Okay, so multiple times in the past few days I've come across people raving about their air fryers. I have a lot of kitchen gadgets already (including my beloved instant pot), and not a WHOLE lot of room for more of them...BUT I also like getting new kitchen gadgets, especially if it'll save me time/energy/mess and make me more likely to actually cook. I'm still in liquid post-op phase until 8/20, but since I'm day dreaming about cooking and eating real food anyway, I'm curious:

Do you have an air fryer? Is it worth it? Should I get one?

I did buy one and used it once. I find it still takes the same amount of time/energy to use the air fryer as it does to use the stove, toaster oven, oven etc.

i made wings in it and I wasn’t thrilled. I prefer to make them my way in the oven anyhow and it’s less mess I find.

But most people rave about them. I purchased mine because of the raving but now not using it lol

I bought my air fryer on a whim on Black Friday, or Cyber Monday, or something, because it was uber cheap. I've been surprised how much I use it. I actually can't remember the last time I've used my toaster oven.

So the typical stuff it does really well, chicken wings (no breading, just pop them in frozen or defrosted, better than any other method IMO), any kind of breaded & "fried" protein (fish, chicken, pork chops). It's great for reheating, just about anything you would otherwise put in the toaster oven. I've done falafel and fish patties. I like the set it and forget it factor. No risk of burning like a toaster oven (although you can dry stuff out. I'm sure there are tons of other things too, but this is my personal experience.

The downsides are, of course another bulky kitchen appliance. And most airfryers have a really small capacity. It is great for one, sometimes a problem for two, and impossible for three or more people.

I did see this on TV, I'm completely sucked in honestly. Which is ridiculous considering I'm single and live alone

http://www.powerairfryer.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwkrrbBRB9EiwAhlN8_M7gYcmzLB2AuTUzTU7vmLl7P890no5nAVMPRxnrwq-sFDesLnRYSRoC56IQAvD_BwE

@sillykitty do you think a 3.4 QT would be big enough for two people generally? I'm still not 100% decided but I'm leaning toward wanting one!

[mention=333899]sillykitty[/mention] do you think a 3.4 QT would be big enough for two people generally? I'm still not 100% decided but I'm leaning toward wanting one!

I have a 3.4 QT I use for 3 people. It's a great investment. I don't always "cook" in mine, but use it a lot for reheating or cooking / heating frozen meals. It's worth every penny. Ours is used a minimum of 2 - 3 times a week.

15 hours ago, AELdoesRNY said:

@sillykitty do you think a 3.4 QT would be big enough for two people generally? I'm still not 100% decided but I'm leaning toward wanting one!

Are you and your tiny tummy one of those 2 people?

If so, I would say yes, that should work. The problem with the basket style air fryers is as the capacity gets bigger, the basket just gets deeper. For most things, they lay on thw bottom of the basket, so deeper doesn't really accomplish anything. If that makes sense?

That makes sense, I didn’t think of that! I like the idea of having something for convenient reheating because I think leftovers are going to be a big thing for me now that I’ll be doing smaller portions!

I’ve still got four more days of liquids before I get to puréed foods and I’m not feeling any restriction really at all, so I’m nervous about whether my tummy is that small after all! I’m hoping that once I move to puréed and soft foods I’ll feel differently, maybe after just about three weeks post-op my system is too used to the liquids!

I don't know anything about an air fryer but it sounds interesting. I can tell you though that once you start pureed foods you will feel fullness. I felt the same way. At the end of both liquid stages I was having absolutely no issues getting my liquids in. In the "for life" stage and still have an issue eating more than a few bites of anything without discomfort. I have been able to get in more as time has gone by but not much. Good luck on your air fryer purchase as it sounds like you've made up your mind.

On 08/16/2018 at 13:30, J San said:

I don't know anything about an air fryer but it sounds interesting. I can tell you though that once you start pureed foods you will feel fullness. I felt the same way. At the end of both liquid stages I was having absolutely no issues getting my liquids in. In the "for life" stage and still have an issue eating more than a few bites of anything without discomfort. I have been able to get in more as time has gone by but not much. Good luck on your air fryer purchase as it sounds like you've made up your mind.

Thank you for the reassurance!!