Comparison Ninja SL400EU vs INSTANT Vortex Plus ClearCook

— Frying. The frying mode provides work at a high temperature. And for deep-frying, the multi-oven can be equipped with special baskets.

— Grill. Specialized mode for cooking juicy steaks, golden crispy breadcrumbs, grilled fish, grilled vegetables, etc. Multi-ovens with this function are usually equipped with a special grill kit — a removable bottom with typical ribs and holes, small skewers for cooking meat or vegetable kebabs.

— Baking. The possibilities of this mode are in many ways similar to a conventional oven. Baking usually means the cooking of not only flour products, but also muffins, various casseroles, etc.

— Drying. The drying mode is used to remove moisture from various food items by subjecting them to prolonged, low-temperature heating and hot air circulation. This mode is commonly employed for dehydrating vegetables and fruits for long-term storage, preparing dried meat or fish for outdoor activities such as hiking, and other similar purposes.

— Defrosting. Special mode for gentle defrosting of frozen food. It maintains a low intensity of the multi-oven, so that the contents effectively “melt”, but at the same time do not bake.

— Reheating. Reheating refers to the process of warming up pre-cooked dishes...rather than cooking raw food. In the reheating mode, the temperature is maintained at a relatively low level to gently warm the food without overcooking it. Some models may offer an initial burst of intense heat followed by a lower temperature to efficiently heat the dish and then keep it warm.

— Heating. The preheat function is used to heat the cooking container before placing the ingredients inside. This mode quickly heats the bowl of the multifurnace to a high temperature, such as 200 °C, within a short period, typically 3-4 minutes. This ensures that the container is adequately heated and ready for cooking.

The cooking temperature provided by the device. Most models are adjustable, so this item indicates the operating temperature range.

Deep frying is carried out at temperatures from 130 to 190 °С200 °С. But high operating temperatures (over 200°) are less common.

The capacity of the deep fryer basket or multi-oven bowl, or air fryer flask (see "Type") in kilograms is the maximum amount of food that can be loaded into the device at one time.

For deep fryers used in everyday life, a capacity of up to 0.6 – 0.8 kg is considered quite sufficient; it is rarely useful to fry numerous foods at a time at home. But models that can hold from a kilogram or more are designed mainly for industrial use — in cafes, canteens, etc. In turn, multi-ovens with a capacity of up to 0.8 kg can be called small, up to 1.5 kg — medium, more than 1.5 kg — large. Air fryers have approximately the same capacity.

The volume of the multi-cooker bowl, deep fryer basket, air fryer container, or the cooking chamber of a multi-oven.

This parameter is measured in liters and is directly related to the capacity of the basket (see above) — larger volumes are required for a greater quantity of food. For deep fryers (see "Type"), this parameter is usually specified not by the total volume but by the amount of oil needed for standard operation, providing an estimate of how much oil is required for the appliance. In models with separate compartments (see below), the volume may be indicated for each section individually.

Models in which the capacity is divided or can be divided into several separate compartments — most often two.

The main purpose of this function is to enable the simultaneous cooking of two different types of food in the appliance without mixing them. In multi-ovens, the separation of the cooking space is typically achieved through a removable partition that can be installed or removed as needed. In deep fryers with this feature, the working capacity is initially divided into two compartments, and the device comes with two baskets. This design allows for the option of cooking with a half load by using only one compartment and one basket.

Deep fryers with a separate container are most often large in size and capacity, but this rule does not apply to multi-ovens.

— Temperature maintaining. The function is designed to maintain the temperature of a cooked dish, preventing it from cooling down. This feature is particularly useful when there is a significant time gap between cooking and serving, and it is desirable to keep the food warm.

— Removable bowl. The presence of a removable bowl in the design of the deep fryers offers significant convenience for maintenance and cleaning purposes. It allows for easy removal of the bowl, simplifying tasks such as draining oil or washing.

— Viewing window. An added convenience in some appliances is the inclusion of a transparent window on the cover, which enables users to observe the cooking process without needing to open the cover. This feature is particularly useful for deep fryers as opening the cover during cooking can result in oil splattering. By having a window, users can safely monitor the process. It's worth noting that multi-ovens may also be equipped with a window, depending on the specific type of appliance.

— Anti-odor filter. One notable feature is the presence of an anti-odor filter in the appliance, which helps purify the air that is emitted during the cooking process, effectively reducing strong odors. However, it is important to keep in mind that these filters typically have a finite lifespan and will require regular...cleaning or replacement after a certain period of time.

— Heating indicator. The appliance has a temperature indicator that signals when it has reached the desired operating temperature. It is worth mentioning that in many models, this indicator also functions during the heating process, alerting users that the device is powered on and may have already reached high temperatures.

— Non-stick coating. The appliance is equipped with a special non-stick coating on the bowl, which prevents food from burning and sticking to the walls. This feature not only makes cleaning the bowl easier but also reduces the need for extensive cleaning. It's important to note that non-stick coatings are delicate and require gentle handling, avoiding the use of metal objects or abrasive cleaning products. However, due to the effectiveness of the coating, such rigorous cleaning is usually not necessary.

— Making fondue. Fondue is a dish consumed in a specific way: small pieces of bread, vegetables, mushrooms, etc. are dipped into the melted cheese on long forks. The ability to prepare such a dish is exclusively found in deep fryers (see "Type"): for this, the lid is removed, and the heater constantly operates in the "slow fire" mode, maintaining the desired consistency of the cheese. There are also other types of fondue, such as meat and chocolate variations; the possibility of preparing them should be checked separately.

— Delay start timer. A delay start feature is incorporated into the appliance, enabling users to schedule the cooking process for a specific time. This allows for pre-loading the food into the device and setting the desired program start time according to one's preference. For instance, it can be set to begin half an hour before returning from work, ensuring a freshly prepared, hot dish upon arrival home.

— Self-cleaning. The appliance includes a self-cleaning mode, which simplifies the cleaning process compared to manually washing a dirty container in the sink. Typically, this mode involves adding a small amount of water and detergent to the container and activating the designated self-cleaning program. Once completed, the water can be emptied, and the container can be wiped clean. It's worth noting that air fryers with mechanical controls may not have a dedicated button for the self-cleaning mode. Instead, the specific parameters such as temperature and duration are provided in the instruction.

— Child lock. In this case, it means the ability to lock the control panel — so a curious little child could not turn on the device or change the set operating settings. At the same time, for an adult, unlocking is not a problem.

— Auto power off. The main components of the air fryer, including the heater and fan, are located within the cover. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid turning on the appliance when the cover is outside the bowl or left open, as it can be dangerous and result in burns, damage to objects, or even fire. To ensure safety, modern air grills are equipped with an automatic system that disables the heating and convection functions when the cover is opened. This automation is typically implemented through a switch located beneath the foldable handle. When the handle is lifted to remove the bowl, the switch is released, interrupting the circuit. While theoretically, the cover can be removed without lifting the handle, it is often impractical or even impossible to do so. Overall, the switches located under the handle are designed to be reliable and contribute to the safe operation of the air fryer.

The power consumed by the device during operation. Usually indicated by the maximum energy consumption, at the most intensive mode of operation.

Large capacity requires more power. However, devices with similar characteristics may differ in this parameter. It is worth noting that, other things being equal, lower power does not mean more economical energy consumption: cooking in such a device takes more time and as a result, the amount of energy spent is almost the same. At the same time, lower power means less load on the electrical grid, which can be important in houses with poor wiring.

— Rotary switch. Control carried out by mechanical elements directly connected to the corresponding components of the device. The traditional, most popular option provides two rotary knobs: a thermostat and an off timer with a clock mechanism (see “Functions”). The main advantages of this type of control are simplicity and low cost. At the same time, the capabilities of the “mechanics”, although modest, are quite sufficient to control all key functions. Among the clear disadvantages compared to electronic control, it is worth noting less accuracy.

- Push-button. Push-button control is based on electronic circuits. Such systems are more accurate than mechanical ones; more capabilities and modes are provided. On the other hand, such control is more complex and more expensive than mechanical control.

- Touch. A type of electronic control with touch switches. Compared to push-button models, it provides a high level of comfort in operation, and looks more modern and aesthetically pleasing. Touch control is found mainly in top models of juicers.

— Rotary switch with sensor. Another type of electronic control, where the main control is a rotary switch, which is complemented by touch buttons. The switch itself simplifies the selection of modes, temperature, timer time, and the sens...ors are secondary. However, the control panel itself looks stylish and is not inferior in design to models with touch controls only.