10 October 2023 , 11:29
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There are two words have never been far from many conversations over the past couple of years - air fryers. I'm not really one to jump head first at the latest trends so avoided them for a while.
But even I must admit, the introduction of a Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone to our kitchen worktop has been a stunning game changer. I've tried - and failed miserably - for years cooking frozen chips in the oven. You've probably been there yourself, sticking them on a tray, leaving them for about 18 mins as packet suggests, only to find they're nowhere near done and never quite get that beautiful crispy texture before they end up burning.
It's hands down the best thing about an air fryer for me. If you're tempted to join the revolution, or upgrade your existing air fryer, then now could be a good time to have scan around the market. We're into October and Black Friday, closely followed by Christmas, are both around the corner, so retailers are already starting to reduce prices in a bid to catch the eye of shoppers.
Amazon has already kicked off the battle with its Prime Big Deal Days which are running today (October 10) and tomorrow (October 11). However, it can be a bit of a minefield knowing where to start, so we've taken a closer look at some of the air fryer deals that have gone live in a bid to guide you along the way.
The first thing to mention is if you want to take advantage of the Amazon offers then you will have to be a Prime member. The good news is, if you aren't already signed up then you can try the service out completely free of charge.
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Ninja
Ninja seems like the natural place to start. The sister company of tech brand Shark has really dominated the air fryer field of late, boasting some excellent products that can suit a range of households. A popular choice is the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone which is large and would make a good choice for families. It currently has 12% off on Amazon and is priced at £219.
It's 99p more expensive on the Ninja website, however if you work for the NHS and have a Blue Light card you can claim 10% off, which represents a decent saving. It's a big air fryer with two compartments so might not be the best choice if you don't tend to cook large meals or struggle for worktop space in your kitchen.
The Mirror's Gareth Butterfield has tested out several air fryers. Speaking of the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone he said: "It's just such a lovely thing to use, with loads of power, easy controls, big dual drawers and a wide array of preset functions", adding "It does a fine job of crisping up chips, but I prefer a bit of manual control to relying on presets."
Ninja Foodi MaxThere's also a big discount to be had on the Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Rapid Cooker which has 44% off its £249.99 RRP, making it £139.99. Mirror writer and mum-of-two Narin Flanders said the product was "a game changer for midweek meals". She said: "I've not switched my oven on in over a week saving a significant chunk in gas usage, we're all eating much more healthily and my husband and I spending considerably less time in the evening having to clean the kitchen.
"In the Flanders house it's a definitely four thumbs up all round, with Ninja moving air fryer technology into a revolutionary new direction." She added that users will want to be sure that they're going to get a decent amount of use out of it given it's a hefty investment.
The Amazon price is significantly cheaper than on the Ninja website where the product is more than £100 dearer at £249.99.
But which is the best air fryer?
The Salter AerogrillIt's a question where the answer will vary depending on who you ask, but Gareth Butterfield absolutely swears by the Salter Aerogrill Pro 16-in-1. He said: "I love it because it takes the air fryer concept and turns it on its head, almost literally. Rather than just having the capability to evenly roast a basket of chips, or a whole chicken, it can bake, dehydrate, or even barbecue.
"Yep, that's right, one of its best features is its grilling mode. You will not find an air fryer that handles a succulent steak like the Aerogrill Pro. It even adds a distinctive char-grill flavour. I've no idea how, it just does."
The product hasn't had any discount applied to it and is £98.99 on Amazon, but can be found cheaper from Salter directly where it's priced at £79.99.
Don't forget your baskets
One of the things I've found slightly annoying about using an air fryer is the amount of mess that quickly builds up in the bottom if you forget to clean it. Some cooks have turned to silicone trays that you pop in the bottom to stop grease from going all over the place.
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These air fryer liners have a slight reduction in the Prime sale, they're usually £7.99 and are now £5.91. While they are pretty cheap the reviews are broadly positive, with 55% awarding five stars.
Some users complained about the sides not staying up, meaning food takes longer to cook. These more expensive liners are £10.98 but have more ratings overall and boast 65% of five star reviews.