Both the handle and the controls don’t get much warmer than room temperature. We measured a noise level of 66.5dB during heating, which is the loudest of the air fryers we had on test. It’s worth mentioning that this is not so noisy that you won’t be able to have a conversation over the top of it while it’s running.
With its precise temperature dial, useful reminders and convenient viewing window, we think the Instant Vortex Plus is great value. We used strong flavours when marinating the chicken tenders in garlic, onion and paprika, and could have benefitted from this feature. When it comes to cleaning, we were able to wash the basket with warm soapy water and wipe down the exterior. We buffed it with a dry microfibre cloth to ensure the shiny stainless-steel, black and ClearCook window exterior remained smudge-free. We started off prepping the broccoli and cauliflower by seasoning them with olive oil and sea salt and placed them straight into the deep 5.7 litre drawer.
To preheat, select the preset preheat function if your air fryer has one, or just set the cooking temperature and let the air fryer heat for three to five minutes before adding your instant vortex food. Not all air fryers need to be preheated, while others automatically preheat before starting the cooking timer. Instead of oil, air fryers use hot air to crisp and brown foods.
The dial in the center of the screen easily allows you to adjust the temperature in 5-degree intervals and the text is large and easy to read. Even if you’re someone who hates reading manuals, we have a feeling you’ll be able to figure this one out. We saw a lot of steam leaving the back of the air fryer which was a good sign that it removed a lot of the moisture from the zucchini, which can be a hard vegetable to roast. Overall we were happy with our finished plate of food, but found that the lower maximum temperature meant it cooked more slowly on average than the Ninja air fryers we tested.
The Vortex Plus has the above functions, with the added benefit of being able to dehydrate and broil food. With the slightly angled display, we can at last use the controls without the awkward bend of the knees. Making the Vortex plus the obvious choice for “older” users or those who will be using the unit regularly. We like this because there is less wasted space compared to a circle. Then it tells you when to add the food, and then it starts counting. Preheating is also pretty quick – it typically takes between 2-5 minutes to get up to temperature.
There’s still more than enough in here to make the appliance feel high-tech and well considered. Join the Instant Pot UK Community – Share tips, tricks, recipes and more with this active group of over 35,000 Instant Pot users. We think it’s reasonably priced for a premium design with excellent performance.
Other items that cook up well in the air fryer include vegetables, like brussels sprouts and broccoli; light fish dishes, such as salmon or trout; and Italian favorites, like lasagna or personal pizzas. Air fryers are far more versatile than countertop oil fryers or toaster ovens, so they’re worth a second look even if you’re not a huge fan of standard fried fare. Another bonus of air fryers is that moosoo air fryer you can open them at any time to check on your food’s progress without losing heat or affecting the cooking time. This helps you get your food to your own perfect level of “fried” for a more personalized meal. Since the air fryer uses such a small amount of oil, you’ll want to stop and shake your air fryer’s basket throughout the cooking process to make sure that nothing gets stuck to the sides.