In what seems to be the latest fad among kitchen tech, air fryers have been popping up in big box stores around the world, promising to make dinner faster, cheaper, healthier, and tastier than traditional methods. Does Cosmo’s 2.3-quart offering live up to that promise?
What Is an Air Fryer?
Air fryers are a new form of a tried and true technology called “convection cooking.” Normally only available on high-end ovens and toaster ovens, this special feature uses a fan to blow hot air around the oven compartment to cook food evenly and crisply. What makes air fryers different, though, is that they are much cheaper, lighter, and easier to clean than convection ovens and toaster ovens.
Their deep baskets allow for food to cook even more consistently than would be possible in any type of oven. The result is a cooking experience like no other, where potatoes magically transform into perfect French fries without the need for a deep fryer and all the dangers and health risks associated with one. Additionally, they are much more versatile than deep fryers as they can also be used to bake, grill, and roast anything from brownies to whole chickens without the need for additional pots and pans. And best of all, they are super easy to clean.
Unlike ovens, toaster ovens, and deep fryers, the entire cooking compartment of an air fryer can be washed in the sink or dishwasher. It makes clean up a breeze, particularly when compared to grilling in an oven or frying in a deep fryer.
What Should You Look for When Buying an Air Fryer?
There are four things to consider when buying an air fryer: efficiency, portability, energy consumption, and added accessories and features. Efficiency is key with air fryers because the time it takes for them to heat up and cook food thoroughly is one of their biggest selling points. Portability is another consideration, as it is important to know what size you can comfortably cook in and stow away when not needed. Energy consumption is important, too, as the less energy your air fryer uses, the more money you save overall. And although not necessary, added features and accessories could make air fryers more appealing at different price points, but it really depends on what you want to get out of your air fryer.
Why Should You Consider the Cosmo 2.3 QT?
It’s fast!
Unlike most air fryers available, the Cosmo 2.3 QT heats up incredibly fast, boasting little to no preheating time, meaning you can get food from the fridge to your plate that much faster.
It’s portable!
The Cosmo 2.3 QT is tiny, coming in at under one foot in every dimension. That means you can store it virtually anywhere and even take it with you if needed. It’s the perfect size for students, small apartments, and small families.
It’s economical!
This air fryer comes in low on the price range at well under $100. It also only draws 1,000 watts of power, compared to larger air fryers that will easily draw up to 1,700 watts. Suffice it to say; the Cosmo 2.3 QT will save you money over other similarly sized air fryers.
It comes with everything you need!
The Cosmo 2.3 QT comes with everything you need to start cooking delicious, air-fried food right out of the box. Included accessories are a frying basket and a grill, which is more than you would expect from such a cost-effective product and is more than what is included in many higher-end makes.
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Why Shouldn’t You Consider the Cosmo 2.3 QT?
It’s tiny.
Although a plus to some people, myself included, larger families might struggle with the compact size of this air fryer. The size of this unit is best suited for making whole meals for individuals or side dishes for a pair.
It’s not very fancy.
Air fryers vary widely in terms of what technologies they boast. The Cosmo 2.3 QT is rather spartan in that regard, having only a cooking light, timer, and auto shut-off feature. While these features are more than enough to safely and effectively operate the fryer, the lack of special cooking modes and digital display might be a turnoff for those only interested in more feature-rich air fryers.
Who Is It For?
The Cosmo 2.3 QT is really all you need for a single apartment dweller in terms of air fryers or even convection appliances. It’s big enough to make some healthy fries when that craving hits, and it’s small enough that it won’t be getting in the way even in the most crowded kitchens.
While it won’t be replacing your full-size oven, it will be something of a welcome addition to it. Considering that people who live in apartments are often restricted by the low-end appliances that come with the living space, a way to get fried food this easily, cheaply, safely, and healthily is a huge game-changer. Adding such a compact appliance to your kitchen range is so easy to do but makes such a big impact when cooking for yourself, friends, or family. Gone are the days of late-night fast food trips. If anyone wants a burger and fries, a chicken wrap, or virtually any hand-sized food, you will find it way less tempting to run out to the nearest fast food joint than to just whip it up in the air fryer in a matter of minutes.
The Cosmo 2.3 QT is definitely recommended to anyone looking to bring their cooking game to the next level, especially if they are low on space or live in an apartment.
Tips and advice
While the Cosmo 2.3 QT is great overall, air fryers, in general, bear a few annoyances that should be taken into account when considering one. Because they are made mostly of heat-resistant plastic rather than metal like most other appliances, air fryers tend to produce a hot plastic smell when being used for the first few times. This is totally normal and harmless, but it’s enough to concern some people, so it’s worth mentioning as a potential side-effect. Also, you need to be careful where you operate your air fryer.
The Cosmo 2.3 QT expels hot air from the back, meaning that you shouldn’t keep anything meltable behind the air fryer when in use. It also needs to cook on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Countertops should be fine, but avoid cooking on top of things like raised stovetop elements. These can collect heat coming off the air fryer, and if left in contact, can actually cause the plastic casing on the bottom of the air fryer to melt.
Conclusion
Our rating: 
4.5 / 5
The Cosmo air fryer is a great option for small families and people with limited space who are considering an air fryer. It comes with everything you need to start cooking great food, although some might find it lacking in features. And while there are no concerns to be raised about the product, in particular, it should be noted that the Cosmo 2.3 QT suffers the same limitations as other air fryers. Overall though, it is one of the best compact air fryers on the market and is certainly one of the most economical. If these qualities are important to you, then the Cosmo 2.3 QT is worth shortlisting.
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