Tower 17-Liter Halogen Low-Fat Air Fryer vs. Ninja Air Fryer Comparison

Today, I'm reviewing Tower's new 17-liter Halogen Low-Fat Air Fryer, comparing it against my favorite, the Ninja Air Fryer. The Tower model is advertised as a versatile air fryer with four cooking methods: air frying, roasting, grilling, and baking. It costs £60, significantly less than the Ninja Air Fryer, which is priced around £220. The Tower also offers a larger capacity and lower wattage, which could make it a cost-effective option. Let’s see if it lives up to its claims.

Unboxing the Tower Halogen Air Fryer

Upon unboxing, you get a lot for £60:

• Base Unit: The main body of the air fryer.
• Bowl: Easy to handle, even when hot.
• Racks: Multiple racks for different cooking levels.
• Oil Squirter: Handy for low-fat cooking.
• Basic Controls: Simple dial controls for time and temperature settings.

Cooking Test: Chips and Chicken

Initial Setup

I set up both the Tower Halogen Low-Fat Air Fryer and the Ninja Air Fryer with the same quantity of chips and chicken. Here's the detailed process and observations for each step of the cooking test.

Cooking Chips

Step 1: Preheating and Preparation

• Temperature Settings: Both air fryers were set to 200°C.
• Pre-Oiling: Both batches of chips were lightly coated with oil to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Cooking

• Time Setting: Started with 10 minutes for both air fryers.
• Observation: After 10 minutes, the chips in the Ninja Air Fryer appeared slightly more cooked than those in the Tower Halogen Air Fryer.

Step 3: Midway Check

• Tower Halogen Air Fryer: Produced a noticeable amount of steam, which can prevent the chips from getting crispy.
• Ninja Air Fryer: Chips were already starting to crisp up nicely.

Step 4: Final Cooking Time

• Additional Time: Gave the Tower Halogen Air Fryer an extra 3 minutes, while the Ninja required no additional time.
• Final Observation:
  • Ninja Air Fryer: Chips were crisp, golden, and evenly cooked.
  • Tower Halogen Air Fryer: Chips were cooked but less crispy, with a slight underdone texture compared to the Ninja.

Cooking Chicken

Step 1: Preheating and Preparation

• Temperature Settings: Maintained at 200°C for both air fryers.
• Cooking Time: Set to 12 minutes.

Step 2: Cooking

• Time Setting: Started with 10 minutes, intending to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process.

Step 3: Midway Check

• Tower Halogen Air Fryer: Chicken was cooking but had more steam than expected.
• Ninja Air Fryer: Chicken was cooking evenly with a slight browning on the surface.

Step 4: Final Cooking Time

• Additional Time: Added another 6 minutes to the Tower Halogen Air Fryer and 5 minutes to the Ninja Air Fryer.
• Final Observation:
• Ninja Air Fryer: Chicken was well-cooked, moist, and had a nice browned surface.
• Tower Halogen Air Fryer: Chicken was moist but slightly underdone compared to the Ninja. Required an additional 3 minutes to match the doneness of the Ninja.

Detailed Comparison

Chips Comparison

• Ninja Air Fryer: Produced crispy, golden, and evenly cooked chips in the initial 10 minutes.
• Tower Halogen Air Fryer: Needed extra time to achieve similar results. Chips were cooked but not as crispy and evenly browned as those from the Ninja.

Chicken Comparison

• Ninja Air Fryer: Chicken was perfectly cooked with a moist interior and a nicely browned exterior.
• Tower Halogen Air Fryer: Chicken was moist but required additional cooking time to achieve the same level of doneness and browning as the Ninja.

Final Thoughts

For those looking for an affordable and versatile cooking appliance, the Tower Halogen Air Fryer is a decent choice. However, if you prioritize cooking performance and efficiency, the Ninja Air Fryer remains superior.