Breville VDF127 Air Fryer - Review

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to traditional deep frying. By rapidly circulating hot air, air fryers can produce crispy, fried-like results using little to no oil. This makes them an appealing option for those looking to reduce fat and calories in their diet. Air fryers are quite versatile as well, with the ability to "fry" foods like french fries, chicken, fish and more using just a tablespoon or less of oil. Their small footprint allows them to sit conveniently on a countertop for quick weekday meals or snack prep. Many models have digital controls with preset programs, taking the guesswork out of air frying for beginners. While they don't fully replicate deep fried texture and flavor, air fryers can come surprisingly close when used properly. Their ability to make traditionally unhealthy fried foods much healthier has made them a staple appliance for many home cooks.

Overview of the Breville Air Fryer

The Breville Air Fryer being reviewed is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro with Element iQ System, model number VDF127. This is a premium countertop appliance that combines an air fryer, rotisserie oven, and dehydrator into one multi-functional unit.

Some key specs for this model include:

• Dimensions - 18.5 x 15.8 x 11.2 inches
• Capacity - 0.8 cubic feet interior
• Wattage - 1800 watts with 10 power levels

The Breville Air Fryer has a sleek stainless steel exterior and large backlit LCD display. The interior contains a non-stick cooking basket with capacity for up to 5 pounds of fries or 3 pounds of chicken wings. It is designed to deliver rapid air circulation for quick and even cooking using little to no oil.

Design

The Breville Air Fryer VDF127 has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any countertop. It is made of brushed stainless steel that gives it a premium look and feel. The stainless steel is fingerprint resistant to help keep it looking cleaner for longer.

It is available in two color options - stainless steel or black stainless steel - so you can choose the one that best matches your kitchen decor. The black stainless steel has a special coating that helps prevent fingerprints and smudges.

The interface is very user-friendly with an LCD screen and just a few buttons. There is a power button, start/pause button, and button to adjust the temperature. The LCD screen clearly displays the current settings. The buttons have a smooth tactile feel when pressed.

Overall, the design is very intuitive yet stylish. Breville put thought into both form and function when designing this air fryer. The sleek stainless steel construction gives it a high-end look, while the simple interface makes it easy to operate.

Features

The Breville Air Fryer comes with a range of useful features that make it versatile for all kinds of cooking.

Cooking Modes

This air fryer has 9 preset smart cooking programs - air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, pizza, dehydrate, slow cook, and keep warm. This allows you to air fry, dehydrate, roast, bake, reheat, slow cook and more, all in one appliance. No more needing multiple appliances!

Adjustable Temperature and Time

The air fryer has an adjustable temperature range from 105°F to 400°F, so you can cook everything from slow cooked stews to crispy fries. The 60 minute timer is also adjustable in 1 minute increments, giving you precise control.

Presets

There are presets for frozen fries, fresh fries, chicken, fish, steak, shrimp, and drumsticks. These take the guesswork out of cooking times and temperatures. Just select the preset and the air fryer will do the rest for perfect results every time.

Performance

The Breville Air Fryer delivers excellent performance across a wide range of cooking functions. Its powerful 1800W heating system and super convection fan are able to quickly circulate hot air around food to produce crispy, delicious results when air frying. Food comes out with a light, crispy exterior without being greasy. The air fryer basket has a generous 3.2L capacity, allowing you to cook medium sized batches of fries, chicken wings, nuggets etc. Users mention food cooks quickly and evenly in the basket.

In addition to air frying, the Breville impresses when roasting meat and poultry. The rotisserie spit attachment allows you to slowly rotate joints of meat or entire chickens for even browning and juicy, tender results. The integrated heating elements ensure food is cooked through without drying out. Many praise the moist, flavorful roasts and chickens they are able to produce in this air fryer.

Baking performance is also noteworthy. The Air Fryer is able to circulate heat effectively for baking cakes, muffins, cookies and more. The convection fan ensures heat is distributed evenly so baked goods turn out light and fluffy. While you may not be able to bake large trays of cookies, it's perfect for making small batch treats. Dehydrating fruits, vegetables and jerky is straightforward too. Overall, owners feel this machine delivers excellent versatility enabling you to air fry, roast, bake and dehydrate.

Ease of Use

Setting up the Breville Air Fryer is straightforward. It comes with clear instructions for assembly, which involves attaching the pull-out basket and drip tray. The digital control panel is intuitive with preset programs, temperature control up to 400°F, and time control up to 60 minutes.

The pull-out basket makes it easy to check on food and remove it when done cooking. The non-stick basket insert and dishwasher safe parts allow for simple cleanup. The air fryer filters are removable and washable too.

There are handy accessories like a rotating mesh basket and silicone mat to expand cooking options. The fryer has an auto shut-off function for safety. Overall, it's designed to be user-friendly with minimal effort needed for operation, cooking, and maintenance.

Noise Level

The Breville Air Fryer is quite quiet during operation. The motor and fan produce a low humming noise that is unlikely to disturb you. Compared to a traditional deep fryer, the Air Fryer operates at a much lower decibel level and won't overwhelm a normal conversation.

Some user reviews do mention the Air Fryer gets slightly louder when cooking at higher temperatures. But overall, most agree the noise level is very reasonable for a countertop appliance. You'll be able to run it without creating a ruckus in your kitchen.

Some key things to note about the noise:

• The fan and motor remain at a constant, low hum when powered on. There is no start/stop noise.

• There is minimal noise from the cooking basket and internals. No rattling or shaking sounds.

• The noise level ramps up slightly on higher temp settings, but not dramatically.

• The Air Fryer is quieter than a microwave or traditional oven fan.

• You can comfortably have a conversation near it while it's running.

So in summary, the Breville Air Fryer produces very little noise during operation. It's quiet performance makes it easy to run anytime without disturbing others. This is a major advantage over traditional deep fryers which can be quite loud and disruptive in a home kitchen.

Accessories

The Breville Air Fryer comes with a good selection of accessories to enhance cooking and usability.

It includes a mesh basket and crisper tray that slide into the drawer to hold food during air frying. The basket is great for fries and other finger foods, allowing air to circulate all around, while the flat crisper tray can hold items like chicken wings or fish fillets. Both are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

For rotisserie cooking, there is a two-piece rotisserie spit - one long skewer and one shorter skewer that assemble together. The rotisserie forks allow you to securely load a small roast or whole chicken onto the skewer for even rotating.

To catch any drippings, a shallow roasting/drip tray slides into the bottom of the unit. This helps contain messes and can also be used for dehydrating or reheating.

An oven rack sits on top of the drip tray to elevate food closer to the heating element. This allows air to flow under the food for crisping the bottom side. The drip tray slides partially out for easy access.

Finally, an enamel baking pan and silicone mitt are included for more versatility. The pan is suitable for roasting vegetables or baking casseroles, while the mitt provides protection when handling hot accessories.

Overall, the accessories allow you to maximize the various cooking functions and get the most out of the Breville air fryer oven. Everything is well-designed for both cooking and convenient cleanup.

Pros & Cons

The Breville Air Fryer has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Large capacity - 5.7L allows cooking for multiple people or larger portions
• Versatile cooking - air fry, roast, dehydrate, and rotisserie options
• Digital touch screen with preset programs - easy to use and select cooking modes
• Rotisserie function - unique ability to slowly cook and self-baste meats
• Dehydrate mode - great for making homemade dried fruits or jerky
• Dishwasher safe parts - easy cleanup
• Brushed stainless steel exterior - sleek, modern look

Cons

• Expensive - higher price point than many other air fryers
• Large footprint - takes up significant counter space
• No interior light - can't view food while cooking
• Accessories must be purchased separately - doesn't include extra trays or rotisserie parts
• Fan noise - can be loud when cooking at higher temperatures
• Rotisserie spit may be tricky to assemble - extra effort required

Overall, the Breville Air Fryer is feature-packed but comes at a premium price point. For those seeking a multifunctional cooker with extra modes like rotisserie and dehydrate, it's a great option. However, the high price and large size may be drawbacks for some buyers. Assessing your cooking needs and budget can help determine if this model is the right fit.

Conclusion

Overall, the Breville VDF127 is an excellent air fryer that delivers great results. It's easy to use and has a good range of features like digital controls, a rotisserie function, and a dehydrator setting. The performance is impressive, producing crispy and evenly cooked food with minimal oil. It does an excellent job of replicating deep fried textures without all the excess fat and calories.

The design is stylish yet functional. The digital display makes it simple to select settings and cooking times. It also looks great on the counter in most kitchens. While not the quietest model, the noise level is reasonable. Accessories like the rotisserie spit, racks, and mesh basket increase the versatility.

Pros: - Great performance and crispy "fried" results - Digital controls with presets - Rotisserie and dehydrate functions - Large capacity - Stylish design

Cons:
- On the pricier side - Noise level can be disruptive - Exterior gets hot to the touch

Overall, the Breville Air Fryer is highly recommended for those seeking a versatile, digitally controlled air fryer that also functions as a rotisserie and dehydrator. It delivers excellent results across a wide range of recipes. Just be prepared to pay a little more for the premium performance and features. For most home cooks seeking top-notch air frying, the Breville VDF127 is a great choice.