Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to traditional deep frying. Air fryers use rapid air circulation technology to cook food with little to no oil, resulting in crispy food with significantly fewer calories compared to deep frying.
Black and Decker is a well-known brand that makes a variety of home appliances and power tools. They have entered the air fryer market with several different models. But are Black and Decker air fryers any good? Here is an in-depth look at the key factors to consider when evaluating Black and Decker air fryers.
Air Fryer Models from Black and Decker
Black and Decker currently offers three main air fryer models:
- 2 Quart Digital Air Fryer
- 4 Quart Digital Air Fryer
- 5.5 Quart Digital Air Fryer Oven
The 2 quart and 4 quart models are compact basket style air fryers designed for quick and easy air frying. The 5.5 quart model is a digital air fryer oven with more capacity and functionality, including options for baking, broiling, toasting, and more.
Design and Build Quality
Here is an overview of the design and build quality of Black and Decker air fryers:
- They have a square/rectangular footprint that doesn’t take up too much counter space.
- The control panels are simple with mechanical dials or digital touch buttons.
- They have black and stainless steel finishes that look sleek in any kitchen.
- The baskets and interior pans are made from sturdy metal with non-stick coatings.
- The plastic components feel decently sturdy but may be prone to melting if placed too close to the heating element.
- They are relatively lightweight and easy to move around.
Overall, the design and build quality is decent for the relatively affordable price point of Black and Decker air fryers. They don’t have the premium feel and heft of some higher-end brands but get the job done for casual use.
Cooking Performance
Here is an overview of the cooking performance of Black and Decker air fryers:
- They can air fry crispy foods like french fries, chicken fingers, and chicken wings quite well.
- The convection heating creates a good level of hot air circulation for crisping and browning.
- Cooking times are comparable to other air fryer brands of similar capacity.
- The temperature ranges from 175°F to 400°F which is suitable for most air fried foods.
- The larger 5.5 quart oven model can bake, roast, and broil effectively due to the expanded functionality.
- Foods come out crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside when cooked properly.
- The non-stick coating on the baskets promotes air flow and makes food easy to remove after cooking.
The Black and Decker air fryers deliver satisfactory cooking performance, especially at their affordable price point. The air circulation technology does a good job of producing crispy “fried” texture without a lot of oil. Just don’t overload the baskets too much for best results.
Ease of Use
Here are some notes on the ease of use of Black and Decker air fryers:
- The control panels are straightforward with manual knob or digital touch buttons.
- The timer and temperature settings are easy to program.
- The cooking trays slide in and out smoothly on their rails.
- The non-stick baskets and pans promote air flow and make food removal simple.
- The displays clearly show cooking settings and alert when preheating or cooking is done.
- They don’t come with many accessories, so there is less to keep track of.
- The exterior doesn’t get too hot to touch during operation.
- Cleaning is simple by wiping out the pan and basket after use.
Overall, Black and Decker air fryers are designed for simplicity and convenient everyday use. Even cooking novices should find them easy to operate and maintain.
Capacity
Here are the capacities for the different Black and Decker air fryer models:
| Model | Capacity |
|---|---|
| 2 Quart Digital Air Fryer | 2 quarts |
| 4 Quart Digital Air Fryer | 4 quarts |
| 5.5 Quart Digital Air Fryer Oven | 5.5 quarts |
The 2 quart size is best suited for 1-2 people. The 4 quart size can cook for up to 4 people. The 5.5 quart oven model has the largest capacity to cook family-sized portions.
Price
Here are the typical retail prices for Black and Decker air fryer models:
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 Quart Digital Air Fryer | $59.99 |
| 4 Quart Digital Air Fryer | $99.99 |
| 5.5 Quart Digital Air Fryer Oven | $139.99 |
Black and Decker air fryers are very competitively priced, making them budget-friendly options compared to many other air fryer brands. The smaller models can be purchased for under $100 while the larger oven model is priced under $150.
Warranty
Black and Decker air fryers come with a 2-year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship for 2 years from the original purchase date. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear or damage from improper use or accidents. Customers will need to provide proof of purchase and return the unit to authorized service centers for repair or replacement.
Review Summary
Here is a quick recap of the pros and cons of Black and Decker air fryers based on design, performance, ease of use, capacity, price, and warranty:
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Compact footprint
- Easy to operate and clean
- Produces crispy “fried” results
- Digital model includes more cooking functions
- 2-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Build quality not as rugged as premium brands
- Smaller capacity than some competitors
- Minimal accessories included
- Mixed reviews of long-term durability
Conclusion
Overall, Black and Decker air fryers provide good value and performance for the price. They excel at the core function of air frying with crisp results using little to no oil. Their affordable pricing makes them attractive options for budget-minded buyers or anyone looking for an introductory model.
While Black and Decker air fryers may lack some bells and whistles of fancier models, they meet the basic needs for convenient air frying in most households. Their ease of use and decent cooking abilities make them solid choices in the entry-level to mid-range categories of the air fryer market.
Black and Decker is also a reputable brand known for products that provide reliable performance over time. Their air fryers come with a satisfactory 2-year warranty and have many positive reviews. While premium brands like Philips or top-tier appliances like the Cosori Smart Air Fryer may edge them out in certain aspects, Black and Decker air fryers remain competitively good buys for budget-conscious consumers.
In summary, Black and Decker offers quality air fryers with good value that make air frying affordable and accessible for most kitchens. For home cooks seeking an easy-to-use air fryer at a wallet-friendly price, Black and Decker models are certainly worthy of consideration.