Belaco ‎BEL-AF-02 Air Fryer - Review

Air fryers have become incredibly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to deep frying. These countertop appliances use rapid air circulation and top-down heat to create a crispy, fried finish without submerging food in oil. The technology allows home cooks to enjoy fried favorites like chicken, fries, and donuts with significantly less fat and calories. Air frying also requires little to no oil, minimizing mess and clean-up. Models from leading brands like Philips, Ninja, and Cosori have earned their place in kitchens thanks to their ability to churn out delicious "air fried" meals in record time. With an air fryer, you can cook crispy chicken wings, brussels sprouts, and more to crispy perfection without the guilt. Their versatility and ease of use make them a must-have for health-conscious cooks and families. As the air fryer trend continues to grow, more manufacturers are releasing innovations that build on the technology's core benefits.

Overview of the Belaco Air Fryer

The Belaco BEL-AF-02 is a compact air fryer that uses rapid air circulation technology to cook food with little to no oil. It has a sleek and modern design with a black plastic finish and digital touchscreen controls.

Some of the key features and specifications of the Belaco Air Fryer include:

• 1800W of power with adjustable temperature range from 80°C to 200°C
• 3.5 liter cooking capacity
• Digital LED touchscreen with 8 presets
• 60 minute timer with auto shut off
• Detachable non-stick cooking basket and crisping tray
• Cool touch housing and handle
• Dimensions of 37.5 x 32 x 33 cm

This air fryer is designed to be easy to use with dishwasher safe parts. The touchscreen controls make it simple to select your desired cooking temperature and time. It comes with several built-in smart programs for air frying, grilling, baking and more.

Another excellent option to consider is the Tower T17024. This model features a 4.3L capacity, perfect for family meals, and includes a unique Rapid Air Technology that provides a healthier alternative to frying. With adjustable temperature settings and a 60-minute timer, it simplifies your cooking process. Its stylish design and easy-to-clean components make it a popular choice among users.

Design and Build Quality

The Belaco Air Fryer is made from durable plastic with a stainless steel interior cooking basket. The plastic housing feels sturdy and doesn't have any flimsy parts.

Assembly is straightforward - the basket slides into place and the control knob twists on easily. All the pieces fit together snugly without requiring tools.

The cooking basket has a non-stick coating and is removable for easy cleaning. It feels solid and well-made when sliding in and out of the unit. The basket and drawer have a good weight to them that gives an impression of quality materials.

The fryer housing doesn't have any loose or wobbly parts. The materials used seem thick enough to withstand daily use without cracking or breaking. Everything fits together precisely with tight tolerances.

Overall, the design and build quality of the Belaco Air Fryer are excellent for the price. It's made of thick, sturdy plastic that doesn't feel cheap or flimsy. The cooking basket has a nice heft and quality coating. Everything assembles securely without any gaps or misalignments. This is a well-constructed budget air fryer built to last.

In addition, the ‎COSORI CP137-AF offers a sleek design with a user-friendly interface. It features a spacious cooking basket, perfect for family meals, and its compact footprint allows for easy storage. The air fryer has multiple preset cooking options, making it versatile and convenient for a variety of dishes. For more information, check out the ‎COSORI CP137-AF.

Settings and Functionality

The Belaco Air Fryer comes with a simple control panel that is easy to use. It has an adjustable temperature dial that allows you to set the temperature from 80°C to 200°C. There are no preset cooking modes, but the adjustable temperature gives you flexibility to cook a variety of foods.

The timer can be set up to 30 minutes, which is suitable for most air frying tasks. There is an auto shut-off function when the timer ends. The fryer will automatically turn off for safety.

The fryer has an LED digital display that shows the set temperature and remaining cook time clearly. The temperature can be adjusted in 10 degree increments.

There is a 60 minute cool down timer that prevents the drawer from being opened immediately after cooking while the heating elements are still hot. This is an important safety feature.

The fryer relies on rapid hot air circulation to cook foods. The fan and heating elements are powerful enough to maintain set temperatures and cook food evenly.

Overall, the settings and functionality are simple but effective for an air fryer in this price range. The adjustable temperature gives you control over cooking, while the timer and safety features add convenience.

Capacity

The Belaco Air Fryer has a generous 3.5 liter basket capacity, which can hold up to 1.5 kg of food. This is suitable for cooking meals for 3-4 people.

The round basket design maximizes capacity and allows you to cook a good amount of food at once. For example, you can cook about 12 chicken wings, 4 chicken breasts, or 1 kg of french fries in one batch. The basket depth is also decent at 10 cm, so you can cook small layered items like fries evenly.

When cooking larger batches of food like fries, it's a good idea to toss the food halfway during cooking to ensure even browning. The basket is non-stick, which makes tossing and removing food easy.

Overall, the sizeable basket capacity is one of the highlights of this air fryer model, making it suitable for small families who want to cook quick weekday meals. You can cook a main protein and sides together without needing to do multiple batches.

Ease of Use

The Belaco Air Fryer is designed with simplicity and convenience in mind. The touchscreen control panel is very intuitive and easy to navigate. There are just a few buttons to select temperature, time, and cooking functions. I found the digital interface much easier to use than dial controls on some other models.

Operation is straightforward - just set the temp and time as desired. The auto shut-off kicks in when cooking is complete for added safety. An audible alert also sounds so you know when food is ready.

The non-stick cooking basket effortlessly slides in and out of the unit. It's roomy enough to cook a meal for 2-3 people at once. Clean-up is a breeze since the basket and crisping tray are dishwasher safe.

There are no complicated accessories or functions. Belaco optimized this air fryer for quick everyday use. The streamlined design and intuitive controls allow anyone to start cooking healthy fried favorites with ease. It doesn't require any learning curve.

Cooking Performance

The Belaco Air Fryer delivers excellent cooking performance across a wide range of foods. The rapid air circulation technology cooks food quickly and evenly for perfect results every time.

One of the standout features is the quality of cooking. Food comes out incredibly crispy and crunchy on the outside, while remaining moist and tender on the inside. Chicken wings develop a superb crispy skin with juicy meat, fries turn out perfectly golden and crisp, and even typically soggy foods like fish fillets get a light, crispy breading. The circulating hot air really helps to mimic the effects of deep frying without all the excess oil.

In terms of cook times, the Belaco Air Fryer is very fast thanks to its powerful 1400W heating system and optimized airflow. Most foods can be cooked in 10-20 minutes. For example, frozen fries take only 15 minutes to come out piping hot and perfectly browned. The unit also reheats leftovers rapidly, so you can enjoy last night's meal almost instantly.

Cooking is extremely even and uniform in this air fryer. The unique circular cooking chamber and top-mounted heating element allow the hot air to circulate all around the food for precise, uniform browning. No need to flip or rotate food midway – everything cooks evenly from all sides. You'll never end up with undercooked centers or burnt edges.

Overall, the Belaco Air Fryer delivers exceptional cooking performance for quick and delicious meals. The combination of rapid cook times, crispy and crunchy textures, and uniform browning makes this an excellent addition to any kitchen.

Noise Level

When it comes to air fryers, noise levels can be a concern, especially if you plan to use the appliance frequently. The good news is that the Belaco Air Fryer operates at a reasonable noise level that won't disrupt conversations or TV watching.

The fan and heating elements produce a hum during operation that reviewers describe as similar to a microwave. It's not whisper quiet, but it's also not obtrusively loud. The noise level stays relatively constant while cooking. You'll hear the fan running and a light hum, but no irritating high-pitched whining.

Some users note the noise is only slightly louder than a microwave, even when running at max power and temperature. The sound is unlikely to be heard outside of the kitchen. It won't drown out a TV or music playing at a moderate volume in the same room.

Overall, the Belaco Air Fryer noise level is sufficiently quiet for most home kitchens. It allows you to cook up crispy fried favorites without excessive noise intrusion. For an appliance that relies on a fan to circulate hot air, the noise output is impressively minimal.

Safety Features

The Belaco Air Fryer has several important safety features that give peace of mind when using this appliance.

Auto Shut Off

One of the most useful safety features is the auto shut off, which turns the fryer off automatically after 30 minutes of continuous operation. This prevents overheating and potential fire hazards if you accidentally leave the machine running. You don't have to worry about forgetting to turn it off.

Overheating Protection

There are built-in overheating protections as well. If the internal temperature gets too high, the heating element will automatically shut off to prevent damage or safety issues. This gives an extra layer of protection on top of the auto shut off.

Cool Touch Exterior

Additionally, the exterior of the fryer remains cool to the touch even during operation. The double wall body with air vents allows heat to dissipate while keeping the outside from getting dangerously hot. You can move the fryer or touch the exterior without worrying about burns.

These key safety features make the Belaco Air Fryer a reliable and safe appliance for everyday use. You get effective operation without compromising convenience and peace of mind.

Pros and Cons

The Belaco Air Fryer offers a number of benefits along with some drawbacks to consider:

Pros:

• Large capacity - the 2.6L basket allows you to cook decent portions for families or meal prepping
• Adjustable temperature up to 200°C gives versatility for cooking different foods
• 60 minute timer with auto-shutoff adds safety
• Easy to use control panel
• Dishwasher safe parts for convenient cleaning
• Compact size takes up minimal counter space

Cons:

• Build quality feels a bit cheap/flimsy according to some reviews
• Basket doesn't have non-stick coating which can lead to food sticking
• Noisy fan and operational sound
• Short power cord could limit placement
• Lack of accessories like racks or skewers

Overall, the Belaco Air Fryer provides a budget-friendly option for crispy fried food with less oil and fat. The large basket and adjustable temp allows you to experiment with recipes. Downsides to weigh include noise, lack of accessories, and some durability concerns noted in reviews. For the low price point though, it can be a worthwhile purchase for many.