Back again part time after a house move and some major changes!
Back again part time after a house move and some major changes!
Member since:05.03.2006
Reviews:24
Members who trust:3
The Tefal Actifry - a revolutionary way to cook chips, all the flavour without the fat...Sounds Good Eh ?
After much deliberation, and faced with a rapidly expanding waistline, I decided to buy a TefalActifry, I had read all the claims and decided that although very expensive for a fryer, Tefal was a reputable brand and it would be a useful product.
October 2008, I saw one in Tesco and purchased it for £153.00. Could not wait to use it, so once home I unpacked it and read all the instructions...
***About the Actifry***
The Actifry is a large, and quite awkward unit, made predominantly from heat resistant plastic, it has a white bottom half with a clear easy to see into hinged lid. Inside there is a non stick pan with a paddle in the centre, and a large plastic folding handle. At the back of the unit is the motor and fan unit, which is what makes the Actifry quite heavy, it also makes it quite awkward to lift/carry as it is back heavy. On the top of the unit are two small buttons, one is to switch the unit on or off and the other is to set the digital timer function. There is also a small 2 digit timer screen.
***So what do I do with it?***
Peel your potatoes, and cut as you would for regular chips, rinse the chips under a cold tap to get rid of any starch, this stops the chips from sticking together during cooking. Dry the chips thoroughly on a clean towel, and place into the non stick inner pan.
Using the spoon provided, add one tablespoon of oil (vegetable, sunflower, olive etc) close the lid switch the unit on and set the timer for 30 minutes.
The minute your switch the unit on, you will hear the fan kick in, and you will see the central paddle inside start to rotate, this keeps the chips inside moving and ensures they are evenly cooked.
Once the timer has sounded, your chips should be a golden colour and cooked to perfection.
The end result is really lovely crispy, fluffy chips, with no greasiness.
The Actifry comes apart and all washable parts (Paddle, non stick pan, clear section of lid) are dishwasher safe.
There is also a little recipe booklet in with your manuals, this is handy as it shows you all the other things your actifry can cook, such as sausages, and stir fry's.
I bought my Actifry in October 2008, and have used it maybe once or twice a month since then.
The concept is really good - fantastic tasting fried food, with less than 3% fat (if used as recommended!)
***A Word of Warning.***
However Iast night when I plugged it in, I heard a popping sound, so went over to have a look, and to my utter horror the inside was filled with smoke, and small flames were coming from the back of the unit. I immediately unplugged it from the socket and shouted my husband, who very quickly carried the machine outside and placed it on the garden. The flames burnt themselves out, but the house was filled with thick black, acrid smoke.
I contacted Tefal the next morning, only to be told that it had "Failed safe, and it was perfectly normal for small flames, smoke and sparks to come from the rear of the unit" and if I had watched the BBC's Watchdog programme in November I would be aware of this issue. I was offered a replacement Actifry, but declined, as if this is meant to be the safety cutout feature, I would rather not risk it happening again!
I have since read about it on the Watchdog website, and reading other people's experiences with the replacement models, coupled with my own experience, would not have another actifry if they paid me!
I am very disappointed, as it was an expensive item, that not only developed a fault very quickly, but it was a fault that could have had very very serious consequences.
For that reason I could not possibly recommend that anyone buys one.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Can make fresh low fat chips and wedges, easy to clean Disadvantages: Bit big so takes up room, takes quite a long time to cook, caught on fire
Ishouldbesolucky 24.08.2008 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Tefal FZ 7000 Actifry
Feb 12th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
