I was going through the Friday flyers when I came across this deal at Walmart. They’re selling the T-fal Actifry, regular price $238 for $188. (This price is even lower than Amazon.com at $240USD+!) Sale runs until Thursday, December 8th.
I first heard about this device on Dr. Oz and supposedly, you can make fries (or other items) with only a spoonful of oil!
I personally wouldn’t have any use for the Actifry as I don’t deep fry anything. However, deep-fryers were all the rage when I was a kid and I just remember thinking, “This is such a waste of oil!” All the food is literally cooked in a vat of hot oil, but what do you do with the used oil after you’ve used it a few times?
I’ve read mixed reviews on the item, namely that the materials used to make this small appliance aren’t built to last. At $188, if you deep fry foods, would you try the Actifry out?
Ok, I’ll bite.
First of all, you can use the oil way more then a “few” times. In fact you can use it over and over. Esp with the good fryers that strain and drain.
On to to Acti fry.
I have had one for months, got it for 159 on sale. You actually use no addiotional oil for bagged fries… only when you do fresh cut.
The taste is between deep fried and oven. Its convection basically in a small space. It makes them crispy. Bottom line my kids love it and I can make stiry fry and a ton of other things in it that have nothing to do with “deep frying” nor use any oil.
I’m curious where all the bad reviews came from as before I bought mine I found many positive blogs on the Acti fry.
I’d try this if it was under $100.I don’t deep fry enough to justify the cost. Another big-small appliance to take up space in my kitchen. I do however love the fact that you use so little oil which is healthier and easier to clean up.
the price is the only downfall
I Would love to have one if I could afford it! I hate the amount of oil that is absorbed by deep fried foods we eat.
The price is WAY out of my budget though!
I wish Shoppers Drug Mart had it and we could use points and get it for free!
I bought this when it was on sale last year for about $150 as well. It was great knowing I wasn’t using 4 litres just to fry some chicken. The skin from the chicken was peeling off because of the rotational device in the middle. I didn’t like the acti-fry because it would take about 30 mins for a couple of pieces of chicken. It’s great for a couple with 1 kid. I have 3 kids and my alway hungry hubby and the size was way to small for us. So I returned it. They now sell a larger sized actifry, if the price is right, I might look into buying the larger one.
The Gourmet addition is on sale at the Bay for $199 – and there is a printable coupon for 20% off!!!
I bake my fries in the oven with about a tbsp of oil. They taste fantastic. All you need is a cookie sheet, some potatoes and the oil of your choice. Save yourself $200 and some counter space! 🙂
I bought the Actifry and I love it. I got it on sale at 180$ at the Bay (using a coupon) and I got the potato cutter as a bonus. I use it at least twice at week. It’s fantastic. Yes, it’s pricey and made out of plastic but if you want to treat yourself to something nice, it’s totally worth it.
I bought one and love it,,,would love it more if its was bigger,,,thats the only downfall,,,,I now cook french fries all the time,,,if Im lazy I also cook hamburger,,,for chili or whatever and no need for me to stirr it as it cooks the acifry does it…great for chicken wings nice and crispy,,,,Ive done apples,,,mushrooms,,and love little boneless skinless chicken breasts they cook up really nice ,,,but yes it does take a lot of counter space,,,,
Is the gourmet edition normally cheaper or more expensive that the Walmart one. We don’t have a Bay here, just Zellers. I make sweet potato fries from sweet potatoes, spices and a drop of oil in the oven, but would be interested in an Actifry. Hubby on the other hand hates thing on the counter, as I am a small appliance junkie.
I would personally not use anything with t-fal (teflon) in it. It has been link to cancer in many research studies. It may be only one factor, but fries in the oven work just as well.
http://www.cancer.ca/Canada-wide/Prevention/Whats%20being%20studied/Teflon%20and%20non-stick%20cookware.aspx?sc_lang=en
I just got one when Canadian Tire had a sale on it, it’s great for fries, I do need although to experiment more in it and find more things to cook. I’ve also tried Mozza Sticks, they were good too and the pineapple chicken recipe it comes with which was pretty good.
Edna – sorry but everything seems to be linked to cancer and T-fal is only cancerous if you don’t use it properly and burn the coating to the point of it smoking which is impossible.
where is this printable coupon for the bay for $20 off?
I could not live without mine. Granted we got ours as a gift, so the price is irrelevant. We use it several times weekly for shrimp, risotto, soup, fries, and pretty much anything else that requires constant stiring. We’ve been using ours for a year and a half and have had no problems (I also read a few reviews that the tops break). Frankly, if it stopped working, I would go straight out and buy another one!
Have use the Acti Fry a few times now.. very small basket for frying in .. so ifyou are feeding a family of more than 2 people it’s not worth it! Very noise machine and it sets off the smoke/heat alarm every time and the alarm is 12 feee away and down the hall. it’s a very large applicane for what it is
I bought an Acti Fry a few months ago. I would never go back to fries in the oven or a deep fryer they don’t taste like regular fried. The Acti Fry making them they come out wonderful and crisp. I have the large one and it does fries for 4 people comfortably. Actually I have 4 finicky friends and they have had the Acti Fry fries and have gone out and bought their own. Way to go T-Fal.