I’m Amazed at How Quiet This Cuisinart Air Fryer Is.
There are countless air fryers on the market vying for your attention, and frankly, many of them are good. Convection heating (which is what air frying is) requires a fan and heating element, and the cheapest brand will give you just that. However, there are many thoughtful details that make the device truly worth the money. Personally, I was wondering if there was a deep fryer out there somewhere that didn’t look like a fire truck – I’d splurge on that . Well, I purchased the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven , and if you’re like me, this easy-to-use air fryer may be the quiet appliance you’ve been looking for.
Why is this fryer special?
Although both basket fryers and ovens use the same convection heating, their design and access angle are different. Even though I’ve been playing Team Basket for years, this Cuisinart is making me doubt myself.
I can absolutely see the appeal of an air fryer toaster oven. The door is hinged and oriented towards the front of the machine. The interior is spacious and has two tray rails so you can prepare two different dishes at the same time. It combines the charm of a regular full-size oven with the benefits of a countertop convection oven. Plus, it looks and sounds a lot like an old-school toaster, and that familiarity is certainly comforting.
Pros and Cons of Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Pros
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Intuitive knobs
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Really quiet
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Large window
The first thing I noticed about this Cuisinart, even before I turned it on, is that there is no digital control panel, no touch screen buttons – instead there are rotary knobs. While I usually expect “modern” to mean lighting and digital beeps, without those things the entire fryer looks sleek and modern. Many air fryers and, frankly, even microwave ovens can get caught up in presets and touch screens, making them quite confusing or preventing the average user from discovering all the features. The four knobs—time, temperature, fan function, and toast (it’s a toaster, after all)—are extremely intuitive. You don’t have to waste time figuring it out.
This brings me to my next point: it makes almost no sound. This is by far the quietest air fryer I have ever used. Now, quiet mode doesn’t mean much if you know how loud air fryers can be, so let me correct that and say it’s just quiet . The machine works brilliantly, and even in the convection Air Fry mode (usually the loudest function with the highest fan speed) it cooks and crisps with just a little noise. I actually had to look in the window a few times to make sure it was still on.
The knobs turn without obnoxious digital beeps, and as far as I can tell, the timers are analog, spring-loaded, meaning they tick gently and end with a soft, non-digital “ding.” It’s a little calming. It may seem silly to go on and on about noise, but in a world of almost constant clicking, beeping, warnings and timers, it’s nice to have something quiet.
What I also didn’t know was that I loved the large viewing window on the Cuisinart door. Some basket style air fryers have windows, but they are often blocked by a handle. This window is wide, due to the size of the entire unit, unobstructed, and there is a light that you can activate, allowing you to see the entire interior space quite clearly.
Cons
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Large area
The only problem I have with this air fryer is that it is too big for the countertop I have. It’s worth noting, however, that I live in an apartment in New York City, a place famous for the Empire State Building, great pizza, and ever-shrinking counter space.
The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven measures 12.25 by 15.75 by 13.75 inches and has a metal casing on top that is heated. I point this out because it means you have to keep the top free and you can’t use it as a storage shelf. The size may not be right for you, but if you’ve been looking for a larger air fryer in your oven, put that on your list of pros.
Is this air fryer for you?
I would highly recommend this air fryer to anyone with a large kitchen that fits the size, people who prefer an oven-style air fryer over a basket, and anyone looking for a quieter model. I don’t have a sleeping baby, but if I did, I’d be on edge, starting the Ninja or the Instant Pot in the next room. The functionality is excellent – it cooks evenly and quickly, but even a regular air fryer from another brand can handle it. It’s these details like the handles, size, and window that make Cuisinart stand out.