Are you also confused about whether an air fryer or a halogen cooker is better? We understand your confusion because both the appliances are pretty similar in terms of cooking methods. However, some differences set the two appliances apart, and these differences will hopefully help you make a better choice for your kitchen.
In this article, we will highlight the differences between air fryers and halogen cookers. We hope that this complete guide on the two appliances will help you make the best choice for your kitchen!
What is the difference between an air fryer and a halogen cooker?
The main difference between an air fryer and a halogen cooker is that an air fryer uses a coil and a fan to cook the food. In contrast, a halogen cooker/oven uses a halogen bulb and fan. Also, air fryers are costlier and more difficult to clean than halogen cookers.
The heat source in both the appliances is hot air. However, the cooking results are different. Air fryers cook fried food, while halogen cookers are more suitable for cooking roasted food.
What is an air fryer, and how does it work?
An air fryer is sort of a countertop convection oven that fries your food without oil. An air fryer’s upper part houses the heating mechanism and fan.
When you turn on the fryer, heated air flows down onto the food in a fryer-style basket. The food becomes crisp owing to the quick circulation. This is similar to deep-frying but without the oil. The food in the basket browns and crisps as a result of this. An air fryer takes between 5 and 25 minutes to cook at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition to cooking, the food air fryer has many other uses. For instance, an air fryer can dehydrate food and cook raw meat as well.
What is a halogen cooker, and how does it work?
A halogen cooker/oven is made out of a glass bowl with a top that houses a fan and halogen bulbs. When the halogen bulbs are turned on, beams of infrared (or, more precisely, far-infrared) radiation are produced, generating heat. Hot air is blown over and around the food by the fan, which cooks the food.
A good amount of energy is quickly transferred to the food when it is exposed to infrared radiation. Water molecules and organic substances like proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates vibrate/rotate as a result of the energy, producing heat that kills microbes and gives the meal a brown and crispy exterior.
What are the differences between Air fryers and Halogen cookers?
There are many differences that distinguish the two appliances from each other. We have summarized the differences below so you can make a better choice!
Air fryer | Halogen cooker | |
Working principle | The air fryer works on the convection method. This compact kitchen appliance circulates heat (produced by a coil) through a fan to cook the food. | Halogen cooker uses infrared radiation, which generates the heat that flows over and around the food by virtue of a fan, thus cooking the food. |
Accessories | An air fryer comes with a metal tray and a removable basket for cooking food. The lid (which has the fan and the coil) is attached to the machine. | A halogen cooker has a light bulb that cooks the food. It comes with a removable lid, a heating chamber with a halogen lamp (light bulb), a metal cooking rack, and a clear glass bowl. |
Visibility of food | You cannot see your food in an air fryer while it is cooking. | The food is easily visible in a halogen cooker thanks to the translucent glass bowl. |
Preheating | An air fryer does require preheating at times; however, it is only 3 to 5 minutes. | Unlike an air fryer, there is no need to preheat a halogen cooker as it heats up really fast upon receiving power. |
Size | Air fryers are smaller in size than halogen cookers. Therefore they are perfect for small kitchens, studio apartments, RVs, dorm rooms, etc. | Halogen cookers are larger in size. Hence, an air fryer might be a better option if you have a small apartment with limited kitchen space. |
Capacity | Since air fryers are smaller in size, they are not suitable for cooking large volumes of food. | Owing to the greater size of a halogen cooker, you can cook a large amount of food in it. |
Healthiness | Because air fryers do not use oil/fats for cooking food, they are a healthier choice. | Halogen cookers are likely to have a higher concentration of fats, especially if you are using oil, making them a less healthy choice. |
Easy to clean | To clean an air fryer, first, wipe the outside with a tissue or towel. Clean the basket in your dishwasher or clean it by hand. However, the air fryer does get tough to clean when the nonstick coating on the tray and basket chips off. | Cleaning a halogen cooker is also simple, but since it has more parts than an air fryer, it can take some time. To clean, you just simply need to unplug it, remove the racks and glass bowl and place them in your dishwasher, or wash them by hand. |
Cost | Air fryers are costlier than halogen cookers. | Halogen cookers are comparatively cheaper. |
Air fryer vs. Halogen cooker: Which one to choose?
Air fryers are best for small spaces because of their compact size. They don’t take much time to clean but are more expensive than halogen cookers. Moreover, they are a healthier option. They do not require much maintenance and are easy to operate; however, they are not as versatile as halogen cookers.
So, if you don’t have much space in your kitchen and aren’t a fan of cleaning, then an air fryer is your pick.
Halogen cookers are comparatively less costly and are pretty versatile. They do more than just roast food and can cook any large variety of food. They are not difficult to clean; however, they can take some time to clean up.
If you have to cook a large amount of food and want to experiment with different dishes, then go for a halogen cooker.
Related FAQs to Air fryer vs. Halogen cooker
Can you use tin foil in halogen cookers?
Yes, you can use tin foil in a halogen oven. It is perfectly safe. The foil will improve the cooking environment, prevent burning, and guarantee better results.
Do halogen cookers consume a lot of energy?
Contrary to popular belief, halogen cookers do not consume lots of energy. In fact, they consume 75% less energy than a conventional oven.
What are some disadvantages of a halogen cooker?
Halogen cookers do not defrost well. Plus, they heat up too quickly. The lid is heavy and difficult to lift when it is hot.
Concluding thoughts on air fryer vs halogen cooker
Both air fryers and halogen cookers are good kitchen appliances to have. It’d be unfair to prefer one over the other. However, if you constantly see yourself as a big fried food junkie looking for some healthier alternative, or someone high on a budget, go for an air fryer. But if you have a large family to feed and are low on a budget, buy a halogen cooker. It all depends on what suits you the best.