Evaluation: The Prompt Vortex 6-quart Air Fryer Has No Studying Curve

I’ve gotten to attempt a handful of various air fryers at this level, and though the convection heating mechanism is similar, there’s nonetheless a considerably overwhelming selection obtainable. When the market is flush, manufacturers attempt to tempt patrons with new designs. I’ve discovered that’s the place cooks can lose themselves. In my expertise, easy is normally greatest. I’ve been utilizing the Prompt Vortex 6-quart basket mannequin for about two years, and it’s the one I hold coming again to.

Why this air fryer is particular 

The Prompt Vortex 6-quart has a easy basket design with two elements: the basket drawer, and the remainder of the unit, which incorporates the heating factor, fan, and contact show. In truth, what makes this air fryer particular is how properly it does the job whereas being fully fundamental. There’s no vertical configuration, no double heating zone, and no rotisserie function. Only a basket, and it will get to work.

Mine is definitely the older era of the identical mannequin. The newer era (linked above) has a sleeker look and shows each the time and temperature directly (this older one blinks between the 2), however the purposeful elements are the identical, and you will get the gist of the general measurement and design right here. The basket is broad and has loads of depth. It features similar to a drawer that you simply slide out and in of the machine by grabbing the deal with (which is huge and I feel a bit excessive however that’s a development with most air fryers), and giving it an excellent yank. The basket secures again into the equipment with a satisfying clack. 

Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

There’s a easy grate that matches into the underside. My subsequent remark borders on excessive air fryer-nerdom, however the grate is nice. It’s largely like some other air fryer grate, however the important thing distinction is the middle wire-pull. It’s skinny, sits in a despair, and flips round so you’ll be able to clear each side. Who cares, you say? You’ll be considering of me in case you purchase an air fryer that has a set pull. Meals will get caught in it weirdly, and oils can get trapped beneath. It’s the small issues. 

The show is digital with a number of touch-screen buttons to pick out the operate (fan pace), and a management knob you’ll be able to rotate to pick out your temperature and time. It’s an infinity management dial, which I’ve abused with aggressive spinning and it nonetheless works fantastic. This show is ideal for the kind of one that unpacks an equipment and instantly throws out the instruction guide. You plug within the machine, the alternatives gentle up, and also you press buttons. I imagine anybody may air fry accurately on their first attempt with this Prompt Vortex.

The professionals and cons of the Prompt Vortex 6-quart

The professionals

• Easy to make use of

• Straightforward to maneuver round

• Straightforward to wash

The Prompt Vortex 6-quart boasts easy operation with out dropping management. It’s not that an air fryer can’t get extra easy—some air fryers have preset controls or dials with temperature and fan settings, however the rub is that it’s a must to work inside their settings. The Prompt Vortex just about helps you to name the pictures, however with out muddying the waters with too many pointless choices, buttons, and presets. When you press begin, you’ll be able to depend on constant, even browning, and fast outcomes. That is on account of how broad the heating coil is. You possibly can see within the image that the diameter is broad sufficient to cowl many of the basket.

Pardon the cooking stains.
Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

I’m presently residing the Brooklyn condo life, and it options extraordinarily restricted counter house. My Prompt Vortex lives on my fridge—which is an efficient six inches over my head. Oddly, it’s very easy to maneuver round. I can seize the machine over my head and stroll over to the counter once I want it a number of occasions per week. Equally, I’ve no downside placing it again up there. I attribute this to not my rippling lats, however to its squat, boxy form and light-weight inside engine. Moreover, the burden feels evenly distributed as a result of the fan and heating factor are centered within the prime of the unit.

That brings us to the much less glamorous aspect of cooking: cleansing. “Love” is simply too sturdy a phrase, however I don’t hate cleansing the Vortex. (I’ve hated cleansing different air fryers.) When you elevate out the grate, cleansing the basket takes no time. It’s broad open. Even if in case you have large fingers or restricted dexterity, it’s 5 broad, flat, straightforward to entry panels. A soapy sponge and heat water takes care of that simply. For the grate, I like to recommend a soapy bristle brush. Each of those elements are additionally dishwasher-safe, if in case you have a kind of treasures. 

The cons

Like most equipment cons, these slightly rely on you. That stated, the Prompt Vortex does have a big footprint, which is why I’ve to retailer it off the counter. To keep away from any issues, be sure to measure the house you need it to stay in. In response to the product itemizing on Amazon, the size are 12.36″D x 14.92″W x 12.83″H. Account for a number of inches of house behind the unit for air flow throughout use. 

The downside of such a easy design is that you would be able to solely cook dinner one factor at a time in the sort of basket-style air fryer. Positive, you could possibly drop curly fries and shoe strings in collectively as a result of they’re about the identical thickness and air fry on the similar settings. Nevertheless, in case you’re air-frying a number of elements of a meal, like a pork tenderloin and phyllo wrapped crispy greens, you’ll need to cook dinner one, wait, after which cook dinner the opposite merchandise and wait once more earlier than you eat. You may even have to wash the unit between cooking periods relying on what you made first. 

Is that this air fryer for you?

If you need your air fryer to simply do the job and do it proper, that is the perfect air fryer for you. It’s straightforward to make use of for a first-timer and for the instruction-manual averse. The massive, broad basket is great for baking pies, desserts, and even casseroles. Likewise, the dimensions of the basket is nice in case you cook dinner a number of parts in a single shot. I can completely match 4 large turkey burgers into it, and I can roast 4 giant pink peppers in there directly. 

This is probably not an excellent match in case you want an air fryer to cook dinner a number of elements of a meal (requiring completely different temperatures or timings) in a single session. Think about one thing just like the Ninja DoubleStack XL for that. In case your main concern is effectivity, even browning, and most crisping, properly then, you’ve discovered your match.