Anyone got an Actifry or a Halogen oven?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Aug 25, 2014.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Looking at both of these for some point in the future, and was wondering if anyone had them and could offer any opinions?

    We have a deep fryer that we haven't used in years simply because its a pain in the rear to clean, not healthy in the least, and takes about five quids worth of oil at every fill - - oven chips are a waste of effort really, not least because our oven isn't much cop, but being a true Scotsman - I kinda like chips :snork:

    The halogen ovens intrigue me, not least because of the (alleged) speed they cook with whilst browning at the same time. The odd person that I speak to that have them seem to be big fans, but I am still at that unsure stage......

    Opinions please ladies and gents!
     
  2. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    No, I got a small frying pan and a one ring gas hob :)
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      I use a deep fat fryer.
      I dont clean it everytime I use it.
      Its gets sterilized everytime I use it.

      Oven chips are rubbish.
       
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      • Victoria

        Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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        Got rid of my deep fat fryer because I could not cope with cleaning the mesh basket ... nightmare to me :hate-shocked: so bought a Phillips Airfryer which is just magic!

        Having said that, friends of ours have just left me a Remoska which I have not tried yet. :scratch:

         
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        • Freddy

          Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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          I have both. The halogen oven has only been used a couple of times as we keep it down the 'van'. Seems pretty good though, although you'll need to set the temperature higher than normal. I wouldn't try chips in it. The Actifry we use quite a bit. Don't stick with the recommended 1 TBS of oil, your chips will be dry. We normally use 2-3, and it takes around 30 mins. It's dead handy for putting something together in little time. Cut some spuds (skins on) into good sized chunks, and whack 'em in, job done. Dead easy to clean too. I recommend:thumbsup:
           
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          • Victoria

            Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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            Oh Freddy, the Actifry (which I think is Tefal) uses oil ... the Phillips does not and cooks chips/french fries in half the time.

            So, as I haven't used it yet, what are your thoughts on the Remoska?
             
          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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            I believe the airfryer is similar to the actifry so its good to hear that its magic.

            We have a pretty good deep fryer - one of those semi-pro things where the element lifts out of the big bucket of oil, but we haven't used it in years; only getting a handful of uses between oil changes and cleans, the smells after cooking and the fact that no matter how much you try its never going to be an easy thing to clean all made the actifry appeal.

            I had a passing glimpse at a Remoska, but wasn't really sure........... be good to hear your thoughts when you do use it :)
             
          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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            Thanks @Freddy :)

            Looking at some of the recipes online, it would appear to be good for things like veggie chips (parsnip, swede etc) and stuff like crispy chicken wings etc. Do you use it for a variety of things, or is it mainly chips?
             
          • Freddy

            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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            Hiya Vicky:)
            We don't have the Remska halogen oven. It's some obscure make. As I said, we haven't used it much, maybe 3 or 4 times? Given it's size, it suits our needs well as it's kept in our 'tourer'. Although it's described as an oven, I see it as an enclosed grill, so best to keep an eye on what's going on. We cooked some chicken in it, and had to turn it a couple of times to make sure it didn't burn. Did some jacket spuds in it, they were nice:)
             
          • Freddy

            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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            TBH, we've mainly used it for spuds (chips/roasters). Keep meaning to try some chicken and other things, just haven't got round to it I suppose. Roasted Carrots are nice(no need to peel), again, takes around 25-30 minutes.
             
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            • Freddy

              Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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              Oh yes, I like the fact that nothing sticks to the Actifry, because it's constantly moving. In a roasting tin, my roasters always stick:doh:I would though say that it's a bit of a compromise, after all, it's not swimming in all that lovely fat:biggrin:
               
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              • Fat Controller

                Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                Thought I would update this - we had some vouchers to use (quite a good chunk of vouchers in fact), so we have just treated ourselves to a 2-in-1 Actifry and a Morphy Richards Redefine - reviews of both to follow after they are delivered and pressed into use
                 
              • SharonL

                SharonL Gardener

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                Hi I've just joined and noticed your Actifry update and yes, I can heartily recommend it, I love mine. Easy peasy clean up, chips come out great, virtually no need to stir things, and you can do so much more than chips in it.

                I got a Halogen too as the house I moved into had a great big cooker and I mostly only cook for one or two so the Halogen is perfect for that, and again, super easy clean up.
                 
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                • Fat Controller

                  Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                  Thank you @SharonL, and welcome to GC :sign0016: - nice to have you aboard :)

                  I stepped back from the Halogen just now, mostly because we have a really small kitchen and I wondered if it might end up being too much on the worktop. I am glad to hear the Actifry is good though - I really miss decent chips, not that we have them that often; at the moment we have oven chips when we fancy chips, and to be honest they are rubbish.

                  Do you stick to the one 20ml dose of oil, or do you add a bit more?
                   
                • SharonL

                  SharonL Gardener

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                  Hi there

                  I think you've made the right choice, if I could only have one machine, it'd be the Actifry as you can do all sorts in there and it'll stir away happily for you whilst you get on with something else, its brilliant. I dont tend to add more oil than recommended and, if you put "real" chips in there for about 25 mins, they're tasty and better than oven chips any day of the week. They are a bit drier than chips done in a deep fat fryer, of course they are, so I'd say experiment a bit - try them with just the recommended dose of oil first, then try adding a bit more next time if you prefer them less dry.

                  The win win is - you're using loads less oil than you would have in a deep fat fryer for a start - and it keeps stirring em round for you - oh and the third win is easy clean up like I said, brilliant

                  Enjoy :hapfeet:
                   
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