Quick Answer
No, the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill is not technically an air fryer. While it uses hot air circulation technology similar to air fryers, the Easy Fry & Grill has some key differences that set it apart.
What is the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill?
The Tefal Easy Fry & Grill is a multipurpose small kitchen appliance that can be used for frying, grilling, baking and roasting food. It combines electric grill plates with a top heating element and fan to circulate hot air around food.
Some key features of the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill include:
- 1800W of power
- Thermostat dial with 8 temperature settings up to 200°C
- Non-stick grill plates with integrated drip tray
- 0.6m2 cooking surface
- Timer up to 60 minutes
- Dishwasher safe removable parts
It aims to provide an easy and convenient way to cook a variety of dishes using little to no oil. The non-stick plates and circulating hot air help create crispy results.
How Does the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill Work?
The Tefal Easy Fry & Grill works by combining electric grill plates with a heating element and fan. Here’s an explanation of how it cooks:
- Food is placed on the non-stick grill plates which heat up like a regular electric grill.
- A heating element above the food emits intense heat downwards.
- A built-in fan circulates the hot air around and over the food.
- The constant hot air flow cooks the food and maintains a high temperature.
- The circulating air produces a crispy outer layer by removing moisture from the food surfaces.
- Oil is not required for most cooking, but a small amount can be used to prevent sticking.
So in summary, the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill uses both contact grill plates and convection heating with hot air flow to cook foods.
Differences Between the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill and Air Fryers
While the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill utilizes air flow technology, there are some key differences between it and typical air fryers:
| Tefal Easy Fry & Grill | Air Fryers |
|---|---|
| Uses grill plates in addition to air flow | Do not have grill plates |
| Lower maximum temperature of 200°C | Higher max temps, usually 200°C+ |
| Smaller capacity approx 4L | Larger capacities around 5L+ |
| Fixed cooking chamber size | Detachable air fryer basket |
| Primarily for grilling and frying | Specialize in air frying |
The main difference is that true air fryers only use superheated air circulated around the food in an enclosed chamber, without direct contact to a heated surface.
What Kind of Foods Can You Cook in the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill?
Here are some of the dishes you can cook in the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill:
- Burgers, sausages, steaks – the grill plates allow for direct grilling
- Fries, nuggets, fish fillets – the hot air flow makes these crispy
- Vegetables like potatoes, broccoli, peppers – roasted nicely by the circulating air
- Meat pieces like chicken wings, chops and skewers
- Frozen convenience foods like chicken tenders, fries
- Toast, eggs, pancakes – the grill plates double as a contact grill
- Small roasts, kebabs
- Baked goods like muffins, tarts, garlic bread
The Tefal Easy Fry & Grill is quite versatile – the grill plates provide direct searing while the hot air flow allows for crisping, roasting and baking. Most foods that can be grilled, fried or baked can be cooked.
Limitations on Foods
There are some limitations though:
- Low capacity means only small portions or batches can be cooked
- No detachable basket limits cooking larger foods
- Not ideal for cooking wet batters like donuts, nor delicate baked goods
- Grill plates are fixed in position so can’t be removed
The small 4L capacity and integrated grill plates make the appliance less suited to cooking large batches of food or anything requiring a removable, enclosed basket.
Pros of the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill
Here are some of the benefits of the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill:
- Versatility – grill, fry, roast, bake all in one appliance
- Healthier cooking – lower fat than deep frying due to using less oil
- Easy to use – simple temperature dial and timer settings
- Compact size – small footprint so great for kitchens with limited space
- Rapid heating – reaches up to 200°C in just a few minutes
- Dishwasher safe – removable grill plates and parts are dishwasher safe
- Automated cooking – set and forget with the timer for hands-free cooking
The convenience, ease of use and ability to produce crispy results with minimal oil make it a handy appliance.
Cons of the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill
A few downsides to consider include:
- Small capacity – can only cook small servings so not ideal for larger families
- Fixed grill plates – no ability to remove plates for oven cooking or cleaning
- Messy overflow – excess grease and juices can spill over edges
- Poor air circulation – corner areas tend to have uneven cooking
- No basket – lacks a removable basket for shaking or flipping foods
- Soft interiors – grill plates can struggle to produce crispy baked items
The more limited capacity and lack of a removable air fryer style basket limit its ability replicate true air frying results.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill utilizes hot air flow technology, its combination grill-fryer design means it does not fully qualify as an air fryer. The fixed grill plates and more compact chamber make it better suited to grilling, frying and roasting smaller batches of food. For those seeking a standalone air fryer, a dedicated appliance with an enclosed basket and superheated air flow would be a better option. However the Tefal Easy Fry and Grill can still produce crispy results with less oil than deep frying. Its versatility and ease of use make it a handy addition for healthy cooking and reducing fat for many households.