Product test

The Tefal «Easy Fry» is a raclette lover’s best friend

21.10.2022

Translation: Veronica Bielawski

Pictures: Valentina Sproge-Werndli

When kitchen appliances promise to do three things in one, I’m usually sceptical. The Tefal «Easy Fry» is one such device, claiming to be an air fryer, grill and steamer in one. I put it through its paces.

The name of this appliance is really misleading. «Easy Fry» suggests that you can easily fry things with this gadget. But that’s the one thing you can’t do;

like all air fryers, the «Easy Fry» is a miniature convection oven, which you can also add water to and use as a steamer. Alas, these devices have been misleadingly marketed as air fryers for several years now, so Tefal has also opted for the term «fry». Now, I’m not one to be dissuaded by marketing blah. That’s why in my reviews you’ll find me emphasising over and over again that deep-frying without fat is frankly not possible, and that air fryers are actually small convection ovens. The only difference? Instead of a door, most air fryers have a drawer that you put the food in.

Fryers

CHF145.–

Tefal Easy Fry Grill & Steam FW2018

Tefal has equipped the «Easy Fry» with two additional functions: a grill function that can also be a little misleading, and a steamer function for steaming vegetables, dumplings, or whatever else one steams these days. Operation is simple: you can set the program, cooking time and temperature or choose from preset programs represented by pictograms which point to a certain level of automation. These are, in fact, simply preset temperature and time combos. If the chicken breast or steak is smaller than Tefal expected, it’ll come out dry with these presets because the appliance has no sensors to measure the degree of doneness. Because of this, I decided to pass on using these for my review.

1. Air fryer: does what it should

The «Easy Fry» delivers exactly the results I expect from an air fryer: fast heat that’s evenly distributed. Just be sure not to overfill the basket, and your recipes will be a success.

2. Grill function: bye-bye, tabletop grill

Things get exciting with the advertised grilling feature. To use this, swap out the drawer insert and select the «Grill» function instead of «Air Fry». What exactly the oven does then – and what the difference is between «Grill» and «Air Fry» – is beyond me. After all, the appliance can’t do much other than circulate hot air. I decided to test this out by cooking two cervelat sausages. Using the grill insert, I made one using the «Grill» function and the other using the «Air Fry» function, keeping both in for the same amount of time. I don’t see a real difference in terms of results.

On the left is the cervelat cooked using the «Air Fry» function, on the right using the «Grill» function.

What surprised me is that grilling on the «Easy Fry» worked so well. Especially sausages can be prepared very quickly, and your whole house won’t smell of fat afterwards. When I throw my next raclette party, the «Easy Fry» will replace my tabletop grill.

3. Steamer: the cherry on top

The steamer function is where Tefal creates serious added value. You can use it to prepare raclette potatoes in no time or to quickly steam vegetables. The water tank has a clever design – you can remove it and fill it directly from your tap.

The water tank is easy to fill and insert.

If I didn’t have a built-in steamer in my apartment, I’d keep the «Easy Fry» for this feature alone.

Verdict: easy raclette evening ft. air fryer

The «Easy Fry» should actually be called «Easy Raclette Buddy». Picture this: the guests are in your living room for the aperitif, the «Easy Fry» sits on a side table, steaming the potatoes. As the host, this means you can avoid having to hole up in the kitchen. At dinner, you convert the «Easy Fry» to a grill and use it to make chipolata sausage and bacon. And hey, there might be children present who prefer chicken nuggets and fries – no problem, you can easily make those using the air frying function. The «Easy Fry» can do all this and comes at a rather low price. The only thing to bear in mind is that you need to have an idea of how long to cook each type of food. The cooking presets won’t be of much help.

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Simon Balissat

Teamleader Editorial

Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.ch

When I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.

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