It's easy to get confused in the pursuit of a healthy diet: what kitchen appliances will prepare the most healthy dishes? Manufacturers sing praises to the next invention, claiming that this time the novelty will prepare restaurant-quality dishes using air. Is it really? Let's get it right. Today we will consider what is healthier, a double boiler or an air grill.

Air grill

The air grill works on the principle of a stove. Inside the glass container (up to 12 l), the dish to be prepared is placed on the wire rack. Then the lid closes, and the heater located in the lid of the device heats the air up to 2600С. A built-in fan distributes the flow throughout the tank, providing uniform heating.

For an air grill, special dishes are needed, with a large number of holes in the bottom for air access to food. Cooking in the device has its pros and cons, and we'll talk about them.

pros
  • low-calorie foods without fat, oil, carcinogens;
  • automatic cooking does not require the presence of the hostess;
  • languishing, smoking, drying for future use, defrosting, heating are available;
  • the tightness of the device does not allow odors to spread through the rooms, and food particles - to settle on surfaces.
Minuses
  • do not wait for boiled dishes;
  • warming up takes a lot of time, baking also;
  • there is a danger of burns by touching the wall of the tank;
  • spends a lot of electricity.

Each device is accompanied by a manual with recommendations on the choice of modes for certain dishes, as well as a recipe book. But some dishes are better not to cook in the air grill. This applies to chips, pasta and liquid dishes.

Double boiler

This appliance usually looks like a multi-story tower with a water tank below. Standardly there are 2 levels, but can be up to five. Unlike hot air grills, double boiler are electric and gas. Electric ones are equipped with a temperature regulator, a timer and operation indicators on the bottom of the device.

The principle of operation is to support the boiling of water, the steam from which rises to each floor and penetrates into the products. Fats and juices from steamed food drip into the pan, not mixing with boiling water.

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of using a double boiler.

pros
  • low calorie dishes;
  • preservation of most nutrients;
  • minimum cooking time;
  • autonomy of work;
  • the smells of dishes from different floors do not mix if there is a pallet;
  • preparing many dishes at the same time.
Minuses
  • only steams: does not smoke, does not fry, does not bake;
  • the need to clean the device immediately after switching off to avoid absorption of odors into the plastic;
  • dishes seem fresh even compared to cooked ones.

To cook in a double boiler, you need to gain experience. At first, the food will be moist or overcooked, but it quickly passes. If you do not use a pallet (but not in the gas pan), the odors still mix. But the gas appliance does not waste electricity.

What's better

The choice, as always, is the most painful process. It all depends on why you need the device:

  1. for soft, dietary foods suitable for those suffering from gastritis or peptic ulcer, a double boiler is better for baby food;
  2. if it is necessary that one device has many cooking modes: baking, grilling, smoking, feel free to take an air grill. It is convenient to take with you to the country.
The double boiler is concentrated on one mode, but it performs with dignity. The multi-mode air grill, although it can do a lot, is not as good as highly specialized devices. For example, the oven bakes better, and the fish on the grill is tastier than in the air grill.

It’s up to you: once again evaluate the quality of the devices, think what is more important for you, and make the right choice.