Aerogrill or electric grill: which is better?

To prepare juicy meat with a crispy crust, it is not necessary to get a brazier. Home appliance manufacturers offer many compact devices that fit easily in your kitchen. Today we will talk about electric grills and air grills, discuss their advantages and disadvantages.

What is the difference between an air grill and an electric grill?

The main difference between the devices is the method of heat treatment of food. Meat dishes cooked on an electric grill have the same taste as dishes fried on the grill.

Using this device at home is safe only with a powerful hood, as When frying, a large amount of smoke appears. In addition, during cooking, a lot of fat is released, which falls on the open heating elements.

An air grill is much more functional than an electric grill, but it consumes more electricity. For its operation does not need a powerful hood, because cooking takes place under the lid and without smoke. The design of the air grill allows you to adjust the temperature, choose the frying mode and the speed of heat treatment.

The principle of operation of electric grills and air grills

The principle of operation of the electric grill is a powerful heating element that heats a special grill. It is where the food is cooked. Depending on the design of the device, there can be several heating elements - in the lower and upper parts of the housing.

Electric grills come in two types - contact and non-contact. The first option emits less smoke and resembles a grill pan. Using contact devices you can cook not only meat or hard vegetables, but also fried eggs, burgers and various flour dishes. Contactless models are best used outdoors, because they have an open spiral. It is in them that the very meat “from the fire” is obtained.

Cooking in the air grill is due to the circulation of hot air. Many models have control panels on which you can select several operating modes at once. Such devices can not only fry food, but also cook, bake, defrost, smoke, etc. They are often compared on the principle of working with crock-pots and double boilers.

Aerogrills can be divided into three types: based on a heating element, a halogen glass-karmic lamp and a carbon heater. Most devices operate on the basis of a heating element, although other heating elements are more environmentally friendly and have a long service life.

Instrument Functions

Before deciding on a specific device, it is necessary to study its capabilities. In the case of grills, the functionality directly depends on the price and design of the device. Here are the main features:

Electric Grill Functions:

• thawing food;
• food heating;
• frying without adding oil;
• cooking cereals, soups, pasta, etc. (in some contactless models).

Functions of an air grill:

• frying and cooking products;
• baking;
• smoking;
• defrosting;
• steaming;
• sterilization of cans, etc.

Air grills have more functionality, but they cook more slowly than electric grills. For home use, it is better to choose closed models with a folding design. They do not allow smoke and are easily cleared of fat.

Advantages and disadvantages of devices

Aerogrill is a real helper for any housewife. It has many functions and easily replaces most of the kitchen appliances for cooking. However, even such a useful device has both advantages and obvious disadvantages. Here are the most basic ones:

Benefits of air grills:

• a variety of cooking modes;
• there is no need to use vegetable oil;
• products are cooked evenly from all sides;
• thanks to a transparent cover, it is easy to follow the process of processing the dish;
• folding design makes it easy to rinse every detail;
• fully automated cooking system;
• due to the low heat conductivity, the products in the aerogrill remain hot for a long time;
• some models have several departments at once, which allows you to cook many dishes at the same time;
• thanks to the closed housing design, unpleasant odors do not leak out;
• fat does not get on the heating elements and flows into a special pan;
• the device quickly warms up and adjusts to the selected mode.

Disadvantages of air grills:

• unlike electric grills or ovens, they cook food more slowly;
• consume a large amount of electricity;
• have a large structure, which is difficult to transfer from place to place;
• there is no characteristic smell of a “bonfire", which is inherent in electronic models.

Electric grills are much less versatile. They cook food faster and require constant monitoring of the process. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of electric grills:

Benefits:

• an electric grill can be used both for frying food, and for defrosting, making cereals;
• devices with a closed structure can be installed not only on the terrace, but also in kitchen facilities;
• large dimensions allow you to cook many dishes at the same time;
• there is no need to use vegetable oil, as non-stick surface;
• electric grills work almost silently and do not cause inconvenience when moving;
• more affordable cost than other household appliances;
• meat and fish acquire a crisp and a characteristic smell of a “fire”.

Disadvantages:

• fat from cooking can clog and get on the heating elements;
• open models are not suitable for kitchens due to the formation of fumes;
• tangible power consumption when compared with conventional stoves;
• it is necessary to constantly monitor the cooking process;
• Do not bake food or bake in electric grills.

How to choose an electric or hot grill

Despite the fact that electric grills and air grills are different devices, they work on a similar principle. When choosing these household appliances, it is necessary to focus on technical specifications, scope of delivery, appearance and ease of operation. And now more about each of these points:

1. Convenient design. Prefer devices with a removable tray and detachable top cover. It will be easier to wash them off residual fat. Air grills often have transparent walls. Through them, you can monitor the preparation of food without lifting the lid. The weight of the device is of great importance if you choose a grill for home use. Compact models hold less food, but are easy to carry around.
2. Non-stick coating. It is better to choose non-stick grills, as it allows you to cook healthy foods without adding vegetable oil. Enamel coating is much worse in operation. It is short-lived and will crack over time.
3. Device power. The speed and quality of cooking, as well as the amount of electricity consumed, depend on power. The air grill must have at least three temperature conditions for different types of dishes.
4. Ease of controls. Air grills have many additional modes and functions, so management should be simple and intuitive. Choose models with an LCD or electronic panel. They are a little more expensive, but will greatly simplify your life in the future.
5. Roominess. The larger the surface area for frying, the more products will fit there. There are multi-level devices that allow you to cook several dishes at once. The average capacity of the container in the air grill is 7-10 liters. It is better to choose devices with additional expanders.

So which is better: aerogrill or electric grill? The answer depends on the operating conditions. For a large house with an open terrace, it is better to purchase electronic devices, as they emit a lot of light smoke, and for home use an air grill or a closed type grill is suitable.

Output

Air grills and electric grills differ among themselves in the way of heat treatment of products. The air grill is much more functional and versatile, but it cooks for a long time and is not suitable for outdoor picnics. Each device has its advantages and disadvantages. When buying, it is better to focus not only on technical characteristics, but also on the preferred method of cooking.