Salter EK4628 Air Fryer - Review

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthier alternative to deep frying. These countertop appliances use rapid air circulation and convection heat to cook food with little to no oil, resulting in crispy textures without the grease. Air frying produces similar results to deep frying, allowing people to enjoy fried favorites like chicken wings, French fries, and more, but with significantly reduced calories and fat. The technology behind air fryers also allows for quick and convenient cooking right at home. Food cooks rapidly and evenly in the hot air, eliminating the need to flip or stir. Air fryers can cook foods that are both frozen and fresh, opening up countless options for meals and snacks. With versatile functions beyond just air frying, like grill, bake, and roast settings, these gadgets have proven their value in home kitchens. For those seeking healthier cooking methods without sacrificing taste and texture, air fryers are an appealing option worth considering.

Overview of the Salter Air Fryer

The Salter EK4628 is a mid-range digital air fryer with a capacity of 4.5 liters. It has an adjustable temperature range of 80°C to 200°C and comes with preset programs for frying, grilling, baking and roasting.

Some key specs of this model include:

• Model Number: EK4628
• Capacity: 4.5 liters
• Wattage: 1400W
• Dimensions: 31 x 31 x 31 cm
• Weight: 5.1 kg
• Cord Length: 0.8m
• Temperature Range: 80°C to 200°C
• Preset Programs: Chips, Meat, Fish, Cake, Pizza
• Timer: Up to 60 minutes

The fryer has a square footprint and black plastic housing. Inside is a non-stick coated basket with cool touch handle as well as an air frying tray. It comes with an instruction manual containing recipes.

Design and Appearance

The Salter Air Fryer has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any kitchen counter. It has a glossy black plastic finish with silver accents that give it an elegant, high-end look.

The materials used in construction feel durable and solid. The basket and pan are made from non-stick coated metal for easy cooking and cleaning. The touch screen display gives a smooth and intuitive interface for selecting cooking modes and times.

There are no color options for this particular model - it only comes in black. But the black color will likely complement most kitchen decors nicely. Some users may prefer an air fryer with more color options, but the black finish keeps it looking relatively simple and refined.

The digital touch screen display is easy to read and use. It lets you precisely control cooking temperature and times. The interface is straightforward with clear icons and options. There are preset modes for commonly cooked foods like fries, meat, or cake. So you don't have to guess at the right time and temperature settings.

Overall, the Salter air fryer has an attractive, user-friendly design optimized for countertop use. The materials seem durable for regular cooking use. And the interface makes selecting cooking modes simple. Those looking for more color choices may want to consider other models. But the black finish will likely appeal to most.

Cooking Performance

The Salter Air Fryer delivers excellent cooking performance for a wide variety of foods. Its powerful 2000W heating system and high-speed air circulation allow for quick cooking times while still achieving a crispy, evenly cooked exterior.

Foods cook rapidly in the Salter Air Fryer, cutting cooking times approximately in half compared to a conventional oven. French fries and chicken wings cook in about 15-20 minutes, achieving a satisfying crunchiness. Frozen foods like chicken nuggets and fish sticks also cook up crispy in under 20 minutes. The circulating hot air surrounds foods for even browning all over.

In terms of crispness, this air fryer consistently achieves excellent results. Foods come out with a satisfying outer crispness and tenderness on the inside. The crispy breaded exterior on foods like chicken strips, fish fillets, and veggie fritters is comparable to deep frying but with significantly less oil. Meats like steak and pork chops develop a nice sear on the outside while remaining juicy inside.

Overall, the Salter Air Fryer delivers fast, crispy, evenly cooked results for a variety of foods from frozen foods to fresh meats and veggies. Its powerful heating system and optimized design allow you to achieve delicious air fried meals with great convenience.

Features

The Salter Air Fryer has many convenient features that make it easy and enjoyable to use. It has a generous 3.2L capacity, which allows you to cook around 4 portions of food at a time. This makes it suitable for individuals, couples, and small families.

You can adjust the temperature from 80°C up to 200°C, giving you a wide range to perfectly cook various foods. There's also an adjustable 30 minute timer with auto-shut off, so your food never overcooks.

Several parts of the fryer are dishwasher safe, including the basket and pan, which makes cleanup a breeze. The fryer also has cool touch handles and a viewing window, so you can safely see how your food is progressing.

The touch screen control panel is intuitive and easy to use. It allows you to easily select your desired cooking temperature and time. The integrated air circulation system ensures hot air circulates evenly for fast, crispy, and delicious results.

Overall, the Salter Air Fryer is designed with many great features that make using this appliance convenient and enjoyable. The generous capacity, adjustable settings, dishwasher safe parts, and useful design features come together to deliver excellent performance.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

The Salter Air Fryer has a user-friendly control panel with an LED touchscreen that is very intuitive. There are preset programs for common foods like fries, chicken, steak, shrimp, cake and fish that take the guesswork out of air frying. You simply select your desired food and the air fryer automatically sets the temperature and cooking time.

There are also manual controls to set the temperature from 80C to 200C and the timer up to 30 minutes. The buttons have a nice tactile feel when pressed. An audible beep lets you know when a setting has been selected. The touchscreen display is bright and easy to read.

The basket has a nonstick coating which prevents food from sticking. This makes cleanup much easier as any crumbs or residue can be easily wiped out with a damp cloth. The basket and crisping tray are removable and dishwasher safe. The fryer basket has a cool touch handle so you can remove it safely after cooking.

Overall, the intuitive controls, nonstick surfaces and dishwasher safe parts make the Salter Air Fryer very easy to use and keep clean on a daily basis.

Noise Level

The Salter Air Fryer operates at a reasonable noise level while cooking and the fan runs quietly. There is some humming from the fan motor and circulation of air, but it's not overly loud or distracting.

Many reviewers mention the Salter Air Fryer is quieter than expected. The fan noise is comparable to a small countertop convection oven. It's noticeable while standing near the air fryer, but fades into background noise from several feet away. The fan runs constantly while cooking to circulate hot air, but the volume remains consistent.

There are no sudden loud sounds or rattling noises from the Salter Air Fryer. It operates smoothly without any worrisome buzzing or vibrations. The fan noise is relatively muted and doesn't overpower kitchen conversations.

Overall, the Salter Air Fryer won't disturb others in nearby rooms while cooking. The noise level is moderate and reasonable for an appliance of this type. It likely won't be an issue in most home kitchens. The fan and motor noise is minimal and unobtrusive.

Safety Features

The Salter Air Fryer has several important safety features to provide peace of mind when using this appliance.

• It has an auto shut off function that turns the fryer off automatically after the cooking time is complete. This prevents overcooking and provides an added layer of safety.

• The fryer has cool touch handles that stay cool to the touch even during and after cooking. This protects users from accidental burns. The handles make it easy to move the fryer safely.

• Salter Air Fryers meet key safety certifications including ROHS, REACH, CA65 and EMC. These certifications indicate the fryer has been tested for safety hazards related to materials, chemicals, electronics and more. Customers can feel confident using an appliance that meets rigorous safety standards.

• There is overheating protection that shuts off the heating element if the internal temperature gets too high. This prevents fire risks.

• An integrated cord storage system keeps the power cord neatly tucked away when not in use. This reduces tripping hazards.

In summary, the Salter Air Fryer has a range of thoughtful safety features that make it secure to use and provide protection for customers. Auto shut off, cool touch handles and certifications give assurance when cooking.

Pros and Cons

The Salter Air Fryer has several positives as well as some drawbacks to consider:

Pros:

• Produces crispy and delicious air fried food with little to no oil needed
• Large 3.2L cooking capacity fits a good amount of food
• Digital touch screen with 8 pre-set functions makes it easy to use
• 60 minute timer with auto shut off adds safety and convenience
• Dishwasher safe basket and crisping tray simplifies cleanup
• Air circulation technology cooks food evenly and thoroughly
• Compact size doesn't take up too much counter space

Cons:

• Bulky design may be difficult to store away
• Basket may need hand washing despite being dishwasher safe
• Pre-set buttons limit ability to manually adjust time and temperature
• No viewing window to check on food while cooking
• Exterior gets very hot to the touch during cooking
• Loud fan noise while in operation
• Short power cord may require an extension cord

Overall, the Salter Air Fryer offers solid performance and features for the price point. The large capacity, digital controls, and dishwasher safe parts make it convenient to use. Downsides like the loud noise and lack of adjustments may frustrate some users. Consider your needs and kitchen space before deciding if the pros outweigh the cons for you.

Conclusion

Overall, the Salter EK4628 Air Fryer is a solid mid-range option for healthy air frying. It cooks food quickly and evenly using rapid air circulation technology. The resulting food is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, mimicking deep fried taste without all the extra calories from oil.

The Salter air fryer has a number of useful features like adjustable temperature control up to 200°C, 30 minute timer with auto-shutoff, and cool touch housing. The removable frying basket and pan are dishwasher safe too, making cleanup a breeze.

In testing, the Salter produced evenly cooked and crisped french fries, chicken wings, fish fillets, and more. It's a bit smaller than some other models though, with a 2.5 liter capacity, so you may need to cook smaller batches. But it's a great size for 1-3 people.

Noise level is average for an air fryer. There is fan noise during cooking but not overly loud. The touch buttons are simple to use and the non-stick basket prevents sticking or burning. Safety features like auto shut off provide peace of mind.

Overall, the Salter EK4628 Air Fryer provides solid performance for the price. It's easy to use and makes "fried" foods conveniently at home. It may not have all the bells and whistles of a premium air fryer, but does the job well. For an affordable mid-range option, the Salter Air Fryer is recommended for healthy frying for 1-3 people.