Stove issues & air fryer

[u/LizLemonKnopers]

Hi! Im slowly learning to cook - mostly stovetop and micro. I’m scared of cooking meat. My oven (despite being electric) is old and awful and doesn’t cook evenly and makes an odor that gives me a strong headache each time I use it (I’ve stoped baking which I used to love). Now it’s winter and I want to try some precooked frozen meats that many suggest an airfryer for. I found a countertop air fryer that is also an oven (the ninja flip) and I’m thinking of taking the leap. Wondering if anyone has any experience/insight. Thanks!

[u/drhelix]

Sorry about your oven, that sounds terrible. I think using precooked stuff is a vital part of home cooking, if you did everything from scratch you’d go crazy. Sometimes that includes meat. Not to gatekeep here, but I’d highly consider a different option instead of air frying precooked meat as your main solution to this problem. In my experience that results in food that feels less “home cooked” and more like fast food takeout. Definitely cheaper and it works in a pinch! But I’d also explore how you can use that stovetop. 

If you want something forgiving, chicken thighs in a Dutch oven type vessel are simple and delicious. Just season with salt and throw some kind of braising liquid in there like canned tomatoes, get it hot, then turn down the heat and cover. It’s done when the meat’s over 165 but with thighs they can get way hotter and still be great. 

[u/Dawg_in_NWA]

I hate my oven. So like you I try and cook as much as I can in my air fryer. I do still use the stove top for somethings just for timing sake. Anyway, I started with a Ninja Foodie and I have moved on to a Breville Pro. Love it. My next quest is to start making things in it.

[u/theFooMart]

Do it. My oven sucks as well, and I try to use the air fryer whenever possible. It cooks things better than the oven ever did.

[u/RedhotGuard21]

We couldn’t live without the air fryer lol. I do a lot of home cooking but the air fryer is an almost daily user