Cooking at home is a great way of saving money and eating healthier, but there are too many cooking appliances to choose from. Two popular options are air fryers and smokers, both having their own benefits and drawbacks. So which one should you buy? Let’s find out the answer to air fryer vs smoker!
The main difference between an air fryer and a smoker is their ways of cooking. An air fryer uses hot air, which is circulated by a fan, to cook and crisp the food, while a smoker carefully increases the temperature of the air to cook the meat to give it flavor.
What is an Air Fryer, and how does it work?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses air and pressure to cook food. It circulates hot air around the food; this way, it is able to replicate the crispy texture of deep-fried dishes without using large amounts of oil.
The air fryer usually has a basket in which the food is placed and adjustable temperature and timing settings.
What is a Smoker, and how does it work?
A smoker is an outdoor cooking appliance that uses wood chips, charcoal, etc., to produce smoke, which is then used for cooking food.
The food is placed in a cooking chamber, and the smoke and heat circulate around the chamber to cook the food. This smoke gives the food a unique flavor.
Smokers also come in electric and gas versions, where no charcoal or wood is required to generate the smoke.
Differences between Air Fryers and Smokers
The main differences between air fryers and smokers are as follows:
| Air Fryer | Smoker | |
| Working mechanism | Circulates hot air to cook food | Uses smoke and increases the air’s temperature to cook food |
| Use of oil | Uses a small amount of oil to cook and brown the food | Does not use any oil for cooking the food, but it does require some oil on the surface to generate smoke |
| Cooking time | Cooks food faster than a smoker by quickly reaching high temperatures, i.e., within minutes | Takes a very long to cook, about 6 to 24 hours |
| Safety | Safe to use if the manual is followed | Less safe to use than an air fryer |
| Uses | Bake, grill, fry, defrost, dry, and broil foods using less oil than deep fryers | Give food a smoky flavor and preserve it |
| Caloric count | A little more than smokers | Barely uses any oil, so the caloric count will be less than that of an air fryer |
| Cleaning | Easy-to-clean dishwasher-friendly parts | Usually larger than air fryers, so difficult to clean |
| Resulting food crust | Crunchier crust with browning | Softer meat |
Air fryer vs. Smoker: Which one to buy?
When deciding what to buy between an air fryer and a smoker, you should consider the following factors:
Health
Although there is little difference between the quantities of oil used in both appliances, foods made in a smoker are slightly healthier than those made in an air fryer. Therefore, a smoker is better health-wise.
Taste
Food cooked in a smoker usually results in a soft crust and a smoky flavor. On the other hand, food cooked in an air fryer has a crispier crust and a tender interior. However, the smoker is the way to go if you love that smoky flavor.
Cost
Smokers are usually more expensive than air fryers because of their size and mechanism. If you’re looking for something which is a bit less heavy on the pocket, go for an air fryer.
Cooking time
As mentioned earlier, an air fryer cooks food faster than a smoker due to the use of hot air and high temperatures. On the other hand, a smoker slowly cooks over a period of hours.
Safety
Smokers are usually less safe to use than air fryers due to their use of fire. The air fryer has a lid and just circulates hot air, so it is comparatively safe. However, make sure to handle a working air fryer with care.
Maintenance and cleaning
Both air fryers and smokers are easy to maintain and clean. However, a smoker may be slightly more challenging to clean because of its bigger size. Remember that an air fryer does require a thorough cleaning after a couple of uses since the oil and grease can build up on the heating element and the fan.
Versatility
An air fryer can be used to cook a wide variety of foods and is hence more versatile, while a smoker is mainly used for slow-cooking meat and giving it that unique smoky flavor.
Ease of use
Both air fryers and smokers are easy-to-use appliances. Some people may find smokers harder to use since some models require burning charcoal before cooking, but all of it depends on your specific model and the features it offers.
Air fryer vs smoker – conclusion
In conclusion, an air fryer and a smoker are both useful kitchen appliances that can be used to cook different kinds of food. The ideal choice for you depends on your needs and preferences.
If you are looking for a safe, quick, and versatile kitchen appliance, go with an air fryer. Otherwise, if you are looking for a healthier option and prefer the smoky flavor, go with a smoker.