Halogen Oven Vs. Air Fryer: Which Is Better To Cook With?

Are you in the market for a new kitchen appliance that can cook your meals to perfection?

With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.

Two popular appliances that have gained popularity in recent years are the halogen oven and air fryer.

In this article, I compare the halogen oven and air fryer in terms of their features, cooking time, health benefits, ease of use and cost, to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

So, let’s dive in and find out which appliance reigns supreme!

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Halogen Oven and Air Fryer Overview

A halogen oven is a type of oven that uses convection and infrared technology to cook food evenly and quickly.

It works by heating the air inside the oven, which then circulates the food, to cook it evenly. It’s a great alternative to a traditional oven as it can cook a variety of dishes in less time, and uses less energy.

Meanwhile, an air fryer uses hot air to fry food to perfection, giving it that crispy texture without using oil.

It’s ideal for those who love fried food but are looking for a healthier option. As they use much less oil, the food that comes out of the air fryer is much healthier and lower in fat.

Both appliances are designed to make cooking healthier and more convenient, making it easier for you to cook your favourite meals in less time with ease.

Advantages of Halogen Oven

One of the main advantages of a halogen oven is its speed.

It typically takes less time to cook food compared to a regular oven, which is perfect for those who are always on the go.

The halogen oven’s efficiency is due to its use of convection and infrared technology, which allows for even cooking and faster cooking times.

Additionally, halogen ovens are often more energy-efficient than traditional ovens, which can save you money on your electricity bill in the long run.

Another advantage is that they’re versatile and can be used for a wide range of cooking tasks, including baking, roasting, grilling, and even defrosting.

Their compact size can also make them a great option if you have limited space in your kitchen.

Advantages of an Air Fryer

Air fryers offer several advantages over traditional deep fryers, including healthier cooking and ease of use.

One of the main benefits is that air fryers use a fraction of the oil that deep fryers require, making them a healthier cooking option for those who want to reduce their fat intake.

The hot air circulates the food, cooking it evenly and producing crispy, fried food textures without the need for oil.

Air fryers are easy to use and produce consistently good results every time.

They are also much easier to clean than traditional deep fryers, which require the disposal of large amounts of oil and can be difficult to clean thoroughly.

Air fryers are also versatile and can be used to cook a variety of dishes, from chicken wings to fish and chips, and even baked potatoes.

Overall, an air fryer is an excellent option for those who want to enjoy fried foods without the added fat and calories.

How to Use a Halogen Oven

Using a halogen oven is straightforward.

First, you need to plug in the oven and allow it to heat up to the required temperature. This is similar to pre-heating a traditional oven before using it.

Pre-heating your halogen oven allows the halogen element to reach its optimal temperature, which is required for efficient cooking. It usually takes 10-15 minutes to preheat.

Depending on which halogen oven you have, they come with different designs and settings.

Some halogen ovens use a digital setting to program the time and temperature, while others use manual control.

My Daewoo halogen oven uses a manual control so it’s easier for me to dial up or down to set the timer and temperature controls.

Once the halogen is heated up, you can place your food inside and set the cooking time and temperature.

It’s important to adjust the timer correctly according to the instructions for each dish you’re cooking.

At the end of the cooking time, check that your food is cooked to the desired doneness.

When the food is done, you can remove it from the oven using heat-resistant gloves or an oven mitt. And enjoy!

How to Use an Air Fryer

Using an air fryer is even easier than a halogen oven but not necessarily better.

To get started, you need to plug in the air fryer and set the timer and temperature.

For example, the manual book that comes with the product will tell you to give your air fryer a test run before using it for cooking.

So you can put it on 400F/200C for 5 minutes to ensure that it works correctly.

Some brands of air fryers have a preheat button and some don’t. But you can just manually preheat your fryer before doing any cooking.

The time and temperature settings will vary depending on which type of food you are cooking, so make sure to check the instructions for each dish that you’ll be making. Read the manual book thoroughly beforehand.

Once the air fryer is preheated, add your food inside the air fryer’s basket and close the lid securely.

Cooking time will vary depending on the type of food that you’re cooking, so check the instructions for each dish. Use tin foil at the bottom of the basket for your food whenever possible.

It’s important to make sure that you don’t overload the basket as this will cause uneven cooking.

For best results, cook your food in batches if necessary because, unlike a halogen oven, most air fryers only have a single compartment.

When the air fryer stops, your food should be cooked to perfection. If it needs a few more minutes, adjust the timer accordingly.

When done, pull out the basket and remove your food from the air fryer. Set it on your plate, dig in and enjoy!

Key Features to Consider in a Halogen Oven and an Air Fryer

Before deciding on buying either an air fryer or a halogen oven, it is important to consider the key features of each appliance.

Special Features:

A halogen oven is a modern cooking appliance that uses both convection and infrared heat to cook food.

It has special features such as an adjustable temperature range, timer, and built-in fan for fast cooking times.

Meanwhile, an air fryer is a type of countertop deep fryer that uses convection and hot air circulation technology to cook food quickly and evenly.

It has a variety of features such as adjustable temperature settings, a timer, and a digital display to monitor cooking progress.

Size:

Size is also an important factor when you are choosing between an air fryer and a halogen oven.

An air fryer takes up less counter space than a halogen oven due to its smaller design. However, a halogen oven can cook larger batches of food compared to an air fryer.

My Daewoo halogen oven comes in a standard 12L capacity with added 5L extender ring to increase the cooking capacity, while most mid-range air fryer has a maximum capacity of 5.5L which is not a lot when you’re doing weekly meal prep or cooking for more than one person.

Cleaning:

When it comes to cleaning, the halogen oven has an advantage over the air fryer.

The removable glass bowl and lid of most halogen ovens make it easy to clean compared to the basket-style design of an air fryer.

The glass bowl of the halogen oven does not have to be washed by hand and can usually be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

In contrast, an air fryer requires more effort to clean due to the small spaces between the basket and the lid.

Even a halogen oven with a hinged lid is easier to clean than an air fryer. Also, the Daewoo halogen oven has a self-cleaning function that helps to make cleaning faster and easier.

Ease of Use:

A halogen oven is much easier to use than an air fryer.

The Daewoo halogen oven has an easy-to-use control panel you can manually set up by selecting the required temperature and timer settings. This makes it easy to cook your food with minimal effort.

But some expensive halogen ovens offer a digital display that allows you to monitor your food’s cooking progress.

The adjustable temperature settings also allow you to easily adjust the heat depending on your cooking needs.

On the other hand, an air fryer has a digital display and adjustable temperature settings to help you cook food perfectly every time.

However, some users find it difficult to use at first because of its complex control panel and the noisy sound it makes.

Accessories:

When it comes to accessories, a halogen oven has more options than an air fryer.

The Daewoo halogen oven comes with a range of accessories, such as an extender ring, an oil sprayer, a lid stand, 2 mesh trays, high and low oven racks and tongs.

These accessories can help you to cook larger portions or different varieties of food easily in the same appliance. In comparison, air fryers usually come with just one basket-style accessory for cooking food.

This means that you cannot use the air fryer to cook large portions of food at once or different varieties of food, unlike a halogen oven.

Power:

If power usage is important to you, a halogen oven is the better choice.

This Daewoo halogen oven consumes less power than an air fryer, so you can save on energy costs. Even though both appliances use convection and hot air circulation technology to cook food quickly and evenly, a halogen oven tends to be more energy efficient than an air fryer.

Most Halogen ovens offer 1,300 to 1,400 wattage, while air fryers can require up to 1,700 to 2400 watts and in some cases even more. This means that halogen ovens are far better suited for energy conservation than air fryers.

This allows you to save money on your energy bills while still being able to enjoy delicious, healthy meals daily.

Price:

Finally, the price is always a consideration when buying kitchen appliances.

You would think an air fryer should cost less than a halogen oven due to its smaller size and fewer features but this isn’t the case.

Halogen ovens tend to be more affordable than air fryers, although the prices vary depending on the size and features.

For example, this Daewoo Halogen oven with a 12L capacity costs less than $50. While an air fryer of the same size can cost upwards of $200.

Overall, if you’re looking for an appliance that will save you time in the kitchen and is easy to clean, a halogen oven may be the better option over an air fryer.

However, if counter space is a priority for you, then an air fryer may be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision will depend on your individual needs and budget.

If you have already made your mind up on buying a halogen oven or air fryer, use the links below!

Get Daewoo Halogen Oven on Amazon

Get Ninja Foodie Air Fryer on Amazon

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Conclusion

A halogen oven is more affordable, easier to use and has more versatile cooking options than an air fryer.

It also uses less power, so you can save money on energy costs while still being able to enjoy delicious meals daily.

Halogen Oven vs. Air Fryer: Which Is Better To Cook With?