We didn’t even have to read the manual to learn how to navigate between cooking mode, time, and temperature settings. The dial also moves smoothly and is fast for navigating minutes and temperature degrees, compared to holding down a button. Our engineers first judge an air fryer based on how easy it is to use the buttons or dials on the machine and the size and clarity of the lettering on the unit.
How much time are you willing to spend cleaning up after you’re done air frying your meal? Almost all air fryers are easier to clean than countertop oil fryers; quickly rinsing the basket and drawer and sticking them both in the dishwasher is par for the course for most models. However, some units have baskets that must be hand-soaked and scrubbed before the next use. These appliances aren’t just for piles of fries and chicken wings.
A cooking progress bar from preheating to cooking is also a great addition. There are also new cooking status indicators at the center of the console. It will let you know if it’s preheating, cooking, and will also tell you to turn your food (when you’re air frying and roasting). Take a look around your kitchen and consider where you’ll use your air fryer, and where you’ll store it when it’s not in use. The fryer will also need to be well within reach of a power outlet — these puppies don’t run on batteries.
From a size perspective, and Plus aren’t 100% identical. The Vortex Plus weighs slightly more as it has additional cooking features. The Vortex is primarily a black plastic air fryer and the Plus has additional stainless steel accents.
Since a fraction of the oil is used, air frying is considered a healthier cooking method. The sleek black air fryer comes in at just above 14 inches tall, 11 inches wide, and 12 inches deep and has a 6-quart volume, which is perfect for four to six servings at a time. Plus, it’s got a clear window, so you can see the progress of your food without opening the basket. It also has a progress bar to show you exactly how much cooking time is left. The brand’s “EvenCrisp” technology helps create the perfect texture without the fuss or oil of a fryer, too. And cleaning up couldn’t be easier, since its tray and basket are both dishwasher-safe.
The chicken legs were moist on the inside and the skin was crisp, but not overdone. We air fried chips in one basket at the same time as roasting chicken legs in the other, and didn’t feel like the scent permeated across the baskets. It’s SyncCook capabilities give it practicality beyond single-drawer air fryers, particularly for anyone wanting to quickly cook multiple ingredients.
There aren’t presets built into the machine either, like a shortcut button for standard recipes like French fries. We had to do some digging in the Instant app in order to cook certain foods with appropriate time and temperature settings. Please visit /support/register instant vortex to register your new Instant Brands™ appliance. Failure to register your product will not diminish your warranty rights. You will be asked to provide the store name, date of purchase, model number and serial number along with your name and email address.
The Broil smart program is used for top-down heating, similar to what you’d do in a regular oven. By default, it starts at 8 minutes of cooking time with a temperature of 400F. The instructions offer temperature and timing guides for using each mode.