Deep Fryer, Steamer: Is This Kitchen Gadget Multifunctional?

Deep fryers and steamers are two very different kitchen appliances. Deep fryers use oil or lard to cook food, while steamers use water to create steam that cooks food. While it may be tempting to use a single appliance for multiple purposes, it is not possible to use a steamer for deep frying. The heating element of a steamer can be damaged by oil, and the parts of a steamer are not interchangeable with those of a fryer. Therefore, it is essential to use the right appliance for the intended purpose to ensure the best cooking results and maintain the safety of your kitchen.

Using a steamer module to deep fry can damage the heating element

Steamers work by heating water to create steam, which rises and gently cooks the food. This method provides a much softer texture to the food. On the other hand, deep fryers use hot air to create an incredibly crispy texture without using large amounts of oil. The purpose of a deep fryer is to make food crispy, while the purpose of steaming is to make food moist.

Oil heats slower than water, and using a steamer module to deep fry can cause damage to the heating element. The parts for a steamer and a fryer are not interchangeable. Therefore, it is not possible to use a steamer module to deep fry food.

Additionally, deep frying requires specific safety precautions that steamers do not have. For example, hot oil can be dangerous and cause burns or fires if not handled properly. Deep fryers also require a filtered ventilation system and a fire suppression system to prevent accidents. As such, it is important to use the correct equipment for the intended purpose to ensure safety and avoid damaging the appliance.

Oil heats slower than water

It is not possible to use a steamer module to deep fry, or use a fryer module to steam. While it may be tempting to experiment with your kitchen equipment, it is important to understand why these two appliances are designed for their specific purposes.

The steamer is specifically designed to use water, and the fryer is designed to use oil or lard. The parts for the steamer and fryer are not interchangeable. Therefore, it is not safe to attempt to use a steamer as a deep fryer or vice versa.

Parts for steamers and fryers are not interchangeable

The difference in heating elements and intended functions means that the parts for each appliance are not interchangeable. The steamer module is designed specifically for water, while the fryer module is made for oil or lard. Oil heats up slower than water, and using the wrong module can lead to damage.

Additionally, fryers often have features like adjustable temperature settings, oil filtration systems, and frying baskets, which are not necessary for steamers. Steamers may have multiple layers to cook different types of food simultaneously, but they do not require the same precise temperature control as fryers.

While some appliances, like an air fryer, can be versatile and perform multiple functions, steaming and frying are two distinct cooking methods that require different equipment. Steamers provide a gentle cooking process and moist, soft textures, while fryers deliver crispy, crunchy results.

Therefore, it is essential to use the correct parts for steamers and fryers, as they are designed specifically for their respective functions and cannot be interchanged without risking damage or compromising the desired cooking results.

Air fryers circulate hot air to crisp and cook food

Air Fryers: How They Work and What They're Good For

Air fryers have become indispensable kitchen appliances, offering the crunch and flavour of deep-fried food with much less effort and oil. They work by circulating hot air around food that's sitting on a grate or rack, cooking it through convection and achieving the Maillard reaction—the browning and crisping of food through heating sugar and proteins.

How to Get the Best Results

Air fryers don't require preheating, and you can simply pop your food in and go. However, they work best when there's plenty of room between individual items for air to circulate. If anything is stacked up together, air can't get in between, and you'll be left with a soft or undercooked spot. So, if your crispy fish taco pieces won’t all fit at once, work in batches.

A drizzle or a quick spritz of oil will help ensure good browning and even roasting. A thin layer of oil on food will give you restaurant-quality fries and golden brown fried chicken.

What to Cook in an Air Fryer

Air fryers are great for proteins like chicken, chicken wings, fish, steak, and hard-boiled eggs. They're also perfect for vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or broccoli, and tubers like sweet potatoes and potatoes.

Leftovers like day-old pizzas or French fries are ideal, and you can also make baked goods like cinnamon rolls, cookies, and cakes.

What Not to Cook in an Air Fryer

Avoid anything that needs a lot of liquid to cook, such as uncooked rice, or anything with a wet batter, like tempura. Full-sized baked goods like cakes and breads also don't work well, as they can burn on the outside before they're done on the inside.

Because of the rapidly circulating air, don't cook anything with lots of loose crumbs, nuts, seeds, or small pieces, as these can easily dislodge and fly around or burn.

Steamers heat water to create steam to cook food

Steamers and deep fryers are two very different kitchen appliances. While a steamer uses water to create steam to cook food, a deep fryer uses oil or lard to cook food.

Steamers are designed to heat water and create steam, which rises and cooks the food placed in the steamer. This provides a gentle cooking process and a softer texture to the food. Steamers can be electric or stovetop, and they are great for cooking vegetables, fish, and other foods that taste good when steamed, such as dumplings, wontons, custards, etc.

On the other hand, deep fryers are designed to heat oil or lard, which cooks the food placed in it. The hot oil creates a crispy texture and cooks the food evenly. Deep fryers are usually self-regulating and maintain a constant temperature, ensuring that the food is cooked perfectly.

While it may be tempting to try and use a deep fryer as a steamer, or vice versa, it is not advisable. Using the incorrect module can damage the heating element. Additionally, oil heats slower than water, so using a steamer to heat oil may not give the desired results.

Therefore, it is best to use each appliance for its intended purpose to ensure optimal cooking results and to avoid any potential damage to the appliances.

Frequently asked questions