Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to deep frying. Tefal is a well-known French cookware brand that makes a variety of kitchen appliances including air fryers. But are Tefal air fryers any good? There are a few key factors to consider when evaluating the quality and performance of a Tefal air fryer.
Tefal Air Fryer Features
Tefal offers several different models of air fryers to suit different needs and budgets. Some key features found across many Tefal air fryers include:
– Rapid Air Technology – Tefal air fryers use a fast air circulation system to cook food crispy on the outside and tender on the inside without oil. This allows for quick cooking times.
– Dishwasher Safe Parts – The removable non-stick cooking basket and pan are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
– Adjustable Temperature and Timer – Tefal air fryers allow you to adjust the temperature up to 200°C-205°C depending on the model. The timer can be set up to 60 minutes.
– Auto Shut-Off – For safety and convenience, Tefal air fryers automatically switch off when the timer runs out.
– Compact Size – Most Tefal air fryer models have a compact footprint, taking up minimal counter space.
– Recipes Included – Tefal provides an air fryer cookbook with recipe ideas to get started.
Some higher-end Tefal models also offer features like a splatter guard, viewing window, and removable cooking plates for greater versatility.
Air Fryer Capacity
When choosing an air fryer, capacity is an important consideration depending on your needs. Tefal offers air fryers in a range of capacities:
– Small capacity (2.2 – 2.6L): Ideal for 1-2 people
– Medium capacity (3.5 – 4.2L): Suits 2-4 people
– Large capacity (5.5 – 7.2L): Fits 4-6 people
The maximum food capacity also varies:
– Small air fryers: Up to 500g
– Medium air fryers: Up to 800g
– Large air fryers: Up to 1.2kg
So a larger Tefal model can handle cooking larger batches of fries, nuggets, or other snacks for the whole family.
Tefal Air Fryer Performance
Here are some of the key performance factors to consider with Tefal air fryers:
Cooking Time
Tefal air fryers deliver quick cooking thanks to their rapid air circulation system. Most foods cook in 10-25 minutes. Frozen items may take slightly longer but still cook faster than a conventional oven. The included recipes provide cooking time guidance.
Crispiness
Testers found Tefal air fryers excel at creating crispy exteriors on foods like fries, chicken nuggets, or fish fillets with little to no oil needed. The hot air rapidly dehydrates the outer surface.
Even Cooking
The circular heating element and fan effectively circulates hot air around food for even browning and cooking throughout. Foods come out evenly cooked with no burnt spots.
Versatility
Tefal air fryers can cook a wide variety of foods beyond fried items. Their models include racks for layered cooking. You can air fry meats, vegetables, baked goods, and more.
User-Friendliness
Tefal air fryers are easy to operate thanks to simple dials/buttons and clear displays. The non-stick basket and pan are dishwasher-safe for quick clean up. Recipes provide cooking guidance.
Noise Level
The circulating fan does produce some noise but Tefal air fryers run quieter than many competitors. Noise ranges from 60-75dB depending on model.
Common Tefal Air Fryer Models
Here is an overview of some top-rated Tefal air fryer models and their key specs:
| Model | Capacity | Wattage | Temperature Range | Dishwasher Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actifry Genius XL 2in1 | 1.7kg | 1500W | 160°C max | Yes |
| EasyFry Classic EY2018 | 4.2L | 1400W | 200°C max | Yes |
| EasyFry Precision EY3018 | 4.2L | 1500W | 200°C max | Yes |
| EasyFry Mini EY1018 | 2.2L | 1000W | 200°C max | Yes |
Actifry Genius XL 2in1
The Actifry Genius XL 2in1 is Tefal’s premium model with a 1.7kg capacity and dual cooking zones for preparing two foods at once. It offers over 300 recipes and smart programs. The sturdy construction and intuitive touchscreen controls make it easy to use. Testers praise it for being versatile, efficient, and delivering outstanding results across many types of cuisine. It’s a great choice for larger families.
EasyFry Classic EY2018
With a 4.2L capacity, the EasyFry Classic can feed up to 5 people. It has a simple dial control and viewing window. The automatic shut-off and odor filter provide added convenience. It earns excellent reviews for its affordability, ease of use, and ability to produce quick, crispy, evenly cooked food with minimal oil needed.
EasyFry Precision EY3018
Very similar to the Classic model, the EasyFry Precision also has a 4.2L capacity but steps up with digital controls for more precise cooking. It comes with two removable cooking plates for greater versatility. Reviews praise its performance and quality for the price.
EasyFry Mini EY1018
As the name suggests, this compact 2.2L Tefal air fryer is tailored for smaller households of 1-2 people. Despite the small size, it leverages Tefal’s Rapid Air technology to deliver fast, crispy results. The digital interface makes it easy to dial in the perfect cooking time and temperature.
Tefal Air Fryer Reviews
Tefal air fryers consistently earn positive reviews and high ratings from both experts and home cooks:
Good Housekeeping Institute: Tefal air fryers earn high marks for performance and ease of use after extensive GH Institute testing. Their top-rated Actifry Genius XL model scored an overall 93/100.
CNET: Reviewing the EasyFry Precision, CNET praises its handy presets, efficient performance, and ability to churn out batches of crispy fries and other foods. They recommend it for shoppers who want air frying without a complex interface.
Wired: Wired recommends the ActiFry Genius for its ability to make fried favorites with just a spoonful of oil. They found it prepared chicken wings, fries, and more with crispy exteriors and moist interiors.
Tech Radar: In their review, Tech Radar compliments the Compact EasyFry’s small footprint and short cooking times. They note it rivals more expensive models for air frying performance.
Amazon: Across models, Tefal air fryers maintain 4+ star averages on Amazon. Positive reviews mention their ease of use, effectiveness at frying with little to no oil, and quality construction.
The main complaints from some reviewers include noise, smaller capacity on compact models, and the desire for more cooking programs on certain models. But overall, most praise Tefal air fryers for their performance.
Tefal vs. Other Air Fryer Brands
How do Tefal air fryers compare to popular models from other brands like Ninja, Instant Pot, or Philips? Here’s a brief brand vs brand comparison:
Tefal vs. Ninja: Ninja is known for making quality air fryers. But testers find Tefal air fryers match or edge out Ninja models when it comes to even cooking, efficiency, and noise level. Tefal’s compact models also have smaller footprints.
Tefal vs. Instant Pot: Instant Pot air fryers are praised for their versatility and ability to replace several appliances. However, reviews suggest Tefal air fryers have an edge for quicker, crispier air frying results due to more powerful heating elements and fans.
Tefal vs. Philips: As one of the original air fryer brands, Philips models are tried and true. But Tefal keeps up with innovations like its Rapid Air technology. Performance is comparable between the two brands, so Tefal may have the edge on value.
Overall, Tefal holds its own against the top names in air frying and offers comparable or better performance at each price point. The brand’s expertise from making other small kitchen appliances shines through in their air fryer line.
Pros and Cons of Tefal Air Fryers
Here is a quick overview of some of the key pros and cons of Tefal air fryers based on product specs and customer reviews:
Pros:
- Deliver crispy “fried” results with minimal oil
- Rapid Air Technology enables quick cook times
- Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup
- Compact/storable footprint on some models
- Intuitive controls and digital interfaces
- Automatic shut-off for safety
Cons:
- Noise from cooling fan
- Smaller capacity on some compact models
- Slight learning curve to get crispiest results
- Plastic smells from new non-stick coatings
- High-end models get pricey
But overall, reviews indicate the pros seem to heavily outweigh the cons for most users. Tefal air fryers deliver on their promised performance.
Conclusion
Based on their product offerings, reviews, and ratings, Tefal makes excellent quality air fryers that perform on par with or better than models from competing big brands. They offer great performance and features at reasonable price points.
Tefal air fryers excel at quickly cooking crispy fried favorites like fries, nuggets, and wings with just a teaspoon or two of oil. Models like the ActiFry Genius earn rave reviews for their versatility and ability to replace multiple appliances. While compact models suit smaller kitchens and households.
Minor downsides exist like noise levels and smaller capacities on some units. But Tefal air fryers seem to satisfy most owners with their ability to crisp and cook foods evenly and quickly using little to no oil. For shoppers seeking a quality air fryer that delivers on its promised benefits, Tefal models are certainly worthy of consideration.