1. Working principle of air fryer: the secret of hot air circulation technology
The working principle of air fryer is based on Rapid Air Technology. This innovative technology has changed the traditional cooking method that relies on a lot of oil. The internal equipment achieves efficient heating through thermodynamic design and fluid mechanics. The high-power heating element (usually 1500-1800W) can heat the air to a high temperature of 200℃ in a short time, and with the turbo fan with a speed of 2000-3000 revolutions per minute, a high-speed hot air flow of 6-10 meters per second is formed in the closed cooking cavity. This spiral of strong hot air can wrap the food in all directions, and the food can be evenly heated through the synergistic effect of three heat transfer methods: forced convection, heat radiation and heat conduction. The precise temperature control system and temperature sensor can control the temperature fluctuation within the standard range to ensure cooking stability. Compared with traditional frying methods, air fryers use less oil or no oil at all to achieve a similar fried taste. Food goes through four key stages during the heating process: surface dehydration (0-3 minutes) to form a dry layer, Maillard reaction (3-8 minutes) to produce attractive color and aroma, internal maturation (8-15 minutes) to ensure that the food is fully cooked, and final setting (the last 2-3 minutes) to adjust the taste. This heating method is not only more efficient (thermal efficiency is over 85%), but also reduces the production of harmful substances.
2. The specific role of the air fryer
The role of the air fryer is far more than a simple "frying" function. From the perspective of healthy eating, it reduces the fat content in food, such as reducing the fat content of fried chicken from 23g/100g in traditional frying to only 8g/100g, and the fat content of French fries from 15% to 3-5%. In addition, it can reduce harmful substances such as acrylamide by 50-70% and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by more than 90%, while better retaining nutrients in food, such as increasing the retention rate of vitamin C by 30-40% and reducing the loss of polyphenols by 20-25%. Air fryers can not only make all kinds of healthy fried foods, but also bake meat and seafood, bake cakes and biscuits, etc. From the perspective of kitchen efficiency, it only takes 3-5 minutes to preheat the air fryer, which is 2-3 times faster than traditional ovens; the cooking time is shortened by an average of 25%; the energy efficiency is 50-70% higher than that of traditional ovens, and a single use consumes only 0.3-0.8 degrees of electricity; in terms of cleaning, the detachable parts can be washed in a dishwasher without oil splashing.
3. Daily maintenance: the secret to extending the service life
Scientific and reasonable maintenance can extend the service life of the air fryer and maintain good working performance. Daily cleaning should be carried out after the temperature of the equipment drops below 60℃. The frying basket and grill can be cleaned with a soft sponge or nylon brush with a neutral detergent. It is recommended to use baking soda paste to wipe stubborn stains. Deep cleaning should be carried out once a week: remove all detachable parts, gently wipe the heating tube with a dry cloth, treat the inner cavity with a special detergent, clean the dust from the vents with a fine brush, and check whether the temperature sensor is clean. There are many ways to remove odors and disinfect: steam cleaning with lemonade or white vinegar, coffee or tea residues to absorb odors, and baking soda paste overnight to treat stubborn odors. Before long-term storage, all parts need to be cleaned and dried, and the integrity of each part should be checked. Moisture-proof agents can be placed in the inner cavity to avoid direct sunlight and moisture. Clean again when reactivated. Attention should be paid during use: avoid continuous operation for more than 2 hours to prevent overheating, do not overload to affect the heating effect, regularly check whether the fan is running smoothly and without abnormalities, replace worn grills and frying baskets and other accessories in time, and use a stable power supply to avoid voltage fluctuations that damage the circuit. Correct maintenance habits can not only keep the equipment in a stable working state, but also ensure the safety of the cooking effect, which is an important guarantee for the long-term value of the air fryer.
4. Common problems: Problem discovery and solutions
- The more common problem of air fryers in use is uneven heating, which is manifested as some food is overcooked and some is undercooked. The main reason is stacking of ingredients, fan failure or misalignment of the guide plate. The solution is to reduce the amount of ingredients, check the operation of the fan and adjust the position of the guide plate.
- The problem of food being too dry is usually caused by too high temperature, too long time or the ingredients being cut too small. It is recommended to lower the temperature by 10-20℃, shorten the time or increase the size of the cut pieces.
- Abnormal noise is mostly caused by foreign matter in the fan, lack of oil in the bearing or loose parts. It is necessary to clean the fan, lubricate the bearing or tighten the loose parts.
- The failure of the device to start may be due to power supply problems, thermostat failure or safety lock failure. Check the power connection, try to reset the device or confirm the status of the safety device.