Do you have an air grill in your house? User feedback opens up another useful side of this device - it turns out that you can cook a full meal at the same time. To do this, you will need to fill in the appropriate

pots products. In the first pot, you can put the ingredients for the soup, in the next - for the main dish, and finally, in the third pot, put the ingredients for the dessert. Just 30-40 minutes - and your sumptuous lunch is ready!

Peculiarities

Have you seen a commercial for the air grill on TV again? The review of a real user suggests that replacing all kitchen appliances with this one appliance will not work. Here, manufacturers embellish a little. But to greatly facilitate the work in the kitchen, diversify your diet and make the prepared dishes not only very tasty, but also really healthy, the convection oven is quite up to the task!

Do not rush to the store and grab the first device that comes across. Pay attention to Hotter convection oven. User reviews about this brand are only positive. The devices of this company have a metal heater, which will not break even if accidentally dropped.

What other characteristics should the best air grills have? User reviews indicate that it is advisable to opt for 1300 W models. It is she who allows you to cook at the optimum temperature, preventing drying or burning of products.

Summing up

As you can see, the convection oven is a really valuable and useful acquisition for the whole family. With it, you will not only be able to cook wonderfully delicious meals, but will also be able to take care of healthy nutrition for yourself and your loved ones!

To prepare quality food, the hostesses use modern household appliances. In shopping malls and specialized stores, you can purchase models of mechanized assistants, for example, choose an air grill to quickly prepare diet meals. Unfortunately, many consumers do not know for what needs this product can be used.

To fill in the gaps in your horizons, to find out the technical parameters, advantages and small disadvantages of this representative of kitchen equipment, unusual for the Russian consumer, you need to carefully read our article.

An air grill is an electric household appliance that cooks various dishes using hot air currents, such a product will diversify your family's menu and significantly reduce the cooking time for diet food, which is very useful for all supporters of a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to cooking, this unique product for the home can be used to defrost food, reheat previously cooked food, this device will help the hostess with canning during the annual autumn harvesting of food for the winter. A feature of the air grill is the fact that the products are cooked in it without the addition of oil, which means that the food is healthy, without cholesterol.

The package includes several grills, a metal mesh baking sheet, skewers and special tongs for extracting finished products so as not to burn your hands. Grids are used for meat and fish, vegetables are baked or stewed on a baking sheet, several dishes can be cooked at the same time and the process can be observed through the transparent walls of the tank. The air grill has several modes and there are various functions in the asset.

Design

Its description is extremely simple: the glass bowl is covered with a lid on top, in which there is a heating element and a low-power built-in fan. At the top is the product control panel. Products are placed in the working bowl, the product is tightly closed with a lid, and the device is connected to the network.

During cooking, the products do not turn over and do not mix, the product does not have such an opportunity, and it is not needed, because hot air circulates freely inside the bowl. All work is based on the principle of convection, so the processing of products is ideal, while no oils and fats are used, just enough moisture and fat inside the products.

Principle of operation

This device uses the principle of uniform distribution of hot air throughout the volume, therefore experts sometimes call a home convection oven a convection oven. In modern models, not only the temperature regime is set, but also the fan speed, so the smart device will not allow the food to dry out during cooking.

Experts divide similar devices into two main groups:

  1. simple models. They have a small volume of the working bowl, only a few functions, their price is low, so they are available to the general population.
  2. Multifunctional models are rather expensive air grills that can operate in a wide range of different modes. With their help, you can realize your culinary fantasies, cook exotic dishes according to recipes of world cuisine.

It is the second option that is used for smoking meat and fish at home, such a product will help to dry berries and mushrooms for future use, make varenets or yogurt from milk.

Advantages and disadvantages

First, let's look at all the advantages and why you can use the air grill in the kitchen:

  1. The product can be used in the country, in the courtyard of a private house, for example, by installing it on an open veranda or in a gazebo. When working, it does not smoke and does not emit unpleasant odors, like its counterpart in the oven, because the lid closes hermetically.
  2. In the product, you can stew vegetables, cook meat and fish, sterilize cans for conservation.
  3. By setting the optimum temperature, you can simmer foods, smoke them or cook porridge according to an old recipe, like in a Russian oven.
  4. The product helps to cook healthy food without adding oil or fat, which is especially important for dietary nutrition.
  5. It significantly saves time: in half an hour it can be used to prepare a full-fledged three-course dinner - first, second and dessert.
  6. In the process of cooking different products, their flavors do not mix.
  7. You can cook barbecue or fried ribs equally well, the finished product looks tempting and exudes aroma.
  8. The participation of the user is necessary only during the preparation of the dish - cut the meat into portions, lay all the prepared ingredients inside the working bowl. All further cooking takes place offline, you can only watch the process through the glass.
  9. Odors from under the cover do not seep into the room, so people who are allergic to strong odors can safely go about their business.

Now a few words about the disadvantages:

  • the versatility of the product is a skillful marketing move by manufacturers;
  • baking is much worse than in the oven, because the bottom of the pie or pies is not baked to the desired condition;
  • the capacity of the product is not enough to bake a chicken or a duck, not to mention a goose or a turkey - it must be cut into pieces so that everything is fried completely.

Therefore, many consumers are wondering if such a device is needed in the kitchen.

How much does an aerogrill cost

The cost of such a product is quite diverse - it all depends on the model, heater and materials used:

  1. Classic models with heating elements are most widely represented in the domestic market of Russia, the price here varies between 2.5-13 thousand rubles.
  2. Devices with a halogen heater are slightly cheaper and are sold at prices of 1.6-9.5 thousand rubles.
  3. There are still not enough products made of carbon fiber, a composite material where thin threads of rubber and graphite are intertwined - they are representatives of the budget segment and cost 2-3 thousand rubles.
  4. Universal lids that fit under tempered glass cookware are the cheapest, such a device can be purchased for 1.2-1.8 thousand ₽.


What is the difference between an air grill and an oven

What is better to buy for household needs - an air grill or an oven from the same company, it is definitely impossible to say, although they work on the principle of convection: cooking is carried out during the circulation of hot air. The air grill is compact and consumes less electrical energy.

For lovers of homemade cakes and chicken baked with a crispy crust, preference will be given to the oven - the air grill is not able to cook such delicacies. Users who prefer healthy food without the addition of oils and fats will choose the convection oven, here the compactness of the product plays a big role.

The verdict is simple: both products are needed in the kitchen for different purposes, so the best option is a stationary oven and a small-sized convection grill that will be useful to any hostess for preparing culinary delights without requiring special supervision during the cooking process.

How to choose

The art of choosing an air grill is practically no different from buying any household appliances, the main thing here is to pay attention to the main parameters, which we will consider in detail.

Volume

Manufacturers indicate two numbers - for example, 10/14, the first indicates the optimal volume of the working bowl, which can be increased to the second size by using an insert. The kit comes with a dense ring, which must be installed on the working bowl to increase its volume.

Power

This parameter varies between 0.6-1.0 kW, and one product may have several power options, which depend on the cooking mode, temperature and convection propagation speed.

Fan speed

Budget models do not change the speed, while more expensive models can have up to three different fan speeds.

Automatic heating

Some models support the function of heating previously cooked food to the desired temperature, which is very convenient.

Lid

This part can be hinged or removable, each of them has individual advantages: with a bracket, the user does not have to think about where to put the hot cap, and a separate option allows you to increase the internal volume due to the installed ring.

Control block

Inexpensive models are controlled mechanically, while more expensive products have an electronic control panel with a set of fine settings and a choice of modes.

Timer

Almost all models of air grills are equipped with this useful device, the difference is only in the delay time or the duration of the mode.

Self cleaning

This function is present on all models, but it must be done periodically on your own to avoid burning food during cooking.

To choose the right air grill for your family, you need to study the expert's advice:

  1. If you already have an oven and a microwave in the kitchen, then it is enough to purchase a classic model with a bowl volume of 3-6 liters, a hinged lid and a power of no more than 1 kW. Choose extensive functionality, control is electronic, and the heater is a halogen lamp.
  2. Fans of culinary experiments should pay attention to models with a volume of up to 10 liters and a power of at least 1.3-1.4 kW with a halogen heater, the functionality should be as extended as possible.
  3. If you have a small kitchen, it is better to buy a universal lid that fits perfectly with standard cookware. The heating element is the simplest, mechanical type control. If you plan to use a device for heating food, then choose a halogen lamp, and the power will be enough 0.8-1.0 kW.

Impressive dimensions and, accordingly, volumes are needed for a large family, otherwise there will be an overspending of energy and an increase in utility bills.

Overview of the best air grills

  • Item Type: Airfryer
  • Management: electronic, number of programs - 10
  • Power consumption: 1.4 kW
  • Volume: 10 l
  • Lid: on bracket
  • Timer: 10 hours
  • Heating element: heating element
  • Adjustment: temperature, fan speed
  • Dimensions: 330x350x450 mm
  • electronic control
  • automatic steam supply
  • programming capability
  • easy to use and wash

  • not found

  • Type: products - aerogrill, control - mechanics
  • Power consumption: 800W
  • Internal volume: fits any container with a diameter of 225 mm
  • Cover: removable
  • Timer: for 1 hour
  • Heating element: halogen lamp
  • Adjustment: temperature
  • Modes: defrosting products, self-cleaning
  • uniquely compact dimensions
  • simple use
  • high build quality and materials
  • a stand must be placed under the container, otherwise it gets very hot

Surely in your house there are already such helpers as a slow cooker, microwave oven, and maybe a barbecue and the like. Would you like to purchase an air grill as well? What for? We will tell you now.

Let's take a look at what an air grill is for. A lot has been said and written about cholesterol in recent years, because it is a serious threat. It is also terrible because the harm of fatty food is at first invisible, and then - again ... However, despite all the warnings, it is extremely difficult to decide on fundamental changes in your lifestyle and nutrition, and there are objective reasons for this.

First work. It takes a lot of time, as a result, we do not have free hours for cooking healthy food and we rush for fast food.

The second is habit. Oily french fries, crispy chicken leg... Daily stress leads to stress, and your favorite goodies relieve it perfectly!

The third is costs and effort. To cook dietary, low-fat, you need not only to buy the appropriate products (for example, salmon is recommended - an expensive pleasure), but also to have a double boiler and other special equipment at home ... Which, by the way, is already cluttering up the kitchen. As the hostesses grumble, soon they will invent their own unit for each dish!

Finally, the fourth reason... is stereotypes. There is an opinion (and no cookbooks and talk shows can change it for some reason!) that healthy food is, yes, good, but so dull and tasteless! Pretty fresh! Doesn't crunch! Does not melt on the tongue, in general!

So, do you need an air grill in the kitchen? needed for sure! All of the above causes can be eliminated with the help of an air grill. It’s not for nothing that it’s called the AEROgrill. Products are cooked on grates, due to the uniform exposure to hot clean air flows. They do not burn, no oil is required, and the fat itself will melt and flow out.

What do we get as a result? Well-done meat - one. Juicy inside, with a safe (no carcinogens!) crust on the outside - two, without excess fat - three. (For example, a glass of fat is rendered out of a chicken. Once you see this, you will never want to drink this glass with meat again ...).

In this way, you can cook familiar dishes - but safe! In fact, the same french fries, but not harming the body! You will not need to give up your usual way of eating and buy special products.

The air grill is equipped with a delay start function and does not require attention: you do not need to watch so that it does not burn, you do not need to stir, it will even turn off by itself. He will not distract from business, will allow you to maintain the working pace.

An air grill is a combination of as many as ten kitchen appliances, including steamers, microwaves, stoves, dryers, etc. You do not have to rush around the kitchen from one unit to another, perform complex manipulations with settings, and so on. That is, healthy nutrition does not require additional efforts.

And the most important thing! With an air grill, you will not only be protected from cholesterol, but also lose weight. Up to six kilograms minus one month. Even fitness will not give such a result! How is this achieved? Aerogrill reduces the number of calories by exactly half, and retains all the beneficial substances that keep the body in shape. After all, in fact, in the air grill everything is prepared only in a dietary way! But it remains just as delicious!

So, in order to protect yourself from cholesterol, there are all the conditions and whether or not you need an air grill on the farm, you decide for yourself. Be healthy!

Surely many have heard of such a device as an air grill. How can it be useful on the farm, and what is it all about? In fact, an air grill (or, as it is also called, a convection oven) is a very useful thing in the kitchen. This electrical appliance is designed for processing and cooking food with heated air flows.

Aerogrills were invented in the mid-eighties of the last century in the USA. Well, in the nineties they appeared on our market. And it was then that the beautiful word “air grill” stuck to them.

Device and equipment

A modern air grill is a transparent bowl or flask with a stand and a lid that covers the entire structure from above. Inside the cover there is a heating element (tubular electric heater) and a fan, and the control panel is located outside.

In some budget models, halogen heating elements are used instead of heating elements. The glass of the bowl when using halogens is practically not subject to oxidation and corrosion, and this is a clear plus. However, at the same time, halogen heaters have a modest working life and not a very long service life. Usually it is 3 years. For metal heating elements, by the way, this figure is much higher - 8-10 years.

In addition to the elements listed above, the air grill package usually includes grills for cooking meat. As a rule, there are three of them, and they differ in height. Often in the kit you can see a special mesh baking sheet, which may be needed for steaming and deep-frying, as well as for drying. Most inexpensive models, plus everything, are equipped with a metal ring - it is installed on top of the bowl and serves to increase and adjust its volume.


Principle of operation and varieties

The principle of operation of the air grill is as follows: the heater is heated to the desired temperature, then, under the influence of fans, multidirectional hot air enters the bowl, evenly blows the food and warms it up qualitatively. As a result, you can bake, fry, stew, cook the dish in the air grill. By the way, the air heating temperature varies here in the range from +60 to +260 degrees.

Air grills can have one of two types of control:

  • mechanical;
  • electronic.

Models with mechanical control are quite simple - they have only one operating mode. In general, this option is gradually becoming a thing of the past, but it has one obvious advantage: the price of air grills with such control is quite low.

Electronically controlled devices have several speeds and operating modes, as well as various additional functions. For example, modern air grills are equipped with timers, and therefore the presence and constant monitoring of a person is not necessary. The device will automatically turn off at the correct time.

Many electronic convection ovens have a "Keep Temperature" function. It allows you to continue to simmer the dish in hot air after the cooking process itself.

Another useful feature is "Self-Cleaning". The bowls of modern air grills are made of unbreakable heat-resistant glass, so they are quite heavy and not easy to care for. The self-cleaning function makes everything extremely simple: you just need to pour water with detergent into the air grill and press the button.

The presence of the height adjustment function will also be a pleasant bonus for buyers. This function allows food to be positioned higher or lower than the heating element.


Advantages

The air grill is able to replace other appliances, for example, a microwave oven, a toaster, an electric stove, a double boiler. This is a very weighty argument in favor of its acquisition for those who still doubt whether or not this appliance is needed in the kitchen.

  • The advantage of an air grill is that you can cook on it without oil, margarine and fat - absolutely nothing will stick to the bowl.
  • In an air grill, you can cook several dishes at a time, and this distinguishes it favorably from a similar device - a multicooker.
  • Since the cooking container is transparent, the whole process can be observed from the side.
  • Aerogrill allows you to cook or heat food in absolutely any dish


How to choose a good model?

First of all, the buyer should learn about the functions of the device. And it is not always necessary to choose the most "fancy" aerogrill. Why is it needed if it is supposed to be used only for certain purposes? A large number of functions in many situations seems redundant.

It is also worth looking at the proposed equipment. It is good if there are tongs in the kit for replacing and capturing ready-made dishes. The presence of a spit for chicken and skewers is also a significant advantage.

Another important point is that it is better to choose models with a detachable cord. This will facilitate both washing and storage of the device. But the removable lid on the air grill is not very convenient. In the process of cooking, you will probably have to look for a place where to put it, very hot. The cover attached to the case with a bracket is much more practical - it will always be in its place. And you should definitely look at the place of its junction with the body. Fasteners should be metal, not plastic, as the lid has a solid weight.

If possible, choose an air grill model with a removable protective grill (it is designed to protect the heating elements). Of course, this grill gets clogged pretty quickly, and if it is removable, it will be much easier to care for it. It is enough to unscrew the bolts, remove it, wash it and put it in place.


What can be cooked in an air fryer?

  • In an air grill, you can cook borscht, soups and other first courses. Here, for example, you can make delicious porridge, bake potatoes in pots, cook pizza.
  • It is also quite possible to defrost various products and heat up ready-made dishes in an air grill.
  • In an air grill, you can cook, stew and bake vegetables.
  • In the preparation of homemade yogurt and cottage cheese, the device in question will definitely become a faithful assistant for a housewife.
  • You can’t do without a convection oven when creating blanks for the winter - when pickling and canning, as well as drying mushrooms, fruits, berries and vegetables for the winter.
  • For hot smoking processes, for deep-frying and steaming, it is also important to use this machine.
  • Those who want to test their culinary skills can bake pies, buns or, for example, homemade fragrant bread in the air grill. It is also important that you can cook pastries from almost any type of dough without any problems.
  • Meat and fish are perfectly fried in an air grill, and without the use of sunflower oil. Do you want to cook fish fillet or chicken cutlets? No problems! It is also quite possible to fry a barbecue with an air grill.
  • Among other things, using this technique, you can, for example, cook jam and cook mulled wine.

So, the convection grill, no doubt, will facilitate the cooking process and take its rightful place in the kitchen. And many consumers have already seen in practice that this is a device that can replace several other similar household appliances at once. That is, buying an air grill is an economical and reasonable choice.

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