Turbo Broiler Vs Air Fryer [What’s The Difference]

The debate about cooking gadgets is not new. Since the air fryers joined the smart cooking appliance fraternity, they have become a part of this debate consisting of comparisons between air fryers and various other appliances.

Today’s discussion is about air fryers vs broilers. So, we decided to share our two cents on this issue based on our experience using both.

The main difference between an air fryer and a turbo broiler is that the air fryer uses hot air, and the turbo broiler uses a powerful halogen bulb to produce the heat necessary for cooking.

Turbo Broiler Vs Air Fryer [What's The Difference]

| ALSO CHECK:

• Air Fryer Vs Grill
• Air Fryer Vs Deep Fryer
• Air Fryer Vs Oven

Some more differences between an air fryer and a broiler are mentioned below.

Design and Build

A typical broiler has a glass bowl with a metal rack inside to place food. A halogen bulb above the glass cooking chamber is enclosed with a perforated metal covering.

Air fryers, on the hand, typically have a plastic or stainless steel body. There is a non-stick basket inside a drawer. Both of them slide inside a cooking chamber.

Footprint

Air fryers are known to be more space-saving and compact. Take the example of the Ninja SP101, which can be flipped up and stored against the wall. Broilers, on the contrary, are not very space-saving. Even if they are small, you need space to accommodate them on the counter, as carrying a heavy glass bowl is cumbersome and risky.

Weight

Broilers are heavier due to their thick glass construction. Having a broiler is a hassle if you have a small kitchen that requires storing them in the cabinet after every use. On the contrary, you can find many lightweight air fryers that can be easily placed inside a cabinet effortlessly. 

Energy Consumption

Energy consumption is a major concern for most households, especially in light of the skyrocketing electricity rates. Most homeowners prefer to buy energy-efficient appliances, which are easy on the pocket.

Between an air fryer and a broiler, an air fryer is usually more energy efficient. Also, low-wattage air fryers are ubiquitous these days. An air fryer’s body is also thickly insulated, so it is better at retaining heat for a long time.

Broilers, on the other hand, consume more electricity. Their typical glass construction also does not help with heat retention because glass is a poor insulator.

Temperature Requirements

At maximum, an air fryer can reach 510F, which is still lower than what a broiler can achieve. So regarding fast cooking, a broiler cooks much faster than an air fryer. They brown your food at lightning speed. 

As far as slow cooking is concerned, an air fryer scores more points when it comes to slow cooking. A broiler can only cook with high heat.

If you are not hard-pressed for time, get an air fryer. But if you are always in a hurry trying to reduce the time spent in the kitchen, acquire a broiler.

Durability 

According to some, broilers have a glass construction, which might be a less sturdy and unreliable option. On the contrary, air fryers are more durable and hard-wearing, thanks to their stainless steel construction.

Versatility 

Multi-functionality and versatility are the areas where air fryers win over broilers by a distinct margin. An air fryer can bake, roast, make rotisserie chicken, dehydrate, grill, and even slow cook.

An air fryer can even broil if it comes with the function. Whereas a broiler can only do one job. So from this perspective, it may not provide the bang for your buck.

Price

For most people, price is a major consideration when buying a cooking appliance. While prices can vary depending on the brand, functionality, size, performance, and many other factors, largely, air fryers are costlier than broilers.

But even an average multi-functional air fryer delivers more than a high-quality broiler offers. On average, you must expect the price of an air fryer to be 20% higher than a broiler.

How Air Fryer Cook Food Vs How Broiler Cook Food

Air frying involves cooking with swirling hot air that reaches every nook and cranny of the food. The heat is produced with the help of a heating element and circulated with a fan.

On the contrary, a broiler also uses hot air to cook food, but unlike an air fryer, the heat is radiated in a single direction and is produced with the help of a halogen bulb. Therefore, a broiler is also called a halogen oven.

How Broiler Is Similar To An Air Fryer

An air fryer and a broiler are similar in many ways. Some of the similarities are:

• Both use a fan to circulate heat
• Both use little to no oil for cooking
• Both are known for cooking healthy food
• Both cook fast and save time
• Both ensure uniform cooking
• Both are easy to clean due to the absence of many removable parts
• The heating source in both gadgets is placed above the cooking chamber
• Just like an air fryer, a broiler comes in various sizes

Air Fryer Vs Broiler, Which One Should You Buy?

Whether you should buy an air fryer or a broiler depends on your needs; nevertheless, both are good options.

Get an air fryer to enjoy a fried and crispy flavor when making chicken wings, roasts, spring rolls, and whatnot. On the contrary, if you want your food to be charred and seared on the exterior, you need a broiler.

There is another option too. You can also get an air fryer with a broiling function and kill two birds with one stone. There is no need to buy two cooking appliances when you get the same benefits with one. It will just clutter your counter space.

Pros And Cons Of Air Fryers Vs. Turbo Broilers

FAQs

Is air crisp the same as broil?

Air crisp is another name for air frying. And no air frying or air crisping is not the same as broiling. The air fryer uses a heating element as a heat source. It produces a crispy texture around the food, similar to a deep fryer. The broil function directs heat directly on top of the food, creating a charred texture.

Is broiling healthier than frying?

Both broiling and air frying are touted as healthier cooking methods as they both cook food without oil. So, saying that one method is healthier than the other would be difficult. Broiling and air frying only differ regarding the texture they produce on the food surface.

Wrapping Up

In this article, I have compared air fryers with broilers— how they are different or similar, which is better, and much more. It is not difficult to get confused between an air fryer and a broiler. Both appliances seem to be performing the same processes—cooking food with circulated heat without oil. However, when you are buying just one appliance, making a comparison of similarities and differences is mandatory. The comparison, “air fryer vs broiler,” is listed above. We hope this article will make your purchase decision easier and more informed.