The Instant Vortex Is a Fryer With No Training Required.
I’ve been able to try out a few different air fryers so far, and while the convection heating mechanism is the same, the variety is still mind-boggling. When the market is crowded, brands try to entice consumers with new designs. I’ve found that this is where chefs can get lost. In my experience, simple is usually better. I’ve been using the Instant Vortex 6-quart basket model for about two years now and keep coming back to it.
Why is this fryer special?
The 6-quart Instant Vortex has a simple two-part basket design: the drawer and the rest of the unit, which includes the heating element, fan, and touch display. In fact, what makes this air fryer special is how well it gets the job done while remaining completely simple. There is no vertical configuration, dual heating zones or grill function. Just a basket and it will get to work.
In fact, I have an older generation of the same model. The new generation (link above) has a sleeker look and displays both time and temperature (the old one flashes in between), but the functional parts are the same and you can get an idea of the overall size and design. Here. The basket is wide and has sufficient depth. It functions just like a drawer that you slide in and out of the machine by grabbing the handle (which is chunky and I think a little extreme, but that’s the trend with most air fryers) and giving it a good yank. The basket snaps back into the device with a pleasant click.
There is a simple grate that fits into the bottom. My next comment borders on extreme fryer nerdiness, but the grate is great. In many ways, it is similar to any other air fryer rack, but the key difference is the center wire. It’s thin, sits in the cavity, and flips over so you can clean both sides. Who cares, you say? You will think of me if you buy a fixed draft air fryer. Food gets stuck in it strangely and oils can get stuck underneath it. It’s the little things.
The display is digital with several touch buttons for selecting a function (fan speed) and a control knob that can be rotated to select temperature and time. This is the infinity control dial that I have abused by spinning aggressively and it still works fine. This display is ideal for those people who unbox the device and immediately throw away the instruction manual. You plug in the machine, the options light up and you press the buttons. With this Instant Vortex, I believe anyone can air fry correctly on the first try.
Pros and cons of Instant Vortex 6-liter
Pros
-
Easy to use
-
Easy to move around
-
Easy to clean
The 6-quart Instant Vortex boasts easy operation without loss of control. It’s not that air fryers can’t be simpler—some air fryers have preset controls or dials with temperature and fan settings—but the problem is that you have to work within their settings. Instant Vortex pretty much lets you make decisions, but doesn’t muddy the waters with too many unnecessary options, buttons, and presets. By pressing the “Start” button, you can expect consistent, even browning and fast results. This is due to the width of the heating coil. As you can see from the picture, the diameter is large enough to cover most of the basket.
I currently live in an apartment in Brooklyn and space is very limited. My Instant Vortex lives on my refrigerator, which is a good six inches above my head. Oddly enough, it is very easy to move around. I can lift the car on my head and walk up to the counter when I need it, several times a week. Likewise, I have no problem returning it back. I attribute this not to my throbbing lats, but to his squat, boxy shape and light internal drive. Additionally, the weight is evenly distributed as the fan and heating element are centered on the top of the unit.
This brings us to the less glamorous side of cooking: cleanup. Love is too strong a word, but I don’t hate cleaning the Vortex. (I hated cleaning other air fryers.) Once you lift the rack, cleaning the basket doesn’t take long. It’s wide open. Even if you have large hands or limited dexterity, these five panels are wide, flat and easy to reach. A soapy sponge and warm water will do the job easily. For the grates, I recommend a soapy bristle brush. Both of these pieces are also dishwasher safe if you have one of these treasures.
Cons
-
A little big
-
Individual cooking classes
Like most disadvantages of household appliances, they are rather up to you. However, the Instant Vortex takes up a lot of space, so I have to store it away from the counter. To avoid any problems, be sure to measure the space you want him to live in. According to the product listing on Amazon, the dimensions are 12.36″ x 14.92″ x 12.83″ H. Leave a few inches of space behind the device for ventilation during use.
The disadvantage of such a simple design is that this basket type fryer can only cook one dish at a time. Of course, you can put curly fries and shoelaces together because they’re about the same thickness and air fry on the same settings. However, if you’re air-frying multiple parts of a dish, like pork tenderloin and crispy phyllo vegetables , you’ll have to cook one, wait, then cook another and wait again before eating. You may even have to clean the appliance between cooking sessions, depending on what you cooked first.
Is this air fryer for you?
If you want your air fryer to simply do its job and do it right, this is the best air fryer for you. It is easy to use for both beginners and those who don’t like instruction manuals. A large wide basket is great for baking pies , cakes and even casseroles. Likewise, the basket size is great if you’re cooking multiple servings at a time. I can fit four large turkey burgers in it just fine and roast four large red peppers in there at the same time.
This may not be suitable if you need the air fryer to cook multiple portions of food (requiring different temperatures or times) in one session. For this, consider something like Ninja DoubleStack XL . If your main concern is efficiency, even browning and maximum crisp retention, then you’ve found your match.