Instant Vortex 2QT Mini Air Fryer

My kitchen gets so hot in the evening that running the oven/stove nightly for dinner was too much heat, so started the hunt for a small air fryer. It took over 2 months to decide since I didn’t want to spend $$$ not knowing how much use I would get out of it, and if it would work without blowing a circuit. It arrived on the 13th and has been used every day since. I wanted simple, and simple is what I got. Simple enough that straight out of the box, a first time user may never need to reference the ‘get started’ manual included. It’s a cinch to setup and the control panel is intuitive. The mini has a small footprint that is comparable in size to my 9 cup food processor, but weighs less. The stuff I really like: - It doesn’t take up much space on or under the counter. - Available in a variety of colors. Obviously, I love the arctic white color! - The design is aesthetically pleasing and adds a modern touch to the counter top. - It has a low electrical load capacity at 1300 watts that does not trip a 15 or 20A circuit in an old house. This has been a growing concern of mine with newer electronics. - Versatile? The “presets” are the default temperatures for your cooking options: air fry, roast, bake, and reheat. I pretty much use the air fry setting (changing the time & temp of course) for baked chicken (raw chicken w/ seasonings), vegetables, and pretty much everything else. To date, I have only used the ‘Bake’ function twice; once as a test for a plain chicken breast, and once for a baked potato wrapped in foil with both results consistent with my oven’s! - Food Capacity/Space? The 2 qt capacity has space to create large meal size portions for 1-2 people. The square footage of (6.5”x6.5”) is roomy enough to cook a wide range of foods. I don’t use precooked or frozen meats but market fresh. The “mini” can cook one lg chicken breast (w/without bone), 2-3 medium/small chicken breasts, 2-4 chicken thighs, 2 mahi mahi fillets, 1-2 pork chops, or 5 lamb chops (loin or T-bones) at one time as a single layer. Of course, your sizes/cuts can vary but these are what I have ‘air fried’ to date. You could possibly add more (depending on sizes) but remember to not restrict air flow. You can also cook in batches since cooking time is fast. For foods that can be “stacked” (ie veggies, tater tops, tenders etc) you can add a larger portion filling the basket. You can make garlic toast slices and even complete sandwiches (grilled cheese, meatball, and rubens etc). It’s a game changer when it comes to crisping up frozen processed foods: french fries, onion rings, taquitos, eggrolls etc. This rules!!! You can also fill the tray or liner for fresh veggies al dente, or make teriyaki or sweet & sour etc. Best part of all? I have used zero oil! - Odor control? It’s another way to cook bacon perfectly without the whole house smelling of it and minimal mess (results comparable to baking in the oven). The odor is dramatically reduced, but so is the quantity in the tray so you’ll need to cook in batches. - It has an automatic pre-heat function that takes ~ 2 minutes - Energy efficient? The 2 Qt Mini heats up and cooks significantly faster and more efficiently than larger volume baskets and the oven. The longest cooking time used has been 22 minutes at 390°. - Poor eyesight? The digital screen is easy to read with good white on black contrast - Not tech saavy? The dial control is analog & easy to use to set temp and time - Noise? The fan noise level is not overly loud or distracting. - Not watching the clock? It’ll ‘beep’ when ready for you to add food, turn food, and End - Quick cool down? Once basket is removed from unit, it cools down exceptionally fast. - Cleaning? It’s easier to clean. Both the basket & tray are removable and dishwasher safe, BUT the small size makes it easy to fit most small sinks to hand wash (my preferred method). In the event of stubborn or baked on food, I’d recommend using a soft bristle brush or even an old toothbrush to handle the residue on the grill & around the clips. - General maintenance? To avoid grease build up on your coil you should clean the area at least once monthly if not weekly (especially if you air fry bacon). It’s pretty easy to do and it will extend the life of your unit and it’s efficiency. Make sure it’s unplugged and cooled down. Remove the basket & tray, and turn the unit on its side or upside down. Use a damp sponge to wipe off any baked-on grease accumulated. - Compact & portable? Take it with you to save $$$ on food or to stay on a restricted diet. It’s not limited to your home, apartment, or dorm. You can take it into work for that long or overnight shift (it fits right under your cubicle or in your locker). It carries well on your business trip when trying to save $$$ on restaurants, or when car camping & road trips if you have a power inverter. Visiting family for the holidays? Bring it with. - Accessories? silicone inserts & parchment liners are available for this size model making it even easier to cook things like glazed pork, teriyaki, sweet & sour and other saucy or difficult to clean dishes. Plus it will save you on the wear & tear of the original “finish/coating”. - Price? The price was perfect for my budget! Best of all, I found it on Amazon Second Chance which has become my new best friend! Stuff I’m not too keen about: - The instant-connect app does not work for Samsung Galaxy Note 8 android version 9 - Does not contain a splatter shield to protect coil - Cooking with it is addictive! Overall, I am totally happy with my purchase, the size, quality, functions, and price. It’s perfect for adults and seniors, any person that is starting out, cooking for 1-2 people, is stove-less, has limited space, or just wants a small accessory that’s sleek, modern & functional. Durability is unknown at this time, but I’ll update should there be any changes. All in all, I am extremely pleased with my purchase 5-Stars!