Air fryers and pressure cookers are two different kitchen appliances that both allow you to cook food quickly, but they go about it in very different ways. One cooks by circulating hot air around food, the other circulates hot steam. One lets you make almost anything crispy; the other allows you to make beans or rice soft enough to eat. And the differences don’t stop there, but I’ll zip it for now.
In my opinion, they are both exciting additions to a kitchen since they make cooking enjoyable.
Below, we’ll discuss the key differences between air fryers and pressure cookers so you can decide which appliance works best for your cooking style. Read on to learn more!
Pressure Cooker, Their Advantages and Limitations:
A pressure cooker is a pot with a lid that allows food to cook at high temperatures and pressures. A pressure cooker cooks the food fast because the steam gets trapped inside and heats up, cooking the food from all sides. The steam also cooks the ingredients faster, which results in restaurant-quality meals, but with less time and effort.
A pressure cooker is one of the most versatile tools ever created. It is capable of making variety of foods. And will only take a fraction of time compare to cooking in ordinary pot or frying pan. For example, vegetables and meat can be cooked in a shorter time period and with less water, then compared to traditional cooking methods.
Additionally, pressure cookers are also used for cooking beans, because it softens the beans by breaking down the cell walls that cause flatulence when undigested carbohydrates are absorbed into the colon.
Also Check out our article on Air Fryer vs Toaster Oven
Advantages of Pressure Cookers:
Pressure cookers allow quick cook times with 20% to 60% less energy than traditional cooking methods.
Preserves more vitamins and minerals.
You can cook variety of meals in Pressure cooker.
Perfect for cooking large amount of food.
Pressure Cooker are easy to use.
A pressure cooker will save you money on your meals once you learn how to use it properly.
Limitations of Pressure Cookers:
Pressure cookers are dangerous if not used carefully.
Expensive than air fryers.
You cannot inspect the cooking process.
Large in size as compared to air fryers.
Not as easy to clean as air fryer.
Not as portable as air fryer.
Air Fryers, Their Advantages and Limitations:
Air fryer works by circulating hot air at high speed. As opposed to deep frying which submerges food in oil, the air fryer blows the oil away from the food while it is being cooked resulting in delicious and crispy treats without sacrificing fat content. The technology used in the air fryer is called Rapid Air Circulation (RAC).
Once you start using air fryer, you will wonder why that took you so long. The tasty fried food you used to eat is accessible again with air fryer and it’s healthier too.
Air fryers can cook variety of fried food. Which Includes potato chips, meatballs, hot dog slices, chicken pieces etc.
Advantages of Air Fryer:
Air fryers are very easy to use.
The device can be used for grilling, baking, toasting, frying and even dehydrating
Very easy to clean and require less space
Healthy fried food without the use of oil
A quality air fryer requires little to no pre heating time.
Most air fryers come with a recipe and manual book.
Above all, you can easily find an air fryer at less than $50 price.
Limitations of Air Fryer:
Food doesn’t taste the same as deep fried
Some air fryers create smoke.
Cannot make soup.
Smaller in size as compared to pressure cookers.
Cannot boil like pressure cookers.
If for any reason your Air Fryer stops working, here’s how to fix it!
Can Pressure Cooker work like an Air Fryer?
Pressure cookers cannot work like Air fryers. Air fryers only circulate the hot air around your food; they rely on convection to cook your food. Pressure cookers on the other hand put pressure on food and cook it faster by boiling the water in it.
Another reason for why pressure cooker can’t work like an air fryer is because air fryer preheats for 30 seconds. No matter how fast your stovetop pressure cooker heats up, it won’t be ready before the air fryer preheats to 400 degrees.
Can Air fryer work like a Pressure Cooker?
Air fryer can’t work like pressure cooker. Air fryers use heat transfer to heat the food, pressure cookers use steam. Pressure cookers are great, but so is an air fryer! When it comes to creating restaurant-quality fried foods in the comfort of your own home, nothing beats an air fryer!
Those who do not have time to roast over an open fire will find air fryers the perfect solution. Different from a pressure cooker, air fryer can help you cook your meal easily at home and no extra equipment needed either.
Difference between Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer:
- Air fryers use hot air to cook food whereas pressure cooker uses steam to cook food.
- Pressure cookers are better at handling liquid items such as soup, yakhni.
- Air fryers are smaller in size as compared to pressure cookers
- Air fryers take the lead when it comes to frying, grilling or even baking
- In terms or portability, air fryers are better than pressure cookers
- You can stop air fryer and inspect food, meanwhile in pressure cooker it is really hard to inspect food.
- Air fryers can make fried foods like crispy French fries, chicken wings etc. while Pressure cooker can make soft food like beans, soup etc.
Check out our article on Air fryer vs Microwave
Final Thoughts on Air Fryer Vs Pressure Cooker:
Finding the right kitchen tool can be exhilarating. Especially If you’re looking for an air fryer or a pressure cooker, it can feel like an impossible task.
With that being said, an air fryer is great choice if you’re looking to cook healthy fried foods. However, a pressure cooker is best if your final goal is to cook beans, tough cuts of meat, potatoes, etc.
If you wish to buy both in one device. Make sure to check our our article on Best Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo.
