We did exactly the same
Thank you Jane, interesting but I think you missed the bit about how I hate cooking, and having to prepare things as you suggest, especially in view of the fact that I only have one hotplate which has to linger on a worktop until cold before I can put it away and free up the space, is a definite no-no for me. Likewise with par boiling root veg., which is another way of saying an extra step away from the other veg., the very thing I avoid by not doing them together in the AF, but can do them all together in the steamer.
As far as heating plates is concerned, 2 minutes under the mini-oven grill, which is there anyway and taking up no useable space, is fine. There is another point too, I use the micro to heat the sauces I mix for 2 minutes as soon as the AF and steamer are started, then again when I am cutting the portions for Fran and serving onto the plates. so to use the micro for something else would cock up the system.
I can see the value for some in what you suggest, and thank you for the suggestions, but I am not like some here who look on cooking as an adventure, a joyful hobby. To me it is just a necessary evil time waster which must be kept to a minimum. ![]()
David, I often heat the plate on top of the steamer or 45 seconds in the microwave with a little bit of water on the plate. Might save heating up the mini oven?
I bought an air fryer last year and thought it was pretty nearly useless. We experimented with a few things, all of which worked much better in the mini-oven, so it’s back in the loft ![]()
However, after reading this thread and thinking particularly about some of @David_Spardo 's comments, we are considering hoiking it out and retrying it - not for home but as it is small, it might be useful to fill a gap in cooking appliances in our micro-caravan. We’ve just got back from a trip and would have appreciated an oven-like facility for some of the things we like to cook. The little gas burners plus a mini barbecue deal with most things though… ![]()
Take your point but it really is only 2 minutes in the oven which is there anyway (no saving to remove it because, with a thick board on top it is the perfect height for the steamer to be on), plus I couldn’t balance my plate and Fran’s bowl on the top, plus it would allow excess steam to escape, plus I am cutting Fran’s portions (she can only use one hand) in the 2 minutes they are warming.
There is absolutely no time or energy saving to be made any other way that I do it, the only reason that I cottoned on to @Jane_Williamson 's first post was because I thought she might have meant that she loads plates with raw veg, and does total cooking and heating at the same time in the micro, thus cutting out 2 separate stages that I do. Now I know that is not the case there is no incentive for me to change.
We have been offered meals on wheels (repas a domicile) and I have considered it but, 2 meals would be too much and one, not enough. Believe me if I could lessen the burden of a house husband’s duties I really would do. I expect that many of our friends on here share the burden to a greater or lesser degree but that is not possible here. The aides are great, but they are here just to deal with her personal health needs although one of them cleans once a week (hardly needed but greatly appreciated), and another one goes above and beyond in catering for her mental advantage and even a little physio exercise.
But they don’t do cooking. ![]()
There are many different types of air fryer and it’s not always obvious we’re not comparing like with like. Ours is the Tefal Actifry XL, which is circular. It has an area at the bottom with a rotating paddle, plus a tray, both circular. For example, we couldn’t cook a chicken in it, or anything like that size, whereas I know you can with differently-designed models.
Indeed it is. The current obsession with air fryers is very reminiscent of the obsession with microwaves in the 80’s where people said you could cook a whole Sunday lunch in one ![]()
My sister in law, after having a large kitchen and being a demon cook most of her life has a very small kitchen now after moving. She now just has a ninja air fryer, single portable induction hob and a good tabletop oven. She’s very happy with that setup and can still rustle up a very good meal.
Aubergine curry for me, not in the microwave, but will reheat it in it tomorrow.
Although my Teardrop caravan is not suitable for cooking in (the rear lid is for getting in and out, not a kitchen), it must be roughly the same overall size, so I can only imagine that your AF must be a tiny model. Ours is big and heavy, as big as the mini oven, and would even be way too large for our larger Roma caravan. So I can understand why you have not found it flexible enough.
That makes sense, David. We normally eat outside under an awning but cook usig the little kitchen which, as I said, will cope with most things. However, the ability to roast smaller things (chicken joints perhaps?) would be handy.
Never used mine for a whole chicken though the drawer would be large enough I’m sure. Might be an interesting exercise to try out the ‘roast’ option for a change although I don’t really like fussing with bones when I eat. ![]()
Ours is great with sausages, fish, chicken breasts - you just have to divide the normal cooking time by anything up to a half
or rather, anything up to 2 ![]()
Not big sausage eaters but I don’t dislike them and I might give them a try after the Monday big shop. ![]()
Every few days we have a veggie day and this evening will be one of those. This normally means cooking them all in the steamer but, with no meat to occupy the 2nd drawer, I can split the veg. accordingly and try an AF only meal. As it will be an experiment I will lengthen the suggested times a bit and open the drawers from time to time to test. Essential to ‘synch’ though so it all comes out on time. ![]()
Tried searching but cant find. Is that the name ?.
Put it into Amazon fr and it comes up
Or type it into google and other suppliers also pop up ![]()
Golly! Instant Pot Duo doesn’t half look complicated…
The Ninja Foodi Max does both of those plus others as well.
I used it yesterday to make chicken stock with carcasses I had previously frozen.
Today it grilled my criss cross potatoes and pork belly strips.
I bought in Carrefour on special offer and is definitely a best buy.
I will.keep searching. Not really sure jow much i would use it. Most of my cooking is homemade lasagne , tagliatelle, salads , baked potatoes , fish ( could do in there).![]()
It’s actually incredibly simple. There’s an air fryer function, which I use most, and a pressure cooker option. You simply select what you want to do from the menu buttons, set the temperature like a conventional oven and set the timer, then leave until done. It’s saved me both elec and time as I just throw in what I cooking/baking then return when the end of timer alarm sounds, simple. One of the best bits of kit I’ve purchased! When not in use it goes into a pull out drawer so it’s out of sight and very easily accessible when needed.