Tower T17088 Air Fryer - Review

The Tower T17088 Digital Air Fryer Oven is an innovative multi-cooker that allows you to air fry, bake, roast, grill, and dehydrate. This versatile kitchen appliance uses rapid air circulation technology to cook food with little to no oil, resulting in quick, healthy meals with crispy textures and up to 80% less fat.

With its sleek black design and digital touch screen, the Tower air fryer oven will look great on any countertop. Its spacious 5 liter capacity can accommodate up to 4 servings, making it easy to cook for the whole family. The integrated 60 minute timer with auto-shutoff ensures your food will be perfectly cooked without having to constantly monitor it.

Overall, the Tower T17088 air fryer oven provides a convenient, user-friendly way to create your favorite fried foods in a healthier manner. Its combination of features like air frying, baking, and dehydrating in one appliance makes it an excellent addition to any kitchen.

Design

The Air Fryer Tower T17088 features a sleek and modern design with a black exterior and silver accents. It has an oblong shape and stands on four rubber feet to provide stability.

The main body is made of plastic with a matte finish that resists fingerprints. There is a large digital control panel on the front with an LED display and touch buttons. The touch buttons are responsive and easy to use.

The fryer basket has a non-stick coating and is removable for easy cleaning. It slides in and out of the fryer smoothly on a pull-out rack. The basket has a safety button that needs to be pressed down for the basket to slide into place, preventing accidents.

There is a clear window on the front of the fryer that allows you to monitor cooking progress without opening the basket. The fryer door has a strong hinge and a handle integrated into the design.

Overall, the Tower air fryer has a smart and minimalist look that would suit most kitchen decors. The materials feel durable and made to last. While the Tower air fryer has an attractive design, some consumers may prefer the aesthetics of the Ninja AF400UK air fryer. The Ninja model has a rounded shape with a black plastic exterior and stainless steel front. The digital display is recessed into the body for a seamless look. The Ninja air fryer is available in more color options as well, including black, gray, white, and dark red. Some may find the softer curves of the Ninja design more visually appealing than the hard angles of the Tower model.

When it comes to size, the Ninja AF400UK has a larger footprint and takes up more counter space. The Tower T17088 has a more compact oblong shape. For those with limited kitchen space, the Tower air fryer may be the better choice. The Ninja is better suited for larger families that need to cook bigger batches of food.

The control panels on both air fryers allow you to adjust time and temperature settings easily. However, the Ninja AF400UK model has more preset options for commonly cooked foods. The Tower relies mainly on manual settings. For novice cooks or those seeking more convenience, the Ninja presets may be preferable.

Cleaning and maintenance are important considerations as well. Both fryers have dishwasher safe, non-stick baskets and pull-out crumb trays. However, the Ninja model also includes a detachable splash guard around the fryer basket. This provides extra protection from grease splatters and makes the interior walls easier to wipe down after cooking. The Tower model lacks this splash guard accessory.

When comparing overall design and aesthetics between these two popular air fryer brands, the choice comes down to personal preferences. Those wanting a more rounded, sleek look may favor the Ninja. For a compact, angular appliance, the Tower model is a good option. Considering size, color choices, presets, and ease of cleaning along with visual appeal can help consumers decide between these quality air fryers.

Size & Capacity

The Air Fryer Tower T17088 has a compact and sleek design that doesn't take up too much counter space. It measures 31 x 31 x 31 cm, so it can fit easily on most kitchen counters or be stored away in a cupboard when not in use.

Despite its small footprint, it has a generous 3.2L capacity which allows you to cook around 800g of fries or a whole chicken. The basket itself is 20cm in diameter and 9cm deep, giving you enough room to cook portions for 3-4 people. This makes it a great size for singles, couples and small families who want to air fry meals without needing a bulky appliance.

The compact size coupled with the large capacity gives you the best of both worlds - quick air frying without sacrificing too much space in your kitchen. If you're looking for an alternative air fryer with a similar capacity but different design, check out the EMtronics EMAFDD9LSL. This 9L model has a pull out basket for easier access to food. It also uses rapid air circulation technology to cook food fast and evenly.

With a 50 minute timer and adjustable temperature up to 200°C, the EMtronics EMAFDD9LSL allows you to prepare a wide variety of dishes. The integrated digital touch screen makes it simple to select the ideal cooking time and temperature. It even has 8 pre-set cooking functions for fries, nuggets, drumsticks, steak, shrimp, cake, fish and pizza.

So if you like the generous capacity of the Air Fryer Tower T17088 but want a slide-out basket design and digital controls, the EMtronics EMAFDD9LSL is worth considering. It has a similar 3.2L capacity but a slightly different shape and interface. This gives you more options to find your perfect compact air fryer.

Settings & Modes

The Air Fryer Tower T17088 comes with 8 preset cooking modes to choose from, making it easy to air fry, bake, roast, reheat, and dehydrate a variety of foods. The modes include:

• Air Fry: Uses rapid air circulation to cook foods with little to no oil, resulting in crispy textures while reducing fat by up to 80% compared to deep frying. Temperatures range from 80°C to 200°C.

• Bake: Ideal for baking cakes, cookies, and more. Temperatures range from 80°C to 150°C.

• Roast: Perfect for roasting meats and vegetables. Temperatures range from 150°C to 200°C.

• Reheat: Gently warms up leftovers. Temperature is fixed at 150°C.

• Dehydrate: Dries out fruits, vegetables, meats and more at a low consistent temperature. The temperature is fixed at 60°C.

• Keep Warm: Maintains temperature of cooked food. Fixed at 80°C.

• Preheat: Heats up the air fryer to the set temperature before cooking.

• Defrost: Safely thaws frozen foods.

The touch screen control panel makes it easy to select your desired cooking mode and adjust the temperature and timer settings as needed. There are also manual buttons for adjusting temperature in increments of 10°C.

Performance

The Tower T17088 air fryer performs very well at air frying, baking, roasting and reheating food. The powerful 1800W heating system and optimized airflow allow it to quickly reach and maintain high temperatures up to 200°C. This ensures food cooks fast and comes out crispy and golden brown with little to no oil needed.

Many users report the air fryer does an excellent job at cooking frozen foods like fries, nuggets and snacks with great results. Meats like chicken wings, chops and sausages also become perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining juicy inside. The unit excels at baking small batches of treats like cookies, muffins and scones which come out evenly cooked. Roasting vegetables, potatoes and more is easy and infuses great flavor.

Leftovers and pre-cooked foods can be quickly reheated in the air fryer to restore crispiness and taste just cooked. Performance across all functions is very impressive for an air fryer of this size and price range. The Tower T17088 punches above its weight when it comes to delivering delicious air fried, baked, roasted and reheated meals.

Ease of Use

The Tower Air Fryer T17088 is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The control panel features an intuitive LED touchscreen that allows you to effortlessly select cooking modes, adjust temperature and time settings. Many users comment that the controls are very user-friendly, even for those new to air frying.

Cleaning the air fryer is also a breeze thanks to the non-stick coated basket and pan. The basket has a cool touch handle that allows you to remove it safely after cooking. Both the basket and pan are dishwasher safe for quick cleanup. The air fryer also includes a cleaning brush to help maintain the interior. The smooth, wipe-clean surfaces don't trap oil or food residue, making it easier to keep the appliance looking like new.

Overall, the Tower Air Fryer T17088 offers effortless operation and hassle-free maintenance for busy home cooks. The thoughtful design makes it simple to start air frying tasty meals with minimal prep or cleanup required afterwards.

Noise Level

The Tower T17088 air fryer operates at a reasonable noise level. The fan and heating elements generate a low hum during operation which is comparable to a small countertop oven or convection toaster oven. This makes it suitable for most home kitchens without being overly intrusive.

Some user reviews do mention the fan noise is audible, but not excessively loud or disruptive. The majority of customers find the noise level perfectly acceptable for daily use. It won't drown out a normal conversation in the kitchen.

The noise profile remains consistent throughout cooking at around 65-70dB. There are no rattling sounds or sudden changes in fan speed. The noise generated is relatively smooth and constant.

Overall, the Tower air fryer produces an average noise output that most users find unobtrusive. It allows you to cook up crispy fries, wings, and other air fried foods without excessive machine noise.

Safety Features

The Air Fryer Tower T17088 has several key safety features to prevent accidents and injuries.

Overheating Protection

This air fryer has an automatic shut off function that is triggered if the internal temperature gets too high. This prevents overheating and potential fires. The heating elements will shut down if the safe temperature threshold is exceeded.

Tip-Over Protection

The base of the air fryer has non-slip rubber feet to prevent sliding. There are also plastic stabilizer tabs underneath to keep the unit steady. If the air fryer gets knocked over or tipped, the heating elements will automatically shut off for safety. So you don't have to worry about the unit dangerously tipping over.

The combination of overheating protection and tip-over auto shut off provides an important layer of safety when using this appliance. You can have peace of mind knowing the air fryer has mechanisms to prevent accidents if anything goes wrong.

Accessories

The Air Fryer Tower comes with a few handy accessories to help you get the most out of this appliance.

Basket

The main frying basket has a 3.2 liter capacity, which is roomy enough to cook food for 3-4 people. It's made from metal with a non-stick coating for easy cooking and cleaning. The basket has a cool touch handle that stays cool while air frying.

Recipe Book

A recipe book with over 50 recipes comes included to give you inspiration and guidance for making the most of the air fryer. The recipes cover breakfast, appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts.

Rotating Mesh Basket

This handy accessory fits into the main basket. It slowly rotates your food while cooking for even browning and crisping. The rotating function prevents you from having to manually shake or flip the food during cooking.

Skewers

Several skewers come included which are great for making kebabs and skewers in the air fryer. The skewers provide an easy way to flip and rotate individual pieces of food.

Oil Measuring Cup

An oil measuring cup is provided to portion out the small amounts of oil needed for air frying. This helps control the amount of oil used.

Heat Resistant Mat

The mat protects your counters and surfaces from heat damage. You can place the hot air fryer on top of the mat after cooking.

Pros & Cons

The Air Fryer Tower T17088 has several pros that make it a solid choice:

• Large 5.5L capacity fits a good amount of food for families
• Easy to use control panel with preset programs and adjustable temp/time
• Convection heating cooks food fast and crispy with little to no oil
• Basket has cool-touch handle and releases for easy cleaning
• Compact footprint doesn't take up much counter space
• Auto shut-off for safety
• Affordable price under £100

There are a few potential downsides to consider:

• Exterior gets very hot during cooking so caution is needed
• Basket may be too small for cooking larger items like a whole chicken
• Max temperature of 200°C limits higher-temp air frying
• Noise level can be disruptive during cooking
• Short 1 year warranty period

Overall, the Tower T17088 air fryer provides very good performance and value for the price point. The generous capacity, presets, safety features, and small footprint make it a great choice for most households. Just be mindful of the hot surfaces, noise, and small basket when cooking larger foods. For basic air frying needs, it's an affordable and effective option.