‎Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer - Review

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. This Chefman TurboFry air fryer is designed to deliver quick and crispy results using little to no oil. With its digital touch screen and large 3.6 quart capacity, it aims to provide an easy way to air fry foods like chicken wings, french fries, and more.

This review aims to give an overview of the key features and performance of the Chefman TurboFry, including its design, settings, capacity, ease of use, accessories, noise level, and safety features. Both the pros and cons will be covered to help consumers determine if this particular model is the right choice for their air frying needs. With many air fryer options on the market, this review breaks down how the TurboFry compares to competitors so shoppers can make an informed purchasing decision.

Design

The Chefman TurboFry 3.6 Quart Air Fryer has an attractive, modern design that looks great on any kitchen countertop. It has a rounded square shape and comes in classic black and stainless steel color options. The fryer measures 13.5 x 11 x 12.5 inches, making it a good size for most households without taking up too much space.

The control panel is located on the top front of the appliance and features an easy-to-use dial timer and temperature buttons. The buttons have a smooth tactile feel when pressed. The materials used in construction seem durable, with a stainless steel interior cooking pot and sturdy plastic for the exterior. There are two pull-out drawers located in the front which smoothly slide in and out for retrieving food.

Overall, the sleek aesthetics and intuitive interface of the Chefman TurboFry make it appealing both visually and from an ease-of-use perspective. The size is right for most home kitchens. Sturdy materials also give the impression this is a quality appliance built to last.

Settings & Functions

The Chefman TurboFry offers a wide variety of settings and functions to help you cook food perfectly every time.

One of the most useful features is the adjustable temperature range, which spans from 180 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows you to precisely control the temperature based on what you're cooking. For example, you may want a lower temperature for frozen foods or gentle cooking, while higher temperatures are ideal for crisping and getting a nice sear.

The air fryer also has 8 built-in presets: warm, air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate, and sync. These take the guesswork out of choosing a temperature and time. Just select the preset that matches what you're making, like air fry for french fries or bake for cakes and pastries.

In addition to presets, you can manually set the cooking time up to 60 minutes, giving you complete control. The auto-shutoff function turns the fryer off when the timer expires for added safety and convenience.

Other helpful settings include the preheat function to get the fryer up to temperature before adding food, and the keep warm function which holds food at the ideal serving temperature for up to 30 minutes after cooking completes.

Overall, the Chefman TurboFry provides exceptional flexibility and customization for your air frying needs. The precise temperature control, presets, and adjustable timer make it easy to achieve the perfect results every time.

Capacity

The Chefman TurboFry 3.6 Quart Air Fryer has a generous 3.6 quart basket capacity, making it suitable for cooking meals for 3-5 people.

The rectangular basket measures approximately 9 x 9 x 5 inches, giving you plenty of room to cook larger portions or multiple ingredients at once. You can easily fit up to 2 pounds of french fries or chicken wings, or a small whole chicken or roast. The basket also accommodates 9" pizza pans, baking pans, and casserole dishes.

When it comes to capacity for food, you'll be able to prepare quite a variety of dishes in this air fryer. It's great for cooking appetizers, main courses, sides, and even desserts. You can cook a pound of chicken wings or fries, bake cinnamon rolls or muffins, roast vegetables, and more. With the large basket, you can cook an entire meal at once rather than having to cook in batches.

Overall, the generous 3.6 quart capacity makes this an excellent choice for families, couples, and anyone who wants to be able to make complete meals in their air fryer without overcrowding. The size and shape of the basket provides versatility for cooking many different foods.

Performance

The Chefman TurboFry air fryer delivers excellent cooking performance across a wide range of foods. Its powerful 1500W heating system and rapid AirCrisp technology provide fast, even heat circulation for crispy, delicious results.

The TurboFry air fryer heats up rapidly, reaching its maximum temperature in just 3 minutes. This allows you to start cooking frozen foods like fries and nuggets almost immediately with no preheating required. Once at temperature, the heating element and fan deliver strong, consistent heat to quickly cook and crisp foods.

Air circulation in the TurboFry is very effective thanks to the inclusion of Chefman's AirCrisp technology. The internal fan and vents circulate hot air throughout the entire 3.6 quart basket for fast, even cooking. This allows foods like fries, wings, and veggies to cook and brown on all sides, not just the bottom. You'll enjoy deliciously crispy results without having to shake or flip.

Cook times in the TurboFry are impressively fast compared to a traditional oven, cutting cooking times approximately in half. Frozen fries take only 12-15 minutes while fresh fries are crispy in 10 minutes. Chicken wings, nuggets and other frozen foods cook in 12-20 minutes. The rapid AirCrisp technology makes the TurboFry perfect for quick weeknight meals.

Finally, the end results from the Chefman TurboFry consistently impress. Foods come out crispy and crunchy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. Meats have excellent browning and vegetables maintain their vibrant colors. It rivals deep fried taste and textures but with far less oil. You can enjoy healthier versions of your fried favorites.

Ease of Use

The Chefman TurboFry air fryer is designed for simplicity and convenience.

Setup is straightforward - just take it out of the box, remove any packaging, and plug it in. No complicated assembly required.

The controls and interface are very intuitive. There is a large dial on the front to adjust temperature from 175-400°F, with pictorial guides showing recommended settings for different foods. A 60-minute timer with auto shutoff can also be set using the dial. Three preset buttons make it easy to pick optimal times and temps for fries, meat, or fish.

Loading and unloading food is easy thanks to the large 3.6 quart square basket. The basket handle flips up for simplified access. Foods can be shuffled or flipped mid-cooking as needed. The nonstick surface allows food to slide right out after cooking.

Cleaning is simple since the basket and crisping tray are dishwasher safe. The interior of the fryer can be wiped out as needed. Air frying is naturally a lower-mess cooking method compared to deep frying.

Noise Level

The Chefman TurboFry operates at a reasonable noise level, comparable to most other air fryers. When preheating and cooking, it produces an audible fan noise and hum. However, this is not overly loud or distracting.

Some users have commented that the TurboFry is slightly louder than expected during certain cooking functions. For example, when using the "Max Crisp" setting, the fan speed increases significantly, resulting in more noise. This high power mode is designed to achieve maximum crispness on foods through intense airflow.

A few owners have complained about the noise being too loud, especially in small kitchens. But most feel the noise is acceptable and worth it for the cooking performance delivered. The TurboFry won't operate silently, but the noise is comparable to a countertop convection oven or microwave fan.

So in summary, while not whisper quiet, the Chefman TurboFry operates at reasonable noise levels. The fan and airflow noise is necessary for air frying and not out of line with other similar appliances. Users who want a silent cooking experience may need to look at other options. But for most owners, the noise is a small tradeoff for faster and healthier cooking.

Safety Features

The Chefman TurboFry air fryer has several important safety features that give peace of mind when using this kitchen appliance.

• Auto Shutoff - The air fryer has an automatic shutoff function that turns the machine off after the cooking time is complete. This prevents overcooking and provides an added layer of safety. Even if you forget that food is cooking, the fryer will safely turn itself off.

• Overheating Prevention - There are built-in overheating protections in this Chefman model. If the internal temperature gets too high, the heating mechanism will automatically shut off to prevent any potential fire hazard or damage to the appliance. This gives assurance that the fryer won't overheat.

• Stability - The TurboFry has a square base and low center of gravity that provides stability on your countertop. The fryer basket sits solidly and securely inside the unit. The housing doesn't easily tip over, even when the basket is full of food. This stable footprint makes the TurboFry safe for households with kids.

Accessories

The Chefman TurboFry air fryer comes with several accessories so you can prepare a variety of dishes right out of the box.

Included Components

• Basket - The 3.6 quart non-stick basket has a ceramic coating that allows for easy cleanup. The basket is dishwasher safe.

• Basket divider - This insert allows you to cook two different foods at once by dividing the basket in half.

• Removable dishwasher safe parts - The basket, crisping tray, and divider are all removable and dishwasher safe for quick cleanup.

Additional Purchases Needed

No additional purchases are required to start cooking with the TurboFry. However, Chefman does sell some optional accessories:

• Extra basket - Get an additional basket to quickly cook multiple batches or foods without having to wait for the main basket to finish.

• Recipe book - Chefman offers a recipe book specifically for the TurboFry with over 50 recipes to try out.

• Grill plate - The grill plate accessory allows you to add grill marks to meats, vegetables, and more.

So while no extras are needed, Chefman does offer some useful add-ons to enhance your cooking experience with the TurboFry air fryer. The basic components in the box are enough to handle a wide variety of recipes right away.

Pros & Cons

Summary of positives

• Large 3.6 quart capacity allows you to cook meals for multiple people or make large batches of food
• TurboFry technology cooks food quickly and evenly with rapid hot air circulation
• Digital touch screen with 8 presets makes it easy to get the right temperature and time for different foods
• Adjustable temperature range from 176°F to 400°F gives you control over doneness
• Dishwasher safe basket and tray for easy cleanup
• Compact size saves counter space

Summary of negatives

• Basket and tray may need greasing or parchment paper for some foods to prevent sticking
• Exterior can get hot to the touch during cooking
• Fan noise while operating, though not overly loud
• Display only shows remaining cooking time, not elapsed time

Final recommendation

The Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer is a versatile appliance that can cook a wide variety of foods with less oil than traditional frying. The digital controls and presets make it easy to use, while the large capacity is great for cooking meals for the whole family. Just be mindful of greasing the basket for some foods and using oven mitts when removing it. Overall, it delivers fast, crispy, evenly cooked results with minimal oil. For those looking for a mid-sized, user-friendly air fryer packed with features, the Chefman TurboFry is an excellent choice.