Ninja AF180UK Air Fryer - Review

The Ninja AF180UK is a compact yet powerful single-drawer air fryer that allows you to cook healthier versions of your favorite fried foods. This versatile appliance uses little to no oil and circulates hot air around your food to achieve a crispy, golden finish similar to deep frying. With its 4-quart ceramic-coated basket, the Ninja AF180UK can handle family-sized portions up to 3 pounds.

This air fryer model features multiple cooking functions including air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate, providing a convenient way to prepare a wide range of dishes. The simple dial controls and 60-minute timer make operation straightforward. With a sleek and modern design, the Ninja AF180UK can seamlessly fit into any kitchen décor.

Overall, the Ninja AF180UK air fryer aims to deliver fast, crispy and healthier cooking results with minimal oil and fuss. This review will examine the key features and performance of this popular air fryer model in depth.

Design

The Ninja Air Fryer AF180UK has a sleek, modern design that will look great on any kitchen counter. It has a rounded rectangular shape with a black plastic exterior and stainless steel front. The touchscreen display and control panel give it a high-tech, user-friendly appearance.

At just 37.8 x 31.6 x 33.5 cm, the air fryer has a compact footprint that doesn't take up too much space. The 4.7L capacity oven is large enough to cook food for families, while still fitting neatly on your countertop.

The air fryer has a contemporary style that would suit a range of kitchen designs and color schemes. The combination of matte and shiny surfaces gives it visual interest.

Overall, the Ninja air fryer has an attractive, streamlined design that is both fashionable and functional. It manages to pack a lot of cooking power into a compact, aesthetically pleasing body.

Features

The Ninja AF180UK air fryer has some great features that make it a versatile kitchen appliance. It has a generous 4L capacity, which Ninja says can fit up to 1kg of fries or 4 portions of chicken wings. The temperature range goes up to 200°C, with increments of 10°C so you can really dial in the right temperature.

Some handy accessories are included too. There's a multi-layer rack that gives you two levels for cooking, maximizing the interior space. The crisper plate is great for getting food extra crispy by elevating it off the bottom of the drawer. And there's a cooking book included with over 30 recipes tailored specifically for the Ninja air fryer.

So with its large capacity, wide temperature range, and useful accessories, the Ninja AF180UK comes well equipped with the key features you'd want in an air fryer.

Performance

The Ninja Air Fryer AF180UK performs quite well for an appliance of its size and price point. Its 4-quart capacity is suitable for cooking meals for 2-4 people. The air fryer can reach temperatures up to 450°F, allowing it to produce crispy "fried" foods using at least 75% less fat than traditional frying.

When air frying, the Ninja delivers evenly cooked food with a satisfying crunch on the outside while keeping the interior moist. It excels at cooking frozen foods like french fries, chicken nuggets, and fish sticks. Homemade fries and breaded chicken also turn out great. The air fryer dehydrates fruits, vegetables, and meats nicely too.

For baking, the Ninja Air Fryer yields satisfactory results. Reheating pizza produces crispy crusts and melty cheese. Baking small batches of cookies, cupcakes, or hand pies is easy. Larger baked goods may not rise as much or brown evenly due to the appliance's compact size. But the air fryer can absolutely handle small-scale baking tasks.

Overall, the Ninja delivers quality air frying and baking performance for the price. It may struggle with larger meals or baked goods. But for 1-2 person households, the AF180UK can absolutely replace a full-size oven or deep fryer for everyday cooking needs.

Ease of Use

The Ninja Air Fryer AF180UK is very easy and intuitive to use. It has a simple control panel with just a few buttons to turn it on, set the temperature, set the timer, and select preset cooking modes.

The controls are straightforward and user-friendly. There is a large dial to adjust the temperature from 80°C to 200°C, and a button to set the timer up to 60 minutes. The preset modes - air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate - can be selected with the touch of a button. An LED display shows the selected settings.

Operating the air fryer is as simple as adding food to the basket, closing the drawer, selecting your settings, and hitting start. The auto-shut off function turns the fryer off when the timer is complete for added safety and convenience.

Cleaning up after use is hassle-free as both the crisper basket and cooking pot are removable and dishwasher safe. The basket has a non-stick coating that allows food to slide off easily. An included cleaning brush makes scrubbing the pot a breeze.

Overall, the Ninja air fryer couldn't be easier to use. The intuitive controls and design make air frying an effortless process from start to finish.

Noise Level

When it comes to noise output, the Ninja Air Fryer is impressively quiet compared to many other air fryers. The fan and motor produce minimal noise even when cooking at higher temperatures. This makes it suitable for open concept kitchens where noise can easily travel.

You'll only hear a very soft hum or whirring sound during operation. It's quiet enough to have a conversation next to it without needing to raise your voice. The noise level is comparable to a small countertop oven or microwave.

Some user reviews do mention the timer beeps are quite loud. But the beeps only sound briefly when the cooking time is up.

Overall, the quiet operation is a major advantage of this air fryer model. You don't have to worry about disturbing others if you're cooking late at night. And you can still watch TV, listen to music or chat with someone while it's running. The Ninja Air Fryer is an excellent choice for households or apartments where excess noise is a concern.

Value

When considering the value of the Ninja Air Fryer AF180UK, it's important to take into account the price and what you get for your money. This air fryer typically retails for around £150, which positions it in the mid-range for air fryers. For this price, you're getting a decently sized 5.7L air fryer with some nice features.

The digital control panel makes it easy to select cooking times and temperatures, and the presets for things like fries, chicken, and steak take the guesswork out of air frying. The removable crisper plate and inner cooking pot are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. And the cool touch exterior means it won't burn your fingers if you need to move it during cooking.

For the price, most reviewers felt the Ninja delivered very good air frying performance. It can cook enough food for 3-5 people, heats up quickly, and produces crispy results. The inclusion of a dehydrating function also adds some extra utility.

Compared to other brands like Instant Pot, Philips, or Cosori, the Ninja AF180UK hits a nice sweet spot of good capacity and useful features without going overboard on price. While it lacks some bells and whistles like shake reminder alerts, it gets all the basics right. For most home cooks needing a solid, mid-sized air fryer that's easy to use, the Ninja AF180UK represents very good value for money.

Pros

The Ninja Air Fryer AF180UK has several key benefits that make it a great choice:

• Healthier cooking: The air fryer uses rapid air circulation technology to cook food with little to no oil, reducing fat and calories compared to deep frying. This allows you to enjoy fried favorites like chips, chicken, and more in a healthier way.

• Versatile cooking: In addition to air frying, the AF180UK can bake, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. The wide temperature range (80°C to 200°C) allows you to cook a variety of foods.

• Convenient and easy to use: With simple manual controls and a 60 minute timer, the air fryer is easy for anyone to use. The non-stick cooking pot and crisper plate are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

• Compact size: The AF180UK has a compact footprint, making it a great choice for small kitchens. The 3.8L capacity can cook up to 500g of fries, fitting the needs of most households.

• Safety features: The air fryer has overheat protection that shuts it off automatically if it gets too hot. It also cannot operate without the cooking pot in place for safety.

• Affordable price: Considering its performance, features, and brand name, the Ninja air fryer provides excellent value for the price.

Cons

While the Ninja Air Fryer AF180UK has many great features, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:

• Smaller Capacity: The 4L capacity may be too small for cooking larger portions or meals for more than 2 people. This model only has a single drawer.

• No Digital Display: It lacks a digital display or pre-programmed settings. You'll have to manually set the temperature and timer.

• Basket Design: The basket has a non-stick coating which can peel or scratch over time. It's not removable either so cleaning may be trickier.

• Noise Level: Some users report the fan being a bit loud, especially on higher settings. This may not be ideal if you need a quieter cooking appliance.

• Price: It's pricier than some other single-drawer air fryer models with similar specs. Shoppers on a budget may want to consider cheaper alternatives.

• Learning Curve: There's a bit of a learning curve to get used to the controls, temperature and timing. It may require some trial and error when cooking new foods.

Conclusion

The Ninja Air Fryer AF180UK is a solid choice for those looking for a compact yet powerful air fryer. Its small footprint and sleek design make it an attractive addition to any kitchen counter. The digital touchscreen offers preset programs and manual controls for air frying, grilling, roasting and more.

Performance is good, producing crispy fries and chicken wings with minimal oil. While the cooking capacity is on the smaller side, it's sufficient for 1-3 portions. The non-stick basket and tray are easy to clean. Noise levels are average for an air fryer.

Overall, the Ninja Air Fryer AF180UK delivers great results and versatility in a compact package. It's easy to use with minimal learning curve. For the price, it's a worthwhile investment for households seeking a high-quality air fryer. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable mid-sized air fryer that can handle all the basic air frying functions.