Remember when air fryers were the hottest thing since sliced bread? Every kitchen seemed to have one, and every influencer posted crispy fries promising zero guilt. Fast-forward to 2025, and things look different. People now are putting their air fryers up for sale or letting them collect dust in storage. So, what's causing this shift?
Well, for starters, those bulky baskets take up more space than anyone expected. Kitchens aren't getting any bigger, and real estate on your countertop is always tight. It's not just about space—there's also the cleaning. If you've ever tried scrubbing baked-on crumbs from those little grids, you know what I mean. Plus, it's easy to forget how fast the novelty wears off after a few weeks of reheating frozen snacks and trying to make soggy zucchini chips taste like the real deal.
The truth is, many of us got swept up in the promise of 'healthier' fried food. But when you really look at what we use air fryers for—frozen fries, chicken nuggets, and store-bought snacks—the health boost isn't as big as we thought. And let's be honest, some folks say the taste just can't compete with old-school methods.
- From Hype to Hesitation: What Changed?
- Common Air Fryer Gripes No One Talks About
- Space, Maintenance, and the Hidden Costs
- Are There Better Alternatives Out There?
From Hype to Hesitation: What Changed?
A couple of years ago, it felt like air fryer deals were everywhere. People bought them by the millions—over 25 million in the U.S. just in 2022, according to market trackers. They promised crispy food with way less oil, plus easy, fast meals. But the buzz started to fade, and here’s why.
The initial hype was real. Lots of folks expected to ditch their ovens and microwaves, thinking their air fryer would replace everything. But after the first few months, reality hit. Many realized air fryers don’t actually fry—they just blow hot air around. If you’re after true fried texture, the results sometimes come out more ‘dry’ than ‘crispy.’
There’s also the learning curve. Yeah, air fryers can cook a basket of fries in under 15 minutes. But figuring out the best settings, times, and how often to shake the basket gets old fast. People started reaching for their old methods again, especially because regular ovens can handle bigger batches at once.
Another thing: not all air fryers are built the same. Cheap models from random brands started popping up during the craze, and they break down, smell weird, or don’t heat evenly. The excitement soured for plenty of folks who jumped on a low-priced air fryer deal thinking it’d be a kitchen game-changer.
Check out these numbers to see the shift:
| Year | Air Fryer Sales (U.S., millions) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19 | Up |
| 2022 | 25 | Peak |
| 2023 | 18 | Down |
| 2024 | 15 | Down |
So people are slowing down on buying and using air fryers. The hype train has definitely lost a lot of steam, and folks who bought early are now revisiting if an air fryer really fits their routine. That’s the big shift from all-out excitement to second-guessing their spot on the kitchen counter.
Common Air Fryer Gripes No One Talks About
When air fryers first blew up on social media, nobody mentioned the little troubles that show up after the honeymoon phase. The biggest issue people have with a air fryer is cleaning. Sure, the non-stick coating sounds nice at first—but it can peel off after a year if you run the basket through the dishwasher too often. Manufacturers aren’t always clear about this, either. If you have to hand wash a bunch of small parts every time, it gets old fast.
Another complaint? Capacity. Most air fryers (even the big ones) can’t handle enough food for a whole family in one go. You’ll end up cooking batches, which kind of defeats the “quick dinner” promise. For anyone looking to feed more than two people, this is a real letdown.
Then there’s the noise. Unlike ovens which do their thing in the background, a air fryer sounds like a small jet engine taking off on your counter. It’s not a deal breaker for everyone, but it surprises a lot of first-time users. One tester from Consumer Reports put it plainly:
“We love convenience, but several models hit over 65 decibels—about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. Not exactly ideal if you’re making a midnight snack.”
Let’s also talk about smell. While air fryers claim to reduce kitchen odors, oily foods can leave stubborn smells inside the basket and filter. Some people say their units keep that ‘fried food’ aroma long after the machine is cleaned.
- Space Hog: Takes up more counter space than advertised.
- Plastic Taste: Some models leave food tasting or smelling faintly of plastic—especially in early uses.
- Uneven Cooking: Overstuff the basket and you’ll get half-burned, half-raw fries every time.
- Parts Wear Out: Replacement baskets or trays can be hard to find and expensive.
One fun stat from a 2024 survey by Appliance Market Watch: over 42% of people who bought an air fryer in the last two years said theirs rarely gets used by month six. That’s a lot of machines gathering dust, and it shows there are more downsides than the sales pitches let on.
Space, Maintenance, and the Hidden Costs
This is where a lot of people start to get frustrated with their air fryer—it’s just too big for what it does. Even the smaller models take up as much space as a toaster oven, sometimes more. If you’ve got a one-bedroom apartment or a tight kitchen, that’s a big ask. Folks end up storing it in a cupboard or basement, and once it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.
But space isn’t the only thing. Maintenance can get annoying real fast. The baskets and trays look easy to clean at first, but try getting grease out of all the nooks after cooking chicken wings. The so-called “dishwasher safe” parts? Sure—but most dishwashers can’t handle the bulk, and hand-washing those big, awkward baskets isn’t anyone’s idea of fun.
Let’s talk about some hidden costs. Buying a air fryer can cost anywhere from $50 to over $200. Then, there’s the hit to your energy bill. Most models use 1400 to 2000 watts when running, which adds up if you’re using the thing a few times a week. Also, a lot of people end up buying special accessories (think extra racks or liners) just to get more out of their fryer, driving up the total price.
| Expense | Estimated Cost (Annual) |
|---|---|
| Extra Accessories | $25 - $75 |
| Electricity Usage | $15 - $40 |
| Replacement Parts | $10 - $30 |
If you’re chasing those hot air fryer deals, remember to factor in all these little extras. Over time, that cheap appliance might not seem like such a bargain. A lot of people just decide it’s not worth fighting for space or paying for parts, and that’s why so many air fryers are ending up on Facebook Marketplace.
Are There Better Alternatives Out There?
So with air fryer deals everywhere and people jumping off the bandwagon, you’ve got to wonder—are we missing out by ditching the air fryer, or have better options come along?
Let’s lay it out. The regular oven is making a comeback. Modern convection ovens can cook food just as fast as an air fryer, with the bonus of holding way more food. You don’t have to cram everything into a tiny basket. Plus, many newer ovens have built-in air frying modes, so you don’t need an extra appliance hogging space. It’s practical, especially if you have a family or like to meal prep.
Some folks are even going old-school and sticking with a traditional stovetop or regular fryers for actual fried dishes—no gadgets, just results you know and trust. For reheating, nothing beats a microwave for speed, especially for snacks or leftovers. Food isn’t always as crispy, but sometimes convenience wins out.
- Convection ovens: Same crispy results, bigger batches, fewer gadgets overall.
- Toaster ovens: Big upgrade from the past. Many models now can crisp, broil, and bake—some even have air fry settings.
- Microwaves: Not crisp, but unbeatable for speed and simplicity.
- Multi-cookers (like Instant Pot): These cover slow cooking, pressure cooking, and even crisping (with attachments), doing way more than just air frying.
If you still crave the specific crunch from an air fryer, some toaster ovens or convection ovens now pack a punch with air fry features built-in. More people are selling their single-purpose air fryers in favor of these multi-use gadgets, hunting for air fryer deals that give them more bang for the buck.
Check this quick look at what people are using instead of stand-alone air fryers:
| Appliance | Main Pros | Downsides |
|---|---|---|
| Convection Oven | Larger capacity, built-in air fry modes | Longer preheat, higher upfront cost |
| Toaster Oven | Versatile, compact, some with air fry function | Not as quick as a stand-alone air fryer for small batches |
| Multi-cooker | Does it all: pressure, slow cook, air fry (with lid) | Can be bulky, learning curve for all features |
| Microwave | Lightning fast reheating | No crispy texture, not for frying |
This shift isn’t just about what cooks food fastest. It’s about saving space, spending less, and getting more out of what you already have in your kitchen. If you spot a good air fryer deal, check first if something you own already does the job—or if you’d be happier with a single gadget that replaces three others. That’s where the real value is these days.