These days, it seems like everyone has been raving about air fryers, but now some are starting to give them up for good.
Let’s face it, certain kitchen gadgets come in and out of style, some lasting only a little while before they’re replaced by something newer. It’s like they appear, make a splash, and then disappear.
Of course, some appliances stick around. But the air fryer might be at risk of becoming one of those fleeting trends, thanks to a device that’s cheaper and supposedly does the same thing.
Air fryers first took off because they promised to cook food faster than a regular oven, while offering a healthier way to cook compared to frying in oil.
And sure, while some people may argue that unhealthy food is worth it if it tastes good, air fryers were still a big hit. They were even promoted as a budget-friendly alternative to traditional ovens.
But now, another countertop appliance, the Halogen Oven, is giving air fryers a run for their money.
This gadget uses a halogen light bulb to cook food in a glass bowl beneath it. You can almost picture it being invented by someone accidentally burning themselves on a hot bulb and thinking, “Wait, I could use this to cook!”
Usually, the design includes a basket on the outside to keep hands safe, with a glass bowl inside.
A halogen bulb sits at the top, heating the contents and sometimes turning on and off to maintain the set temperature.
These models can go from about 60°C up to 240°C, or 140°F to 464°F.
Many are now suggesting halogen ovens as a more budget-friendly alternative to the air fryer.
While air fryers have been popular, the high-end ones can get pretty pricey, which could make people second-guess their “budget-friendly” label.
Plenty of people have shared why they prefer halogen ovens over air fryers.
One person explained: “I treated myself to a halogen oven to help with Christmas; I only have one shelf in my oven.”
Another added: “It is one million times better than the rubbish air fryer I got in the summer.”
Someone else agreed, saying: “Halogen oven is better, healthier and cheaper than air fryer.”
Of course, there’s always one more alternative—just using the oven that’s already built into your kitchen.
