Comparison Bosch MAF671B1 vs Bosch MAF462B1

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.

Cooking programs provided in the device. The most common cooking programs are: fries, chips, chicken, meat, shrimps, fish, pizza, vegetables.

— Fries. The fryer offers a specialized automatic cooking program designed specifically for preparing dishes like crispy potatoes, mushrooms, or meat in batter. While these dishes can be cooked in any deep fryer, this program simplifies the process. With this program, users no longer need to manually monitor the cooking time and temperature. They simply load the ingredients, select the appropriate mode, start the cooking process, and wait for it to complete. In multi-ovens and air fryers, this type of cooking can be achieved with minimal amounts of oil or even without oil at all, providing healthier cooking options.

— Chips. The fryer offers a dedicated cooking program specifically designed for making potato chips, which are thin and crispy slices of potato. While chips can be cooked in any deep fryer, if the device does not have a built-in cooking program, users will need to manually configure the cooking parameters and closely monitor the process. Alternatively, the option to cook chips may also be available in multi-ovens and convection ovens (...see "Type"), expanding the cooking possibilities beyond traditional deep fryers.

— Chicken. A cooking program specifically designed for cooking chicken meat is commonly available in multi-ovens and air fryers. This program typically involves baking the chicken. However, deep fryers are less commonly equipped with this specific program. In deep fryers, the emphasis is usually on frying chicken with batter or without it.

— Meat. Program for cooking meat (veal, pork, etc.). It is used mainly in multi-ovens and air fryers, which means roasting meat.

— Shrimps. A cooking program specifically designed for cooking shrimps is commonly available in deep fryers, which typically allow frying shrimp in tempura batter. Air fryers and multi-ovens, on the other hand, may offer different cooking options for shrimps, such as boiling, particularly in the case of multi-ovens.

— Fish. Programme for cooking fish. In deep fryers (see "Type") fish is most often cooked in batter, in small pieces; it is possible to bake the whole fish, if the volume of the working space allows it in multi-ovens and air fryers.

— Pizza. A programme optimized for pizza making. The "Pizza" program, commonly found in multi-ovens, ensures that Italian dishes, as well as casseroles and pies, are cooked evenly on all sides. This program is designed to create a crispy crust on the top while maintaining a juicy filling inside.

— Vegetables. The "Vegetables" program, commonly available in multi-ovens, is characterized by its moderate temperature setting. It allows for slow and gentle heating of vegetables, similar to stewing. This program is ideal for preparing various vegetable-based dishes such as side dishes, stews, complex dishes and soup dressings.

— Auto-cooking. In addition to those described above, the design may also provide for other types of auto-cooking programs — for example, for mushrooms, barbecue, baking bread, etc.

— 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.

— Halogen. Halogen heaters in air fryers use an incandescent spiral placed within a glass tube filled with a special halogen gas. These heaters offer several advantages, including minimal thermal inertia, instant heating and cooling, and powerful heat radiation. They are capable of creating a characteristic fried crust on dishes, although heating may be less uniform, requiring the occasional flipping of the food in some models. The presence of the hot spiral also provides visibility into the cooking process and adds an aesthetic appeal to the device. The glass tubes used are chemically inert and resistant to corrosion. However, they are prone to brittleness, have a relatively shorter lifespan, and there is a small possibility of cracking if dirt accumulates on the tube due to uneven heating. Nonetheless, when operated according to the guidelines, these factors are not of significant concern. Consequently, "halogen" heaters are commonly found in most modern air fryers.

— Electric (heating element). Heating elements in air fryers consist of a heating coil encased in a metal tube filled with a thermally conductive insulating material. These elements offer several advantages, including strength, reliability, and durability. However, they have slower heating and cooling times compared to halogen tubes, and regular cleaning is required to prevent corrosion caused by prolonged contact with dirt. It's important to note that heating in these air fryers primarily occurs thr...ough convection, which makes them less ideal for frying purposes. For more even and powerful cooking, some models provide for 2 or even 3 heaters.

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.

— 2 separate compartments. Features two independent chambers, each operating independently in terms of temperature, time, and mode. This design is especially convenient when you need to cook different dishes at the same time— like roasting vegetables in one compartment and frying chicken in the other, without mixing smells or having to settle for a single mode. Compared to single compartment models, the dual module offers greater flexibility and saves time, as you don't have to wait for the first cycle to finish. Practically, it is useful for a family dinner where everyone wants their own dish, or for quick snacks where some ingredients cook faster than others. Available in vertical and horizontal formats. The former is notable for its compact size, while the latter often allows for combining the chambers into one larger space but also takes up considerable space on the kitchen counter.

— Temperature maintenance. This function keeps the cooked dish warm so it doesn't cool down. Handy in situations where there's a long interval between cooking and serving, and you prefer to consume food warm.

— Viewing window. A transparent window in the device's lid allows observing the cooking process without opening the lid. This feature is particularly important for deep fryers: opening the lid may cau...se splashes of hot oil to fly out, so it's safer to watch the process through the window. However, ovens may also feature a window (see "Type").

— Odor filter. A filter that cleans the air coming out of the device and prevents strong smells from forming while cooking. It's important to note that such filters usually have a limited lifespan and need to be cleaned or replaced after a certain period.

— Heating indicator. An indicator that signals when the device has heated to the working temperature. Note that in many models, this indicator works during the heating process, alerting you that the appliance is on and might have already heated to high temperatures.

— Non-stick coating. A special coating that prevents food from burning and sticking to the walls of the bowl, making the bowl easier to clean. Be aware that many types of non-stick coatings are quite delicate, requiring careful handling and not allowing cleaning with metal items or abrasive agents; on the other hand, such cleaning is usually unnecessary.

— Delayed start timer. A system that allows delaying the start of cooking for a certain time. With a delayed start timer, you can load food in advance and set the start time at your discretion—like half an hour before returning from work to have a freshly cooked, hot dish ready when you get home.

— Self-cleaning. The device's support for a self-cleaning mode. This cleaning method is significantly easier than washing a heavy bowl with dried-on dirt in the kitchen sink: usually, it is enough to pour a little water with detergent into the bowl and turn on the appropriate mode, then pour out the water and wipe the bowl. Note that mechanically controlled grills may lack a separate button to activate the self-cleaning mode—instead, the necessary parameters (temperature and time) are specified in the instructions.

— Child lock. This refers to the ability to lock the control panel so that a curious little child cannot turn on the device or change the set operating settings. However, removing the lock is not a problem for an adult.

Additional items included in the standard delivery set of the device. These can be all kinds of grates, trays, mesh baskets, skewers, pizza pans, tongs, potholders and other auxiliary devices to ensure convenient cooking.

The main material from which the body of the device is made.

— Plastic. Plastic offers several key advantages including its affordability, ease of processing and wide range of colors. These factors contribute to the cost-effectiveness and appealing appearance of kitchen appliances. While plastic may not be as durable as metal, it is still reliable enough for regular household use. Consequently, many appliances designed for home use are made of plastic. However, it's important to note that plastic cases are sensitive to overheating and can melt at relatively low temperatures. Over time, they may also develop scratches.

— Metal. Metal is highly durable and reliable, making it suitable for powerful professional appliances that are frequently used, such as deep fryers in cafes and restaurants. It can withstand high temperatures without issue. However, metal cases are more expensive to manufacture compared to plastic cases due to the complexity of the production process. Metal also has high thermal conductivity, which can affect heat distribution. As a result, in household devices, it is common to find a combination of metal and plastic in their construction. In some cases, only the central part of the case is made of metal, while the remaining parts are made of plastic. This helps to balance durability, cost, and thermal conductivity.